Free keyword research tools provide a good starting point, especially for beginners or marketers who operate on tight budgets.
However, for deeper analysis and a more robust SEO strategy, paid tools are often necessary.
To assist in your selection, I’ve evaluated multiple keyword research tools that offer free options. After thorough testing, I’ve identified 12 standout tools.
These tools offer a balance between basic functionality in their free versions and more advanced features in their paid plans, catering to both beginners and those needing detailed insights for their SEO strategies.
Features That Make for a Great Keyword Research Tool
A great tool for keyword research typically includes several key features that make it effective and valuable for SEO professionals, digital marketers, and content creators.
Here are some of those essential features:
- Broad Keyword Database—Access to a large, up-to-date database of keywords for a wide range of suggestions, including long-tail keywords.
- Search Volume and Trend Data—Provides search volume metrics and trends to understand keyword popularity and relevance over time.
- Keyword Difficulty Analysis—Offers insights on how difficult it would be to rank for certain keywords, aiding in strategic planning.
- SERP Analysis and Organic Traffic Insights—Delivers information on the search engine results page layout and the estimated traffic for top-ranking pages.
- Customizable Filters and Options—Features like filtering keywords by country, language, or specific search engine preferences.
How To Choose the Best Free Keyword Research Tool
As an SEO specialist, I understand the importance of choosing the right keyword research tool, especially when working with free versions. My experience has taught me to approach this with a systematic method.
Here’s how I evaluate and select the best keyword research tools:
1. Initially, I start by setting up accounts. Many free tools don’t require accounts, but for those that do, it’s a crucial first step. I also take the time to go through any tutorials or onboarding processes they offer to understand their features and capabilities fully.
2. Then, I conduct searches using a variety of keywords to test the tool’s versatility. For instance, I might use terms like â€
“organic gardening tips,†“budget travel destinations,†and “latest tech gadgets†to assess how the tool handles different niches and search intents.
3. Next, I delve into the type and quality of data each tool provides. This includes looking at the related keywords, the metrics displayed (like search volume, keyword difficulty, or trends), and the data sources. It’s important to know if the tool pulls data directly from search engines like Google, or if it includes insights from other platforms such as forums or social media.
4. I examine the limitations of the free plan. This involves checking if there are restrictions like a limited number of searches per day, capped results, or missing key metrics. Additionally, I evaluate the cost and benefits of upgrading to a paid plan, considering the additional features it might offer.
5. I explore advanced features like gap analysis between competitors, SERP analysis, or content optimization tools. These features can significantly enhance keyword research and strategy planning.
After testing these tools, I carefully analyze the results and usability of each. This process helps me identify the most effective and user-friendly free keyword research tools suitable for various SEO tasks.
Now that we’ve a clear on my approach to selecting keyword tools, let’s move on to the specifics. Next, I’ll share insights from my personal experiences with each tool, focusing on their practical applications in everyday SEO tasks.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool offered by Google as part of its Google Ads service.
It’s primarily used for discovering and analyzing keywords for search engine marketing (SEM) campaigns.
- Direct data from Google’s search engine
- Integration with Google Ads for PPC campaign planning
- Detailed insights on search volume and trends
- Works seamlessly with other Google tools
- Primarily designed for advertisers, so some features are ad-centric
- Lacks the depth of data offered by some paid tools
- Less intuitive for SEO keyword research
Key Features:
- Ability to find new keywords based on initial ideas or web pages
- Provides performance estimates for lists of keywords
- Accesses past keyword performance data
- Offers location-specific keyword data
- Narrows down keywords by various criteria
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Google Keyword Planner is best suited for Google Ads campaigns.
It’s particularly effective for businesses looking to understand search volumes, find new keyword ideas related to their products, and get cost estimates for advertising on Google.
Many of Keyword Planner’s features are relevant for SEO as well:
- Search volume data
- Keyword trends
- Competition level
Pricing:
Completely free, but requires a Google Ads account.
