In Search Engine Optimization, Key-word Research is one of the most important activities. It sets the stage for any effective SEO strategy. However, getting the right keywords can be overwhelming. Most especially when you do not have a large budget or are just starting off.
Free keyword research tools do the work. They let you know what words your target audience are using.
These tools provide users valuable information regarding search volume, competition and even keyword difficulty.
This guide will discuss some of the best free keyword research tools that are available. It will also give tips on how to effectively use them for search engine optimization purposes.
Whether you’re an SEO guru or a newbie, this guide will teach you about researching keywords. Let’s get started!
The Significance of Keywords in SEO
SEO begins with keyword research. This involves finding and analyzing the words people use when they search online.
The choice of such words is crucial. They enable search engines to understand what your content is all about thus directing users to your website.
However, it isn’t only about getting more web traffic for any website owner but also attracting right kind of traffic – traffic which converts into sales or leads.
By knowing what your audience searches for and why they do so, you can tailor your content towards their specific needs and wants as well as address their questions and solve their problems accordingly.
Keyword research helps in speaking ‘their language’ hence becoming a game changer in SEO jargon
What Is Involved In Keyword Research Basics?
It means understanding who one’s audience is when we talk about doing keyword research more than just popular search terms or phrases; and understanding what they seek from internet as well as how they look for it.
Your aim should be identifying keywords that your target audience uses while searching for products, services or information you offer. These words may be general or specific, short or long-tail.
Broad keywords are more competitive and difficult to rank for. They can however drive a lot of traffic.
On the contrary, long tail keywords are very precise and less competitive and easier to rank for. In spite of their low traffic volumes, the visitors they bring are usually more targeted.
Below are some critical factors to consider when conducting keyword research:
- Search volume: How many people look up the keyword?
- Competition: How many other websites have been optimized around that particular phrase?
- Relevance: Does it relate with your content?
- Intent: What does user want after searching for this phrase or term?
Top Free Keyword Research Tools To Know
Many free keyword research tools exist. They help you identify appropriate keywords for your SEO strategy. Each tool has unique features and advantages.
Some of them give data on search volume as well as competition while others give suggestions of related phrases and trends. A few even let you study your competitor’s tactics regarding keywords.
Below are a few examples among the topmost free ones:
- Google Keyword Planner
- SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool
- Ubersuggest
- Keyword Tool.io
- Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is an advertiser-supported service by Google Ads that is also useful in SEO keyword research.So this tool shows you the search volume and competition for any keyword. It also provides suggestions based on your input.
Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool
A comprehensive keyword research tool by SEMrush, Keyword Magic Tool, offers a great deal of information on keywords like search volume, keyword difficulty and more.The tool also produces related words from which users can draw an array of new ideas for long-tail keywords.
Ubersuggest
Neil Patel presents Ubersuggest as a free keyword suggestion tool. It helps with providing relevant keywords, their Search Volumes and keyword difficulties. Additionally, it gives details about the first pages that rank for a given query.The tool also comes with a report on potential keywords. This will assist in generating new topics centered around searches people are making.
Keyword Tool.io
Keyword Tool.io is another keyword research tool that is simple but powerful; it uses Google’s autocomplete options to generate suggestions.This tool has many hundreds of long-tail variants for each search term plus search volume data, competition figures as well as trending info regarding any particular key word phrase especially if the user wants to see trends like seasonal or other variations in behavior over time.
Here are some of the newest additions to your list of free keyword research tools;
Latest Free Keyword Research Tools:
AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is popular because it delivers questions that people have been asking on search engines as possible keyword suggestions. This way you get to know more about what users intended to find out through their searches.
Keywords Everywhere
Keywords Everywhere is a browser plug-in that shows search volume, CPC as well as competition data for the searched keywords on different websites including Google Search.
Soovle
A unique keyword research tool known as Soovle provides suggestions from multiple search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo and Amazon among others on a single page.
Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is a Chrome browser extension that displays search volume within Google’s search results pages and also offers related terms and keywords suggestions.
Paid Search Keyword Research Tools:
Paid keyword tools usually have advanced functionalities and offer more extensive data. These are some of the popular options;
Ahrefs
Keyword research is one of the many features in SEO tool that Ahrefs offers. It provides details concerning search volume, keyword difficulty and competitor analysis.
Moz Pro Keyword Explorer
Moz Pro’s Keyword Explorer gives a detailed analysis of keywords in terms of keyword difficulty, organic CTR, priority score; it also avails SERP analysis alongside suggested keywords.
SEMrush
A comprehensive SEO tool, SEMrush encompasses keyword search tools, competitive analysis, backlink review among other features. It provides detailed metrics with regard to keywords along with suggestions.
Serpstat
Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform which contains a keyword research function alongside several capabilities such as: grouping by key-words; frequently asked questions from users; competitor research etc.
For your SEO strategy you can combine free and paid keyword research tools to develop a holistic plan for your online marketing campaign that targets suitable keywords based on user intent.
How to Use Free Keyword Research Tools Effectively
Effective use of free tools for researching keywords can contribute greatly to improving an approach towards SEO optimization since it does not only involve finding out what are the most common words users normally type into their browsers but rather understanding what they really want when looking up information online through certain phrases or words used for this purpose by specific people.
To begin with, know your audience, learn their queries, and try to find relevant keywords using this tool.
