Google Keyword Planner Explained: How to Find Keywords People Actually Search For
By YASHIKA GUPTA · 13 Jan 2026
How to Use Google Keyword Planner (Explained Like a Human, Not a Tool)
Let me start with a question.
Have you ever written a blog, website page, or Instagram caption and thought:
“This is good content… so why is no one finding it?”
You’re not alone.
Most beginners assume that if content is good, people will automatically come.
But Google doesn’t work on emotions.
It works on searches.
And that’s where Google Keyword Planner quietly does its job.
Why Keywords Even Matter (Real Talk)
Every single day, people go to Google and type things like:
“best digital marketing course”
“how to learn SEO”
“online marketing course for beginners”
They are literally telling Google what they want.
Now imagine if you could listen to those exact words.
Not guesses. Not assumptions.
Real searches by real people.
That’s exactly what Google Keyword Planner helps you do.
So… What Is Google Keyword Planner?
In very simple words:
Google Keyword Planner is a free Google tool that shows you what people are searching on Google and how often they search it.
That’s it.
No complicated definition.
No heavy jargon.
It tells you:
Which words people type on Google
How many people search those words
Whether those words are competitive
Whether businesses are paying money for them
And yes—this is extremely useful if you’re working with digital marketing course keywords, blogs, websites, or ads.
Who Should Actually Use This Tool?
If you’re thinking, “Is this even for me?”
Let me answer that honestly.
You should use Google Keyword Planner if:
You’re learning digital marketing
You want to write blogs that actually rank
You’re building a website
You want leads, not just content
You’re researching digital marketing courses
Basically, if Google traffic matters to you—even a little—this tool matters.
How to Open Google Keyword Planner (Without Paying Anything)
This part scares many people. It shouldn’t.
Yes, it’s inside Google Ads.
No, you don’t need to run ads.
Step 1: Create a Google Ads Account
Go to Google Ads
Sign in using Gmail
Skip campaign creation if Google pushes you
Step 2: Open Keyword Planner
Click Tools & Settings
Under Planning, click Keyword Planner
Done.
No card details.
No ads.
No money spent.
You’ll See Two Options—Here’s What They Mean
Once inside, Google shows you two buttons.
1️⃣ Discover New Keywords
2️⃣ Get Search Volume and Forecasts
Let’s understand them like humans.
Option 1: Discover New Keywords (This Is Where You’ll Spend Most Time)
This option is for ideas.
Let’s say you type:
“digital marketing course”
Google doesn’t just give one keyword.
It opens a door to how people actually search.
How to Use It:
Click Discover New Keywords
Enter a word or phrase
Select location (India, city-wise, etc.)
Click Get Results
Now you’ll see dozens of related keywords.
This is Google saying:
“Here’s what people really search.”
Understanding the Data (No Overthinking)
You’ll see columns like search volume, competition, and bid.
Let’s break them down simply.
🔹 Average Monthly Searches
This tells you how popular a keyword is.
But here’s the truth most people miss 👇
High search volume doesn’t always mean high value.
A keyword like:
“digital marketing course”
has huge searches but also huge competition.
Whereas:
“digital marketing course for beginners”
has fewer searches but clearer intent.
Clear intent = better results.
🔹 Competition
This shows how many advertisers are targeting that keyword.
Think of it like a crowded market:
Low → fewer sellers
Medium → balanced
High → very crowded
If you’re a beginner, medium is your sweet spot.
🔹 Top of Page Bid
This tells you how much businesses are paying for that keyword.
If companies are spending money on it, that means:
The keyword converts
The keyword has business value
That’s a strong signal.
Example: Finding Digital Marketing Course Keywords
Let’s make this practical.
You type “digital marketing course” in Keyword Planner.
Google shows:
online digital marketing course
digital marketing course for beginners
best digital marketing course in India
digital marketing institute near me
These aren’t just words.
These are real people searching for direction.
Platforms like CourseUnbox use this kind of keyword insight to organise and present learning options around digital marketing course keywords that learners are already looking for.
👉 You can explore curated course information here:
https://courseunbox.com
That’s keyword research being used properly—not blindly.
Option 2: Get Search Volume and Forecasts (When You’re Confident)
This option is useful when:
You already have keyword ideas
You just want to validate them
How It Works:
Paste your keyword list
Click Get Started
Google shows:
Monthly searches
Trends
Forecasted performance
It’s like a final check before publishing or running ads.
Small Habits That Make a Big Difference
✅ Think Like a Normal Person
Don’t think like an SEO expert.
Think like a searcher.
“What would I type on Google?”
That mindset changes everything.
✅ Long Keywords Are Your Friends
Instead of fighting for:
“digital marketing course”
Go for:
“best digital marketing course for beginners in India”
Less traffic, but much better quality.
✅ Location Is Not Optional
Always set the correct location.
People searching in Delhi are different from people searching globally.
✅ Use Google Search Alongside the Tool
After selecting a keyword:
Search it on Google
Look at top results
Understand what kind of content ranks
Tools show data.
Google shows intent.
Common Beginner Mistakes (Everyone Makes These)
❌ Chasing only high-volume keywords
❌ Ignoring intent
❌ Stuffing keywords unnaturally
❌ Depending on tools without thinking
❌ Giving up too early
Keyword research is a skill.
It improves with practice.
Why This Tool Is Gold for Digital Marketing Learners
If you’re learning digital marketing, this tool teaches you something very important:
Marketing is not about guessing. It’s about listening.
Google Keyword Planner helps you listen to:
What learners want
What problems they have
What solutions they’re searching for
That’s why understanding keyword intent is just as important as choosing the right digital marketing course—and platforms like CourseUnbox focus on both learning and discovery, not just listings.
Final Words (From One Beginner to Another)
Google Keyword Planner is not scary.
It’s not complicated.
It’s just a mirror showing how people think and search.
Once you understand that, everything changes:
Your content improves
Your traffic becomes relevant
Your efforts finally make sense
Take it slow.
Experiment.
Make mistakes.
That’s how real digital marketers are made.
