Although you should always focus on search intent when writing an awesome blog post, you’ll still need to know what words to use. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite free keyword tools you can use to boost your research.
These are all tools you can use right now, and I’m not including those premium sites that have free-trial-only platforms.
The Best Free Keyword Tools You Need to Check Out
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is part of the Google Ads system. Though, you don’t need to actually create ads in order to use the keyword tool.
Simply add the word or phrase you want to write about and Google will show you a list of common terms. By default, the system will show the average monthly search volume over the past year.
From here, you can break down how the data is delivered using a variety of filters and settings. For instance, you can set the search to scan for words over the last month if you’re looking to establish trends.
Google provides a lot of features, such as suggestions, refining your search even further, or downloading the list of words you select.
2. Keyword Tool
Although the name is quite obvious, Keyword Tool is still a handy platform to use for research. What sets it apart from some of the others in this list is that it goes beyond just looking up terms for Google search.
At the time of this article, you can use Keyword Tool to search for terms in:
- YouTube
- Bing
- Amazon
- eBay
- Play Store
It’s almost a one-stop shop for your marketing needs.
The only real downside to the free keyword tools inside this one is the lack of depth. In the free version, you don’t have access to things like search volume, trend, cost-per-click, or competition.
However, you can download your selections and then take them to something else, like Google Keyword Planner, and get the pertinent information if you need.
3. Ahrefs Keyword Generator
Although Ahrefs is one of the biggest names for keyword and competitor research, it’s also among the most expensive. The free version of this tool doesn’t even scratch the surface of what the premium version offers.
Still, it’s a quick and easy way to find some keyphrases you might want to use in content.
In the free generator, you only see the difficulty, volume, and when the word was updated for the first three terms. You can also see common “Questions” regarding the term but are limited in that section as well.
Ahrefs does offer a bit of flexibility in the platform, though. You can search Google, Bing, YouTube, and Amazon without paying for an account.
4. Wordtracker
When it comes to getting a few more details, Wordtracker does a pretty good job in its free keyword tools. The system will give you 50 terms complete with historical reference, volume, competition score, and a count of pages where the phrases appear in both title tags and backlinks.
Wordtracker will also give you a few suggestions that may be relevant to your search.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to sign up for the free trial to export your keyphrases. And, you’re limited to 12 searches per day. However, it does provide a decent list of terms for setting up a blog post.
5. Moz Explorer
Another popular name on this list, Moz Explorer has a nice layout in its free account. It lets you search for keywords, explore domains, or pull data right from a published page.
You’re limited to 10 queries per month, but that might be all that you need if you’re setting up blog posts for yourself.
Moz will give you keyword suggestions, SERP analysis of articles currently published, monthly volume, keyword difficulty, estimated organic click-through rates, and priorities.
In the free version, you’re able to export your list as a CSV file, which I use quite often.
6. Answer the Public
I’ve been using Answer the Public since its founding. It’s a great site to find all kinds of long-tail keywords and questions that people are currently asking search engines.
In fact, some of my best-performing articles came right from Answer the Public.
You input the term which you want to research and the app will find the most common questions, prepositions, comparisons, alphabetical lists, and related materials.
You can download the list as a CSV, but you’re only limited to three searches per day on the free version.
7. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is considered among the more popular free keyword tools out there and has several features that are worth noting. Although the free version is a bit limited, you can still do quite a bit by signing up with an account.
Not only does it provide keyword ideas, but you can also browse the competition and see how their content is stacking up. This can open all kinds of doors for writing winning articles.
The drawback to using the free Ubersuggest tool is that you’re limited to 3 searches per day. However, for beginners, this is probably more than enough to give you several ideas for what to write about.
On the upside, it does have a Chrome extension, which allows you to research pages while browsing.
8. Keyword Tool Dominator
Although Keyword Tool Dominator is a bit basic in the data it provides, it does have several filters you can implement to fine-tune your research.
You’re provided with variations of long-tail keyphrases, the country of the search, and how each one ranks. This one alone can provide a long list of content ideas.
What would make this tool better is if it offered some of the insights the others provide…such as volume and CPC data.
