Base22 – Enterprise Web Evolution

The Google Wonder Wheel made its first appearance in May 2009 as a graphical display of related search terms. This simple tool acts much like a mind map, displaying the main search term in a central hub with related terms extending out like spokes. Click a related search term and a new wheel is created around that term. Whether you’re a casual Web surfer trying to narrow down search results or a blogger or webmaster looking to improve traffic, the Wonder Wheel is well worth looking at. Not only can you use it to get ideas for blog posts and articles, you can also use it to find keyword phrases.

Accessing the Google Wonder Wheel

In order to use the Google Wonder Wheel, you’ll need to first enter a search term and then change the view. After your search engine results are displayed, go to the pane on the left side of the screen and look under the “Standard View” listing. Click Wonder Wheel. You’ll see the graphical image in the middle of the screen with the search results moved over to the right. The search results change to match the related search phrase each time you click a different keyword phrase.

Using the Wonder Wheel for Brainstorming

As a blogger or webmaster, you understand the importance of keeping your site relevant and fresh. However, it’s not always easy to come up with new ideas, day in, day out. Faced with a case of writer’s block? Use the Wonder Wheel as a brainstorming tool. Start by going to Google.com and entering your primary keyword phrase. For example, if your primary keyword phrase is “Swiss watch repair,” your wheel will be surrounded by terms such as: Rolex watch dealers, service automatic watch, vintage watches, Swatch watch repair, Swiss clock watches service repair, Swiss army watch repair, Omega watch repair, and Swiss watch repair center. Clicking each related search creates new wheels with new hubs, each with search terms that could get your own wheels, the wheels of your imagination, turning. You may have already written about repairing Omega and Swatch watches, but have you written about the unique repair considerations surrounding vintage watches?

Using the Wonder Wheel for Finding Keyword Phrases

Just as the Google Wonder Wheel can help you brainstorm ideas that your readers will likely be interested in, it can also help you find targeted keyword phrases. While you may already be using an existing keyword tool, this one doesn’t focus on the number of searches or the amount of competition a keyword phrase faces. Instead it shows you what it will be displayed to a user when the user enters your primary search term and then looks at the Wonder Wheel. Wouldn’t it make sense to target those phrases as well as your primary keyword phrase?

The Google Wonder Wheel is a simple little tool that you can use to brainstorm ideas and target keyword phrases that Google may be suggesting to users as an alternative to your primary keyword phrase. Use it periodically as you continue your search engine optimization efforts.

By Celeste Stewart