The Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool stopped offering current keyword data several months ago - in January 2007 to be exact.
There was not even a notice on the page with the tool until very recently. You can see the notice about results being from January 2007 in the image to the right.
The following comment was made about this by a Yahoo Search Marketing rep almost four weeks ago:
"With the launch of the new Sponsored Search system, the Keyword Selector Tool is no longer supported by Yahoo! Search Marketing. Thus, the data it would show for the current month is not reflective of the true volume of traffic on our network.
We plan to soon adjust the tool to show information from January 2007, as this is the last month from which we can provide search data."
That quote was taken from a forum reply made by YahooPete at WebmasterWorld.
The only other mention I was able to find of this was on the Search Engine Roundtable at Overture Keyword Suggestion Tool Offline? and Yahoo! Removes UK Overture Keyword Suggestion Tool. Responses from Yahoo reps are quoted on both entries.
I'm seeing a couple of major issues with the fact that they just dropped the popular keyword tool. First, there are thousands of web pages and tutorials that will have to be updated that have mentioned the use of the Overture keyword tool.
Second, and more importantly, are all of the keyword research tools on the market (both free and paid) that pull data from the Overture database.
Nice move, huh?
In the long run it's probably for the best. The Overture tool was good for brainstorming only, as the results were inflated due to overuse by webmasters and the plural and singular versions of words were combined.
The lack of current data will drive everyone back to using WordTracker, which is more reliable anyway - so like I said, it's just as well. This should eliminate a lot of confusion, though there is still the issue of a lot of articles and tutorials referencing the Overture tool...
By the way, WordTracker now has a Free Keyword Suggestion Tool. While it doesnt offer the same features as the Free Trial or the paid service that they offer, it is free and you dont have to go through the registration process to brainstorm keywords.
Technorati Tags: yahoo search marketing, ysm, overture, keyword suggestion tool, market research, keyword research
About Lynn Terry
Good thing I'm a Wordtracker user. I never put the free Overture tool to much use anyway, and it looks like that's a good thing now.
Got to love the Yahoo! management. Don't post that the tool is only good through January 2007 until May 2007. =(
I was using Overture keyword suggestion tool a lot. Read your post today, launched good keyword, and its giving error on each search, so they are really out.
I have read a lot about wordtracker. I've just checked their free tool, it looks okay to me. But what's the difference between free one and paid one? Both will provide same results, right ?
Hi Betsey,
Check out this post: New WordTracker Tool vs Free Trial and also see the documentation at WordTracker. There are benefits to the paid service of course, so you'll want to read up on that at their site.
Hey there everyone,
Just thought I would pop in here and
share real quick.
All the thoughts, tools and ideas
presented are absolutely terrific.
There is just ONE big huge gaping
hole with all the free keyword tools
that services have created to fill
the void of the disappearance of
the Overture tool.
And that is . . . (drum roll please)
Every single FREE keyword tool has
NO capability of saving your keywords
in a basket and managing your projects.
Well -- since July of 2004,
NicheBOT Classic has been
providing its constantly growing
userbase the ability to save their
keyword searches that are done for
free.
=====> http://www.nichebotclassic.com
I know -- it's okay to feel your
heart pitter-patter and get excited
like a kid in a candy story.
And I'm sure you would agree...
That's not only what I call
"useful" -- but I call that an
awesome solution!
You can create a FREE account
right here:
http://www.nichebotclassic.com/members/signup.php
Time to manage your FREE keyword
searches better, don't ya think?
And don't be surprised if you find
spreading the news to your friends
and business acquaintances about
this clearly useful resource.
Enjoy!
Best wishes,
Julie Akerson, Support Services
NicheBOTclassic.com
P.S. If you ever have any questions
that I, or my team, can handle, please
let us know at nichebotclassic {AT} gmail.com
I was using Overture keyword suggestion tool a lot. Read your post today, Thank !