GTrends : The Second Edition

How The Search Volume Is Calculated

In the beginning, GTrends SE was intended for those who participated with TDC 2007. So I didn’t describe the algorithm here, as TDC’ers would already be familiar with it. However, now I’ve gotten some inquiries from new users as to how, exactly, is the number in the “Searches” column calculated. So here’s the algorithm, in short.

The search volume is calculated by comparing it to the reference keyword (Settings -> Criteria -> Reference keyword). The program sends a query with both keywords to Google Trends and calculates the searches based on the ratio of the reference/unknown keyword bar graphs. The keyword phrase that needs to be checked is wrapped in “quotes”.

The equation is something like this :
keyword_searches = ( keyword_bar_size / reference_bar_size ) * reference_searches

Pretty simple, right?

There’s one curious implication this algorithm has - for keywords that have very small search volume, it will always report the exact same (small) number of searches. The exact figure produced depends on the reference keyword and how many searches it has.

You get those similar results because Google Trends shows 1-pixel graph bars for those keywords (keyword_bar_size = 1). Trends will even show those 1-pixel bars for keywords that don’t get any searches at all. Obviously, plugging this value (1) into the above equation, you will always get the same result.

So if you notice lots of keywords with the same small number in the “Searches”, blame Google Trends, okay?

Google Blocks Another Keyword

Google has banned the default reference keyword used by GTrends SE from Google Trends. Damn.

Therefore, I just uploaded a new version, which uses a different keyword.

Note that if you already have GTrends SE installed, downloading the new version will not automatically change your ref. keyword (this is by design). You need to change it manually by clicking “Settings” and entering a keyword and searches/day in the “Reference keyword” panel. I recommend you find your own baseline keyphrase, but, if you really don’t have a keyword to use, ask me (I won’t put the keyphrase in public here so that it doesn’t get abused).

My hosting provider is having some technical issues with email, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to use the newsletter to notify people about this change.