It is estimated that in 2018, Google will handle over two trillion searches. That breaks down to about 5.6 billion per day, or 65,000 per second. With the majority of these search results pages including pay-per-click (PPC) ads, it’s easy to see how Google generated almost 100 billion dollars from AdWords in 2017.
So what can a Houston PPC advertiser expect to pay for a click these days?
The answer to that question varies wildly by industry and level of competition. After all, AdWords is an auction. For inexpensive products or services, clicks might only cost a few cents. In scenarios where there’s a huge potential profit to be made, the cost can be several hundred dollars per click!
Most Expensive and Most Searched Keywords
Using Google’s own keyword planning tool and the greater Nielson Houston DMA region as the geographic territory, I investigated the most expensive and most searched keywords in each of Google’s 23 product categories.
In order to examine only search terms that a reasonable number of real people actually search, I filtered the results to only include keywords with more than 100 searches per month.
Cheapest PPC Keywords
Just for fun, I also looked for the least expensive keywords in each category, thinking I might uncover some cheap low-hanging fruit. Instead, it was more like texting with a teenager. I saw mostly words and phrases of which I’d never heard. Some were downright bizarre.
The truth is stranger than fiction.
Here are the results. They are 100% real. I did not make any of these up, pinky swear.
Keyword Stats By Product Category
In the categories below, the tables include the most expensive and most searched keywords. Below the tables are the cheapest deals.
Apparel
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | Trainers Sale | $17.40 | 110 |
| Most Searched | Forever 21 | $0.86 | 165,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Bam Bam costume.”
Arts and Entertainment
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | Anime School | $29.29 | 140 |
| Most Searched | Games | $0.48 | 110,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Minecraft survival.”
Autos and Vehicles
For the most expensive keyword in this category, people are most likely looking for AC repair for their home or business, not their car. Avoid paying $150 per click by calling a HVAC SEO pros today!
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | air conditioning service near me | $154.00 | 110 |
| Most Searched | Carmax | $1.05 | 110,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “police motorcycle games.”
Beauty and Personal Care
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | does laser hair removal hurt | $26.75 | 110 |
| Most Searched | Louis Vuitton | $0.15 | 90,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “Gucci toilet.” Don’t believe me?
Business and Industrial
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | water damage restoration | $114.53 | 3200 |
| Most Searched | Direct tv | $1.31 | 90,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “alpaca world.”
That sounds like the coolest theme park ever.
Computers and Consumer Electronics
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | business phone service | $130.42 | 110 |
| Most Searched | Messenger | $0.12 | 368,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “best nintendo ds games.”
Dining and Nightlife
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | corporate catering | $9.10 | 170 |
| Most Searched | Dominoes | $0.33 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.03 per click, advertisers can bid on “super donuts.”
WHAT IS A SUPER DONUT AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE???
Family and Community
It appears that Houston likes to party.
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | alcoholic | $130.31 | 110 |
| Most Searched | tinder | $1.04 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “scorpio birthstone.”
Who would even Google that? Everyone already knows what that is.
Hey, welcome back! I know you just Googled it.
Finance
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | tax lawyer | $110.32 | 140 |
| Most Searched | mortgage calculator | $2.49 | 42,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers (and 16 year olds) can bid on “coolest car in the world.”
Food and Groceries
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | grocery pickup | $31.95 | 140 |
| Most Searched | edible arrangements | $0.77 | 33,100 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “canned whole chicken.”
Mmmmm. Canned whole chicken.
Health
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | mesothelioma | $149.84 | 2400 |
| Most Searched | fitbit | $0.47 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “protein shakes near me.”
Never skip leg day, bro.
Hobbies, Games, & Leisure
Don’t ask me how digital transformation is a hobby, a game, or a leisure activity.
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | digital transformation | $149.84 | 2400 |
| Most Searched | games | $0.48 | 110,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “rare hot wheels.”
They’re not toys. They’re collector’s items.
Home and Garden
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | water damage restoration | $114.53 | 320 |
| Most Searched | rooms to go | $0.33 | 110,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “pigeon spinners.”
“Siri, show me fidget spinners.”
Performing a web search for… pidgeon spinners.
“Nooooo, that’s not what I said!”
Performing a web search for… pasta rye bread.
Internet and Telecom
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | business internet | $149.40 | 110 |
| Most Searched | messenger | $0.12 | 368,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “rap chips.”
They are what they sound like. They are hip-hop themed potato chips. I was very disappointed to learn I could not buy these without purchasing a whole vending machine. That would be baller though.
Jobs and Education
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | online business degree | $112.07 | 170 |
| Most Searched | offerup | $1.09 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.07 per click, advertisers can bid on “cut and paste.”
I weigh 230 pounds Grandma, and it’s CONTROL+C, then CONTROL+V.
Law and Government
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | truck accident lawyer houston | $389.25 | 210 |
| Most Searched | reliant energy | $6.50 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “xray body scanner.”
Total recall style.
Mobile Apps
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | app development | $70.92 | 170 |
| Most Searched | text now | $0.17 | 60,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “air horn app.”
News, Books, & Publications
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | translation services | $32.65 | 140 |
| Most Searched | music downloader | $0.46 | 60,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.05 per click, advertisers can bid on “cat translator.”
Pro tip: they can already understand you. They’re just not interested.
Occasions and Gifts
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | wedding registry | $19.82 | 590 |
| Most Searched | edible arrangements | $0.77 | 33,100 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “mexican petunia.”
Real Estate
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | we buy houses houston | $137.39 | 260 |
| Most Searched | mortgage calculator | $2.49 | 49,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.08 per click, advertisers can bid on “goat case.”
If there’s one problem with goats, it’s that they’re not very portable. Problem solved.
Retailers & General Merchandise
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | grocery pick up | $31.95 | 140 |
| Most Searched | car rental | $3.44 | 40,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Walmart shorts.”
Jorts are making a comeback. Mark my words.
Sports & Fitness
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | rpa | $21.08 | 320 |
| Most Searched | adidas | $0.20 | 110,000 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “he got game 13.”
In the 12th sequel to “He Got Game,” starring Denzel Washington and NBA Allstar Ray Allen, Jesus Shuttleworth (Ray Allen) proves that age is just a number when he becomes the oldest person to ever start for the Houston Rockets at the age of 62 years young.
Travel & Tourism
| Keyword | Rec. Bid | Searches/Mo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Expensive | timeshare exit team | $57.06 | 210 |
| Most Searched | uber | $1.41 | 90,500 |
Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “the stuff.”
Talk With a Google Certified PPC Specialist Today
PPC marketing can be extremely beneficial to your business, but with click costs like these, it is easy to watch your ad budget go up in flames. That is why it is extra important to consult with a professional before treading in dangerous waters. Call TheeHouston today at 281-764-9070 or fill out our contact form to speak with one of our seasoned experts.
