Today, there are many factors that play a role in determining how effective search engine optimization (SEO) is for a business. While you’ll definitely want to pay attention to things such as backlinks, internal links, HTML and H tags, and meta descriptions, it’s just as important to consider the keywords you use. It’s ultimately SEO Keyword Tools that will help make your content more visible and accessible online.
Fortunately, there are many SEO keyword tools you can use to take some of the guesswork out of choosing keywords likely to put your content in front of the right eyes. You’ll also appreciate knowing that there are many free SEO keyword tools that can provide the details you’ll need to make well-informed decisions. Here are the ten free SEO keyword tools we recommend.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google’s Keyword Planner is one of the most versatile SEO keyword tools. It’s intended to provide the statistics you’ll need to select keywords for your various Google AdWords campaigns. Simply set up an AdWords account and you’ll be able to take full advantage of this tool for ad-planning purposes. Keyword Planner will give you the ability to:
• Perform time period comparisons to gauge keyword performance
• Check the level of competition for various keywords
• View average monthly searches and cost-per-click (CPC) for specific keywords
• Visualize mobile trends with keywords
• Research keywords based on your target location
While Google Keyword Planner is designed to serve up keyword data you can use for paid AdWords campaigns, there are non-AdWords ways to use the Keyword Planner tool. For example, the tool can be used to optimize Facebook ads by filtering search volume by country. Google Keyword Planner can also be used to:
• Track keywords that may be used in seasonal ad campaigns
• Choose keywords to use for organic search efforts
• Explore the possibility of targeting a different niche by determining what keywords to use to achieve this goal
• See what keywords competitors are using in their content to target the same audience for general website traffic purposes
• Determine what keywords to include in social media and blog content
Note: The Bing Keyword Tool can produce similar results. You’ll also need to create an account to access all features with this free tool.
2. Google Search Console
Previously Google Webmaster Tools, Google Search Console is a free service that’s a handy source of an assortment of info about your website and its visitors. It’s included on this list of SEO keyword tools because you can go to your specific property and use the search traffic tab to see which keywords people have searched to find your website.
As long as we’re on the topic of Search Console, don’t forget to check out the other available for features. For instance, Search Console can help you identify under performing web pages so you’ll have a better idea of where to start making keyword adjustments.
On the flip side, Search Console can also be used to boost the performance of pages already doing well. Go to Search Analytics and check Impressions, CTR, and Positions. Sort by impressions to find the phase with most impressions. Then add that phrase, or a portion of it, to either the title tag or H1 tag on your higher ranking page for an added SEO boost.
3. SEMRush Keyword Tool
One of the more versatile SEO keyword tools, SEMRush is typically used to optimize websites, create content more in line with the target audiences’ preferences, and produce a better user experience. You can get the desired results by using the search bar to generate reports about specific domains and keywords. SEMrush Projects can also be created with outside data. For keyword research purposes, you’ll be able to use SEMRush to:
• Identify better keywords for your PPC campaigns
• Gather and multiple keyword phrases
• Identify long-tail keywords (with the Keyword Magic Tool)
• Target multinational and multi-lingual markets
• Identify top-ranking organic keywords
• See a breakdown of your main organic competitors based on common keywords, competition level, SE keywords, and SE traffic
What’s good about SEMRush is its ability to present a lot of keyword data within seconds. With each keyword, you’ll get data that shows the number of results, search volume, phrase matches, competition level, and related keywords. Use the SEMrush My Reports tool to customize your reports so you can view the keyword data that matters most to you.
4. Ahrefs Keyword Planner
Yes, Ahrefs is a well-known backlink checker tool. But it can be just as useful for keyword research purposes. Use the Content and Keyword Explore feature to discover keywords and related content likely to generate the most traffic back to your site. Just go to the Keyword Explorer to enter your preferred keyword. You’ll then go to a new page that will show all of the data related to your keyword. Results will shows information related to
• Keyword difficulty
• Overall keyword search volume
• Clicks your keyword is inspiring
• Global search volume
The resulting data can be used to determine how frequency your keywords are being used by searchers looking for your products, services, or business, how well your keywords are currently trending, and which countries have the most searchers using your keywords. Additionally, Ahrefs’ Keyword Explorer provides possible alternative keyword ideas and search suggestions.
