There are all sorts of tools available online that can help Internet marketers. There are keyword finders, SEO analyzers, do-follow blog lists and much more. But did you know that you can find out most of the information you need for marketing from Google?
Google is best known for being the Internet’s most popular search engine. Over half of Internet users search regularly with Google, either at Google.com, through a browser search bar, or on sites with search engines powered by Google. But while relevant search results are one of the company’s greatest achievements, it also offers numerous search options and products that can be of great benefit to Internet marketers.
Search Options
Google offers a number of search options that can help you scope out the competition. One of these is the “link:” operator. When followed by a URL, this will give you a list of pages that link to that URL. “Site:” is another useful one. Followed by a URL and keywords, you can find pages on any given site that contain those keywords.
Synonym search may also be helpful when brainstorming keywords for your site. You can search for synonyms by placing a tilde (~) in front of any search term. If you’re starting a local business and want to know whom you’ll be competing against, you can search for the category of business and location (for example, “hardware store Atlanta”).
Google Tools
Google has made numerous tools available that can help Internet marketers. Here’s the lowdown on some of them:
* Google Trends – This handy tool allows you to chart the search volume of given keywords. You can enter multiple keywords separated by commas to create a chart that compares them to one another. Information about search volume in different locations and languages is also provided.
* Google AdWords Keyword Tool – Whether you use AdWords or not, this tool can really come in handy. You simply enter a keyword, and Google provides a list of related keywords with competition level and search volume. This is useful for finding the best keywords to target for a site, or for finding lucrative niche markets.
* Google Notebook – This tool is very helpful when you’re doing marketing research. By using a browser extension, you can easily add text, images, and links to pages you’ve found online to your notebook.
Google is much more than just your run-of-the-mill search engine. It offers access to virtually any kind of information one could want. Marketers can use it to research their competition, find the most effective keywords and more. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to find out everything you need to know for a marketing campaign, look no further than Google.