As of today, August 27, 2013, the Google AdWords Keyword Tool is gone. You can no longer use this free online keyword research tool to get the average number of searches per month for keywords. And you can no longer get keyword suggestions from the Google AdWords Keyword Tool.
When you click on the search result above, you will no longer see the Google AdWords Keyword Tool. Instead, you get this:
If you want to get keyword ideas using the Keyword Planner, make sure to sign in to your AdWords account.
To be honest with you, the former keyword research tool was okay, but I have always had problems with it. The data it delivered was always an “estimate” of the actual number of searches. And there were huge discrepancies in the data, from time to time. I don’t expect the new Keyword Planner to be any better when it comes to the accuracy of the actual data.
Since the Google AdWords Keyword Tool is now gone, and the data wasn’t always accurate anyway, here are some good alternatives:
– Bing Ads Intelligence – http://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/bing-ads-intelligence
Bing Ads Intelligence is a powerful keyword research tool that allows you to build and expand on your keyword lists using a familiar Microsoft Office Excel interface, and it enables you to easily gauge the performance of relevant keywords on the Yahoo! Bing Network. Apply these insights to improve your keyword selection and campaign performance.
SEM Rush – I love the SEM Rush tool so much that I actually have reviewed it more than once right here on my blog. And, it’s so good that I even write a monthly column for the SEM Rush Blog. My latest blog post was about how to find content ideas.
Keyword Discovery – http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/
I still like to use Keyword Discovery from time to time, especially when doing large keyword research projects. Keyword Discovery compiles keyword search statistics from all the major search engines world wide, to create the most powerful Keyword Research tool.
SEMRush – https://www.semrush.com
I use semrush.com on a regular basis–both for organic and PPC keyword research.