Is it "key chain" or "key chains" people search on?

[dan_popescu]

I have used the Overture suggestion tool to find the best keywords for my pages. Mine is a commercial website and there's someting I don't get about keywords.

Let's say I sell key chains so I figure "key chains" would be a good keyphrase. Therefore I use it a lot on my pages. BUT Overture says people search for "key chain" and not "key chains". In most cases "key chains" is not even a keyphrase people search on at all(according to Overture). But when using "key chains" to do a search in Google it seems like a very competitive phrase. Not to mention that it sounds better since you don't just sell one key chain only. This to me is a mystery. What should I use then? Do SE's consider "key chains" the same as "key chain"? Anybody know more about this?

Thanks,Dan

[agerhart]

It depends who you target. "key chain" and "key chains" are different in Google, and you can see it in the results pages. Don't rely on Overture alone for information pertaining to a keyword unless you are only going to be bidding on keywords.

Instead, use the Google Adwords tool to check the number of searches on each. Also use WordTracker to check the number of searches and competitiveness of each keyword. This is how you can tell which is better to target.

If your main audience is searching for "key chain" more than "key chains" there are ways to use the keywords in the places needed without it looking odd. Takes finesse!

[WebGuerrilla]

Overture has the annoying habit of combining the singular and plural variations. The search count for "key chain" actually includes all the searches for "key chains" as well.

they started doing this when they took away the option of bidding ont the variations separately.

(By the way, according yo WT, key chains is the winner by a 6 to 1 margin)

[rcjordan]

and for 2-word phrases, figure that as many as 10% will run the two words together, i.e., keychains.

[dcheney]

Personally I would search for "widget" if I wanted to buy one for a gift, etc. but I would use "widgets" if I wanted a company to make 10,000 customized ones. So it all depends on your target market.

[EliteWeb]

Target it specifically, ie: KeyChain and KeyChains are Apple's invention which will show up different results. Id target key ring keyrings, and key rings

[dan_popescu]

OK . I just used the Google add words tool and it says the same thing-that nobody searches for "key chains". Only for key chain. Still don't get it. I know some people do use "key chains" as a search phrase.

I only used key chains as an example.

Thanks

[edited by: dan_popescu at 8:22 pm (utc) on July 9, 2002]

[dan_popescu]

Oh. You guys are fast. Thanks everyone.

Dan