While search algorithms are always evolving, keywords remain a fundamental element of the process – and as such, of your search engine optimization efforts.
And while the more technical elements of SEO require a higher level of expertise, it doesn’t take an expert to locate and target the right keywords for your business. All you need are the right tools, some knowledge of consumer discovery pathways, and time to be able to go through the detail.
To help with this, below is a listing of 25 great keyword research tools, which are also all free or freemium based. Each app targets a specific aspect of keyword research, and each also functions beautifully on its own, or even better when paired with another.
There are some great resources here – worth considering in your SEO process.
All the major sources of keyword ideas brought together
As the name suggests, Rank Tracker is primarily a rank checking tool, however it also boasts impressive keyword research functionality, with 24 keyword finding tools gathered under one umbrella.
You can pull keywords from all the major search engines using autocomplete tools, as well as related searches and questions. In addition Rank Tracker also offers Google Ads and Search Console integrations to help you make the most out of its keyword research module.
You can run pro-level competition intelligence by fetching top keywords any URL is ranking for, and even go further and find keyword gaps – competitors’ keywords that you don’t rank for (yet).
Each keyword suggestion also comes with a slew of crucial SEO/PPC metrics to help you make the smartest choice based on your goals and objectives. Grab Rank Tracker’s free trial to uncover enterprise-level access to all of the software’s features.
Keyword Snatcher delivers thousands of keyword ideas from multiple sources at once, and Keyword Tool offers plenty of data sources as well. Jaaxy’s and WordStream’s free apps, though limited in functionality, still do the job, delivering SEO/PPC stats for each keyword suggestion, while Soovle boasts less common data sources like Wikipedia and Overstock.
The ultimate database for PPC campaigns
Keyword Planner is the unmistakable leader among native tools for keyword research. Used by marketers and SEOs alike, it lets you run raw keyword research based on your seed keywords.
Pick a location, language, search network, as well as time period, and you can pull hundreds of keyword ideas in no time at all.
By assessing the number of searches throughout the year, as well as competition and top of page bid (low and high range), you’ll be able to single out the best keywords to implement in your SEO efforts.
Keyword Planner also enables you to access historical number of searches data. Even if you aren’t running a paid ad campaign, and only get search volumes in ranges, the tool will still provide you with a basic understanding of the keyword profile you want to build.
Depending on the search engine you’re targeting, you an utilize their respective keyword research tools. When optimizing for Bing, it makes sense to use the Bing Keyword Research tool. Similarly, you can use Yandex Keyword Statistics and Baidu Keyword Research Tool to pull search engine-specific keyword ideas for the markets you’re targeting.
Keyword ideas for voice search optimization
Semantic search is the cool new thing kids are doing these days. All jokes aside, as more and more searchers are using voice assistants, natural language is making a big digital comeback. Voice search is changing SEO, and with it, keyword research is changing as well.
AnswerThePublic is a great tool to turn to when optimizing for voice search. You can master long-tail SEO by uncovering the real questions users ask about your niche.
You can expand your keyword list even further by exploring preposition keywords (seed keyword + preposition + other words) and comparisons (seed keyword vs. another keyword).
By researching answer-like content, you’ll have a much higher chance to appear in featured snippets – also referred to as ‘position zero’ results.
AnswerThePublic also lets you export keyword ideas in CSV or PNG formats. You can use these findings to start optimizing for voice search sooner rather than later, and let the results speak for themselves.
You can use QuestionDB to enter your seed keywords and fetch long-tail keyword ideas in natural language. Check out Yahoo Answers to explore what questions rank high in an actual search, or for the ultimate intel on user questions, turn to Quora.
A fresh look at the keywords you’re already using
Possibly the most versatile of Google’s keyword research tools, Search Console can help you revise your keyword profile, and re-assess the potential of the keywords already in use.
You can see which of your pages are doing best, as well as what specific queries drive that traffic. You can then take a look at the queries’ average positions, CTR and impressions.
It might be that some of your pages require just a pinch more optimization to start ranking for the keywords with top click performance. Likewise, keywords with a big number of impressions, but low CTRs, could boost your rankings significantly.
Needless to say, all of the keyword data is filterable and easily exportable. Combined with data from Google Analytics, it’ll give you just as much insight into your keyword profile as most paid tools do.
You can get an overview of your website’s performance alongside SEO keyword suggestions with Alexa’s website analysis tool. You can also dig into conversion optimization with Finteza – the tool lets you run a keyword diagnostics to see top traffic drivers. Grab Finteza’s free trial and see which of your keywords need an additional push.
Seamless keyword research while browsing
A free Chrome extension, Keywords Everywhere lets you run continuous keyword research while indulging in good ol’ browsing (including YouTubing).
By installing the add-on, your every query will display search results with the number of searches, costs per click, as well as competition insights.
On top of that, you can get Related Keywords and People Also Search For boxes in your browser window, which will enable you to grow your keyword profile while on-the-browse.
Keywords Everywhere enables you to easily export all your keyword intel via CSV. Alternatively, you can use the Add All Keywords feature to store keyword ideas in favorites.
And last but not least, you can upload your own keywords and have SEO/PPC data fetched for those as well.
Wordtracker Scout is another add-on for Chrome which enables you to pull keywords as a word cloud from any page you’re browsing, as well as check their metrics, re-organize and export. Grab Wordtracker’s free trial and see if it’s something you’d want to invest in.
Suggestions for eCommerce optimization
The tricky thing about keywords is that there’s no such thing as “one-size-fits-all”. Different search engines require dedicated efforts each – and eCommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy are no exception.
With each platform you’re targeting, make sure you do some ground keyword research work. You can use Keyword Tool Dominator for this – in the app, you can pick any of the major eCommerce websites and pull long-tail keyword suggestions directly from the platforms in real-time.
Applying the same logic, Keyword Tool Dominator uses eBay’s and Etsy’s Autocomplete systems to deliver keywords typed in by actual shoppers. With a list of most popular search terms on hand, you can go ahead and adopt the ones that’ll boost the performance of your product listings.
You can use SEO Review Tools’ eBay Keyword Tool to pull keywords from the platform’s search suggestions. For Amazon-specific keyword suggestions, turn to Kparser or Keyword Eye (free trial available). And if you’re running a shop on Etsy, make sure to check out eRank – its free version lets you fetch keyword ideas alongside your listings analysis and general SEO recommendations.
Local keyword popularity and topic comparison
There’s something to be said about keyword localization. Specifically, once you have several keyword options in mind, it’s wise to check their popularity, not only engine to engine, but also region to region.
You can use Google Trends to check location-specific search volume – these are likely to be invaluable insights when running a marketing campaign with several location targets.
Enter your keywords, pick a region, timeframe, category, source (web, image, news, shopping, or YouTube), and see how well the queries perform in different locations.
By matching the keywords against each other, you’ll be able to customize your content according to the locations you’re targeting.
What’s more, by checking search fluctuations throughout the year, you can plan ahead, managing low and high seasons like a pro.
Building an impressive keyword profile that brings you traffic doesn’t have to be costly and time-consuming. With so many brilliant toolkit options available, going for free or freemium ones seems like the smartest choice a marketer could make.
Tool up and work your way to better search performance, across both search engines and specific locations.
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