Question:how to analyze Internet users' keywords

[tntpower]

I know several products claim to be able to tell what keywords people use. I am curious to know if since they do not have access to log files of either search engine or destination websites, how can they know that? Just by using google or yahoo (free) keywords tools? Sounds mission impossible.

Any hint? Thanks

[Jaze]

they use the log files of meta search engines such as dogpile to estimate (fairly well) the usage.

hth, cheers, J

[Esteban]

My favorite way to find great keywords is to get a list of good looking possibilities in the free WordTracker and Overture tools and then test them in AdWords for a week or so. Only then do you really get a true picture of which keywords are the best.

[arieng]

WordTracker also compiles meta-search engine data to estimate traffic. IMO, its numbers are not too accurate. At least with the Overture & AdWords tools you are getting aggragate data.

Another alternative is a service like Hitwise, which buys the log data from a bunch of IPs. This data is supposedly much more accurate, but watch out - it has a big price tag!

If you want to try something fun, check out the keyword tool at Spyfu-dot-com. You can enter one of your competitors' URLs and they return a list of their keywords - both organic and paid. I seriously question the accuracy of these lists, but I've used it to come up with a few humdingers I wouldn't have found anywhere else.

[seoram]

Thanks arieng
I also see that keyworddiscovery is also a good tool apart from adwords, overture and wordtracker also hitwise

[tntpower]

Thanks!

[ruchirasharma]

Has anyone tried MSN tool - [adlab.microsoft.com...]

Seems to show better trends than rest of the tools.

[appi2]

what the world is searching for

Google Trends [google.com]