How to Calculate KGR Manually (Step-by-Step)

"KGR stands for Keyword Golden Ratio - a keyword research method that helps you to find keywords that you can rank for immediately." — r/SEO

The first time I calculated KGR by hand, I used the wrong number from Google. Looked up search volume from the wrong column in Keyword Planner. Divided. Got 0.04. Published an article.

It never ranked. The allintitle count was wrong because I forgot quotes around a four-word phrase.

Manual KGR isn't hard. It's just easy to mess up in small ways that waste weeks. This guide is the checklist I wish I'd had — every click, every typo to avoid, with real numbers.

If you need the formula explained from scratch, start with KGR for beginners. This article assumes you know why KGR exists and focuses on how to run it without a tool.

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What You're Calculating (Supply ÷ Demand)

KGR = allintitle results ÷ monthly search volume

Target KGR under 0.25 with volume under 250 on new sites. That ratio comes from Doug Cunnington's KGR research.

"The KGR measures the imbalance between the two. And does it in a simple, easy and elegant way." — r/juststart

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Step 1: Get Monthly Search Volume

Open Google Keyword Planner.

1. Click Discover new keywords
2. Enter your exact phrase in quotes
3. Note average monthly searches for your target country

Log volume in your KGR spreadsheet.

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Step 2: Get the allintitle Count

Open Google in incognito.

allintitle:"how to descale keurig with vinegar"

Rule	Wrong	Right
Quotes	allintitle:how to descale	allintitle:"how to descale keurig with vinegar"
Colon space	allintitle: keurig	allintitle:keurig
Operator	intitle:	allintitle:

Use the first About X results number. See what is allintitle.

"Using allintitle:keywords you will return URLs with keywords in the title tag. Below 5,000 results, consider the query low competition." — r/SEO

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Step 3: Do the Division

Example: 38 allintitle ÷ 110 volume = 0.345 (above 0.25 — deprioritize).

Better example: 14 ÷ 90 = 0.156 ✅

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Step 4: Interpret the Score

KGR	Action on new sites
< 0.25	Add to publish list
0.25 – 1.0	Maybe, if SERP is weak
> 1.0	Skip

"Just because a keyword falls under the 0.25 ratio doesn't necessarily make it good." — r/Blogging

Always open the top 10. KGR is a filter, not a guarantee.

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Worked Example

Keyword: "why is my aeropress coffee bitter"

• Volume: 70/month
• allintitle: 22
• KGR: 22 ÷ 70 = 0.314

Slightly above 0.25, but SERP is small blogs only. I'll publish.

Time: ~4 minutes per keyword manually.

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Mistakes That Skew Your KGR

1. intitle vs allintitle — r/SEO explains the difference
2. No quotes on multi-word phrases
3. Wrong country for volume
4. Paginated counts instead of first "About" number
5. Ignoring intent — perfect KGR, wrong content type

See KGR mistakes.

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When to Stop Doing This Manually

Learn with 5 keywords. Then use automation or bulk mode for 30-keyword niche workflows.

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FAQ

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Last updated: June 28, 2026