When it comes to improving your website’s SEO, choosing the right keywords is one of the most important steps. But with so many potential keywords to target, how do you know which ones will actually help you rank higher on Google?

A surprisingly simple and effective strategy is to compare how many search results a keyword has versus how often people search for it using tools like Google Trends. This method helps you identify keywords that have high demand but low competition — the sweet spot for ranking faster and outperforming competitors.

Let’s break down how it works.

Why Keyword Selection Matters So Much

Picking the wrong keywords means:

• You’re competing with websites too large to outrank

• You’re targeting words almost no one searches

• You’re wasting valuable time and content

But picking the right keywords can:

• Boost your Google visibility

• Bring in higher-quality traffic

• Increase leads and sales

• Strengthen your overall SEO strategy

And the best part? You don’t need expensive tools to get started.

Step 1: Look at How Many Search Results a Keyword Has

Start by searching your keyword directly in Google. At the top of the results page, you’ll see the total number of results Google found for that phrase.

This number tells you how much competition there is.

Key Insight:

• Millions of results = highly competitive

• Hundreds of thousands = moderate competition

• Tens of thousands or less = easier to rank for

This isn’t a perfect measure — but it is a quick way to gauge how many pages you’re competing against.

Examples:

• “web hosting service” → VERY competitive

• “managed WordPress hosting for nonprofits” → far less competitive

When you target narrower phrases, you compete with fewer sites and improve your chances of ranking.

Step 2: Use Google Trends to Measure Search Popularity

Next, check how often people search your keyword using Google Trends.

Google Trends shows:

• How popular a keyword is

• Seasonal spikes

• Whether interest is rising or falling

• How one keyword compares to another

This tells you how much demand there is.

Things to look for:

• Increasing popularity → great future ranking opportunities

• Steady interest → strong long-term value

• Declining trends → consider alternatives

• Regional interest → perfect for local SEO strategies

A keyword with growing or stable search volume is usually worth targeting.

Step 3: Compare Competition vs. Demand

This is where the magic happens.

Your goal is to find keywords that have:

✔ High search interest (according to Trends)

✔ Relatively low competition (based on Google results)

These keywords give you the best chance to:

• Rank faster

• Bring in more relevant traffic

• Compete successfully, even against larger brands

Ideal Keyword Profile:

• Rising or stable popularity on Google Trends

• Fewer competing pages in Google Search

• Clear search intent (meaning users want what you offer)

These are often called long-tail keywords, and they are extremely valuable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Step 4: Compare Multiple Keywords Side-by-Side

Don’t settle on the first keyword you find — compare several!

Example:

The best keyword is usually the one with high interest but moderate or low competition.

Step 5: Use Your Winning Keywords on Your Website

Once you identify solid keywords, place them strategically:

• Page titles

• Meta descriptions

• H1 and H2 headings

• First paragraph of content

• Image alt text

• URLs

• Blog posts

• Service descriptions

Keyword placement matters just as much as keyword choice.

Why This Method Works So Well

This simple approach gives you a clear advantage because:

✔ Most businesses pick keywords blindly

✔ You’re targeting phrases with proven demand

✔ You avoid highly competitive keywords

✔ You rise faster in Google’s rankings

✔ You get more relevant, ready-to-convert traffic

Instead of fighting huge brands for broad keywords, you target the precise terms real customers use.

Final Thoughts: Smart Keyword Research Doesn’t Require Expensive Tools

By comparing how many results a keyword has in Google with how often that keyword is searched (using Google Trends), you can quickly identify the opportunities that will move your website upward in search rankings.

This technique helps you:

• Avoid overly competitive keywords

• Target phrases your customers actually search

• Build SEO momentum much faster

• Outrank competitors who rely on guesswork

Keyword success isn’t about picking the busiest search term — it’s about finding the right term. And with Google Trends plus Google’s search results count, you can do that easily and effectively.