The Search Volume metric represents the monthly average of searches for a keyword in Google over the last 12 months.

Calculation

We calculate keyword volume by combining data from the Google Ads API with our own datasets, including anonymous searches from our contributory network. We call this a “hybrid” calculation, as the calculation is based on several distinct data sources.

Our "hybrid" keyword volume calculation addresses some of the main problems with Google's volume metric:

Google API

Similarweb Hybrid Keyword Volume

Grouping

Google groups similar keywords, identifies the group leader and assigns the leader’s volume to everyone in the group. Therefore, you will find multiple similar keywords with the same volume.

With Similarweb's hybrid keyword volume calculation, volumes are unique.

Coverage

Google’s volume is heavily based on Google Ads, so long-tail keywords that don’t have ads placed against them will tend to not have volume metrics provided. Also, certain keyword types are banned from having ads on them.

With our hybrid keyword calculation using data from several distinct data sources to produce estimations, we are able to detect more low-volume keywords.

Freshness

Google Ads API has a 2-3 weeks delay.

Using a combination of data sources to derive keyword volume allows us to provide fresh, up-to-date estimations that are not restricted by Google Ads API's delay in releasing new data.

Using this metric

Search volume of a keyword is one of the most important metrics to consider when doing keyword research. Not all searches lead to a click of a result: users might either refine their search or just find the information they were looking for within a SERP feature. Knowing the search volumes of the keywords you want to target provides the real search demand.

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