SEO – Keyword Research and Planning Tools
Keyword research tools show you what people search for, how often, and how hard it is to rank. Some tools are free and some are paid. You can start with only the free ones.
Free sources of keyword ideas
- Google Autocomplete: type a word in Google and see the suggestions in the list below the box.
- People also ask and Related searches: boxes in the results page with real questions of people. They are good for FAQ ideas.
- Google Search Console: the Performance report shows the real searches which already show your site. See Google Search Console.
- Google Trends: compare topics and see the interest by time and by country.
- Google Keyword Planner: a free tool inside Google Ads, made for advertisers, but useful for SEO ideas. It needs a Google Ads account, and you can use it without running an ad. Volume is often shown as a range if you do not spend on ads.
Popular paid or freemium tools
| Tool | Good for |
|---|---|
| Semrush | Keyword research, competitor analysis and site audit |
| Ahrefs | Keyword research and a big backlink database |
| Moz Pro | Keyword research, rankings and domain metrics |
| Ubersuggest | Simple keyword ideas and content ideas, with a limited free use |
| AnswerThePublic | Questions and phrases people ask about a topic |
Features and prices of these tools change from time to time, so check their websites for the current plans.
How to use Google Keyword Planner
- Sign in to Google Ads and open the Tools menu.
- Choose Keyword Planner, then Discover new keywords.
- Type one or two words of your topic, or your website address, and press Get results.
- Check the list: average monthly searches, competition and the suggested bid.
- Add the useful ones to your sheet. Ignore the keywords which do not match your page.
The menu names can change a little when Google updates the tool, but the steps are about the same.
How to pick keywords from the list
- Prefer keywords with a clear meaning for your page.
- Choose a mix of easy and hard keywords. Do not target only the hard ones.
- Check the results page by yourself. If all top pages are big brands, a small site will find it difficult.
- Group the keywords with the same meaning, and use one page for the group.
Note:
Numbers in all tools are estimates. Use them to compare keywords, not as the exact truth. Next: Focus Keyword.
Congratulations! Chapter Finished. Learn more about the similar topics:
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