How to Set Up a Google Ads Account for Keyword Planner Access

To set up a Google Ads account for access to Google Keyword Planner, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign In or Create a Google Account

• Go to ads.google.com.
• Sign in with your existing Google account, or create a new one if needed.

Step 2: Start Google Ads Account Setup

• Click Start Now.
• You’ll be prompted to create your first campaign. If you don’t want to run ads, look for an option like Set up an account only (sometimes found at the bottom of the page) to skip campaign creation.

Step 3: Enter Account Details

• Fill in your business information, including billing country, time zone, and currency.
• Important: These details cannot be changed later, so ensure they are accurate.

Step 4: Add Billing Information

• Google requires you to enter payment information (credit card) to access Keyword Planner, even if you don’t plan to run ads.
• You can pause or cancel any campaign immediately after setup to avoid charges.

Step 5: Access Keyword Planner

• Once your account is set up, go to the main dashboard.
• Click the Tools icon (wrench symbol) in the menu.
• Under Planning, select Keyword Planner.
• If your account is in Smart Mode, switch to Expert Mode to access all features.

Step 6: Use Keyword Planner

• Choose Discover new keywords or Get search volume and forecasts.
• Enter your seed keywords or website to generate keyword ideas.

Note:

• Google Keyword Planner is free to use, but you must complete Google Ads account setup, including entering payment details.
• You do not need to run active ad campaigns to use Keyword Planner.
• If you don’t want to run ads, pause or cancel your campaign immediately after setup.

For more details, visit the official Google Ads Help page.