How to Use Keyword Planner | Free Usage and How to Check Search Volume
June 25, 2026
Author: Shusaku Yosa
When working on SEO or search advertising, knowing "which keywords are searched for how often" is essential. A representative tool for this is Google's "Keyword Planner." This article clearly explains, for beginners as well, what Keyword Planner is, from the basics through how to use it for free, how to check search volume, and points to watch out for when using it.
What Is Keyword Planner?
Keyword Planner is one of the features of Google Ads provided by Google, and it is a tool that lets you check the search volume of keywords and related keywords. It was originally a tool for planning the placement of search advertising, but it is also widely used for SEO keyword selection and content planning. Because it lets you grasp which keywords are searched for how often and what related keywords exist, it can be called a starting point for web customer acquisition.
What You Can Do with Keyword Planner
With Keyword Planner, you can mainly do the following.
- Check an estimate of the monthly search volume for a keyword
- Find new keywords related to a given keyword
- Check the competitiveness (how intense the competition for ad placement is)
- Grasp an estimate of the cost per click for search advertising
Keyword Planner Is Free to Use
Keyword Planner can be used for free once you create a Google Ads account. However, you need to be aware that the level of detail in the information shown differs depending on whether or not you are running ads.
Preparation for Using It Free
To use Keyword Planner, you first need a Google account and a Google Ads account. Once you create a Google Ads account, Keyword Planner itself can be used for free even without actually running ads. You may be prompted to place ads when creating the account, but if you proceed through the settings, you can use the tool without running ads.
The Difference Between Free and Paid (Running Ads)
In the free state where you are not running ads, search volume is shown as a range with a span, such as "10K-100K." On the other hand, accounts that are running ads above a certain amount see search volume displayed with more precise figures. If your goal is SEO and you want to grasp a rough trend, the free range display is sufficient for practical use.
How to Use Keyword Planner
Keyword Planner has, broadly speaking, two features. Use them according to your purpose.
Discover New Keywords
With the "Discover new keywords" feature, when you enter a keyword you want to research or your own site's URL, a list of related keyword candidates is displayed. This lets you find related keywords you would not have thought of yourself, as well as the search terms users actually use. It is helpful for broadening the themes of your content and preventing oversights.
Check Search Volume and Forecast Data
With the "Check search volume and forecasts" feature, you can enter keywords that are already decided and check their search volume and future forecasts. You can also enter multiple keywords together and compare the size of their volumes. This is a usage suited to cases where the keywords you want to target are already decided.
How to Check Search Volume
The steps to actually check search volume are as follows.
- Log in to Google Ads and open "Keyword Planner" from the tools menu
- Select "Check search volume and forecasts"
- Enter the keyword you want to research and search
- Check the displayed "average monthly searches"
Narrow Down by Region and Period
Search volume can be checked by narrowing down with conditions such as region, period, and device. For example, by narrowing to Japan only or viewing the trend over the past 12 months, you can grasp figures that are more accurate and matched to your target. For keywords whose search numbers fluctuate by season, viewing the trend by period makes it easier to grasp the peaks of demand.
Download Data and Make Use of It
The displayed list of keywords can be downloaded as a CSV file and the like. By importing it into a spreadsheet, it becomes easier to do analysis such as sorting by search volume or grouping related keywords. Use it as base material when considering the article structure of your content.
Points to Watch When Using Keyword Planner
It is a convenient tool, but there are also points to keep in mind when using it.
The Free Version's Volume Is Only a Rough Guide
As mentioned above, in the free version search volume is displayed as a range with a span. For this reason, it is not suited to cases where you want to know precise figures accurately. Also, keep in mind that the displayed figures are only a rough guide and do not completely match the actual number of searches.
Don't Decide on Keywords by Volume Alone
Keywords with large search volume look attractive, but the competition is correspondingly fierce, and ranking at the top is not easy. It is important to consider not just the size of the volume but also the search intent, the competitive situation, and whether it is a theme your own site can address. Even keywords with small search volume are often more likely to lead to conversions.
Summary
Keyword Planner is a tool that can be used for free once you create a Google Ads account, letting you check the search volume of keywords and related keywords. It is extremely useful as a starting point for SEO keyword selection and content planning. The free version has limitations such as volume being shown as a range, but it is sufficient for grasping rough demand. Using search volume as a clue while also considering search intent and the competitive situation, you can connect it to an effective keyword strategy.
