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Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory

By Jon | October 25, 2008

Conspiracy Theory

Is there a conspiracy?

In my early years as Internet marketer, I used couple of paid and free keyword tools to help me in my keyword research. The popularity of these tools in forums, yahoo groups, and SEO related websites convinces me to use them.

I then did a keyword research, bought a domain, write content, and launch a website based on the data reported from these tools.

Few months after launching and easily ranking first in Google in my target keywords, I learned my first big lesson in keyword research. That is— don’t put you faith on these tools. Their data are faulty. They may give you what you’re looking for but not “exactly” what you’re looking for.

Since then, I did a research of how and where these tools getting their data. Why are these tools so popular and vastly promoted?

I’ve no idea of affiliate marketing back then.

Conspiracy Theory

So how and where these keyword research tools getting their data? Here’s the result of my research.

Wordtracker
This is the most popular paid tools out there. According to them, “Our database is entirely made up of Metacrawler/Dogpile queries for the past 130 days and makes up approximately 0.63% of the search engine market.”

source: http://help.wordtracker.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=66

With only less than 1% of search market, search count results can be diluted easily by any sudden search market swing.
This tool may still be useful but they use big search engines only for competition research and not on their search volume count.

Keyword Elite
Claims they uses Google and I believe so. But since there’s no API or direct access to Google keyword database, they’re just doing it manually in a browser level like every ordinary person does it using Google Adwords Keyword Tool. With billions of keywords out there, importing a substantial data manually from Google is an impossible task.

Here’s a quote from their web site:
“The search engines listed below either provide their complete search logs and these are imported in full into our databases, or samples are collected directly at the browser level from our user panel and other sources.”

SeoBook Keyword Tool
They are using Wordtracker data so their reports are the same and using only 0.63% of entire search engine market.

Nichebot
Claims to use Google as source in their web site but does not exactly tell us how much of their data are from Google. They also use Wordtracker and Keyword Discovery.

Wordze
Claims to use Google, Yahoo, MSN Search, and AOL but like Nichebot they don’t tell us how much of their data from big search engines

Some of them tell you where are they getting their search count data but some of them completely ignore the importance of informing their users or subscribers of the fact about their data. Is there a conspiracy?

A sad fact, due to rapid changes in search engine marketing, there are still tons of books and website promoting the tools without precautionary advice. New to online marketing has to go through trial and error to realize errors in the reports.

Good thing Google Keyword tool now reveals the search count. But please note that the search volume count is the total count from Google website and all it’s search partner.

I’ve revealed a taknique in my book, how to get actual daily search count of a certain keyword.

Topics: Tools and Reviews | 22 Comments »

22 Responses to “Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory”

  1. Using Wordtracker For Finding Amazing Profitable Keywords | Taknique Says:
    October 25th, 2008 at 3:53 am

    [...] Please read my precautionary advice here in using [...]

  2. Charles Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 am

    I think you should also review Market Samurai.

    Charles

  3. Jon Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 am

    I haven’t heard of that. I will look into that and see what they have something new to offer and if they’re reliable enough.

    Thanks for dropping by.

  4. Russ Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    Thanks for helping to get the word out there regarding keyword tools. At best they only help you to arrive at generalities and trends. The best option is to use multiple tools and try to draw some broad conclusions based on all of them.

  5. Jon Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Russ.

    I primarily use Google keyword tools, trends, google.com, and Yahoo simply because they hold nearly 85% of the search market.

    If you want to get accurate data, it has to come from BIG search engines and nothing more.

  6. Mike K. Says:
    November 8th, 2008 at 2:19 am

    I use google for the most part but also found thart keyword explorer to work as well.

  7. Jerry Says:
    November 8th, 2008 at 11:14 am

    I only use google keyword tool, because they are the bigest search engine out there, no way those other tools could compete with them.

  8. Desk Coder Says:
    November 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    That is funny about WordTracker, and it seems to make sense. I see a HUGE discrepancy between the Google Keyword Tool and SEOBook’s tool. My gut says to trust Google because hey, they should know who searches on THEIR site.