How to Use Google Keyword Planner
1. Sign in to your Google Ads account (or create one if you don’t have).
2. Go to the “Tools & Settings†menu and select “Keyword Planner.â€
3. Choose between “Discover new keywords†to generate new ideas, or “Get search volume and forecasts†for your existing keyword list.
4. Enter your keywords or phrases, and set any relevant parameters like language or location.
5. Analyze the results, which will include data on search volume, competition, and potential ad costs.
6. Select and organize keywords based on your specific needs, such as campaign planning or SEO content strategy.
Google Keyword Planner is completely free, but it’s more suited for PPC campaigns rather than SEO. It can be a starter tool, but serious SEO work demands more specialized resources.
2. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is an SEO tool created by Neil Patel that offers keyword research, competitive analysis, and SEO insights. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and extensive data on keywords.
Ubersuggest offers a free plan, which includes limited queries and basic features useful for keyword research and SEO insights.
For more advanced features, Ubersuggest has premium plans.
- User-friendly interface
- Offers a wealth of SEO insights
- Free version available with valuable features
- Limited queries in the free version
- Sometimes data accuracy can vary
- Less in-depth than some premium tools
Key Features:
- Analyzes competitors’ SEO strategies.
- Identifies competitors’ top-performing pages.
- Provides a large list of keyword ideas.
- Suggests content based on popular articles.
- Offers insights into backlink profiles.
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Ubersuggest is best for small businesses with limited budgets, freelancers, students, and individual bloggers looking for an easy-to-use tool that provides both basic and advanced insights.
Pricing:
Ubersuggest offers a basic free version and premium plans with a 7-day free trial.
The pricing for premium plans starts at $12 per month for the individual plan, $20 per month for the business plan, and $40 per month for the enterprise plan.
There’s also an option for a lifetime plan with a one-time fee of $120 for individuals with one website or $200 for businesses with 2-7 websites.
How to Use Ubersuggest’s free version
1. Visit the Ubersuggest website.
2. Enter a keyword or domain into the search bar.
3. Review the keyword suggestions, search volume, and SEO difficulty.
4. Explore various tabs for Related Keywords, Questions, and Prepositions.
5. Use the data for SEO planning, content strategy, or competitive analysis.
Ubersuggest is a solid, user-friendly choice for beginners and low-budget SEO projects, but professionals might find it lacking the depth needed for complex strategies.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is a unique keyword research tool that provides real questions and phrases people search for online.
The tool offers both a free version and a premium plan.
The free version offers three searches per day, the ability to save reports for later reference, and basic data visualizations.
- Provides real questions searched by people
- Suitable for users with limited budget or research needs
- Offers a clean and user-friendly interface
- Provides different ideas and headers for content clustering
- Lacks SEO difficulty data, search volume numbers, and ranking website details
- Limited number of searches per day in the free version
- No mobile app, only accessible via a web browser
Key Features:
- Provides visualizations of data for each search section.
- Enables side-by-side comparison of different keywords or phrases
- Provides updates on new and emerging search trends (Premium feature).
- Offers features like folders for better data management (Premium feature).
- Creates attractive visualizations for keyword data.
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
AnswerThePublic is best for niche markets, bloggers, SEO beginners, and social media managers who want to uncover unique, long-tail queries and questions specific to their field.
Pricing:
AnswerThePublic offers a basic free version and premium plans with a monthly or lifetime subscription.
Monthly subscriptions start at $5 for one user with 100 searches per day, $49 for up to 3 users with unlimited searches per day, or the $99 expert plan with unlimited users and unlimited searches.
Lifetime subscriptions start with a one-time payment of $50 for individuals with one website and go up to $990 for the Expert plan with unlimited access.
How to Use AnswerThePublic’s Free Version
1. You can start a search without an account, or you can create an account to save your searches.
2. Select your language and region.
3. Type your keyword in the “Enter your keyword†field and press the ‘Search’ button.
4. Analyze the results, which are presented in both visualization and data formats.
The free version of AnswerThePublic gives you very limited data. For a complete keyword research strategy, you should use the paid version and pair it with other tools.
