Finding the right keywords is key to getting traffic to your website. It’s an important part of SEO that helps your content reach the right people. There are free keyword research tools that make this easier by helping you find useful keywords. Here’s a look at some of the best free tools to improve your SEO in 2024.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a go-to tool for keyword research. It’s part of the Google Ads platform and provides reliable data straight from Google. You can check search volumes, competition levels, and get suggestions for related keywords.
Key Features:
- Search Volume: See how many people are searching for specific keywords.
- Keyword Suggestions: Find related keywords to expand your reach.
- Competition Insights: Understand how competitive each keyword is.
Best Use:
This tool is great for getting a clear view of keyword performance and is especially useful if you’re considering paid search campaigns along with your SEO efforts.
2. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest offers a variety of features that are easy to use, even if you’re new to keyword research. It’s great for generating keyword ideas, understanding search volume, and checking keyword difficulty.
Key Features:
- Keyword Ideas: Generates a wide range of related keywords.
- Content Suggestions: Provides insights into the top-performing content based on your keywords.
- SEO Metrics: Includes data like search volume, CPC, and competition level.
Best Use:
Ubersuggest is ideal for content creators looking to find high-potential keywords and get inspiration for blog posts or articles.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is a unique tool that collects the most common questions and phrases people use in search engines. It provides these in a visual map, making it easy to spot patterns and topics.
Key Features:
- Question-Based Keywords: Shows what people are asking about your topic.
- Visual Maps: Displays data in a way that’s easy to understand.
- Export Capability: Download keyword ideas for further analysis.
Best Use:
This tool is perfect for discovering the questions your audience is asking, allowing you to create content that directly addresses their needs.
4. Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is a Chrome extension that brings keyword data directly into your Google search results. It’s quick and convenient, showing you search volumes, related keywords, and even content suggestions as you browse.
Key Features:
- In-Search Results: View search volume and keyword suggestions without leaving Google.
- Content Ideas: Get ideas for articles or posts based on related searches.
- Simple and Fast: No account needed; just install and start using.
Best Use:
Great for quick keyword research on the fly, especially useful for SEO professionals who want immediate insights while conducting searches.
5. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer offers a mix of free and paid features, but even its free version is valuable for gaining insights into keyword performance. It provides detailed keyword suggestions, search volume data, and keyword difficulty scores.
Key Features:
- Priority Score: Helps identify the best keywords to target based on volume and competition.
- SERP Analysis: Understand which sites are ranking for your target keywords.
- Keyword Metrics: Includes data like search volume, difficulty, and potential clicks.
Best Use:
This tool is best for marketers who need a more analytical approach to keyword research, with detailed insights into the competitive landscape.
6. Soovle
Soovle is a tool that aggregates keyword suggestions from multiple sources including Google, Amazon, YouTube, and more. This makes it useful for finding keyword ideas across different platforms, which can help diversify your content.
Key Features:
- Multi-Platform Data: Gathers keyword suggestions from various search engines.
- Customizable: Allows you to organize and save keyword lists.
- Simple Interface: Easy to use and navigate.
Best Use:
Soovle is particularly handy for e-commerce businesses looking for keyword ideas on platforms like Amazon or YouTube, as well as general content creators.
7. WordStream Free Keyword Tool
WordStream’s Free Keyword Tool provides a straightforward approach to keyword research. It gives you a list of related keywords along with search volume and competition level, helping you find high-value keywords quickly.
Key Features:
- Simple Reports: Quickly generate keyword reports with all necessary data.
- Niche Keyword Suggestions: Find less obvious keywords that might have lower competition.
- Exportable Data: Download your keyword lists for further use.
Best Use:
This tool is great for beginners or businesses seeking straightforward keyword suggestions without needing complex analytics.
8. Google Trends
Google Trends is a valuable tool for understanding the popularity of search terms over time. It shows how interest in a keyword has changed and allows you to compare multiple keywords to see which is gaining traction.
Key Features:
- Trend Tracking: See which keywords are rising or falling in popularity.
- Regional Data: Understand where your keywords are most popular geographically.
- Comparison Tools: Compare the popularity of several keywords at once.
Best Use:
Google Trends is ideal for spotting seasonal trends and staying ahead of market changes, helping you craft timely and relevant content.
9. Google Search Console
Google Search Console is an essential tool for anyone serious about SEO. While it’s not strictly a keyword research tool, it offers valuable data on how your site is performing in search results. It shows the keywords your site is already ranking for, their average positions, click-through rates, and much more.
Key Features:
- Performance Reports: View which keywords are driving traffic to your site.
- Search Analytics: Analyze impressions, clicks, and positions of your keywords.
- Keyword Opportunities: Identify underperforming keywords that could be optimized further.
Best Use:
Use Google Search Console to monitor your existing keyword performance and discover new opportunities to optimize your content and increase visibility.
10. SERPstat
SERPstat is a multi-purpose SEO platform that offers a free version for keyword research. It provides keyword suggestions, search volume data, and even allows you to analyze competitors’ keywords. This makes it a great tool for gaining an edge over your competition.
Key Features:
- Keyword Analysis: Get comprehensive data on search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty.
- Competitor Insights: Discover which keywords are driving traffic to your competitors.
- SEO Audit: Includes a basic site audit feature to check on-page SEO factors.
Best Use:
SERPstat is best for those who want a comprehensive look at their keyword strategy, along with competitive insights and basic SEO audit features.
11. Keyword Tool.io
Keyword Tool.io is known for generating a huge number of keyword suggestions using Google Autocomplete data. It can generate keywords for Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and other platforms, making it versatile for content creators across various industries.
