SEO Tricks for Excel and Google Sheets

Excel and Google Sheets are powerful tools for SEO professionals, but many of us are only scratching the surface of their capabilities.

SEO Tricks 

As an SEO professional, you know the importance of data and analysis in driving successful campaigns. And when it comes to organizing and analyzing data, Excel and Google Sheets are two of the most powerful tools at your disposal.

But are you using these tools to their full potential? In this article, we’ll explore some advanced tricks and formulas that every SEO should know to make the most out of Excel and Google Sheets.

Conditional Formatting for Quick Analysis

Conditional formatting is an easy-to-use feature that lets you highlight cells based on specific conditions. This can be extremely useful for quickly identifying trends and patterns in your data.

For example, you can use conditional formatting to highlight cells that contain specific keywords or phrases, making it easier to identify important data points in a large dataset.

To use conditional formatting in Excel, select the cells you want to format, then go to the "Home" tab and click on "Conditional Formatting". From there, you can choose from a variety of options, such as highlighting cells that contain specific text, values, or dates.

In Google Sheets, you can access conditional formatting by selecting the cells you want to format, then clicking on "Format" in the menu bar and selecting "Conditional formatting". From there, you can choose from a variety of options, such as highlighting cells based on text, numbers, or dates.

VLOOKUP for Easy Data Comparison

VLOOKUP is a powerful formula that allows you to search for a specific value in a table and return a corresponding value from a different column. This can be extremely useful for comparing data from different sources or identifying trends in your data.

For example, you can use VLOOKUP to compare keyword rankings from different tools or to identify which pages on your website are driving the most traffic.

To use VLOOKUP in Excel, you’ll need to have two tables: one with the data you want to search and another with the data you want to return. Then, in a new cell, you can use the formula =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup]).

In Google Sheets, the formula is slightly different: =VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted]).

Pivot Tables for Data Analysis

Pivot tables are an excellent way to organize and analyze large datasets. They allow you to quickly group and summarize data, making it easier to identify trends and patterns.

For example, you can use pivot tables to analyze keyword rankings by search engine, device, or location, or to identify which pages on your website are driving the most conversions.

To create a pivot table in Excel, select the data you want to analyze, then go to the "Insert" tab and click on "PivotTable". From there, you can choose which data you want to include in your pivot table and how you want to summarize it.

In Google Sheets, you can create a pivot table by selecting the data you want to analyze, then clicking on "Data" in the menu bar and selecting "Pivot table". From there, you can choose which data you want to include in your pivot table and how you want to summarize it.

CONCATENATE for Combining Data

The CONCATENATE formula allows you to combine data from different cells into one cell. This can be useful for creating custom URLs, meta titles, or meta descriptions for your website.

For example, you can use CONCATENATE to create a custom URL for a blog post by combining the blog post title with the date it was published.

To use CONCATENATE in Excel, you can use the formula =CONCATENATE(text1, text2, ...). In Google Sheets, the formula is slightly different: =CONCATENATE(text1, text2, ...).

ImportXML for Scraping Data

The ImportXML formula allows you to scrape data from websites and import it into your spreadsheet. This can be useful for tracking keyword rankings, backlinks, or other data points that are not available through traditional SEO tools.

To use ImportXML in Google Sheets, you’ll need to have some basic knowledge of XPath, which is a language used for querying and extracting data from XML documents. Once you have your XPath query, you can use the formula =IMPORTXML(url, xpath_query) to import the data into your spreadsheet.

Google Sheets Hacks for SEO

Google Sheets offers a variety of add-ons that can enhance its functionality and make your life as an SEO professional easier. 

Some popular add-ons for SEO include:

• https://seotoolsforexcel.com/: This add-on allows you to access a variety of SEO tools, such as keyword research, backlink analysis, and on-page optimization, directly from your Google Sheets.
• https://supermetrics.com/: This add-on allows you to import data from a variety of sources, such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, and social media platforms, into your Google Sheets.
• https://keywordplanner.com/: This add-on allows you to access Google’s Keyword Planner tool directly from your Google Sheets.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Navigation

Google Sheets offers a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can help you navigate and work with your data more efficiently. Some useful shortcuts for SEO professionals include:

• Ctrl + Shift + L (Windows) or Command + Shift + L (Mac): This shortcut allows you to quickly filter your data by creating a pivot table.
• Ctrl + Shift + \ (Windows) or Command + Shift + \ (Mac): This shortcut allows you to quickly hide or unhide columns in your spreadsheet.
• Ctrl + Shift + 1 (Windows) or Command + Shift + 1 (Mac): This shortcut allows you to quickly format your data as a number.

Use Data Validation for Error Prevention

Data validation is a feature in Google Sheets that allows you to set rules for the data entered into a specific cell or range of cells. This can be useful for preventing errors and ensuring that your data is consistent and accurate.

For example, you can use data validation to ensure that only valid URLs are entered into a specific cell, or to limit the values that can be entered into a cell to a specific range.

To use data validation in Google Sheets, select the cell or range of cells you want to apply it to, then go to the "Data" menu and select "Data validation". From there, you can choose the type of data validation you want to apply and set the rules for it.

Excel and Google Sheets Formulas for SEO

The COUNTIF formula allows you to count the number of cells in a range that meet a specific criteria. This can be useful for keyword research, as it allows you to quickly identify how many times a specific keyword or phrase appears in a dataset.

For example, you can use COUNTIF to identify how many times a specific keyword appears in your website’s meta titles or meta descriptions.

To use COUNTIF in Excel, you can use the formula =COUNTIF(range, criteria). In Google Sheets, the formula is slightly different: =COUNTIF(range, criterion).

AVERAGEIF for Performance Analysis

The AVERAGEIF formula allows you to calculate the average of a range of cells that meet a specific criteria. This can be useful for analyzing the performance of your website or specific pages on your website.

For example, you can use AVERAGEIF to calculate the average time on page for all pages on your website that contain a specific keyword.

To use AVERAGEIF in Excel, you can use the formula =AVERAGEIF(range, criteria, average_range). In Google Sheets, the formula is slightly different: =AVERAGEIF(range, criterion, average_range).

Conclusion

Excel and Google Sheets are powerful tools for SEO professionals, but many of us are only scratching the surface of their capabilities. By using these advanced tricks, formulas, and hacks, you can take your data analysis to the next level and drive more successful SEO campaigns.

So next time you’re working with data in Excel or Google Sheets, remember these tips and tricks and see how they can help you achieve your SEO goals.