Targeting the right keywords and using them appropriately can make all the difference when it comes to page rankings. Which is why you need the best keyword research tools for SEO.
Keyword research is a crucial element of modern SEO. Whether you’re kick-starting an old blog or developing your content strategy for a new one; good quality keywords are one of the most efficient ways to attract consistent, quality traffic to your site. I've compiled a list of some of the best keyword research tools to help you conquer your content.
In this article, I’ll share the very best keyword research tools that experts use to grow their website traffic. So instead of wondering 'what are the best keyword research tools' bookmark this post and use it as a guide.
What is a Keyword Research Tool?
A keyword research tool helps you find topic ideas that people are searching for on search engines like Google.
This helps you find content ideas that your customers are looking for. You can then plan your content strategy to cover those topics in your blog posts and landing pages.
Keyword research tools also help you see both seed keywords and long-tail keywords where your competitors are ranking on the top. You can then improve your content to target those keywords and steal their traffic.
That being said, let’s take a look at the best keyword research tools for SEO that you can use.
6 Best Keyword Research Tools
1. Google Search Console
I'm putting this as number one because I think it's a really useful tool to find keywords and boost traffic to existing keywords. I use this tool all the time to find low hanging fruit for my clients.
Google Search Console isn’t a traditional keyword research tool but it does have a feature that makes finding great keywords easy.
What?
This report list out the pages on your site that get the most clicks from Google (and the exact keywords that brought them there).
From this list you can find your low hanging fruit - Opportunity Keywords!
These are Keywords where you rank between #9-#20 (page 2) in Google for a specific keyword. With little extra on-page SEO, you can find help boost these keywords from page 2 to page 1.
I think this is an underrated keyword research tool so make sure you're using it!
2. SEM Rush
SEM Rush is a complete SEO tool suite to carry out keyword research and improve your SEO rankings.
Using the Keyword Overview tool, you can type in a keyword and get a full picture of everything you need to know. This includes how many people search for the keyword (monthly search volume), whether it’s growing in popularity or becoming less popular (the Trend), similar keywords and much more.
You can also type in any competitor’s website in the Domain Overview to see their organic search terms, keyword data, and other organic traffic metrics.
3. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is a free tool from Neil Patel that offers search volume data, keyword suggestions, an idea of how difficult your keyword will be to rank for (keyword difficulty), and more. It's also my go to tool! I find it so quick and easy to use.
As well as seeing lots of suggestions for related keywords, you can view a table of the top 100 Google results for that keyword, with estimated visits, number of backlinks, a domain score, and a total number of social shares.
Just like SEM rush you can also research your competitors and find any gaps you have with regards to keywords, content and backlinks.
It also has a handy project planner that you can use for your own website, keep track of your keyword rankings and see where you can make improvements. I love the email alerts I can from my projects as they always give me the kick I need to make changes.
4. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a popular keyword research tool used by SEO professionals and marketers. It is an all-in-one SEO toolset that includes features such as site explorer, keyword explorer, content explorer, and rank tracker. The keyword explorer feature in Ahrefs provides valuable data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and traffic potential for specific keywords.
Ahrefs' keyword explorer allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and receive a detailed report on its search volume, keyword difficulty, and traffic potential. The tool also provides data on related keywords, along with their search volume and keyword difficulty. Ahrefs' keyword explorer can help you identify the most valuable keywords to target for your website or blog based on search volume, competition level, and traffic potential.
In addition to keyword research, Ahrefs also provides valuable data on backlinks, site audits, and competitor analysis. This information can help you identify areas for improvement on your website and develop a more effective SEO strategy. Ahrefs is a powerful tool that is well-suited for advanced SEO professionals and marketers who require detailed and specific data for their keyword research and overall SEO strategy. However, it may not be the best tool for beginners who are just starting with SEO and keyword research.
Google Keyword Planner is a free keyword research tool that is widely used by SEO professionals and marketers. It is an essential tool for identifying the right keywords to target for your website or blog. Google Keyword Planner provides valuable data about search volume, competition, and cost per click (CPC) for specific keywords. This data can help you understand which keywords are worth targeting based on the amount of search traffic they receive and how competitive they are.
To use Google Keyword Planner, you must have a Google Ads account, but you don't need to run ads to use the tool. Once you have access, you can start by entering a keyword or phrase related to your business or industry. Google Keyword Planner will then generate a list of related keywords, along with data on average monthly search volume, competition level, and suggested bid for each keyword. You can also filter the results by location, language, and other factors to narrow down your options.
Google Keyword Planner is an excellent tool for beginner SEO professionals and marketers because it is easy to use and provides valuable data for keyword research. However, it may not be the best tool for advanced users who require more detailed or specific data.
Google Trends is a great free tool to keep an eye on the topics and keywords that are trending up or coming down in popularity. It can also help you to work out regional and seasonal patterns that might affect your keywords and your content schedule.