Seek out lengthy tail keywords. They are less competitive and can produce targeted traffic to your site as well. Furthermore, analyze the search volume and competition for each keyword.
Eventually, know what is meant by keyword difficulty. This will give you an idea of how hard it would be to rank for that keyword. Make use of this information in order to enhance your strategy of using keywords.
Identifying Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are phrases specific to your product or service, which are longer and less competitive than short-tail keywords but can drive more focused traffic to your website.
Use a long-tail key phrase finder tool to identify long-tail keywords. Get ideas for long-tail key phrases from keyword suggestion tools and variations.
Remember, it’s not just about volume: relevance and intent matter too much when using a keyword. For this reason, long-tail keywords can help you reach out to the target audience.
Analyzing Search Volume and Competition
Search volume is an indication of how many people search for a particular keyword, so it is an important factor in determining what words one uses. However, there are others as well.
The number of websites competing for the same spot should also be considered. High competition means many websites competing with you before you get ranked on that keyword.
Evaluate both search volume and competition using the appropriate tool for researching into key terms. It might prove beneficial in finding balance between popularity and competitiveness at last minute before finishing this article.
Understanding Keyword Difficulty
Keyword difficulty metric shows how hard it could be ranking for a particular term depending on competition related to it where high KD indicates greater challenges associated with ranking high.
Study the meaning of its KD through your research tool if you have any intentions of targeting it or not anymore thus finding out whether or not there is any need of focusing on that particular word.
Remembering also that we do not just want popular ones but those relevant to our readers and target audience because if we understand the meaning of keyword difficulty, we can do that.
Tips for Conducting Comprehensive Keyword Research
Keyword research is not a one-time job but an ongoing process. This means that you need to update your keyword list regularly while building your strategy better.
Consider both short-tail and long-tail keywords as well. Short-tail ones are much more competitive, but at least they can get more traffic than long tail ones that are less competitive.
Your competitors should also be monitored through their keywords and so you will use this information as a secret to outsmart them on which ones to choose.
Finally, have your keyword research integrated into your content calendar to help in planning your content around the keywords as well as streamlining efforts of content marketing.
Keep in mind that the goal of doing keyword research is not just ranking high. It’s about reaching the right audience with the right content.
Regularly Update Your Keyword List
Keywords are not meant to be permanent; they change with time and business growth. As such, it is important to update them from time to time so as to remain relevant and competitive at all times.
Track down new opportunities for key words using keyword tools. To achieve this purpose, follow search trends, current issues can provide suggestions of new terms worth trying out or even targeting.
Align Keywords with Content Strategy
Make sure keywords align with content strategy. They should reflect what topics are being discussed by your articles thus targeting shall become easier especially when using these words during article titles.
Use your keyword research tool to find keywords that align with your content strategy. Doing so will assist you in optimizing your content and making sure it’s found by the right audience.
Track and Analyze Competitor Keywords
For instance, tracking and analyzing your competitor’s keywords might yield important insights into their strategies, help you discover new keyword opportunities, or provide a better understanding of the playing field.
Use your keyword research tool to track and analyze your competitors’ keywords. This can help you refine your keyword strategy and stay ahead of the competition.
Overcoming the Limitations of Free Keyword Research Tools
Thus, free keyword research tools work well as a starting point since they provide useful information without requiring any monetary investment; however, they tend to be limited.
There are many free tools that have less functionality such as lack of enough data or not enough suggestions on the word. However, this can be overcome by using more than one free tool: each of them may offer different perspectives on an issue which will give a person a complete picture.
Also keep in mind that whether or not a particular keyword research tool is effective is dependent on how much you know about its usage. Therefore ensure that you familiarize yourself with using it properly because even if it is unpaid for that matter , getting maximum benefit from it should be our aim.
The Future of Keyword Research and SEO Trends
Keyword research has changed with new technology. For example, voice searches and AI have affected how people look for information changes necessitating adjustments in these tools.
Local SEO also matters; targeting local market business need to think about local keywords alongside its reputation management services. Keyword researcher tools are handy when looking for these kinds of words.
The future of keyword research looks promising indeed as businesses can continue enhancing their SEO performance provided they have the right tools at hand to win over completion.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Tool for Your SEO Needs
Choosing the right keyword research tool forms part of the core of your SEO strategy. It is not just about features but also how well it fits with your own needs and abilities.
Free keyword research tools can be a great starting point, especially for small businesses and startups. They offer a balance between features and usability without asking for any financial investment.
Finally, you should realize that keyword research is an ongoing process since both your business and SEO plan may change direction in the future. So do not fear trying different methods or tools to know which one truly works best for you.
We, Wildnet Technologies, have been working in the digital marketing industry for more than 17 years. We have catered to over 400 clients, including startups, small and medium businesses, government PSUs, and even 26 Fortune 500 companies, via our digital marketing services.
With our 350+ digital marketing experts, we have generated USD 196k in organic revenue for our clients by optimizing 25k #1 ranking keywords.
If you would like to learn more,
> Social media marketing hacks in 2024
> Wildnet Technologies: Semrush Agency Partner
> Wildnet’s Digital Yum (our weekly newsletter containing POV from the thought leadership)
Connect with us at info@wildnettechnologies.com and let your brands speak for themselves!