4. Google Autocomplete
Google Autocomplete is a feature within Google’s search bar. It’s not a standalone tool but an integrated part of Google Search.
The tool predicts and displays search queries based on initial letters or words typed into the search bar.
Google Autocomplete is entirely free and is automatically included in Google Search without any premium plans.
- Offers real-time keyword suggestions as you type
- Directly accessible from the Google search bar
- Quick and easy to use
- Completely free
- Suggestions are limited and may not cover niche topics extensively
- Can be influenced by your previous search history
- Does not provide detailed keyword data like search volume
Key Features:
- Tailors suggestions based on user location
- Understands what users frequently ask
- Suggests question-based searches
- Allows the use of wildcards (typically the asterisk *) to uncover unexpected long-tail keywords
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Google Autocomplete is particularly useful in the early stages of keyword research.
SEO specialists and digital marketers can use it to understand user search intent and trends.
Local businesses can utilize this tool to identify region-specific trends and queries.
Pricing:
This feature is free and integrated within Google Search.
How to Use Google Autocomplete
1. Navigate to the Google search bar.
2. Begin typing your initial keyword or topic.
3. Observe the dropdown list of autocomplete suggestions.
4. Use these suggestions to inform your keyword research and content strategy.
5. Experiment with different starting phrases for a broader range of suggestions.
Autocomplete is a handy, quick tool for initial keyword discovery and understanding search trends, but its lack of detailed analytics makes it a supplement, not a substitute, for more comprehensive keyword research tools.
5. Keyword Tool.io
Keyword Tool.io is a keyword research tool known for its ability to generate long-tail keywords.
It utilizes Google Autocomplete suggestions to offer relevant keyword options across various platforms, including Google, YouTube, Amazon, and others. You can also search keywords in different languages.
The tool is available in a free version and also offers a Pro version with more advanced features.
The free version allows you to generate up to 750 keyword suggestions per search.
- User-friendly and easy to use, especially for beginners
- Provides new content ideas based on long-tail keyword suggestions
- Effective for YouTube keyword research
- No distraction from ads or paywalls in its simple interface
- The free version does not include search volume data
- The basic Pro version lacks competition analysis and CPC data.
- No free trial for the Pro version
- Limited customer support options
Key Features:
- Explores keywords across different platforms
- Keyword research for different languages and countries
- Allows filtering out unwanted keywords to refine search results
- Users can export their keyword lists
- Offers accurate search volume, CPC, and competition level for both Google and Bing (Pro version)
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Keyword Tool.io is best suited for YouTube content creators, Amazon sellers, App Store Optimization (ASO), and international marketers.
Pricing:
The Pro version of Keyword Tool.io offers additional features like search volume data, trends, and more detailed keyword suggestions.
The pricing for the Pro version ranges from $69 per month for the Pro Basic plan, to $159 per month for the Pro Business plan.
How to Use the Free Version of Keyword Tool.io:
1. Enter your seed keyword on the Keyword Tool.io website.
2. The tool will generate a list of related long-tail keyword suggestions based on your input.
3. You can filter these suggestions and remove any irrelevant keywords.
4. For more advanced features like search volume data, consider upgrading to the Pro version.
Keyword Tool.io is great for simple long-tail keyword searches, especially on platforms like YouTube and Amazon, but for in-depth SEO analysis, the free version falls short.
6. Google Trends
Google Trends is a free online tool that shows how often specific phrases are searched in Google over a selected period.
The tool provides insights into the popularity of search terms across various regions and languages. The tool is completely free.