  9. Keyword tools... what a disaster! Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 6:17 am

    [...] Re: Keyword tools… what a disaster! Hi Alex. My blog post may help you answer some questions in your mind. Check it here-> Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique [...]

  10. Alex Sol Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 6:31 am

    Great post!
    I have been confused about the different keyword search results coming from different tools, at least now I know where they get their numbers ;) This does actually help.

    Thanks,

    Alex

  11. Google keyword tool daily or monthly results? Says:
    November 24th, 2008 at 6:06 am

    [...] unreliable because they only use 0.63% of total search market. Drop by to my blog and read this: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique This will save you time and [...]

  12. keyword research help Says:
    December 20th, 2008 at 1:21 am

    [...] you buy any software or membership, I recommend that you read my blog post on keyword tools. Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique This will save you time and [...]

  13. Google KW Tool vs Wordtracker - Real count? Says:
    December 24th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    [...] Re: Google KW Tool vs Wordtracker – Real count? Hi Harivney. You may want to read my short blog post that may enlighten you: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique [...]

  14. Dim Vasen from FreeTrafficSystem.com Says:
    December 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Absolutely awesome info – I have gained Google page 1 many times and experienced the same bitter taste of hoax.

    But I have bad news about Google tool as well. Please check this forum thread on WebProWorld when people get DIFFERENT search demand under the SAME search parameters. The thread shows screenshots
    http://www.webproworld.com/google-adwords-google-adsense/75132-either-google-search-demand-fake-explain.html

    This is f***ing awesome :(

  15. What Are The Best Keyword Tools Around ? Says:
    December 31st, 2008 at 1:54 am

    [...] Tool. Why? Well, they hold nearly 70% of search engine market data. Read this short blog post: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique – Jon [...]

  16. Wordtracker vs Google Keyword Search Tool? Says:
    January 2nd, 2009 at 3:13 am

    [...] Re: Wordtracker vs Google Keyword Search Tool? Please read my short blog post on this matter to enlighten you: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique [...]

  17. Do You Use "Keyword Questions"? Says:
    January 11th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    [...] Re: Do You Use "Keyword Questions"? Guys, you may want to read my research on keyword tools including the popular keyword tool, Wordtracker. You’ll be enlighten. => Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique [...]

  18. Keyword Research is DRIVING ME CRAZY! What is your secret? Says:
    February 10th, 2009 at 5:55 am

    [...] Re: Keyword Research is DRIVING ME CRAZY! What is your secret? I think the problem is you’ll probably using tools that are inaccurate. With that you’re getting results that ….inaccurate. These paid tools (at least most of them) are just crap. I found multiple niches that these tools yelling it’s "TOO MUCH COMPETITION". Spend two minutes about my blog posts and this will enlighten you: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique [...]

  19. Is Keyword and SEO Elite worth the money and a must have? Just trying to find out if I should get it Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    [...] Keyword Tool is enough. It’s free and most reliable. Spend 5 minutes reading my blog post here: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique That should help [...]

  20. Google Search Counts & Google Blocks for Micro Niche Finder & Market Sumurai Says:
    April 1st, 2009 at 4:14 am

    [...] Re: Google Search Counts & Google Blocks for Micro Niche Finder & Market Sumurai That’s why I don’t pay for any of these Keyword Tools at all. Many people missed a lot of niches because they rely on tools that don’t have accurate and updated data. They were mesmerized by fancy reporting. Read this and you’ll be set free: http://www.taknique.com/blog/2008/10…ls-conspiracy/ [...]

  21. New to IM, traffic questrion Says:
    April 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    [...] any tools in doing keyword research, I recommend that you spend 3 minutes reading this blog post. Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique Have you read it? If so, then start doing a keyword research. That should save you lots of time [...]

  22. Wordtracker or Google Adwords Tool:Which one to trust? - WarriorForum - Internet Marketing Forums Says:
    August 18th, 2009 at 11:29 pm

    [...] Wordtracker or Google Adwords Tool:Which one to trust? Here’s my answer to that: Keyword Tools Conspiracy Theory | Taknique – [...]

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