Automated Keyword Research using Google Ads API - n8n Workflow

SEO and PPC professionals seeking highly efficient, automated keyword research tools.
Digital marketing agencies that need to scale data collection for client reports.
Users looking for advanced n8n templates that integrate complex, multi-step API calls.
Anyone wanting to leverage the Google Ads API within an n8n automation structure.

Manually performing large-scale keyword research can be time-consuming and expensive using traditional tools. This specialized n8n workflow overcomes these challenges by integrating directly with the powerful Google Ads API. It allows you to input a list of seed keywords and receive detailed, up-to-date metrics—including average monthly searches, competition index, and top-of-page bid estimates—all fully automated. This n8n automation provides a cost-effective, scalable alternative, delivering clean, structured keyword data ready for analysis in Google Sheets. Utilizing this specific n8n workflow ensures your SEO campaigns are built on current, reliable data.

This automation begins with an n8n trigger, which initiates the process, usually receiving an array of seed keywords as input.

1. Data Preparation (Set n8n node): The initial Set Keywords n8n node extracts and structures the input keywords for the API call.


2. API Call (HTTP Request n8n node): The Generate new keywords n8n node sends a POST request to the Google Ads API's generateKeywordIdeas endpoint. This request is configured with specific parameters for geo-targeting and language.


3. Result Splitting (Split Out n8n node): Since the Google Ads API returns a batch of results, the Split Out n8n node processes the array, ensuring every individual keyword idea is handled as a separate item for subsequent processing in the n8n workflow.


4. Data Transformation (Set n8n node): The Edit Fields n8n node cleans the raw data, extracting metrics like competition, average monthly searches, and converting micro-amounts (for bids) into standard currency format.


5. Final Storage (Google Sheets n8n node): The structured data is then appended to a predefined Google Sheet using the Upsert n8n node, completing this complex n8n workflow and making the data instantly accessible for reporting.

To set up this advanced n8n templates workflow, follow these steps:

1. Import: Copy the provided JSON and import it into your n8n instance.


2. Credentials: You will need to configure two sets of credentials:

1. HTTP Request Configuration: Navigate to the Generate new keywords n8n node. You must update the URL to include your specific {customer-id}. Additionally, update the required headers (developer-token and login-customer-id) with your actual values.


2. Google Sheets Configuration: In the Upsert n8n node, select the target Google Sheet document and the specific sheet where the keyword results should be stored.


3. Trigger Setup: Replace the Trigger n8n node (Execute Workflow Trigger) with your preferred start method (e.g., Webhook, Manual). Ensure the new n8n trigger passes keyword data structured under a Keyword key.

Trigger (Execute Workflow Trigger n8n node): Acts as the starting point for this n8n workflow, enabling external systems or other n8n templates to initiate the keyword generation process.
Set Keywords (Set n8n node): Prepares the input array of keywords, mapping the received input to the structure expected by the Google Ads API request.
Generate new keywords (HTTP Request n8n node): The critical operational n8n node. It sends a customized POST request to the Google Ads API's generateKeywordIdeas endpoint, using defined geo and language constraints to retrieve targeted data. Authentication relies on Google Ads OAuth2.
Split Out (Split Out n8n node): Essential for flow control. This n8n node transforms the single array response from the API into individual items, allowing metrics calculation for each unique keyword idea.
Edit Fields (Set n8n node): A transformation n8n node responsible for cleaning and selecting specific metrics from the extensive API response, ensuring only relevant fields like keyword, avgMonthlySearches, and formatted bid prices are passed forward.
Upsert (Google Sheets n8n node): The final destination n8n node. It appends the newly generated and cleaned keyword data to a designated Google Sheet document.