If you’ve ever wondered how successful bloggers or small online businesses get found on Google, the answer often lies in something simple: keyword research.
And one of the most powerful tools to help you do that — even as a beginner — is the Google Keyword Planner. It’s free, beginner-friendly, and helps you understand what people are actually searching for on Google.
Whether you’re a mom starting a blog, a dad launching a home business, or just someone curious about growing online, these 10 easy tips will help you get started.
What Is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool offered by Google Ads that helps you discover what people are typing into Google search. Whether you run a family blog or a home-based business, this tool can be a game-changer for your content strategy.
Just type in a topic — like “kids activities blog”, “easy home cleaning tips”, or “homemade candle business” — and Keyword Planner gives you valuable data to guide your content planning.
Here’s what it can show you:
Keyword search volume – Find out how many people are searching for a keyword each month.
Keyword competition – See how competitive a keyword is in Google Ads (gives you an idea of how hard it might be to rank organically).
Related keyword suggestions – Discover new keyword ideas you may not have thought of.
Top-of-page bid estimates – If you’re considering paid ads, this helps you understand cost.
Search trends over time – Spot seasonal trends or evergreen content ideas.
It’s like getting a sneak peek into what your potential audience is looking for — so you can create content they’re actually interested in. And the best part? It’s totally free!
🔟 10 Simple Keyword Planner Tips for Beginners
1. Start With Your Passion
Before diving into keyword research, begin with what you love. Your passion is your blog’s superpower — whether it’s parenting advice, budget-friendly meal plans, or organizing your home. Google Keyword Planner works best when you input topics that matter to you.
When you type your main topic into the tool, it reveals a world of keyword ideas you might never think of.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
Think of your favorite blog topics — e.g., “easy craft ideas for toddlers.”
Plug them into Keyword Planner and review suggested keywords.
Look for patterns — are people searching more for “easy DIY crafts” or “budget crafts for kids”?
Use the “Broad Match” setting first to get more keyword ideas.
💡 Example: Typing “easy lunchbox ideas” may uncover gems like “healthy lunchbox snacks,” “quick bento ideas,” or “no-cook lunches for school.”
2. Use Multiple Related Words
Don’t just search for one keyword — try several variations and related terms. Google Keyword Planner gets smarter the more you give it. If you run a family blog, you likely write about more than one thing: parenting, money-saving hacks, DIYs, etc.
The more terms you enter, the more ideas you’ll uncover — some might even surprise you!
Here’s how to explore broadly:
Start with 3–5 related keywords in the planner, like:
“family blog”
“budgeting tips”
“kids activities”
Check the “keyword ideas” section for fresh inspiration.
Look at terms with high volume and low to medium competition.
Group similar keywords into themes for future blog posts.
🧠 Pro tip: You can use tools like Google Trends to check if certain topics are gaining popularity over time.
3. Look for Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are specific, detailed phrases people search for — and they’re gold for beginners! Why? Because they’re less competitive than short, broad keywords and more likely to attract people who really want what you’re offering.
Think of long-tail keywords as hidden gems that bring in the right audience to your family blog or home-based business.
Why long-tail keywords work:
Lower competition = easier to rank on Google.
Higher intent = more likely to convert (read, subscribe, buy).
Great for answering very specific questions.
Examples of long-tail keywords:
“easy recipes for picky eaters”
“how to start a blog from home”
“best educational apps for kids 2025”
🎯 Targeting long-tail keywords helps your blog show up in searches where users are looking for exactly what you offer.
4. Check Monthly Search Volume
When choosing keywords, the monthly search volume is crucial. Keywords with a healthy search volume (between 100 and 10,000 searches per month) are typically a great starting point for new bloggers. If a keyword has a higher volume, it might be more competitive, making it harder for you to rank. On the other hand, if it has too low a search volume, it may not bring enough traffic to your blog.
How to find the sweet spot:
Target mid-range volumes: Keywords with 1,000–10,000 searches are often ideal — they have good traffic but aren’t too competitive.
Avoid extremes: Very high search volumes (over 100,000) tend to be dominated by major sites, making it hard to rank.
Balance competition: If a keyword is highly competitive, consider long-tail variations that still capture interest.
💡 Example: “simple dinner ideas” may have a high search volume, but “quick dinner recipes for busy parents” could be a better, more targeted choice with lower competition.
5. Use It to Plan Your Blog Calendar
Once you have a list of keywords, you can use them to create a content plan for your blog. Google Keyword Planner provides insights into what people are searching for, which is perfect for planning your blog calendar.
Here’s how to plan strategically:
Organize your keywords into themes or categories (e.g., “meal planning,” “parenting tips,” “holiday crafts”).
Use the search volume data to prioritize high-potential topics.
Look for opportunities to target specific events (e.g., summer vacation, back-to-school season, etc.).
Plan content based on upcoming seasonal trends or trending searches.
🎯 Pro tip: Align your content with upcoming seasons or holidays for increased visibility. If you know people are searching for “back-to-school lunch ideas,” plan a post around that during the summer months.
