Google Keyword Planner: The Beginner’s Guide for Fashion Stores
Fashion e-commerce is a visual game—but getting eyes on your products starts with search. Whether you’re launching a new collection or trying to improve stagnant traffic, your success depends on showing up when your customers are searching. That’s where Google Keyword Planner comes in.
This beginner’s guide is built specifically for fashion eCommerce brands, showing you how to use Google Keyword Planner to uncover seasonal demand, target high-intent queries, and drive qualified traffic that converts.
Why Keyword Research Matters for Fashion eCommerce
Search Trends Reflect Buying Intent
Fashion is trend-driven, but shoppers use search engines to find specific items—“linen wide-leg pants,” “vegan leather boots,” or “Y2K crop tops.” If you’re not ranking for those searches, you’re invisible when buyers are ready to spend.
Organic + Paid Traffic Depends on Keywords
The keywords you target don’t just influence SEO rankings—they directly affect your Google Ads performance, product feed visibility, and even email campaigns when done right.
Getting Started with Google Keyword Planner
How to Access Google Keyword Planner
- Go to ads.google.com and log in
- Click “Tools & Settings” (wrench icon)
- Under “Planning,” select Keyword Planner
- Choose one of two options:
- “Discover new keywords” fresh opportunities
- “Get search volume and forecasts” — to evaluate specific terms
Note: You don’t need to run ads to use the planner, but having an active Google Ads account improves data granularity.
Choosing the Right Campaign Settings
Always tailor your keyword research by:
- Location: Local or global search targeting
- Language: Ensure English or localized variations
- Network: Focus on “Google” (exclude Display Network for better intent)
Finding Fashion-Specific Keywords
Start with Seed Keywords
Plug in general terms related to your store:
- “Women’s dresses”
- “Boho outfits”
- “Plus-size swimwear”
Then let the tool suggest long-tail variations like
- “formal midi dresses for weddings”
- “sustainable boho clothing brands”
- “high waist swimwear plus size”
Use Filters to Drill Down
- Monthly Searches: Filter out ultra-low or ultra-high volume
- Competition: Choose a mix of low and medium competition to rank faster
- Seasonality: Export the 12-month trend graph to see which products spike when (ex: linen in summer, coats in Q4)
Interpreting Volume, Competition & CPC Data
Don’t Be Fooled by High Volume
Just because a keyword has 30,000 searches/month doesn’t mean it converts. “Black dress” is broad. “Petite black dress for date night” has lower volume—but higher purchase intent.
Understand Competition & Cost
- High competition + high CPC = likely saturated (e.g., “white sneakers”)
- Medium competition + reasonable CPC = sweet spot for scaling
- Low CPC + low volume = niche SEO opportunity
Use this matrix to map out:
| Search Volume | Competition | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
High |
High |
Brand awareness |
Medium |
Medium |
SEO + Paid Ads |
Low |
Low |
Blog + SEO |
Integrating Keywords into Your Fashion Store
Product Titles & Descriptions
Incorporate high-intent keywords into:
- H1 product titles: “Women’s Oversized Wool Blazer”
- Meta descriptions: “Our oversized wool blazers blend Parisian chic with winter warmth”
- Bullet points and FAQs
Tip: Don’t keyword-stuff. Write for humans first, Google second.
Category Pages & Collections
Don’t ignore collection names—they rank. Instead of “Shop All Pants,” use “Wide-Leg Pants for Women” or “High-Waisted Jeans Collection.”
Blog Content
Use long-tail keywords for blog post ideas:
- “What to Wear to a Summer Rooftop Party”
- “Best Ethical Loungewear Brands in 2025”
Each article targets keywords your customers are already Googling.
Advanced Tips & Common Pitfalls
Use Google Trends for Style Forecasting
Cross-reference Google Keyword Planner with Google Trends to check:
- Year-over-year spikes
- Regional demand
- Trending fashion keywords (ex: “quiet luxury,” “mob wife aesthetic”)
Avoid Broad, Vanity Keywords
Words like “fashion” or “shoes” are too generic. You’ll waste ad budget and see low conversion. Go for buyer-ready terms like:
- “chunky heels for wide feet”
- “backless maxi dresses under $100”
Next Steps: How Animax Helps Fashion Brands Win Search
Step 1: Build Your Keyword Bank
Start small—target 20–50 high-value terms that:
- Match your best-selling categories
- Align with seasonal drops
- Reflect what your audience actually types into Google
Step 2: Structure Your Store Around Intent
Group keywords by product lines and page hierarchy. Use keywords in URLs, titles, and alt text for fashion imagery.
Step 3: Launch Paid + Organic Campaigns
Use your keyword list in:
- Google Search Ads
- Shopping Ads (product feeds)
- Blog content
- Category and homepage optimization
Conclusion
Google Keyword Planner isn’t just a tech tool—it’s your fashion store’s search strategy compass. It tells you exactly what your shoppers are hunting for and how you can show up at the right moment. By finding intent-driven, seasonal keywords, you’ll stop guessing—and start growing.
Want help building your fashion keyword strategy from scratch or auditing your current search setup?
Book a free strategy call with Animax—we’ll help you turn search traffic into sales.