It can also help you find newly discovered keywords you may wish to consider. Scroll further down on the page with your statistics to view the search engine results pags (SERP) position history for websites using your keywords. But that’s not all! You’ll also get to see related links that happen to include your keyword(s).
5. WordStream – Keyword Tool
Are looking to target specific niches? Then make WordStream one of your go-to free SEO keyword tools. It’s specifically designed to make it easier to plan and manage AdWords campaigns. It can also be utilized to select effective keywords for advertising efforts on various social platforms. WordStream’s keyword tool allows you to filter results based on niches you want to target. You can even organize your keyword results into different groups according to certain themes
6. Google Trends
What’s great about Google Trends is the ability to tap into accumulated search data collected over time. It can be used to compare keywords to see which ones are more popular. Since you’re not just tapping into data that shows what’s popular at the moment, you’ll get a better idea of what keywords have long-term appeal.
You can also see how your keywords are trending by location. What’s even more appealing about Google Trends is the ability to get a list of related topics and/or keywords based on what you are searching.
The results produced by Google Trends are based on an impressive volume of search data. In fact, Google processes an average of 40,000 search queries per second. But you’re not just getting random data specific to your keywords. You can filter results based on the time frame you want to assess.
There’s also a Search Volume Index graph you can use to get a visual representation of up to five different queries at once. This can come in handy if you’re doing competitive keyword research. Google Trends can also be used to:
• Find keywords related to current trending topics for use in blog and social posts
• Figure out which keywords have one-time popularity spikes to avoid using keywords not likely to produce long-term results
• Discover new keywords you may not have considered that could perform well for your brand.
7. Answer the Public – Keyword Tool
Using data from Google’s auto-complete function, Answer the Public provides keyword or phrase suggestions in the form of questions. Simply enter a keyword and you’ll be shown related questions, prepositions, and alphabetical lists. The results that are produced can be downloaded and included in your keyword reports. Data can also be exported into a spreadsheet
Update: 9/5/2018 Answer the Public moved to a premium subscription model which now does require you to purchase their $49/month membership. This will provide you with full access to their tool and provide you with all of the information that was previously provided for free. As such, it’s no longer considered a “free” keyword tool even though they do have a throttled “free” version that’s available.
8. Ubersuggest Keyword Tool
Need more keyword ideas? Add Ubersuggest to your list of preferred SEO keyword tools and you’ll be able to view a list of similar keywords and their related metrics (e.g., search volume, cost-per-click, and competition). Featuring an user-friendly interface, this tool does its thing by using Google Suggest, Google’s Keyword Planner tool, and other keyword suggestion resources to find reliable keyword recommendations. You can filter results based on specific targets, such as Web-based searches and video search activity.
9. YouTube Keyword Tool
Video content available on platforms like YouTube generates a staggering 1,200 percent more shares than text and images. However, with more than 500 million hours of videos being watched every day on YouTube, there’s a lot of competition for viewership. But with the YouTube Keyword Tool, you can choose keywords, topics, and phrases to enhance the visibility of your video content. It works by using YouTube’s autocomplete feature to suggest relevant long-tail keywords related to your video topics.
10. SpyFu Keyword Tool
Curious about your competitors’ keyword strategy? Then SpyFu (previously Google Spy) is one of the SEO keyword tools you should be using. This cloud-hosted system provides the inside scoop on the most profitable keywords being used by your competitors in their paid and organic search efforts. You can also compare websites and domain histories. The Keyword SmartSearch feature allows you to create keyword lists based on your competitive needs and budget.
Their free keyword tool also allows you to use their tool for several other platforms as well such as Google, Amazon, eBay, Apple’s App store and more.
Need Expert Keyword Assistance?
The SEO keyword tools mentioned here can be a great way to get a better idea of what terms you should be focusing on in your content. If you need more assistance than what free SEO keyword tools can provide or you simply don’t have the time to do your own keyword research, we invite you to take advantage of our expertise with keyword research. Our SEO experts will gladly help you find the right keywords to improve your ranking, boost your online visibility, and attract the attention of your intended audience. Contact our team today to start results good for your bottom line.