Google Trends is a powerful tool for understanding search interest, but it doesn't show the real number of searches (i.e. absolute search volume) by default.
To see absolute numbers in Google Trends, you'll need to install the Glimpse Chrome extension, which adds the absolute search volume, growth rate, and other insights.
This can help you quickly grasp a topic's scale and rate of growth so you can make better-informed decisions. If you prefer to not install an extension, then read below to better understand Google's use of normalized search interest and its implications.
FAQ
What does 100 mean in Google Trends?
Google Trends' Y-axis shows relative search interest on a 0-100 scale, so if you're wondering what the numbers in Google Trends mean, a value of 100 means peak search interest for a keyword, and all other values reflect interest relative to that peak. You can think of them as percentages of the recorded maximum interest for that time frame.
For example, in the graph below, “Bitcoin” reached maximum interest (100) during the week of May 16, 2021. A month later, interest dropped to 38, indicating search volume was only 38% of the May peak. Last week, interest was at 17, or 17% of the peak.
While this relative scale is helpful for visualizing changes in interest, it doesn’t show the raw Google Trends data, i.e. the total number of searches made for that query.
If you want to see the actual Google Trends search volume, then download the Glimpse extension, which enhances Google Trends by translating the 0-100 scale into absolute search volume. For instance, the “100” peak for “Bitcoin” translates to 147 million searches worldwide between May 8–June 4, 2021:
What does "search interest" mean in Google Trends?
Google uses the term "search interest" instead of "search volume" because the default Y-axis shows relative volume, on a 0-100 scale, rather than the real number of searches. This relative scale allows for simple comparison of search trends over time, but limits users' understanding of a trend's true size.
If you're wondering how to get Google Trends with the actual number of searches, then try Glimpse, a Chrome extension which enhances Google Trends with absolute search volume and other key insights.
What is the Y-axis in Google Trends?
The Y axis on Google Trends shows a keyword's search interest on a 0-100 (normalized) scale. 100 means the maximum search interest for the keyword in the selected time frame, while 50 represents half of that peak, and 0 indicates insufficient data.
To translate the Y-axis on Google Trends from relative search volume to real numbers, use Glimpse: a Chrome extension that enhances Google Trends by providing the real number of searches and other insights.
What do the numbers in Google Trends mean?
The numbers in Google Trends represent search interest on a scale of 0 to 100, measured relative to the peak popularity of that term (100) during the selected time frame. This is NOT how many searches were made in that time period.
Use Glimpse if you want to see the volume of searches in Google Trends.
What does Google Trends measure?
What does Google Trends measure and what is the unit of measurement? It uses a 0-100 ranking to measure units of relative search interest, showing the current popularity of a given term relative to its peak popularity during the selected time frame. 100 represents the peak, while 50 represents half of that peak, and 0 indicates insufficient data.
If you'd like to view the total number of searches, use a tool like Glimpse, a Chrome extension that enhances Google Trends with absolute search volume and other key insights.
What does the search volume index mean in Google Trends?
The index of search volume in Google Trends indicates search interest on a relative, 0 to 100 scale. It calculates interest relative to the peak popularity of that term (100) during the selected time frame.
How to read and interpret Google Trends
Google Trends' data should be understood and interpreted as an indicator of the trajectory of interest in a particular keyword or phrase. It does not show the number of searches. Instead, it shows whether it is more or less popular.
The X axis shows time, while the Y-axis shows relative search interest on a 0-100 scale. 100 represents the peak interest in a given term during that time period, while 50 represents half of that peak, and 0, insufficient data.