Why do I get no search volume data for some keywords?
In some cases, Keyword Data API doesn’t return search volume data for keywords specified in the Task POST array of the Search volume endpoint. Generally, it happens due to Google Ads restrictions. If a keyword falls into a category restricted by Google Ads policies, our API may not return keyword data for it.
We already described Google restrictions in this blog post. However, we often get complaints that our API doesn’t provide data for keywords that don’t fall into the categories described in it. That’s why we would like to update the information.
In the following paragraphs, we list restricted Google categories and provide examples of keywords for which Keyword Data API is unable to return search volume data.
Note that sometimes there is no correlation between search volume data and Google Ads restrictions. While Google Ads policies prohibit advertising specific content, you may still obtain search volume data for keywords related to such content through our APIs.
Counterfeit goods
Google Ads prohibits the advertising of counterfeit products. Consequently, Keyword Data API will return no search volume data for keywords that include knock off, replica, imitation, clone, faux, fake, mirror image, or similar terms + popular brand name.
Example: rolex replica.
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.2604 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011347-2806-0093-0000-51f54cc70e5e",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.1944 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"rolex replica"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "rolex replica",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Made for kids content
In 2020, Google introduced new “made for kids” content rules. According to Google, advertisers may not run personalized ads on content set as made for kids. Even though this rule applies to advertising on YouTube, Google Ads doesn’t return search volume data for most terms containing kids (kid), baby (babies), and children (child). Consequently, you will see search_volume: null in the API response.
Example: toys for kids.
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "6.9587 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011348-2806-0093-0000-7b12cd99f6ff",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "6.8788 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"toys for kids"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "toys for kids",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Sexual content
Google doesn’t allow certain kinds of sexual content in ads. Thus, Keyword Data API returns no search volume data for some keywords related to such content.
Example: sex toys
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.9037 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011352-2806-0093-0000-e8953975f229",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.8057 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"sex toys"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "sex toys",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Dangerous products or services
Google doesn’t allow the promotion of products or services that cause damage, harm, or injury. Namely, you can’t run ads for keywords related to explosives, guns and gun parts, recreational drugs, and products containing tobacco. Consequently, Keyword Data API won’t provide search volume data for such keywords.
Example: chewing tobacco.
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "5.4729 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011349-2806-0093-0000-54c381316879",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "5.4170 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"chewing tobacco"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "chewing tobacco",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Inappropriate content
Google prohibits ads that display shocking content or promote hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or violence.
Therefore, our API won’t return keyword data for some keywords related to these categories:
- Dangerous or derogatory content;
- Sexually explicit content;
- Compensated sexual acts;
- Child sexual abuse imagery;
- Mail-order brides;
- Shocking content;
- Sensitive events;
- Animal cruelty;
- Hacked political materials.
Example: international marriage brokers
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "5.0596 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011351-2806-0093-0000-4e51cb9b54de",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.6817 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"international marriage brokers"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "international marriage brokers",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Political content
Google has different requirements for political and election advertising based on region. Thus, the Keyword Data API may not return data for some keywords related to politics (depending on the region specified in the location_name, location_code, or location_coordinate field of the Task POST array).
Example: joe biden election (location_name: “United States”)
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.7373 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011349-2806-0093-0000-d29ef8286c18",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "4.6443 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"joe biden election"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "joe biden election",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}
Financial products and services
Google Ads prohibits the advertising of some financial products and services. You probably won’t obtain search volume data for keywords related to cryptocurrencies, binary options, and credit repair services.
Example: bitcoin wallet
{
"version": "0.1.20211130",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "3.4145 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"tasks_count": 1,
"tasks_error": 0,
"tasks": [
{
"id": "12011350-2806-0093-0000-de81c96fd7bf",
"status_code": 20000,
"status_message": "Ok.",
"time": "3.3451 sec.",
"cost": 0.075,
"result_count": 1,
"path": [
"v3",
"keywords_data",
"google_ads",
"search_volume",
"live"
],
"data": {
"api": "keywords_data",
"function": "search_volume",
"se": "google_ads",
"location_name": "United States",
"language_name": "English",
"keywords": [
"bitcoin wallet"
]
},
"result": [
{
"keyword": "bitcoin wallet",
"spell": null,
"location_code": 2840,
"language_code": "en",
"search_partners": false,
"competition": null,
"competition_index": null,
"search_volume": null,
"low_top_of_page_bid": null,
"high_top_of_page_bid": null,
"monthly_searches": null
}
]
}
]
}