Much to the dismay of digital marketers, bloggers, web designers and SEO experts, Google’s intuitive keyword planner has recently begun restricting user keywords searches for terms relating to cannabis, such as marijuana, medical marijuana, MMJ, dispensary, cannabis, and weed. Considering that most businesses are making the move to the internet, this exclusion will prove detrimental to the digital marketing and SEO efforts of cannabis companies online. Google’s decision lacks any benefit for either the search engine or respective businesses and has only come about because of Google Adword’s restriction on the topic of cannabis, whether for medical or recreational purposes.
Luckily, there are, in fact, alternatives to Google’s renowned keyword planning software. Recreational marijuana dispensary SEO clients and cannabis businesses need not fret, because, despite what Google would have its users think, there is away around the most reputable search engine on the web today. Here are five competitive alternatives to using the Google keyword planner.
1. LSI Graph
LSI is an acronym for latent semantic indexing and is invaluable for research regarding search patterns and user behavior. Using semantic keywords in a website’s content and marketing attempts is infinitely as beneficial as typical other keyword planning practices. LSI Graph, found on www.lsigraph.com, provides its users with all the necessary information when discovering and understanding keyword semantics.
2. Ahrefs
Every search engine optimizer and digital marketer should be familiar with Ahrefs. This website has offered tools and software for these fields for years, becoming nearly a household name. Ahref’s tools include rank trackers, site explorers, content explorers and, obviously, keyword explorers. Although some of the site’s useful tools are free, Ahref plans usually start at around $99. For cannabis businesses with nowhere else to turn, this is a small price to pay for increasing their online traffic and expanding their customer-base without using Google Keyword Planner.
3. SEM Rush
If you’ve been in the industry long enough, you’ve likely heard about SEM Rush as well. Another household name for digital marketers and SEO experts, SEM Rush offers a variety of multifunctional tools and allows access to a multitude of metrics, such as domains, gap analysis, competitors’ sites, and lead generation. Regarding keywords, SEM Rush offers data on phrase matching, relating keywords, and reveals who might be ranking for specific keywords. Like Ahrefs, SEM Rush offers plans starting at the same price of $99.
4. Moz
Moz is yet another renowned name in digital marketing and SEO. While most of the tools and software offered by Moz are only available to paying users, the help provided is indispensable. The built-in keyword explorer delivers useful insights into keyword suggestions, search engine results page analysis, and brand awareness. The keyword volume Moz displays is reported to be 95% accurate and customers can expect to dish out another $99 for the standard Moz plan.
wordpress,squarespace,ruby on rails
5. Keyword Tool
a relatively obscure keyword research assistant, Keyword Tool offers free as well as paid options for digital marketers and SEOs. While the standard plan starts a bit cheaper than the others, at $88, this site offers certain information that other keyword software does not. Setting it apart from the four other product on this list, Keyword Tool allows users a glimpse into the keyword volume included in sites like Youtube, Bing, Amazon, eBay, various app stores and, of course, Google, with ease and comfortability to users. Like Google’s keyword planner, you can also access negative keywords, making sure to exclude words and phrases that don’t fit into your content and marketing strategies.
Conclusion
Branding agencies for cannabis stoners, smokers, digital marketers, SEO’s and both cannabis and internet enthusiasts are outraged by Google’s recent decision to exclude marijuana-related keywords from their keyword planning software. However, there are at least alternatives for the up-and-coming cannabis entrepreneur. Despite a growing number of states in support of full or at least partial legalization, Google Adwords remains rather restrictive regarding this lucrative subject. What are some of the alternatives that you’ve used when planning and researching keywords relating to the marijuana industry?