Many search engines generate lists of what people are looking for. The topics may be popular keyword phrases for a certain time interval, or actual searches in real time.

1.) Ask IQ

Ask IQ shows the top searches for the last week, what people are looking for in the news, and the most popular movies. You can write articles on any of these topics.

2.) Google Zeitgeist

Google Zeitgeist provides a weekly list of top searches. You can also access information for previous months or years, or a list of popular searches by country.

3.) Dogpile Search Spy

With Dogpile Search Spy you can choose filtered or unfiltered search results to see what people are hunting for in real time. The words and phrases will represent a cross section of people's interests, rather than a list of most popular subjects.

4.) Google Trends

Google Trends shows a new list of keywords every time you refresh the page. Like the Dogpile interface, these are generic searches occurring while you are sitting in front of your computer.

5.) Webcrawler Search Spy

Access either a filtered or unfiltered list of real time search results. These searches are sometimes amusing; you get to see all the typos that people make. Misspellings and typos can be included in article keywords for more targeted results.

1.) Crosswords

Any kind of printed material can spark ideas in the brain of a perceptive writer. Grab a crossword puzzle book and start filling in the blanks. Keep an open mind as you work, and jot down article ideas as they occur to you.

2.) Yellow Pages

Pick up the yellow pages and start looking at display ads. Do you see unusual business names or unique services? Does one of the ads remind you of something comical that once happened to you? Funny articles make good reading copy.

3.) Junk Mail

Before papering your bird cage with junk mail, read through it and transform it into a springboard for ideas. No pet bird? After reading, throw the unwanted mail into the recycle bin. Recycle bin? Maybe you can write an article on recycling or composting. Environmental concerns are a hot topic nowadays.

4.) Books

Thumb through any book on your bookshelf, select a random page, and begin reading. Stop once in awhile to reminisce or daydream. Before you know it, an article idea will pop into your head. Sometimes a book title alone will reawaken your 'article muse'.

Once you have a few prospective topics, see how popular they are by hunting for them online. Make note of the number of pages produced for each phrase. The searches generating the highest number of results are the most popular.

The most commonly used keywords and phrases are likely to attract the largest number of readers and generate the highest clickthrough payments for Google AdSense and other pay-per-click programs. However, if you don't know anything about a subject, avoid it. As a writer, you must use your expertise, experience, research capabilities, and writing finesse to produce articles that will be useful, interesting, and popular.

Did you notice the words 'useful' and 'interesting'? Do not write articles that are simply advertising hype or fluff. They are useless to readers. Take the time to write material that people will want to print out, bookmark, or publish on their websites. If you write excellent articles, readers will remember you. Over time, you will become known as an authority on each subject you tackle.

If you write articles filled with spelling errors and incorrect grammar, readers will not trust the information you are presenting - no matter how accurate and good it may be. A poorly written article is a black mark on your reputation as a writer and the website or business you are writing for.

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See you online!

?Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.