SUGGEST_QUERIES
Get Google autocomplete suggestions for a search query
=SUGGEST_QUERIES(query, [language], [country])Returns: string[][]
Overview
SUGGEST_QUERIES taps into Google's autocomplete API to retrieve the search suggestions that appear when users begin typing a query into the Google search bar. These suggestions are based on real search behavior and reflect what people are actively searching for, making them an invaluable resource for keyword research, content ideation, and understanding user intent.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
query | string | Yes | The search query to get autocomplete suggestions for |
language | string | No (en) | Language code for localized suggestions (e.g., "en", "es", "de") |
country | string | No (us) | Country code for region-specific suggestions (e.g., "us", "uk", "de") |
Examples
Basic keyword suggestions
Returns Google autocomplete suggestions for "best crm" in English for the US market.
=SUGGEST_QUERIES("best crm")Output
| best crm for small business |
| best crm software |
| best crm for real estate |
| best crm for startups |
| best crm free |
Spanish language suggestions
Gets autocomplete suggestions in Spanish for the Spain market.
=SUGGEST_QUERIES("mejor crm", "es", "es")Output
| mejor crm para pymes |
| mejor crm gratuito |
| mejor crm para ventas |
| mejor crm para inmobiliarias |
Question-based keyword discovery
Discovers question-based queries that users are searching for, perfect for FAQ pages and blog content.
=SUGGEST_QUERIES("how to improve seo")Output
| how to improve seo on google |
| how to improve seo ranking |
| how to improve seo for my website |
| how to improve seo on shopify |
Local market research
Gets suggestions specific to the UK market for local service businesses.
=SUGGEST_QUERIES("plumber", "en", "uk")Output
| plumber near me |
| plumber london |
| plumber cost per hour |
| plumber apprenticeship |
Product research suggestions
Discovers comparison queries people are searching for, useful for creating comparison content.
=SUGGEST_QUERIES("iphone 16 vs")Output
| iphone 16 vs samsung s24 |
| iphone 16 vs iphone 15 |
| iphone 16 vs pixel 9 |
| iphone 16 vs iphone 16 pro |
Use Cases
Content Calendar Planning
Generate hundreds of blog topic ideas by running SUGGEST_QUERIES on your core topics. Each suggestion represents a real query people are searching for, ensuring your content addresses actual demand.
Long-Tail Keyword Discovery
Find long-tail keyword variations that traditional keyword tools miss. Autocomplete suggestions often surface niche queries with lower competition and higher conversion intent.
FAQ Page Creation
Use question-based seed queries (who, what, where, when, why, how) to discover the exact questions your target audience is asking, then build comprehensive FAQ pages that match those queries.
PPC Campaign Expansion
Discover new keyword variations for Google Ads campaigns. Autocomplete suggestions reveal search terms you might not have considered, helping expand campaign reach without increasing cost per click.
International Market Research
Use localized suggestions across different languages and countries to understand how search behavior differs across markets, informing product localization and international expansion strategies.
Trend Detection
Monitor autocomplete suggestions for trending topics in your niche. New suggestions appearing for familiar queries often indicate emerging trends that you can cover before competitors.
Pro Tips
Use alphabet soup technique: run SUGGEST_QUERIES for your seed keyword followed by each letter of the alphabet (e.g., "crm a", "crm b", "crm c") to uncover a much wider range of suggestions.
Feed the results into GET_SEARCH_VOLUME_FROM_GOOGLE to prioritize suggestions by monthly search volume, focusing your content efforts on the most impactful keywords.
Prefix your seed query with question words like "how to", "what is", "why does" to discover question-based keywords that are perfect for featured snippet optimization.
Compare suggestions across different countries to identify localization opportunities. A keyword that is highly competitive in one market may have low competition in another.
Run the function periodically on the same seed queries to detect new trending suggestions that indicate shifts in user interest or emerging opportunities.
The function accepts an optional language and country parameter, allowing you to get localized suggestions for different markets. This is particularly useful for international SEO campaigns where search behavior varies significantly across regions. For example, searching for "best CRM" in the US market might yield very different suggestions compared to the same query in Germany or Japan.
Unlike paid keyword research tools that update their databases monthly, Google autocomplete suggestions reflect near-real-time search trends. This makes SUGGEST_QUERIES ideal for discovering emerging topics, seasonal queries, and trending searches before they show up in traditional keyword tools. Content marketers can use it to find the exact questions people are asking, while PPC advertisers can discover new long-tail keywords to target.
The function returns results as a vertical array, making it easy to combine with other Unlimited Sheets functions. Feed the suggestions into GET_SEARCH_VOLUME_FROM_GOOGLE to find out how many monthly searches each suggestion receives, or use AI_KEYWORDS to expand your keyword list even further. By chaining these functions together, you can build a complete keyword research pipeline entirely within Google Sheets.
Common Errors
#VALUE!Cause: The query parameter is empty or not a valid string.
Fix: Provide a non-empty search query as the first parameter. Make sure it is wrapped in quotes if entered directly in the formula.
#ERROR!Cause: Invalid language or country code provided.
Fix: Use standard ISO language codes (e.g., "en", "es", "fr") and country codes (e.g., "us", "uk", "de"). Check the Google supported languages documentation for valid codes.
#N/ACause: No suggestions were found for the given query and locale combination.
Fix: Try a broader or more common search query. Very niche or newly coined terms may not have autocomplete suggestions yet. Also verify the language and country combination is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google autocomplete suggestions are based on the popularity and frequency of real searches. They reflect what users are actively typing into Google and are updated frequently to include trending queries.
The function typically returns up to 10 suggestions per query, which matches the number of suggestions Google provides in its autocomplete dropdown.
Yes, use the language parameter to specify any language code supported by Google (e.g., "es" for Spanish, "fr" for French, "de" for German, "ja" for Japanese). Combine with the country parameter for the most relevant results.
No, these are different data sources. Google Keyword Planner provides search volume estimates and CPC data, while autocomplete suggestions reflect real-time search behavior. Use both for comprehensive keyword research.
Google updates autocomplete suggestions regularly. Trending topics, seasonal events, and changes in search behavior can cause suggestions to shift. Running the function periodically can help you spot new opportunities.
The language parameter sets the language for suggestions (e.g., "en" for English), while the country parameter localizes results to a specific region (e.g., "uk" for United Kingdom). Using both together gives the most targeted results.
Yes, you can list multiple seed queries in a column and apply SUGGEST_QUERIES to each one. This scales your keyword research to hundreds of seed queries, generating thousands of suggestions.
No, SUGGEST_QUERIES returns the suggestion text only. To get search volume data, pass the suggestions into the GET_SEARCH_VOLUME_FROM_GOOGLE function.
Related Functions
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