what’s a good search volume for a keyword?

Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever stared at a keyword research tool and wondered, “Is 200 searches a month worth my time, or should I shoot for 20,000 and hope for the best?” — you’re not alone. At Blogging Machine, we’ve seen it all: from the starry-eyed optimist targeting “bitcoin price” (good luck!) to the pragmatic marketer who knows that sometimes, less is more. So, what’s a good search volume for a keyword to be worth targeting? Let’s break it down, with a wink and a nudge, and a dash of data-driven wisdom.

Why Search Volume Isn’t Everything (But It’s Still Pretty Important)

Search volume tells you how many times a keyword is searched per month. Sounds simple, right? But like most things in life — office coffee, Wi-Fi speed, the number of browser tabs you can handle before your laptop weeps — it’s a bit more complicated.

A “good search volume” depends on your website’s authority, your niche, and your goals. For a scrappy new blog, 150 monthly searches might be a goldmine. For a global e-commerce giant, it’s barely a rounding error.

The Industry Benchmarks: What the Pros Say

Low-competition keywords (100–1,000 monthly searches): Perfect for new sites or those building authority. These are the “hidden gems” — not glamorous, but they get the job done. According to industry experts, this range is often the sweet spot for SMBs and agencies looking for quick wins without a black belt in SEO.
Mid-range keywords (1,000–10,000 monthly searches): The “golden opportunity” zone. These keywords attract solid traffic and usually have manageable competition. If you’re established but not quite a household name, this is your playground.
High-volume keywords (10,000+ monthly searches): The SEO equivalent of running a marathon in flip-flops. Sure, the traffic is huge, but so is the competition. Unless you’re already an authority, you’ll need more than just optimism and coffee to rank here.

Fun Fact:

The keyword “bitcoin price” gets over 5 million monthly searches in the US alone. Unless you’re Satoshi Nakamoto, you might want to aim a tad lower.

2024 Keyword Research Trends: It’s Not Just About the Numbers

Let’s face it, the SEO world changes faster than you can say “algorithm update.” Here’s what’s hot in 2024:

Intent is everything: Search engines are getting smarter. It’s not just about volume; it’s about what users actually want. Targeting intent-based keywords (think “how to fix a leaky faucet” instead of just “faucet”) can mean higher conversions and happier visitors.
The “hidden gem” approach: Savvy marketers are using tools like Semrush and Ahrefs to find overlooked keywords with decent volume and low competition. It’s like finding a $20 bill in your winter coat — unexpected, but oh so satisfying.
Benchmarking as standard practice: Comparing your keyword performance against industry standards is now the norm. It’s not just about ranking; it’s about ranking better than your competitors.

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

Let’s get practical. Here’s how we (and most SEO pros) approach this:

1. Balance Volume with Difficulty

A keyword with 5,000 monthly searches sounds great — until you realize you’re competing with the likes of Wikipedia and Amazon. Always check keyword difficulty alongside search volume. Tools like KWFinder and Ahrefs make this easy.

2. Consider Conversion Potential

Would you rather have 100 visitors who buy, or 10,000 who bounce faster than you can say “exit intent”? Sometimes, lower-volume keywords are more targeted and convert better. For example, “buy ergonomic office chair for home” (lower volume, higher intent) vs. “office chair” (high volume, vague intent).

3. Analyze the Competition

Reverse-engineer what your competitors are ranking for. If they’re ignoring a keyword with steady volume, it might be your chance to shine. (Or at least, to quietly outperform them while they’re distracted by the latest SEO fad.)

4. Track Historical Trends

Is the keyword’s search volume growing, steady, or declining? Seasonal keywords (“Christmas gift ideas”) can be goldmines — if you time it right. Use Google Trends or your favorite SEO tool to spot patterns.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Chasing only high-volume keywords: It’s tempting, but unless you have serious authority, you’ll likely end up disappointed (and possibly stress-eating your way through a bag of chips).
Ignoring keyword difficulty: High volume usually means high competition. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Forgetting about local and regional differences: “Football” means something very different in the US vs. the UK. Make sure you’re targeting the right audience.
Keyword stuffing: It’s 2024. Google’s smarter than that. Focus on natural, engaging content — something our AI at Blogging Machine just happens to excel at.

Tools to Make Your Life Easier

Semrush: Massive keyword database, great for finding gaps and opportunities.
Ahrefs: Excellent for competitor analysis and keyword difficulty.
KWFinder: User-friendly, perfect for SMBs and agencies.
Google Trends: Spot seasonal and emerging keyword trends.

Why Consistent, High-Quality Content Wins (Hint: We Can Help)

At the end of the day, search volume is just one piece of the puzzle. What really matters is creating engaging, SEO-friendly articles that attract readers and keep them coming back for more. That’s where we come in. Our AI-powered platform at Blogging Machine automates content creation, keyword optimization, and topic research — so you can focus on running your business, not wrangling spreadsheets.

The bottom line: A “good search volume” is the one that fits your goals, matches your resources, and gives you a realistic shot at ranking. And if you’d rather not spend your lunch break agonizing over keyword data, let us handle it for you.

FAQ: Good Search Volume for Keywords

Q: What’s considered a good search volume for a keyword? A: For most SMBs and agencies, 100–1,000 monthly searches is a great starting point. As your site grows, aim for mid-range keywords (1,000–10,000). High-volume keywords (10,000+) are best left for established authorities.

Q: Should I always go for the highest search volume? A: Not necessarily. High volume often means high competition. Sometimes, targeting lower-volume, high-intent keywords leads to better results.

Q: How do I find the right keywords for my business? A: Use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and KWFinder to analyze search volume, difficulty, and intent. Or, let our AI at Blogging Machine do the heavy lifting for you.

Q: How often should I update my keyword strategy? A: At least quarterly. Search trends change, and so should your strategy. Regular updates keep your content relevant and competitive.

Q: Can Blogging Machine really automate all this? A: Absolutely. Our platform generates SEO-optimized articles, researches topics, and finds the best keywords — so you can enjoy more organic traffic with less hassle.

For more on SEO best practices and keyword research, check out these resources:

Ready to let AI handle your SEO content? Visit Blogging Machine and see how effortless high-performing blog posts can be.