If you're trying to grow your business online in the UAE, you already know how important it is to show up when your customers search on Google. But where do you even start? One of the most powerful tools for this is Google Keyword Planner — a free tool packed with data that can help you dominate local SEO. Whether you're new to SEO or want to take your existing strategy to the next level, this guide will walk you through how to use Google Keyword Planner for UAE SEO like a pro.
This guide is directly tied to the broader topic of Keyword Research for UAE Businesses, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already. It covers the essentials that set the foundation for doing keyword research effectively in the Emirati market.
What Is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool from Google Ads that allows you to discover keyword ideas and see how a list of keywords might perform. Even though it’s designed for advertisers, it’s incredibly useful for organic UAE SEO strategies too.
Here’s what you can do with it:
- Find keyword ideas based on your industry, products, or services
- Get monthly search volume for specific locations — like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah
- Uncover competition levels and suggested bid values (great for understanding commercial intent)
- See keyword trends throughout the year
Setting Up Google Keyword Planner for UAE SEO
Before you dive into keyword research, you’ll need to set up your Google Ads account. Don’t worry — you don’t have to run any ads to use the Keyword Planner.
Steps to get started:
- Go to Google Ads and sign in or create an account
- Choose “Switch to Expert Mode” on setup
- Click “Tools & Settings” (wrench icon in the top menu)
- Under "Planning", select “Keyword Planner”
Once you’re in, you’ve got two main options: "Discover new keywords" or "Get search volume and forecasts". For UAE SEO strategies, using both can be extremely helpful, depending on your goal.
Targeting the UAE Market
This is where localization becomes crucial. You don’t want global search data when your business is focused on specific Emirates or even neighborhoods in a city like Dubai.
To localize your keyword research:
- Click on the location filter at the top of the Keyword Planner tool
- Enter “United Arab Emirates” or a specific area like “Dubai” or “Abu Dhabi”
- Remove the default setting (usually the United States) if it’s added by default
You can also add multiple locations if your target audience is spread across the UAE. This way, you're making decisions based on real, local search data — not global averages.
Finding High-Intent Local Keywords
One of the best ways to grow your business online is to target keywords with high purchase intent. These are the terms searchers use when they’re ready to take action — like calling, booking, or buying.
How to uncover these gems in Google Keyword Planner:
- Use your product/service category in the search bar
- Look for keywords with clear actions like “buy,” “hire,” “services,” or “best in Dubai”
- Pay attention to competition and cost-per-click (CPC) — higher values often indicate commercial value
Here’s a quick example. If you run a dental clinic in Dubai, compare these:
- “Dental tips” (low commercial intent)
- “Best dentist in Dubai” (high commercial intent)
Guess which one is more likely to land you a new client?
Using Keyword Filters to Your Advantage
Google Keyword Planner gives you tons of data — but you’ve got to know how to filter the noise. Smart filtering helps you focus only on relevant opportunities.
Filter by:
- Average monthly searches — Aim for keywords with a healthy amount of traffic (but don’t ignore low-volume, high-intent keywords!)
- Competition level — Low or medium-competition keywords can be easier wins if you’re a startup or SME
- Suggested bid — Watch this to identify terms with strong buyer intent
Remember, it's not always about volume. Relevance and intent often win the game when it comes to conversions in UAE SEO.
Organizing Keywords Into Campaigns or Content Clusters
Once you have a list of keywords, organizing them wisely is key to actioning your research. You can use them for both PPC campaigns and your organic SEO content strategy.
Ways to group keywords:
- By service type — e.g., “teeth whitening Dubai,” “dental implants UAE”
- By city or Emirate — target local searches more effectively
- By funnel stage — awareness (blogs), consideration (comparison articles), conversion (service pages)
This step helps you build themed content clusters, which is essential for ranking in competitive local niches — and Google loves it.
Exporting and Tracking Your Keyword List
Once you've gathered your keyword goldmine, download it and plug it into whatever system you use for tracking SEO.
Quick tips:
- Click on “Download Keyword Ideas” in the top right corner
- Use tools like Google Sheets, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to manage changes over time
- Set up a routine for reviewing search trends every quarter
This keeps your strategy fresh, agile, and ready to evolve with seasonal changes or market shifts within the UAE.
Using Google Keyword Planner for Arabic & English SEO
Don’t forget about language! UAE is a multilingual country, with both Arabic and English being widely used in search queries.
Pro tips for dual-language campaigns:
- Create versions of your keyword research in both English and Arabic
- Use native speakers or translators to validate Arabic keyword intent
- Double-check spelling and wording — direct translations may not reflect actual search behavior
Targeting both languages with accurate, localized keywords gives you a serious edge in UAE SEO.
Conclusion
Using Google Keyword Planner for UAE SEO isn’t rocket science — but it does require thought, strategy, and a good understanding of your local market. With the right filtering, localization, and intent-based targeting, you’ll be in a better position to reach high-converting customers online.
Still building your strategy? Don’t forget to bookmark our main guide on Keyword Research for UAE Businesses. It’s your one-stop resource for diving deeper into building UAE-focused SEO content that actually performs.
