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?

beauty and personal care keywords

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.

business industrial keywords

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.”

jobs education keywords

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.

real estate keywords

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.