Overture Keyword Selector Tool
By Chuck Brown
Overture's Keyword Selector Tool returns results that are not representative of the actual keyword queries for a particular keyword. That's because of the following three things:

1. Machine-Generated Searches
Whenever an automated query goes out for a keyword in
Overture OR in Overture's partner search engines--like
AltaVista, MSN, AllTheWeb, etc., including Yahoo, Overture
tallies a "hit" for that keyword. Automated page
popularity analyzers, ranking monitors, bid optimizers,
position monitors--anything other than a human manually
doing a search--tallies a "hit."

Overture's STST (Search Term Suggestion Tool) cannot
differentiate between automated and human queries! Taking
into consideration all the pay-per-click bid analyzing
going on 24/7--there are around 20 automated bid-checker
software programs out there alone--it's truly staggering to
imagine the effect these automated queries are having on
your Overture search results.

2. Duplicate Searches
When someone does a search for a keyword on AltaVista, for
example, it's counted as at least 2 searches--not one.
That's because Overture's Sponsored Matches comes back to
the human searcher at the same time, and is tallied as
another "hit."

Also,



anytime someone searches for the same keyword on any
of Overture's partner search engines, it's counted as
separate searches. So, even though it's only one person
searching, it could well be tallied as, say, 5 searches---
not one. So 5 people aren't looking for your product or
service--just one person is.

3. Plurals of Keywords vs. Singular
Overture counts plurals, singular, upper case, and lower
case versions of a single keyword as if it was separate
keywords.

So here's what you get: The keyword Boat, boat, boats, and
BOATS are counted separately---4 searches in this case.

But you can use Overture to get a general idea of the popularity of
a keyword phrase as compared to another. But don't make the
mistake of basing ("gambling") your campaign around it's
results. Or building a webpage based on the results.

Same goes for building an adsense site. Because you'll get grossly
over-estimated figures for most keyword phrases. Remember:
Overture is in the business of selling keywords. (Does the keyword
phrase, "conflict of interest" ring any bell?)

Does this mean you shouldn't use it?

Not at all. Just that it would be foolhardy to accept at face value
the results of an Overture keyword search query...

Overture's Search Term Selection Tool should always be your
preliminary search method; to get a general idea of the popularity
of a particular keyword phrase. If you depend on it being
accurate, however, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

C. Brown is the author of HonestySellsBest.com where you can learn more about using Overture for keyword research and other helpful keyword tips.