Key Features:
- Autocomplete-Based Suggestions: Offers extensive lists of keywords from Google’s autocomplete function.
- Platform Versatility: Generate keywords for multiple platforms including YouTube and Amazon.
- Long-Tail Keywords: Focus on long-tail keywords which can be easier to rank for.
Best Use:
This tool is perfect for those who need a high volume of keyword suggestions and are focused on targeting long-tail keywords to capture more specific queries.
12. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator allows you to explore up to 100 keyword ideas per search along with their volume, difficulty, and top-ranking pages. It’s part of Ahrefs’ suite of SEO tools and is perfect for quick, on-the-go keyword research.
Key Features:
- Top 100 Suggestions: Get up to 100 keyword suggestions with each search.
- Keyword Difficulty: See how hard it would be to rank for each keyword.
- SERP Overview: Check the top pages currently ranking for your target keywords.
Best Use:
Ideal for those who need quick access to Ahrefs’ robust keyword data without committing to a full subscription.
13. Bulk Keyword Generator
Bulk Keyword Generator is designed specifically for small businesses and service providers. It allows you to generate localized keywords based on your industry and location, making it highly effective for local SEO efforts.
Key Features:
- Industry-Specific: Generates keywords tailored to specific business types.
- Local Keywords: Focuses on location-based keyword generation to boost local SEO.
- Simple Interface: Easy to use with no complex setups required.
Best Use:
Ideal for small businesses and service providers to create local, industry-specific keywords quickly and easily.
14. Keyword Sheeter
Keyword Sheeter is a straightforward tool that pulls autocomplete suggestions from Google. It’s excellent for quickly generating a large volume of keyword ideas, especially long-tail keywords that can help you target more specific search queries.
Key Features:
- High Volume Suggestions: Extracts thousands of keyword suggestions in seconds.
- Export Capabilities: Easily export keyword lists for further analysis.
- No Sign-Up Required: Start using it immediately without any registration.
Best Use:
This tool is perfect for bulk keyword generation, especially if you’re looking to create content around a large set of related keywords.
15. Keywords Everywhere
Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that shows keyword data directly in your search engine results. It provides search volume, CPC, and competition metrics, allowing you to get insights without leaving your browser.
Key Features:
- In-Browser Data: View keyword metrics directly on Google, YouTube, Amazon, and more.
- Related Keywords: See related and trending keywords while browsing.
- Easy Integration: Works seamlessly with your browser, providing data on the go.
Best Use:
Ideal for SEO professionals who want instant access to keyword data while performing searches, making it easy to adjust strategies on the fly.
16. Keyworddit
Keyworddit extracts keywords from Reddit, giving you access to the actual language and topics discussed by users in specific subreddits. This can provide unique insights into niche communities and the language they use.
Key Features:
- Reddit Data: Finds keywords and phrases directly from Reddit discussions.
- Search Volume: Includes monthly search volume data for each keyword.
- Niche Insights: Discover the exact words and questions used by target audiences.
Best Use:
This tool is great for tapping into niche markets and understanding the specific vocabulary and interests of different communities.
17. QuestionDB
QuestionDB helps you find content ideas by showing questions people are asking online related to your topic. It’s a useful tool for finding long-tail keywords and creating content that addresses specific queries.
Key Features:
- Question-Based Keywords: Focuses on questions people are asking, great for generating FAQ content.
- Source Data: Pulls questions from forums, blogs, and other online sources.
- Simple Output: Provides keyword ideas in a straightforward, easy-to-understand format.
Best Use:
Best for content creators looking to create highly targeted, question-driven content that directly addresses user needs.
18. Twinword Ideas
Twinword Ideas is a tool that offers intuitive keyword suggestions by analyzing the intent behind search terms. It provides user-friendly visualizations, which can make keyword research easier to digest and understand.
Key Features:
- User Intent Analysis: Understand the purpose behind search queries.
- Visual Data: Presents keyword data in an easy-to-read visual format.
- Filter Options: Allows filtering by user intent, such as informational, navigational, or transactional.
Best Use:
Great for SEOs who want to dive deeper into the intent behind keywords and tailor content strategies accordingly.
19. SE Ranking Free Keyword Tool
SE Ranking Free Keyword Tool is part of a broader suite of SEO tools but offers a robust free keyword research option. It provides data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and competition, along with related and similar keywords.
Key Features:
- Detailed Keyword Data: Includes volume, difficulty, and competition scores.
- Related Keywords: Offers suggestions to expand your keyword list.
- Competitor Analysis: Check what keywords your competitors are ranking for.
Best Use:
Ideal for marketers who need detailed data and insights into competitive keywords without investing in a full SEO suite.
20. SEO Minion
SEO Minion is another browser extension that assists with various SEO tasks, including keyword research. It can analyze SERPs, check on-page SEO, and provide keyword suggestions based on your browsing.
Key Features:
- SERP Analysis: Understand how keywords are performing directly on search results pages.
- On-Page SEO Insights: Helps optimize pages for better keyword targeting.
- Multifunctional: Offers more than just keyword research, including link analysis and broken link checking.
Best Use:
A versatile tool for those who want an all-in-one extension that combines keyword research with other SEO functionalities.
These additional tools provide a range of features and benefits that cater to different aspects of keyword research, from broadening your keyword lists to diving into niche, intent-based searches. Leveraging a combination of these tools can greatly enhance your SEO strategy and help your content reach the right audience effectively.
Conclusion
The right keyword research tool can significantly boost your SEO strategy in 2024. From finding the best keywords to understanding the competition, these tools provide everything you need to enhance your content’s visibility online. Explore these options and optimise your keyword strategy to drive more organic traffic to your website today.