How to Compare Search Terms in Google Trends for Smarter Keyword Strategy and Content Planning
By Manisha Sharma
Why Search Term Comparison Is a Game-Changer for Your SEO Strategy
In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, keeping up with search trends isn’t just helpful, it’s absolutely essential. One powerful (and free!) way to do this is by using search term comparison. It’s a simple yet strategic way to figure out which keywords people are actually searching for and how interest in those terms is changing over time.
So, what is search term comparison, really?
Think of it as a keyword face-off. You compare two or more terms and see which one’s winning in terms of popularity. You can track trends across time, spot seasonal spikes, check geographic interest, and even explore different content formats like YouTube or Google Shopping.
This isn’t just a numbers game. It’s about making smarter content and marketing decisions. With these insights, you can:
- Pick high-potential keywords that can boost your website traffic.
- Spot trending topics before your competitors do.
- Understand when and where certain keywords perform best.
That’s where Google Trends comes in, a free tool from Google that shows you how interest in a term rises and falls over time. It doesn’t give you raw search volume, but it does provide indexed scores (0 to 100) that help you compare interest levels in a visual, intuitive way.
Want to know whether people care more about “home workouts” or “gym memberships” these days? Wondering if “AI tools” are outpacing “SEO tools”? Google Trends gives you those answers instantly.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to compare search terms using Google Trends effectively, what insights you can uncover, and how this approach can level up your overall SEO and content strategy.
Why Should You Compare Search Terms at All?
1. Understand Which Keywords Actually Matter
Instead of guessing which keyword to use, compare them! Google Trends shows you which ones people are actually searching for. That means you can focus on keywords that are more likely to drive real traffic.
2. Discover Fresh Content Ideas
Search one keyword, and Google Trends will show you related rising queries. These can spark new blog posts, video ideas, or even business offerings, giving you a creative edge before others catch on.
3. Check if a Topic Has Long-Term Potential
Some topics fade fast; others are evergreen. Google Trends helps you identify stable, high-interest topics you can bank on for long-term content performance.
Use Trends to Plan Multimedia Content
4. Find Winning YouTube Video Ideas
Switch the filter to “YouTube Search” and see what video content is trending. For example, if “best productivity books” is peaking, consider a YouTube series reviewing your favourites.
5. Plan for Visual & News-Based Content
You can also view trends based on Image Search or News. This can help you design graphics for social media, pitch newsworthy content, or align your content calendar with what’s hot.
Tap Into Real-Time and Seasonal Trends
6. Ride the Seasonal Wave
Keywords like “Diwali gifts” or “winter skincare” spike at certain times of the year. Google Trends makes it easy to spot those cycles, so you can publish or promote your content at the perfect moment.
7. Target Content Based on Region
Did you know people in the U.S. say “garage sale,” but in the UK it’s “car boot sale”? Google Trends helps you localize your SEO strategy so you’re using the right words for the right audience.
Keep Tabs on Brands and Competitors
8. Compare Brand Visibility
Want to know if your brand is gaining traction compared to competitors? Use Google Trends to track brand interest over time and see who’s winning mindshare.
9. Map Out Regional Brand Strength
You can even check where your brand is more or less popular geographically. This helps you refine your regional ad campaigns, offers, and local SEO tactics.
Make Smarter Business Decisions
10. Decide What to Promote
Torn between pushing Product A or Product B? Google Trends can show you which one is generating more public interest and help you prioritize your promotions accordingly.
11. Explore New Markets Safely
Thinking of launching in a new city or country? Use trend data to gauge early interest levels in that area before investing heavily. It’s a smart way to reduce risks.
How to Compare Search Terms in Google Trends
12. Start Simple
Head to Google Trends, hit “Explore,” and enter a keyword. Choose the “Topic” version when available, it captures broader intent and variations.
13. Compare Up to Five Terms
Click “+ Compare” to add more search terms (up to five total). Compare similar terms (topic vs. topic or term vs. term) to get apples-to-apples insights.
Customize Your Data View with Filters
14. Filter by Location
Zoom in by country, state, or even city to see where certain terms are trending. For example, “hiking backpacks” might be more popular in Himachal Pradesh than in Tamil Nadu.
15. Filter by Time Range
Check trends over the past 7 days, 90 days, 5 years, or all the way back to 2004. This shows you whether a topic is just having a moment or here to stay.
16. Filter by Category
Narrow your focus to specific industries like Health, Finance, or Business. This prevents unrelated trends from skewing your analysis.
17. Filter by Search Type
Choose from Web, YouTube, Image, News, or Google Shopping to align your research with your content format or platform goals.
Section VIII: Making Sense of Google Trends Data
18. Differentiate Fads from Evergreen
A quick 5-year comparison reveals a lot. “Zoom party” peaked in 2020, but “birthday party” continues to trend each year. Use this to spot long-term opportunities.
19. Predict Seasonal Highs
Some topics, like “Christmas recipes” or “summer skincare,” show predictable seasonal peaks. Plan your content calendar around when people are actively searching.
20. Mind the Language Gap
“Trainers” in the UK = “sneakers” in the US. These regional differences affect search performance. Trends helps you speak your audience’s language literally.
Know What Google Trends Can’t Do
21. Limitations to Keep in Mind
Google Trends doesn’t show:
- Actual monthly search volumes
- Keyword competition or difficulty
- SERP (search engine results page) analysis
22. So, Pair It With Other Tools
Google Trends gives great insights but it’s not your only tool. Use platforms like Ahrefs, Moz, Ubersuggest, or SEMrush to get:
- Accurate search volume
- Keyword difficulty scores
- User intent
- Keyword suggestions
Combining these tools gives you a well-rounded SEO game plan.
Conclusion
Google Trends is an underrated powerhouse for digital marketers, bloggers, YouTubers, and business owners. When you compare search terms strategically, you unlock insights into what your audience really cares about, when they care about it, and where the conversation is happening.
It’s not about chasing every trend it’s about using real data to create relevant, high-impact content.
So the next time you’re brainstorming content ideas or planning your next campaign, don’t just guess. Use Google Trends to validate your instincts and watch your SEO strategy get sharper and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Google Trends used for?
It helps you analyse how search interest for a keyword changes over time and across regions. Great for content planning and SEO.
Q2. Can Google Trends improve SEO?
Absolutely. It shows which topics are trending so you can time and tailor your content more effectively.
Q3. Is Google Trends free to use?
Yes, it’s completely free and accessible to everyone.
Q4. What’s the difference between “search term” and “topic” in Google Trends?
A “topic” includes variations and related terms, while a “search term” reflects exactly what users typed in.
Q5. How many search terms can I compare at once?
You can compare up to five terms or topics in one view.