We all value names differently and hence this is what can create some big name sales on the drops, aftermarket sales, plus all the names that do not get reported. A lot of us will admit to looking at the Google keyword tool to work out search volume, average CPC etc. Recently though, as some of my sites have taken over #1 spots I was expecting a shit load more traffic than I started to get.

I would refer back to the keyword tool, and it would reassure me that there was volume there, but on checking analytics, the users were not. Something didn't add up...

What I have learnt just now, (you may already know, but for those of you who don't), this is information you may find helpful... When using the Adwords Keyword Tool, make sure you LOG IN. If you do not log in you will see different results.

For example:

Keyword: Car Loan Calculator
Adwords tool without logging in 6,600 exacts
Adwords tool with logging in - 3,600 exacts

Keyword: Driving Lessons
Adwords tool without logging in 5,400 exacts
Adwords tool with logging in - 1,600 exacts

Keyword: Car Games
Adwords tool without logging in 301,000 exacts
Adwords tool with logging in - 135,000 exacts

Keyword: Golf Courses
Adwords tool without logging in 27,100 exacts
Adwords tool with logging in - DOES NOT SHOW

I'm also concerned that the current (logged in) version is showing a lot of different Country results although restricted to "results from Australia".

I encourage you to play around with both of the different tools on your own names, clearly something isn't right. The logged in version makes more sense to me, but I still believe that there are some major inaccuracies in this version too (note: Logged in version still in Beta). For example, Golf Club, Golf Clubs, Golf Courses does not show up and I do believe that people in Australia would type in those keywords at least a couple of hundred times a month.

Has anyone else shared a similar experience where a domain you bought because you had X volume has actually turned out to have much less? Anyone share my frustration with these tools? Anyone offer any better, more accurate reporting tools?

Any help here would be appreciated!!!

One keyword I rank #1 for shows 6,600 exact but I get 5 organic referrals a month..

I wish there was a feature to turn off the extended network stats. I also have beef with the traffic estimator tool which gives inaccurate results all the time.

I'm getting the better results from your test when I'm logged in and out, but I've noticed what your talking about in the past.

I often have the same feeling.

Just as a side note, does anyone here use Hitwise data?

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Thanks Shaun.

This explains the disappointing results with some of my developed sites.

Also check out webmaster tools dashboard search queries.

Digging this up again, because I saw this:

http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/022835.html

http://adwords.google.com/support/aw...&answer=161760

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Therefore how on earth could you give the tool any relevance. They want you to buy as many keywords as possible

The most accurate keyword tool is the Google adwords keyword tool, but you need to be logged in to get the right answer.
All the numbers that are being thrown around on some auction sites are not right.
How do I know, only because I have numerous number 1 sites and the numbers I get per month are what Google keyword tool tells me when I login.
I've had this discussion numerous times with fellow domainers and they all seem to get the higher numbers per month on their Google keyword tool.
I have another domainer friend who's keyword tool matches my numbers, so I think Google's keyword tool is confusing the shit out of a lot of domainers when buying domains.

Don

I've found my #1 sites usually get around a fifth of the exact search traffic and thats generally what I use as a guide.

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I must admit to being really confused by the discrepancy in stats for "maternity" - maternity.com.au is dropping tomorrow.

Old Google Adwords Keyword Tool
Keywords [maternity], Local Search Volume (Aug) 22,200

New Google Adwords Keyword Tool
Keyword [maternity], Local Monthly Searches 720.

In the new tool it looks like Google are reporting no searches in June July and August.

I'm getting the same results whether I'm logged in or not.

Anybody else getting these results?

Andrew

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Hi Andrew,
The new version is correct and I'm sorry to say that 720 is probably right.
This has real ramifications for those that worked on Googles old keyword search tool as it was well and truely wrong for exacts.

Don

Hi Don,

It used to be fairly easy to reconcile the legacy keyword tool with the new keyword tool. The new one used the average search results, the old one the most recent. Looking at the the new tool downloaded stats which gives you month by month you could match these exactly - eg the August 2010 search figures would tally for both. Now they are way out.

Strange.

Andrew

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