what is a good search volume for a keyword?

Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever stared at a keyword research tool, you’ve probably wondered, “Is 70 searches a month worth my time, or am I just writing for my mom and her book club?” Welcome to the existential crisis of SEO, where the definition of a “good search volume” for a keyword is about as clear as your last Zoom call’s audio.

But don’t worry — at bloggingmachine.io, we’ve automated the hair-pulling part of keyword research so you can focus on the fun stuff (like pretending to work while actually reading this article). Let’s break down what “good search volume” really means in 2025, with a few laughs and a lot of practical advice.

The Myth of the Magic Number

If you’re hoping for a single, universal number, prepare for disappointment. The truth is, what counts as a good search volume depends on your industry, your goals, and whether you’re targeting the world or just your neighborhood.

Niche industries: Even 10–50 searches per month can be gold if those searchers are ready to buy.
Broad markets: You might not get out of bed for less than 1,000 monthly searches.
Local businesses: Sometimes, 50–300 searches with a city or “near me” attached are all you need.

So, before you chase after keywords with search volumes that look like lottery numbers, remember: relevance and intent matter more than raw numbers.

Why “Good Search Volume” Isn’t Everything

Let’s say you find a keyword with 5,000 monthly searches. Sounds great, right? But if it’s not relevant to your business, you’ll get traffic and… crickets. On the other hand, a keyword with just 100 monthly searches could bring in leads who are ready to hand you their credit card.

As the SEO pros at Ahrefs put it, “A lower-volume keyword with high conversion potential can be more valuable than a high-volume term with minimal business relevance.” Translation: don’t judge a keyword by its cover.

2025 Keyword Trends: The Game Has Changed

The keyword landscape is evolving faster than your favorite streaming service’s recommendations. Here’s what’s hot in 2025:

1. Long-Tail and Conversational Keywords

Thanks to voice search and our collective love of talking to our phones, long-tail keywords (think “best vegan pizza near me open now”) are in. These phrases usually have lower search volumes, but higher intent. In other words, fewer people search for them, but those who do are ready to act.

2. Topical Authority Is King

Instead of obsessing over one high-volume keyword, the trend is to build comprehensive content around broader topics. This not only helps you rank for lots of related lower-volume keywords but also establishes you as an expert. (And yes, our AI at bloggingmachine.io is really good at this.)

3. User Intent Segmentation

Are people searching to buy, learn, or just kill time? Understanding intent is crucial. A “good search volume” is only good if it matches what your business offers.

4. Hyperlocal Targeting

Mobile searches with location-based modifiers (“nearby,” “in my area”) are booming. For local businesses, these lower-volume, hyper-targeted keywords can be a goldmine.

Tools to Measure Search Volume (and Keep Your Sanity)

You don’t need to guess — there are plenty of tools to help you figure out what’s “good” for your niche:

Ahrefs: Offers deep insights into keyword search volume, difficulty, and trends over time. Great for spotting seasonal patterns.
Semrush: Gives you the average monthly search volume over the past year, so you know if interest is steady or just a fad.
Google Keyword Planner: Still a classic, especially for PPC planning.
Google Trends: Shows relative interest (not absolute numbers), but helps you spot rising topics.
Emerging AI Tools: New AI-powered platforms can predict trends before they go mainstream. (We’re not saying we’re psychic, but our AI comes close.)

For more on these tools, check out Moz’s guide to keyword research and Google’s own Keyword Planner.

How to Decide If a Keyword’s Search Volume Is “Good” for You

Here’s where we get practical. When evaluating a keyword, ask yourself:

What’s the conversion potential? A keyword with 100 searches and a 10% conversion rate beats 1,000 searches at 0.5%.
How tough is the competition? Lower-volume keywords are often easier to rank for, especially if you’re not a household name (yet).
Is there seasonality? Some keywords spike at certain times of year. Use tools to spot these trends and plan accordingly.
Is your audience global or local? Global search volume might look impressive, but if you only serve one city, focus on local numbers.

Real-World Examples (Because Theory Is Boring)

A local bakery: “Birthday cakes in Brooklyn” gets 150 searches a month. Not huge, but if you’re the top result, that’s a lot of cake.
A SaaS startup: “Best project management software” gets 6,000 searches, but competition is fierce. “Project management software for architects” gets 90 searches — less traffic, but more likely to convert.

Professional Advice: Don’t Obsess Over Numbers

As SEO expert Brian Dean says, “It’s better to rank #1 for a keyword that gets 100 searches per month than #10 for a keyword that gets 10,000.” Why? Because the top spot gets the lion’s share of clicks, and lower competition means you can actually get there.

And if you’re tired of juggling spreadsheets and keyword tools, let us at bloggingmachine.io handle it. Our AI agent does the heavy lifting — researching, optimizing, and writing SEO-friendly articles that actually rank. You get more organic traffic and more time to, well, do anything else.

FAQ: Good Search Volume for Keywords

Q: What is considered a good search volume for a keyword? A: It depends on your industry and goals. For niche markets, even 10–50 searches can be valuable. For broader markets, look for 100–1,000+ monthly searches. Always consider relevance and intent.

Q: Should I only target high-volume keywords? A: Not necessarily. Lower-volume, highly relevant keywords often have less competition and higher conversion rates.

Q: How do I find the right keywords for my business? A: Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Google Keyword Planner. Focus on keywords that match your audience’s intent and your business goals.

Q: Are long-tail keywords worth it? A: Absolutely! They may have lower search volumes, but they attract visitors who are more likely to convert.

Q: How can bloggingmachine.io help with keyword research? A: Our AI agent automates keyword research, content creation, and optimization — so you get SEO-optimized articles that drive traffic, without the manual hassle.

Final Thoughts (and a Shameless Plug)

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what makes a “good search volume.” It’s about finding the sweet spot between relevance, intent, and competition. And if you’d rather not spend your lunch break buried in keyword data, let us do the work. At bloggingmachine.io, we turn keyword chaos into effortless, high-performing blog posts — so you can finally enjoy that lunch break.

What Is a Good Search Volume for a Keyword?