6. Find Seasonal Trends
Google Keyword Planner doesn’t just show you current search data—it also highlights seasonal trends. This feature is gold for bloggers because it helps you forecast when certain topics will be trending and plan your content accordingly.
How to use seasonal trends:
Identify peak months for specific keywords (e.g., “Christmas decorations” peaks in November/December).
Plan ahead: Write blog posts in advance so that they’re ready when the search volume peaks.
Focus on evergreen content: Combine seasonal content with evergreen (always relevant) posts to keep traffic coming year-round.
📅 Example: A keyword like “summer vacation ideas” will see a surge in searches during May/June, so plan a post around that time to capture maximum traffic.
💡 Tip: Monitor how long a keyword stays popular and whether it spikes around certain events (e.g., holidays or school breaks).
7. Target Keywords with Lower Competition
When you’re starting out, it’s important to target keywords that have lower competition to increase your chances of ranking. Google Keyword Planner shows competition levels as Low, Medium, or High. Focusing on Low and Medium competition keywords can give your blog a better shot at ranking on the first page of Google.
How to target low-competition keywords:
Look for niche topics: For example, instead of “parenting tips,” target “parenting tips for toddlers.”
Avoid overly broad keywords: These are highly competitive and often dominated by bigger brands or established bloggers.
Balance search volume: While you want low competition, make sure the keywords still have a decent search volume to drive traffic.
💡 Pro tip: Low-competition keywords often include more specific terms, such as “easy homeschool schedules for beginners” instead of “homeschooling tips.”
8. Explore Keyword Groups
Google Keyword Planner often groups related keywords into “Grouped Ideas”. These groups help you see common themes or topics that are relevant to your audience, making it easier to organize your blog’s content. This is especially useful if you want to develop multiple blog posts around a single theme.
How to make the most of keyword groups:
Identify broader categories: For example, “family meals,” “budget-friendly dinners,” and “meal prep” could all fall under a broader “meal planning” category.
Organize your blog: Use the grouped ideas to create well-structured categories and blog posts.
Create series: If a keyword group is large, break it down into a series of posts.
🧠 Example: If Google suggests “home learning,” you can explore subtopics like “learning activities for preschoolers” and “best educational tools for kids.”
9. Think Like Your Reader
One of the best ways to choose the right keywords is to think like your reader. Consider the exact phrases a parent, homemaker, or hobbyist might search for when looking for advice or solutions.
These are called intent-based keywords. By using them, you’ll connect directly with what your readers are looking for, increasing your chances of appearing in search results.
How to think like your audience:
Use natural language: People often search using full questions or sentences, such as “How to plan weekly meals for my family” or “Best chores for 6-year-olds.”
Focus on pain points: Consider the problems your audience faces, like “How to stick to a budget” or “Easy family dinner ideas.”
Include action verbs: Keywords like “how to,” “best,” and “tips for” work well because they reflect common search queries.
💡 Pro tip: Tools like Google Trends and Answer the Public can help you uncover questions your target audience is asking.
10. Use It for Home-Based Business Ideas Too
If you’re planning to turn your blog into a home-based business, Google Keyword Planner can help you explore keywords for products or services related to your business. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts or offering freelance services, this tool can guide your business decisions.
How to use it for business ideas:
Explore specific business niches: Keywords like “sell crafts online” or “start an Etsy store from home” can give you insights into what people are searching for.
Target services: If you offer freelance services, search for “freelance writing for moms” or “virtual assistant services for small businesses.”
Check business trends: See how specific terms like “work from home jobs” or “home-based businesses” are performing.
📈 Pro tip: Use Keyword Planner to test the demand for your business idea before committing time and resources to it.
Why This Matters for Family Bloggers & Small Biz Owners
Whether you’re creating content, starting an online store, or just sharing your parenting tips — keyword research is the first step toward getting discovered online. It’s a crucial part of digital success and helps you connect with your target audience.
By using Google Keyword Planner, you can:
Get more readers: Reach the right people who are searching for topics you’re passionate about.
Build your audience: Grow a loyal following by answering their questions with valuable content.
Monetize your blog or business: Make money through ads, affiliate links, or by selling your own products and services.
💡 Need Help Getting Started?
At FamilyStuff.in, we believe in empowering families to thrive in the digital world. Whether you’re:
Launching your first blog
Looking to earn extra income from home
Wanting to turn a hobby into something bigger
We’re here to guide you, step-by-step, to help you achieve your online goals.
FREE Download: Keyword Starter Guide for Families
We’ve created a simple guide just for beginners like you! It’s packed with easy-to-follow steps to help you use keyword research to jump-start your blog or small business.
Ready for the Next Step?
Here’s what you can do today:
Pick one keyword topic from Google Keyword Planner.
Plan your next blog post around it.
Use the tips and tools we’ve shared to build your visibility and attract the right audience.
💬 Need help? Drop us a message or comment below. Let’s grow your dream together!
Final Thought
Using Google Keyword Planner might sound technical at first — but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a powerful tool for your online journey. It’s all about reaching more people with your unique voice, story, and ideas.
You’re not just writing — you’re building something beautiful that resonates with your readers and helps your family or small business thrive.
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