- Completely free to use
- User-friendly and easy to navigate
- Offers real-time data and historical trends
- Useful for understanding public interest and seasonal trends
- Provides geographic breakdowns of search data
- Lacks specific numerical search volume data
- Sometimes too broad for niche market analysis
- Data is relative, not absolute, which can be confusing
Key Features:
- Allows comparison of multiple search terms to see relative popularity
- Users can specify different time ranges for trend analysis
- Enables filtering trends by specific categories
- Suggests additional keywords and questions related to the search term
- Provides data in various formats, including graphs
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Google Trends is most useful in the initial stages of keyword research.
You can use this tool to spot emerging trends, understand seasonal fluctuations in search behavior, and evaluate the overall popularity of topics.
This information guides the direction of more detailed keyword research and content strategy planning.
Pricing:
Google Trends is a free tool with no premium plans or hidden costs.
How to Use Google Trends
1. Visit the Google Trends website.
2. Enter a search term or topic in the search bar.
3. Customize your search using options like country, time frame, and category.
4. Compare different terms or explore related queries for deeper insights.
Google Trends is excellent for identifying general trends and public interest, but for detailed SEO work, it falls short due to its lack of precise search volume data.
7. Soovle
Soovle is a free tool that simultaneously displays keyword suggestions from multiple sources like Google, Bing, Amazon, and YouTube.
Soovle offers unlimited searches for free. However, you will get only keyword ideas without important metrics like search volume or keyword difficulty.
- Combines keyword data from over 150 search engines
- Fast and efficient in delivering query results
- User-friendly and simple graphical user interface
- Free to use without any hidden costs
- Lacks in-depth keyword analysis and metrics
- Missing data on search volume and competition
- Best for initial brainstorming, not detailed research
Key Features:
- Delivers real-time keyword ideas as you type.
- Enables to save and export search results.
- Allows users to adjust settings to focus on specific search engines.
- Works effectively alongside other SEO tools for enhanced research.
- Enables comparison of keywords from different sources side by side.
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Soovle is best suited for the early stages of keyword research.
You can use it to simultaneously brainstorm and gather a broad range of keyword ideas across various platforms and niches.
Pricing:
Soovle is a completely free tool with no premium plans or additional costs.
How to Use Soovle
1. Go to the Soovle website.
2. Enter a broad topic or keyword in the search bar.
3. View the keyword suggestions that appear from different search engines.
4. Customize the search engines used for suggestions if needed.
5. Save or export your search results for further analysis.
Soovle is ideal for quick, broad-spectrum keyword brainstorming across multiple platforms, but its lack of detailed analytics makes it a supplementary tool rather than a primary resource for in-depth SEO research.
8. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a language model powered by OpenAI. It offers both a free version and a premium plan called ChatGPT Plus.
The free version includes access to ChatGPT but does not have some of the benefits of the premium plan, like faster response time and uninterrupted usage.
ChatGPT can assist in brainstorming keyword ideas or exploring different angles for your keywords.
However, it doesn’t provide specific keyword metrics like search volume and keyword difficulty. You have to use other keyword research tools that provide metrics for a comprehensive analysis.
- Available for free with basic functionality.
- No need for advanced technical skills to use
- Limited token usage in the free version
- May generate incorrect or nonsensical responses
- Lack of customization options
- No guaranteed response quality
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use text-based interaction with the AI
- Suitable for content creation, keyword brainstorming, or keyword clustering
- Can be integrated into various platforms and applications
How to Use ChatGPT for Keyword Research:
1. Visit the ChatGPT website or access it through an integrated platform.
2. Type in your queries, prompts, or content ideas.
For example, you can use the following prompts to brainstorm initial ideas and seed keywords:
What keywords would appeal to [specific audience segment] interested in [topic/product]?â€
- For example, “What keywords would appeal to millennials interested in sustainable travel?â€
What are related subtopics or niches for [main topic] where I can find unique keywords?â€
- For example, “What are related subtopics for home fitness equipment?â€
The effectiveness of these prompts depends on how clearly and specifically you define your industry, target audience, and objectives.
