How to Use "Google Insights for Search Trends" to Increase Traffic to Your Hubs

The idea of this step-by-step method is to increase traffic to quality hubs that are already written but are not getting the traffic they deserve. Presumably, you have done your homework and chosen a title/ keywords using Adwords Keyword tool. Hopefully, you have also taken advantage of Hubpages' Title Tuner and keyword tab (found by clicking the "Stats" button above each hub title.) Still, you are not getting the traffic you want.

By following the 4 steps described here, I have seen a dramatic increase in traffic to many of my hubs and, therefore, an increase in my Adsense and Hubpages earnings. In my mid-January profile statistics (see below,) you will notice the sudden increase in traffic starting late last fall. This increase corresponds with the time I started applying this method to my already finished hubs.

You will need to use Google Insights for Search, go to: http://www.google.com/insights/search/ and set up an account if you don't already have one.

Now, choose one of your hubs. Ideally, you might choose a hub that is six or more months old and is not getting much traffic. For this example, I have chosen my hub: What are Truffles? (Not the Chocolate Kind.)

Step #1 is the most broad of the steps. The idea is to simply use Google Insights for Search Trends to narrow your hub down to one of Google's 27 categories. Then we will do a very general search of trends in that category; with luck,we wiill find some key words that are relevant to your hub.

For our example, I will type in the subject of my hub, truffles, into the "Search Terms" box, to see which category(s) come up.

As you can see in the image above, 75-100% of searches about truffles, fall under the "Food and Drink" category: (no surprise there.) Now, we are going to make our search as general as possible by leaving the "search terms" box blank (the default is "all search terms") and setting the category filter to "Food and Drink."

Also, set the other filters to: "Web Search," "Worldwide," and "2004-present" (see below.)

Now, scroll to the bottom of the page. There will be 2 columns of search terms: "Top Searches" and "Rising Searches." Look for 1-3 words, in either of these columns, which legitimately pertain to your hub. Remember, the search terms must have relevance to your targeted traffic; otherwise, you are just wasting everyone's time. Misguided traffic will not result in Adsense or any other revenue. Keep it relevant!

In many cases, there will be no relevant search terms from this step: it is just too broad. No problem, just move on to step #2. For my example, I have chosen the words "recipes" and "chocolate." (See below.)

In step #2 we will narrow things down a bit more. Type your newly selected keywords into the "Search Terms" box, separated by commas. If Step #1 resulted in no or too few relevant words, choose your own key words here. Be sure to choose words that most accurately describe the content of your hub.

Also, change the "2004-present" filter to "Last 12 months."

For my example, I will add the word "truffles" in with "recipes" and "chocolate." In the image below, you will find an "interest over time" graph with each key word showing in a different color. Also, on the right, is information representing search averages or totals for each search term.

Now, scroll to the bottom of the page. There are the 2 columns of search terms: "Top Searches" and "Rising Searches." Be sure to use the drop down bar next to "Search terms" to toggle among your keywords; you can only see the results for one key word/phrase at a time. Again, look for 1-3 words or phrases, in either of these columns, which legitimately pertain to your hub. Start a list of these words or phrases.

For step #3, you will simply repeat step #2, but change the time frame filter to "Last 90 days" and then "Last 30 days." Write down relevant search terms or phrases that appear under the "search terms" columns.

By now you should have a list of several popular search terms. Now, without being spammy, add these words to your hub where applicable. I am NOT suggesting that you just stick them randomly throughout your text. If you have chosen relevant terms and phrases, it should not be difficult to use them in your hub. Minor changes such as changing "what is a truffle" to "what are truffles" can make your hub much more searchable.

Again, please do not trash-up your hubs with non-appropriate search terms or words that make no sense contextually. We here at Hubpages do not take kindly to spammers! That said, I hope this 4 step method works for you and your quality content hubs!!