Google AdWords Keyword Tool: How To Use The New Interface Step By Step

Google has updated it’s look. It has a new interface for the AdWords Keyword Tool. Confusion usually comes with change and this interface change is no exception. Many people are having a little trouble figuring out how to use it. According to some people, the new interface is much improved with new ways to do deeper research on your keywords. I usually don‘t do very deep keyword research. I just do the basic stuff. However, I may change as I learn more about the changes to the AdWords Keyword Tool. **Note: As of May 28, 2010, the old interface for the Google AdWords Keyword Tool is still available for you to use. Once you’re on the new interface, click on the link in the top right corner that says, “Previous Interface" ***UPDATE: October 2010, the old interface is no longer available.

I’m not sure why some people are having problems with the new interface vanishing from their screens. It could possibly have something to do with the requirement to type in security letters before the web page opens up for use. You’re not required to sign in to an AdWords account. You don’t even have to have one. You just need to type the security letters shown, into the space provided. Once that is done correctly the shadow window will go away and you will be able to use the Keyword Tool.

The following are step by step written instructions on how to do a basic keyword search using the new interface of Google’s Keyword Tool. I have also done a short video on how to do this. If you prefer to skip the written instructions and watch the video, just scroll down to the bottom of this page to watch it.

Step 1. Go to adwords.google.com/select/keywordtoolExtended

Step 2. A box will come up with security letters for you to type in and submit. Once that is done correctly, the Google AdWord Keyword Tool will be able to be used.

Step 3. To begin a keyword search, type your keyword into the box under the heading: “Word or phrase (one per line)” If you want to use advanced options such as choosing a Country or Language, click the link and choose your options.

Step 4. Click the “Search” button. The keyword ideas for the keywords you keyed will appear. Note: There is a note that says you need to “Sign in with your AdWords log in information to see the full set of ideas for this search.” However, you don’t need to do that for basic information you used to get with the old Keyword Tool interface.

Step 5. The default columns of the Keyword Ideas are, “Keyword”, “Competition”, “Global Monthly Seraches”, “Local Monthly Searches”, and “Local Search Trends”. To change the columns and categories Click on the “Views” button. A drop down box will appear that says, “Customize Columns”. Click on it.

Step 6. The Customize box will appear. You can check or un-check the columns you want to show on the interface. One important column that you may want to show, but isn’t already is the “Estimated Avg CPC”. You may also drag and drop the columns in the order that you want them to appear in. When you’re done making your changes click the “Save” button. Your columns you selected for viewing will appear in the order you chose.

Step 7. An important option you may want to set is the “Match Type”. It defaults as “Broad”. If you want to see the keyword results from the “Exact” keyword phrase you keyed in, you need to change the “Match Type” from “Broad” to “Exact”. Scroll down and look to the left of the new interface to make this change. Your data will change as soon as you select your choices.

Step 8. On your data columns, clicking on the column title will sort the data in the column either in ascending or decending order. For example, click on the “Estimated Avg CPC” column title to see the highest cost per click keywords first. Click the column title again to see the lowest cost per cliick.

Step 9. Clicking the keyword will give you more stats on that particular keyword. Also, clicking the magnifying glass will give you more data.

Step 10. You can download the list of keywords ideas, by clicking on the "download" button. You can download the data in the following formats; CSV for excel, CSV, TSV, XML, or zipped CSV.

This concludes my brief step by step guide on how to use the new interface for Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool. Again, this is just an example of a basic keyword search. There are many other tools that can be used with this new interface. You just need to take some time and play around with all of the different things you can do with it.

I hope this helps others who are having trouble using the new interface of the Google AdWords Keyword Tool.

Doing a basic keyword search using the new interface.

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