ChatGPT can help you brainstorm and refine ideas, but for the most accurate and up-to-date keyword data, complement AI insights with a professional SEO tool or platform.
4. ChatGPT will generate text-based responses based on your input.
5. Review and edit the generated content as needed for your keyword research and content creation needs.
ChatGPT is useful for initial keyword brainstorming, but it lacks the specific SEO metrics needed for a thorough keyword research strategy.
9. QuestionDB
QuestionDB is a keyword research tool that identifies audience questions based on broad keywords.
QuestionDB offers both a free plan and a Pro plan.
The free plan allows users to access a subset of the available questions, which can be useful for generating content ideas and understanding audience queries.
The Pro plan provides extended features and access to a more comprehensive set of questions.
The tool does not always offer data on search volume or keyword difficulty. This is because it focuses on real-world queries, which often aren’t searched in their exact form.
However, this doesn’t imply a lack of interest in the topic.
- There’s no need to create an account to use the free plan
- Easy for anyone to use
- Offers opportunities for unique content creation
- Only a subset of questions is available for free
- Focuses only on questions, and does not cover all keyword types
Key Features:
- Offers a broad range of user-generated questions
- Allows sorting questions by specific niches
- Shows how frequently a question is asked
- Can be integrated with other SEO tools for enhanced strategy
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
QuestionDB is ideal for bloggers and content creators looking for fresh topics that align with audience interests.
It’s also valuable for SEO professionals and marketers who need a straightforward tool for generating long-tail keywords and unique content ideas.
Pricing:
QuestionDB does not offer a free trial since there is no need to create an account for the free plan.
The Solo plan is priced at $15/month, offering 100 monthly searches with search volume data. The Agency plan is priced at $50/month, offering 500 monthly searches with complete keyword data.
How to Use QuestionDB
1. Input a keyword into QuestionDB to receive a list of associated questions.
2. Refine your search with more specific keywords for precise results.
3. Leverage these questions to inspire content creation and enhance your SEO approach.
QuestionDB is a unique tool for uncovering audience-specific queries, ideal for content ideation, but its focus on questions rather than comprehensive keyword analysis limits its use as a standalone SEO tool.
10. Wordtracker
Wordtracker is a keyword research tool that provides insights into popular search terms and their context.
The tool offers insights into search volume and competition. Additionally, Wordtracker provides unique metrics like the Keyword Effectiveness Index (KEI), which helps evaluate the potential effectiveness of keywords for SEO purposes.
Wordtracker offers both a free version and Pro plans.
The free version allows only three searches per day, limited keyword results, and access to basic keyword research features. The Pro plans provide more advanced capabilities, including in-depth keyword data and analytics.
- Established in the keyword research field
- Simple and straightforward to use
- Provides a 4-day trial for $1
- Limited keyword results in the free version
- Limited features in the free version compared to the full version
- KEI and other advanced metrics are not as prominently featured
- Might be less comprehensive for advanced SEO needs
Key Features:
- Offers integration with Google Search Console
- Includes Wordtracker Scout, a browser extension for quick keyword analysis on webpages.
- Allows to filter out negative keywords
- Enables API access, allowing integration with other tools
- Specializes in discovering niche-specific keywords
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
The free version of Wordtracker is well-suited for early-stage keyword research, making it a good choice for small business owners and SEO beginners. It enables users to identify basic keywords and perform initial competitor analysis.
The Pro version is ideal for advanced-stage keyword research. It’s particularly useful for SEO professionals and digital marketers who require in-depth keyword analysis.
Pricing:
Wordtracker offers a Bronze plan for $27/month that offers 1,000 keyword results and advance features.
You can also get the Silver or the Gold plan for $69/month or $99/month respectively.
How to Use The Free version of Wordtracker
1. Enter a relevant keyword or phrase into the Wordtracker tool
2. Analyze the list of keyword suggestions and insights provided
3. Use the tool’s features to understand competitor keyword usage and market language
4. For a more detailed analysis and advanced features, consider using the full version after the trial period
Wordtracker is a practical choice for beginners in keyword research but for those needing deeper, more nuanced SEO analysis, its limitations in the free version call for an upgrade to more comprehensive tools.
