What is Search Volume?
Definition
Search volume is the average number of times a specific keyword is searched per month in a given search engine and geographic region. It is one of the primary metrics used in keyword research to evaluate whether a keyword is worth targeting. High search volume indicates many people are looking for that term; low search volume indicates fewer searches. Search volume data comes from Google's Keyword Planner, third-party tools like DataForSEO, and search engine sources, and is typically reported as monthly averages.
Why Search Volume matters for Shopify stores
Search volume is the foundation of keyword prioritisation for Shopify stores. Optimising for a keyword with zero monthly searches wastes your time. But optimising for the highest-volume keyword you can find (e.g. 'shoes') is equally misguided if you can't realistically rank for it against Nike and ASOS. The sweet spot is medium-volume, long-tail keywords that are specific enough to be rankable but popular enough to drive meaningful traffic.
Shopify example
A Shopify candle store could target 'candles' (27,000 monthly searches, impossible to rank for) or 'soy wax candles with crackling wood wick' (390 monthly searches, very rankable). At position 1 for the long-tail term, they get ~120 clicks/month. At position 45 for 'candles', they get 0. Sauron's keyword research surfaces the rankable opportunities automatically.
How Sauron handles Search Volume
Sauron validates keyword search volumes using the DataForSEO API — providing accurate monthly search volume data for every keyword candidate generated for your products. No estimates or guesswork.
See Product SEO on Autopilot feature →Common mistakes
- ✕ Targeting only high-volume keywords that are impossible to rank for with a new store
- ✕ Ignoring low-volume keywords that have very high purchase intent
- ✕ Using search volume data from tools without understanding geographic targeting (UK vs US volumes differ significantly)
- ✕ Treating search volume as static — volumes fluctuate seasonally and trend over time
- ✕ Optimising for a keyword, then switching to another before the first has had time to rank
Questions about Search Volume
What's a good search volume to target for a Shopify store? +
It depends on your domain authority and competition level. New stores should target 100–1,000 monthly search volume keywords where competition is low. Established stores with authority can target 1,000–10,000 volume terms. Sauron's keyword research automatically identifies the best volume-to-competition ratio for your specific store.
Is a keyword with 100 monthly searches worth optimising for? +
Often yes — especially for purchase-intent terms. A term with 100 searches/month but very high conversion intent (e.g. 'sterling silver birthstone ring for mum') might drive more revenue than a 1,000-search term with low intent.
Automate your Shopify SEO
Understanding Search Volume is step one. Sauron handles the implementation — automatically, for your entire Shopify store.