Moz Keyword Explorer is a popular keyword research tool used by SEO professionals and marketers. It provides valuable data on search volume, competition level, and potential traffic for specific keywords.
Moz Keyword Explorer allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and receive a detailed report on its search volume, competition level, and potential traffic. The tool also provides data on related keywords, along with their search volume and difficulty level. Moz Keyword Explorer's unique feature is the ability to provide prioritised keyword suggestions based on your website's content and competitors' keywords.
In addition to keyword research, Moz also offers features for site audits, backlink analysis, and rank tracking. This information can help you identify areas for improvement on your website and develop a more effective SEO strategy. Moz Keyword Explorer is a user-friendly tool that is well-suited for beginners and advanced SEO professionals alike. However, some of its features may require a subscription, which may be a drawback for some users.
8. KWFinder
KWFinder is a user-friendly keyword research tool that provides valuable data on search volume, competition level, and potential traffic for specific keywords. It is a part of the Mangools suite of SEO tools that also includes SERPWatcher, SERPChecker, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler.
KWFinder allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and receive a detailed report on its search volume, competition level, and potential traffic. The tool also provides data on related keywords, along with their search volume and difficulty level. KWFinder's unique feature is the ability to provide suggestions for long-tail keywords, which are less competitive and can be easier to rank for.
KWFinder also offers features for local keyword research, including the ability to search for keywords by location and language. This information can help you tailor your SEO strategy to specific geographic regions and languages. KWFinder is a great tool for both beginner and advanced SEO professionals who are looking for a user-friendly interface and powerful keyword research features. However, it may not be the best tool for users who require more advanced SEO features, such as competitor analysis or backlink analysis.
SpyFu is a popular keyword research tool that provides valuable data on search volume, competition level, and potential traffic for specific keywords. It also offers features for competitor analysis, including the ability to track competitor keywords, ad campaigns, and backlinks.
SpyFu's keyword research feature allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and receive a detailed report on its search volume, competition level, and potential traffic. The tool also provides data on related keywords, along with their search volume and difficulty level. SpyFu's unique feature is the ability to provide historical data on a keyword's search volume and ranking trends over time.
In addition to keyword research, SpyFu also offers features for competitor analysis, including the ability to track competitor keywords, ad campaigns, and backlinks. This information can help you identify opportunities to improve your own website or develop a more effective SEO strategy.
SpyFu is a powerful tool that is well-suited for advanced SEO professionals and marketers who require detailed data on their keyword research and competitor analysis. However, it may not be the best tool for beginners who are just starting with SEO and keyword research, as its advanced features and interface can be overwhelming for some users.
Answer the Public is a unique keyword research tool that provides insight into the questions and queries that people search for related to your keyword or topic. It uses data from Google and Bing to generate a list of related questions, prepositions, and comparison terms.
Answer the Public's user-friendly interface allows you to view the data in a variety of formats, including visualisations and downloadable reports. The tool also allows you to save your searches for future reference and export the data in a variety of formats.
Answer the Public can be a valuable tool for content creators and SEO professionals who want to create content that addresses the questions and concerns of their target audience. By understanding the questions and queries that people search for related to your keyword or topic, you can create content that is more likely to rank in search results and attract a larger audience.
Overall, Answer the Public is a great tool for anyone looking to create content that addresses their audience's needs and concerns. It provides valuable insight into the questions and queries that people search for related to your keyword or topic, allowing you to create content that is more likely to rank in search results and attract a larger audience.
How to Use Keywords for SEO
Once you have generated your list of keyword you need to understand how to use keywords for SEO. To make it easy for you we have created a simple on page SEO checklist for you to follow. You'll discover what your website is missing and how you can fix it Download now!
And if you're using Wordpress this is a great article about wordpress SEO and how to optimise your wordpress website for SEO.
The Best Keyword Research Tools Summary
So there you have it - my 10 recommended best Keyword research tools which could help you in generating the best keywords for your SEO optimisation and PPC.
For the best results, I recommend using a combination of tools. The Keyword Planner returns the highest volume of suggestions for search terms to target at no cost. Combine that with domain analysis from a platform like SEM Rush or Ubersuggest – which you can use in a limited fashion for free – and you should have all the data you need to climb up the SERPs.
I'd also suggest you always think about the customer experience when writing your copy using keywords. It can be very easy to get carried away with keywords and forget writing for the reader. Here is a great article about using SEO to improve the customer experience.
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced SEO professional, these tools can provide valuable data and insights that can help you improve your SEO strategy and achieve better results. With the right keyword research tools at your disposal, you can stay ahead of the competition and attract more traffic to your website.
Final tip: Don't forget to use Google Analytics for SEO to track and measure the success of your SEO efforts.