Google recently launched a new tool that allows you to query terms and see search volume patterns over a period of time, as well as popular related searches. But it’s so much more.

Basically, Google Insights is Google Trends on crack! You can also compare search trends across multiple terms, categories and geographic regions; plus apply additional filters to really narrow things down.

Additionally, if you have a Google account, you’ll be able to view actual numbers of searches and download results to a spreadsheet.

This would be a very valuable tool not only for Adwords, but for optimizing content for your site. Often we can get blinkered as to what “hot” keywords and terms are, doggedly pursuing a set that may be falling out of favor.

By latching onto emerging search term trends, it’s a great way to get the drop on your competition - leave them fighting over the top ranks for terms that are starting to get old, while you get a head start on some fresh stuff.

That’s the theory anyway. If anything, Google Insights is a lot of fun to play with and is definitely a big leap in evolution compared to Google Trends. By the way, don’t forget to check out Google Trends for Websites too.

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