How to track seasonal keyword trends on Semrush

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-30

Quick Answer

Track seasonal keyword trends on Semrush using the Keyword Magic Tool and Keyword Overview to analyze search volume fluctuations over 12 months. Use Position Tracking to monitor your rankings for seasonal keywords year-round and set up alerts for trend changes.

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Prerequisites

Semrush account with Keyword Analytics access
Basic understanding of keyword research
Target keywords list ready
Understanding of your business seasonality patterns

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Keyword Magic Tool

Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Keyword Research in the left sidebar. Click on Keyword Magic Tool and enter your seed keyword related to seasonal topics (e.g., "winter coats," "tax software," "graduation gifts"). Select your target country and click Search.

Start with broad seasonal terms to discover related keywords you might have missed.

Filter for seasonal keywords

In the Keyword Magic Tool results, use the Include Keywords filter to add seasonal terms like "holiday," "winter," "summer," "Christmas," "back to school," etc. Apply volume filters by clicking Volume and setting minimum search volumes (e.g., 500+ searches). Export promising keywords by selecting them and clicking Add to Keyword List.

Create separate keyword lists for different seasons to organize your tracking better.

Analyze individual keyword trends

Click on any keyword from your results to open Keyword Overview. Scroll down to the Trend section which shows a 12-month search volume graph. Look for clear seasonal patterns - peaks and valleys that repeat annually. Note the months with highest and lowest search volumes for planning purposes.

Pay attention to when the trend starts rising, not just the peak month, to time your content creation.

Set up Position Tracking for seasonal keywords

Navigate to Position Tracking under the Campaigns section. Click Set up tracking or add to existing campaign. Add your seasonal keywords by pasting them or importing from your keyword lists. Set tracking for mobile and desktop, select your target location, and configure competitors to monitor.

Group seasonal keywords by season using tags to easily filter and analyze performance.

Create custom alerts and reports

In Position Tracking, click on Settings then Alerts. Set up notifications for ranking changes, new keywords entering top 10, or significant position drops. Configure Scheduled Reports to receive weekly or monthly updates during peak seasons. Set different alert thresholds for high-season vs. low-season periods.

Increase alert frequency during peak seasons when competition and volatility are higher.

Use Market Explorer for seasonal trend validation

Go to Market Explorer under Competitive Research. Enter your website and competitors, then navigate to Traffic Trends. Look at the 2-year traffic graph to identify seasonal patterns in your niche. Cross-reference these patterns with your keyword research to validate seasonal opportunities.

Compare your seasonal performance against competitors to identify gaps and opportunities.

Monitor and analyze historical data

In Keyword Overview, use the date range selector to compare year-over-year data for your seasonal keywords. Click Historical Data to see up to 24 months of search volume trends. Document peak months, trend duration, and volume changes to predict future patterns and plan content calendars accordingly.

Create a seasonal keyword calendar based on historical data to plan content creation 2-3 months in advance.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Seasonal keywords showing low search volume

Check if you're looking at the right time period - seasonal keywords may show low volume during off-seasons. Use the Trend graph in Keyword Overview to see peak months, and consider using broad match or related keywords to capture more search volume.

Position tracking not showing seasonal fluctuations

Ensure you've been tracking keywords for at least 6-12 months to see seasonal patterns. Check that your tracking frequency is set to daily in Position Tracking settings. Some seasonal changes are gradual and may not be visible in short-term data.

Unable to find clear seasonal patterns in data

Try expanding your keyword research to include related terms and long-tail variations. Use the Questions tab in Keyword Magic Tool to find seasonal query patterns. Some niches have subtle seasonality that requires analyzing multiple related keywords together.

Keyword Magic Tool not showing seasonal suggestions

Manually add seasonal modifiers using the Include Keywords filter. Try terms like "winter," "summer," "holiday," "2024," "2025," or month names. Use Related Keywords feature and check the Broad Match tab for seasonal variations you might have missed.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Semrush website before purchasing.

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