A question on Google's Keyword Tool

[Andy Walpole]

When using this tool there are three match types: broad, exact and phrase.

The broad gives far higher numbers than exact but I'm not sure what the difference is between the two.

Can anybody explain?

 

[Codefixer]

If you do an exact match for 'web design' then that will just show the searches for the exact term 'web design'

If you do a broad match for 'web design' then that might included 'cheap web design', 'affordable web design'.

You'll get more traffic for broad match as by it's nature it's more inclusive.

 

[Toni Anicic]

Basically, broad match includes all long tail variations of exact match (everything you could add before, after or in between these search terms) and also some synonyms.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Web design as a seed phrase

broad match = web designers, sofa design, furniture design (yep even that bad)
"Phrase" = cheap web design, web design help, web design courses.
[exact] = web design.

also make sure you set the country to UK

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Web design as a seed phrase

broad match = web designers, sofa design, furniture design (yep even that bad)
"Phrase" = cheap web design, web design help, web design courses.
[exact] = web design.

James is right.

If you do the broad match search, you'll get back 2 lists of numbers (one list under the other). That second list contains some of the "related" stuff that google could end up showing your ad for.

For example, I just did it for web design and the top 5 in the bottom list (in terms of UK volume) were:

internet marketing
web development
web developer
web companies
web ecommerce

Steve

PS Broad match can also match with words in your ads.

My favourite example was a dog training ad showing for "sample wills"... because the ad invited people to see sample videos and also said something like "your dog will obey your command".

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Jaand also said something like "your dog will obey your command".

Cheers Steve, that has cheered me u of a morning.

This is why many people say 'Adwrods are crap', the reality is 'badly handled adwords campaigns are crap' .

 

[Buck]

broad keyword can be defined as broad searching keyword. whole world traffic and other i am also confuse what is this.

 

[Dave Thomas]

dont forget modified broad match guys....this will help no end!! Great new addition.

http://drivingonlinesales.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bmm.jpg

 

[bdw]

Here's something else you should perhaps be aware of...

http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/why-you-shouldnt-use-googles-keyword-tool-for-seo/

 

[redtreeland]

absolutely agree with dave, if you're getting loads of impressions and fewr clicks, or even a large number of irrelevant clicks, broad match modifier is your solution. much better than just using broad match on its own.

 

[harryboon]

Great example Steve, and very funny

My favourite example was a dog training ad showing for "sample wills"... because the ad invited people to see sample videos and also said something like "your dog will obey your command".

 

[lr89]

you need to use exact, because with the broad search you get the wrong number, a lot of things that are not relevant.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

absolutely agree with dave, if you're getting loads of impressions and fewr clicks, or even a large number of irrelevant clicks, broad match modifier is your solution. much better than just using broad match on its own.

I don't necessarily agree. Both versions have their uses.

PPC is about buying the segments of traffic that are profitable for you. If you can make money from the broad match traffic that's not included within modified broad match, then why not have it?

Steve

 

[redtreeland]

well yeh of course if broad match is working then just stick with it, but if your CTR is 0.01% then something's wrong, right?

 

[ledia]

Hi all, I also want to know about this. Please share your information as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance for your reply.