Have you ever wondered why some topics suddenly become popular while others go unnoticed? For example, one day everyone is talking about a movie, a cricket match, or a new mobile phone launch. This happens because people search for these topics on Google in huge numbers.
The good news is: you can actually see what people are searching for by using a free tool called Google Trends. Whether you are a beginner blogger, a student, a marketer, or just curious, this tool can help you discover trending topics and understand what the world is interested in. In this blog, we’ll explain what Google Trends is, how to use it step by step, and how you can benefit from it even if you’re new.
What is Google Trends?
Google Trends is a free tool by Google that shows how often people search for a particular keyword, topic, or phrase over time.
For example, if you search for “Cricket World Cup”, Google Trends will show when interest in that topic is high (like during the tournament) and when it is low (after it ends).
Think of it as a popularity tracker for searches. Instead of guessing what people like, you can use real data to see what they are interested in.
Why Use Google Trends?
Google Trends is not just for experts. Even as a beginner, it can help you in many ways:
- Discover what people are searching for: You can find hot topics that people care about.
- Compare keyword popularity: For example, “Tea” vs. “Coffee” – which one is more searched?
- Understand seasonal trends: Topics like “Christmas shopping” or “Diwali offers” spike only during certain months.
- Spot rising topics: Google shows “breakout” keywords that are growing super fast.
- Use it for your purpose:
- Bloggers → choose trending blog topics.
- Marketers → understand customer interest.
- Students → collect data for projects.
- Small businesses → plan campaigns for the right time.
How to Use Google Trends for Beginners (Step by Step Guide)
- Go to the website → Google Trends
- Search a keyword → Type anything (e.g., “Digital Marketing”).
- Understand the filters:
- Location → Choose a country (India, USA, or worldwide).
- Time range → Past hour, past week, past year, or even 5 years.
- Category → Health, Sports, Entertainment, Business, etc.
- Search type → Web, YouTube, News, Images, or Shopping.
Beginner Tip: Start with a broad keyword and then narrow down using filters.
Key Features of Google Trends
1. Interest Over Time
- This graph shows how popular a keyword is.
- Numbers are between 0–100 (100 = peak popularity, 0 = no interest).
- Example: “Olympics” will hit 100 during the event and drop later.
2. Compare Keywords
- You can compare up to 5 keywords.
- Example: Search “Digital Marketing” vs. “Traditional Marketing” → see which is more popular.
- Great for bloggers and businesses to decide which word to use.
3. Related Topics & Queries
- Top queries → What people usually search with your keyword.
- Rising queries → New trending searches (sometimes marked as “Breakout”).
- Example: If you search “Mobile Phones,” a rising query might be “5G Mobile.”
4. Real-Time Search Trends
- Shows trending topics right now (news, sports, celebrities, etc.).
- Very useful if you want to create content around hot news.
Practical Uses of Google Trends
- Blogging → Find trending topics to write about. Example: Before Valentine’s Day, searches for “gift ideas” rise.
- YouTube → Spot popular searches for video content ideas.
- SEO → Compare similar keywords and choose the one with higher popularity.
- Business → A cake shop can check when “birthday cake delivery” is searched more in their city.
- Students → Collect data for presentations and research projects.
Pro Tips
Even beginners can use these simple tricks:
- Always compare 2–3 keywords before writing a blog or launching a campaign.
- Use location filters for local SEO (example: “best gym near me” in Chennai).
- Check “Rising” queries for future trends.
- Combine Google Trends with other tools like Google Keyword Planner for more accurate results.
Limitations
While useful, Google Trends has a few limitations you should know:
- It shows relative popularity (not exact search numbers).
- Low-volume or niche keywords may not show much data.
- It works best for broad and popular topics
Final Thoughts
Google Trends is one of the simplest and most powerful free tools available for beginners. Whether you’re a blogger looking for fresh ideas, a marketer trying to understand your audience, or a student preparing a project, Google Trends can make your work easier.
Start small: search one keyword, explore the graphs, and compare a few terms. Over time, you’ll see how this tool can guide you in choosing the right content and topics at the right time.
So, instead of guessing what people want, use Google Trends to know it!