11. AlsoAsked
AlsoAsked is an SEO tool that leverages Google’s “People Also Ask†section to represent related data and questions visually.
The tool offers insights into long-tail keywords and the interconnectedness of various topics, which can be critical in building topical authority and enhancing SEO strategies.
AlsoAsked offers both a free plan and Pro plans. The free plan provides only three free search credits per month, while the Pro plans offer more extensive features, including a higher number of searches and additional functionalities like deep search capabilities.
- Unique approach to keyword research using “People Also Ask†data
- Easy-to-use interface
- Suitable for both beginners and experts
- Helps in creating content that addresses user queries directly
- Free version has limited search credits
- Focuses on questions related to keywords, rather than the keywords themselves
- No app version available for mobile users.
Key Features:
- Displays the connection between various questions and topics
- Allows for more detailed exploration of topics and questions
- Enables saving and exporting search results for further analysis
- Supports keyword research in various languages
- Identifies main subjects and their detailed aspects for content creation
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
AlsoAsked is best for in-depth content strategies and building topical authority.
It is particularly useful for creating pillar posts and supporting articles, as well as for those seeking to explore untapped long-tail keyword opportunities.
Pricing:
AlsoAsked offers a Basic Plan for $12/month including 100 searches.
Higher-tier plans offer additional features and more searches, with prices increasing accordingly.
How to Use The Free Version of AlsoAsked
1. Input a search keyword into AlsoAsked
2. Review the visual topic map and list of related questions provided.
3. Use the insights to develop content strategies and identify subtopics.
4. Opt for deep searches for more comprehensive exploration (available in higher-tier plans).
AlsoAsked offers a creative angle for keyword research, particularly beneficial for content development, but its limited search credits in the free version and focus on question-based data require supplementary tools for a full SEO strategy.
12. Keyword Tool Dominator
Keyword Tool Dominator taps into the autocomplete databases of major search engines and e-commerce platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, Walmart, Bing, and eBay.
It’s designed to uncover real search terms used by actual users, providing insights into popular and long-tail keywords.
The free version provides only two searches per day.
The Pro plans offer more advanced features, including a higher number of daily searches, keyword storage, and the ability to export keywords, among other benefits.
- Wide range of supported platforms for diverse keyword research.
- Real-time keyword suggestion updates based on search trends.
- User-friendly interface simplifies the search for long-tail keywords.
- Limited number of searches per day in the free version.
- Advanced features like keyword storage and export require a paid plan.
Key Features:
- Allows keyword research for different e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart.
- Includes a scoring system to determine and prioritize the popularity of keywords
- Provides insights into the ranking of keywords in autocomplete suggestions
- Highlights ‘hot’ keywords to identify trending or rapidly popular searches
Best Keyword Research Tool For:
Keyword Tool Dominator is best for e-commerce keyword research for platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Google Shopping, and Walmart.
It’s also well-suited for content creators on YouTube.
This tool is not good for discovering trending and long-tail keywords across search engines.
Pricing:
Free version with limited daily searches.
Paid plans with more features:
- Basic plan: $15/month (100 searches/month).
- Lite plan: $29/month (300 searches/month).
- Pro plan: $59 (1000 searches/month).
How to Use The Free Version of Keyword Tool Dominator
1. Select the desired platform (e.g., Google, Amazon) on KTD.
2. Enter a search term to generate keyword suggestions.
3. Explore the list of keywords, including long-tail variations.
4. For advanced features like keyword storage and export, consider a paid plan.
Keyword Tool Dominator is great for e-commerce and YouTube-focused keyword research, but its limited free searches and lack of in-depth analytics make it less suitable for extensive, all-around SEO efforts.
Next Steps: What Now?
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