How to Check Which Keyword Has More Traffic?
You’re not alone. One of the biggest mistakes content creators make—especially when starting—is not knowing whether their keyword actually gets any search traffic.
No stress—this guide is perfect if you’ve ever found yourself wondering things like:
- “How do I know if people even search for this?”
- “Which keyword brings the most traffic?”
Let’s simplify the entire process—in plain English, without technical jargon, and in a way that’s practical whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, freelancer, or small business owner in India.
What Does “Keyword Traffic” Mean?
Every time someone types something on Google—like “best budget phone in India”—Google tracks how many people are searching for that exact phrase. That number is called the search volume.
Think of it like this:
If 90,000 people search for “best running shoes”, and only 400 people search for “running shoes for rainy season”, clearly the first one has way more traffic.
But here’s the catch—just because a keyword gets more searches doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you.
You’ll understand why in a minute.
How Do You Actually Check Keyword Traffic?
Let’s get straight to the tools. Some are free, some are paid—but even with free ones, you can make smart decisions.
1. Google Keyword Planner (Free)
- It’s part of the Google Ads platform—but the good news is, you can access it without paying for ads.
- You’ll get average monthly searches, plus how competitive the keyword is.
- Works especially well if you’re targeting the Indian market.
Real-world tip: You’ll need to sign up for Google Ads, but you can skip the campaign setup.
2. Ubersuggest (Freemium)
- If you’re just starting out, this one’s gold.
- Shows search volume, SEO difficulty, and keyword ideas.
- Simple interface. Clean layout.
- Free version gives limited daily searches, but still good enough.
I’ve used Ubersuggest to scale my blog from scratch to thousands of monthly visitors—it’s a solid option if you prefer simple, easy-to-understand data without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Google Trends (Free)
- Want to know if a keyword is gaining or losing popularity?
- Google Trends lets you compare keywords over time.
- Also shows regional interest—helpful for India-specific blogs.
4. Ahrefs and SEMrush (Paid)
These are professional-level tools.
- You get deep keyword data, backlink insights, and even competitor analysis.
- They might be on the pricey side, but they’re extremely useful if you’re scaling quickly or managing projects for clients.
How to Decide Which Keyword Has “More” or “Better” Traffic?
Let’s compare two keyword examples:
- “Yoga for weight loss” — 60,000+ monthly searches
- “Yoga for beginners at home India” — 5,000+ monthly searches
Now, the first one seems better, right?
Not necessarily.
The second one may have fewer searches, but it’s:
- More targeted
- Easier to rank for (lower competition)
- Has clearer user intent (people actually looking to start yoga at home)
So what should you do?
Don’t chase big numbers blindly.
Instead, ask:
- Can I realistically rank for this keyword?
- Does this match what my blog/product offers?
- Is the intent behind the keyword clear?
Avoid This Big Mistake Most Beginners Make
Let me tell you something from personal experience:
In the beginning, I kept targeting keywords like “earn money online”, “best phones”, and “weight loss tips”. Big search volume—but also crazy competition.
After months of zero traffic, I switched to long-tail, more specific keywords. That’s when things changed.
Moral of the story? Start small. Start specific.
Use This Quick Table to Compare Keywords
Here’s a basic example if you’re writing about health and fitness:
| Keyword | Monthly Searches | SEO Difficulty | Ideal For |
| weight loss | 1,00,000+ | High | Big websites |
| Indian diet plan for weight loss | 8,000+ | Medium | Niche blogs |
| vegetarian weight loss plan India | 4,000+ | Low | Beginner-friendly SEO |
Even though the first keyword gets more traffic, it’s nearly impossible to rank for unless you’re WebMD or Healthline.
Final Tips to Pick the Right Keyword
- Start with long-tail keywords (3–6 words)
- Try out free tools such as Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to get started with your research.
- Pay attention to the user’s intent—what they’re actually looking to find or do.
- Track what keywords are already working for you in Google Search Console
It’s better to get 100 visitors who actually want what you’re offering… than 10,000 who just bounce in 3 seconds.
Final Words
Keyword research isn’t just about chasing traffic numbers. It’s about understanding your audience, matching their needs, and writing content that deserves to be found.
And now that you know how to check which keyword gets more traffic, you’re already ahead of 90% of new bloggers.
Don’t wait. Try it out today. Even just 15 minutes of research can change how your next post performs.
