Key Takeaways
Google Trends shows how interest in a topic is changing, not just raw numbers. That makes it great for spotting emerging trends early.
Use location and time filters to see what’s trending in your area. A 12-month view helps separate seasonal blips from lasting interest.
Compare terms to see how people talk about your services. Choosing the right language can improve your headlines, blog topics, and page copy.
What a Waffle Bowl Maker Can Teach You About Search
Google just released its annual Holiday 100 list, and it’s full of surprising items — like waffle bowl makers, dog DNA kits, and mini projectors. It’s a fun read, but it also points to something more important for your business. What people are searching for is always changing.
That’s where Google Trends comes in. And it’s not just for national retailers or viral products. Local businesses can use it to stay relevant and show up with the right message at the right time.
Why Google Trends Matters for Local Business
Google Trends is a free tool that shows how interest in a topic changes over time. It doesn’t show exact search volume. Instead, it shows how search interest is rising or falling — which helps you spot emerging trends before they go mainstream.
This is especially helpful for local service providers. You can use Google Trends to find out what your customers are already thinking about, so you can adjust your marketing accordingly.
Make It Local and Seasonal
Google Trends lets you filter by location and time range. That means you can see what’s trending in your state or metro area, not just across the country.
You can also choose different time frames. Want to see what’s been growing over the past year? Or spot a short-term spike in the last 30 days? You can do both.
This kind of insight helps you decide when to promote certain services, update your website, or adjust your offers to meet demand.
Use the Words Your Customers Use
You can compare search terms side by side to see which ones are gaining more attention. For example, is your audience searching more for “deep cleaning” or “move-out cleaning”? Trends will show you the difference.
This helps you write better headlines, choose the right words for your service pages, and connect with what people are actually searching for, not just what you think they are.
You’ll also see related questions and topics that give you ideas for blog posts, FAQs, or even new services to highlight.
Try This: Use Google Trends to Get Better Results
Here’s a simple action you can take this week with Google Trends:
- Plug in a few keywords related to your business.
- Use the filters to set your location and a 12-month view.
- Try comparing two or three related phrases you use in your marketing.
You might be surprised by what you find, and it might help you update your content, shift your focus, or get inspired for what to offer next.
The Bottom Line
Google Trends is a powerful tool for understanding what your audience is already looking for. When you speak their language and follow their interests, your content becomes more relevant, more visible, and more effective.
Do you prefer to listen in? Here’s our podcast:
Links in this episode: Holiday 100: The gifts everyone’s searching for
Explore What the United States is Searching for Right Now
How Small Businesses Can Use Google Trends for Marketing & Strategy