Keyword Tool Dominator has several free keyword tools built-in. You can search:
- Amazon
- Bing
- eBay
- Etsy
- Google Shopping
- Walmart
- YouTube
Although it doesn’t have a lot of social platforms, it’s great for those who are into eCommerce.
9. Keywords Everywhere
Keywords Everywhere is another one of the tools I have installed in Google Chrome. It’s a great method for finding relevant terms and ideas for what to write next.
The free version will show relevant terms on the right when you search through Google. But, it also works on various other search engines, such as YouTube.
One highlight to point out is the trending data this keyword suggestion tool gives you according to global searches. This can be helpful if you plan on writing time-sensitive material.
If you want to analyze specific web pages you come across, you’ll have to buy “credits” for the action.
Still, I’ve used quite a few suggestions from Keywords Everywhere that panned out nicely. So for free, it’s a quick and easy way to get some search terms while in Google or YouTube.
10. Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is yet another tool I have installed in Google Chrome. It plays well with Keywords Everywhere and Ubersuggest, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
In fact, I run all three at the same time. All of these free keyword tools help me pick all kinds of terms for articles.
Keyword Surfer will show you ideas, a similarity ranking, and search volume all from the Google search screen. Then, you can pick which words you want and export them to a spreadsheet.
The only real issue I have with Keyword Surfer is the Words Correlation chart. It’s supposed to show you how many words each article has in the top search results. However, I’ve found this number to be seriously incorrect in every case.
Aside from that, it does serve a practical use as a research tool. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be using it.
11. SEMrush
Another popular name in keyword research is SEMrush. But, did you know they had a free account type? Although it’s limited in comparison to its more expensive plans, it has a lot of data for what you need.
SEMrush lets you analyze individual pages, competitor URLs, track how your website is doing online, and much more.
The Keyword Overview page offers volume, difficulty level, CPC data, trends, variations, questions, and related terms. Though, the free account only gives you data for the top 10 phrases.
In the grand scheme of things, using SEMrush for free is great for new bloggers to keep track of a site’s performance and to find keyword ideas.
12. Google Search Console
Using Search Console should be at the top of everyone’s list. To show you how well your site is performing in search, there is no better platform. It all comes down to crunching data.
But, did you know you can use it as a keyword planner tool?
Search Console shows you the most common terms people are using to find your content. Then, by comparing that term to the article itself, you can get an idea about what people are looking for and what to write.
At the very least, you can rework older posts to give them some additional power for ranking in search.
13. Rank Tracker
And finally, we have a set of free keyword tools that I plan on buying in the very near future. Rank Tracker proved to be quite a useful platform.
Unlike the other keyword suggestion tools in this list, Rank Tracker is a desktop application. It’s available for PC, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
This software will analyze your domains, keep track of ranking keywords, what rank your pages have, monitor ranking progress, and even show you what keywords you have that are in the top 10 of Google search.
The real magic comes in the form of keyword research, competitor research, and storing all of those search terms in the “Keyword Sandbox.”
All of your research for various terms and phrases are saved in the Keyword Sandbox, which you can use to really find some amazing terms for content.
You can connect Search Console, Keyword Planner, and browse autocomplete and related searches all from one application. It’s like the Swiss Army Knife of free keyword tools.
However, there is one absolute glaring issue with the free version. It doesn’t save any of your settings. You have to buy the upgrade to save.
But, if you spend the day doing some hardcore keyword research, you can get a lot done with Rank Tracker.
And if you do decide to get a license for just Rank Tracker, because there is a bundle you can get instead through Link Assistant, it’s actually one of the more affordable premium services on this list.
Free Keyword Tools Can Open a Lot of Doors
Not everyone has the money to drop on various SEO tools. And there are a lot out there that can rack up the debt quite quickly. Until your site can bring in enough to offset the expense, I suggest using a keyword planner for free.
If it works out and it helps you create some high-ranking content, then consider the upgrades. Some of the tools above go well beyond simple keyphrase research and may serve you well.
My point is to never underestimate just how much you can get done with free keyword tools.
Try them all and stick to the ones that resonate best with your needs. After all, that’s what makes the difference…finding a platform that meets your content creation criteria.
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