Understanding Search Terms During Uncertain Times

Global uncertainty; economic turmoil; the rising cost-of-living. These are just some of the biggest news stories dominating the news cycle at the moment, while they are also slowly becoming part of our vocabulary and impacting our everyday lives. 

As people struggle with everything from their heating bills to a war in Europe, many have turned to Google to search for a plethora of real-world topics. 

With this in mind, here we delve deeper into what people are searching for and how you can leverage these high-growth search topics. 

Finance Questions Are on The Rise  #

‘What is inflation’ was recently one of the most searched phrases in the world. This question has seen a vast increase in search interest across the world of late. 

The state of the global economy is a complex topic that has real-world consequences. So, it makes perfect sense that people ask a lot of questions as they try to understand what’s happening in the world and, more importantly, how it may impact them.

For example, Google search trends show that search interest for ‘why’ in relation to the word ‘expensive’ grew by 20% across the globe in the last 6 months. These searches have been about everything including the price of butter, petrol, mustard and house prices. 

Saving Money and Saving the Planet are Not Mutually Exclusive  #

 

The latest Google Search trends show that, in most instances, inflation and sustainability are no longer seen as mutually exclusive ends of the spectrum. Indeed, as consumers look for ways to cut costs, many of the more affordable alternatives are, it turns out – especially after researching them on Google – better for the environment.

Research shows that searches for ‘second-hand’ and ‘used’ have increased significantly over the past 6-12 months. No longer do second-hand items carry a negative stereotype, as can be seen in the success of reselling apps such as Shpock, Vinted, and Depop.

From wedding dresses and washing machines to kayaks and motor homes, the boom in reselling businesses tells a very definitive story of how people are living their lives. So, if you’re in the business of reselling, then PPC Geeks can help you take on the more established enterprises in this marketplace with the help of some of our Google Ads experts, especially as we have a proven record of usurping some of the biggest businesses when it comes to Google searches. 

People Still Want Luxuries   #

There’s no denying that ‘cheap’ or ‘cheapest’ searches have certainly increased in 2022. However, people still want luxuries; and in fact, consumers are still searching for the word ‘luxury’ more often than not.

Albeit, consumers are looking for smaller luxuries than maybe they once were, with searches for items such as ‘luxury sunglasses,’ ‘luxury perfume,’ and even ‘luxury underwear’ enjoying a resurgence. 

Another thing that is more common than it once was is that people are planning for bigger purchases much more than they previously did. The data shows that even amid economic and global uncertainty, consumers are trying to find the right balance between ‘cheap’ and ‘luxury,’ and they’re certainly willing to wait for more expensive purchases.

So, if you operate in the luxury goods market then don’t despair, PPC Geeks can help you leverage this demographic, though you will certainly need our decades of combined industry knowledge to run effective ads and target a demographic that, nowadays, is more elusive than it once was. 

PPC Geeks: Helping You Succeed in Uncertain Times  #

Here at PPC Geeks, we know that in times of severe uncertainty it’s vital to stay abreast of evolving customer needs, behaviours and their search intent. Search trends give us a sense of what is important to people in the moment; how they’re feeling, and what they’re looking for. In understanding this, we can then help you, as a business, leverage these needs and desires and insert your product or service as the solution to their problems. 

As the best PPC agency in the UK, and ranked the sixth best in the world, we use our vast array of knowledge to help you succeed in these uncertain times, analysing both the short- and long-term trends to inform your campaigns. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Client Manager