Keyword Research Tools
As a blogger, you probably already know the importance of keyword driving traffic to your blog. Even the greatest content will be left on the shelf without the appropriate keywords. That’s when keyword research for SEO comes into play.
Using the right SEO keyword tools means your content will be in line with active terms searched by people, which will eventually lead to more traffic, engagement, and rankings. But how can you get the right one?
Relax; let me take you through the 10 best keyword strategy tools that will supercharge your SEO efforts.
Why Are Keyword Research Tools Important for Your SEO Strategy?
Let’s start by discussing the why before jumping into the tools. Keyword research tools help determine what your audience is looking for, the intent of that search, and how competitive those phrases may be. All this data serves as the foundation of any well-crafted SEO strategy.
Without the right SEO keyword tools, you risk creating content that does not meet the needs of your audience or bring organic traffic. In fact, studies reveal that 50% more traffic is gained by companies that make use of targeted keywords in their content compared to companies that do not.
The idea is to deliver value and be noticed amidst the hustling cyberspace as you choose the right SEO ranking tools.
1.Can I use free tools for effective keyword research?
Absolutely! Tools like Google Keyword Planner and Keywords Everywhere are great for beginners and budget-conscious bloggers.
2. How often should I update my keywords?
At least every 3-6 months or whenever you feel changes in the traffic pattern.
3. Which tool is ideal for long-tail keywords?
Long Tail Pro and answerthepublic are good for finding long-tail phrases.
4. What is the difference between search volume and keyword difficulty?
Search volume refers to the number of people searching for a term, while keyword difficulty measures how hard it is to rank for that term.
5. How to use my blog keywords properly?
Use keywords naturally in title and headings and throughout the content; avoid overstuffing to maintain readability and ranking.
Now, let’s have a look at the top 10 best keyword research tools for consideration.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is the most popular tool many bloggers use. It's free, reliable, and linked directly to Google Ads. The tool will give you keyword suggestions, search volume, and competition data.
Why Use It?
- Suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
- Provides search volume and cost-per-click data that can inform your content and ad strategy.
Pro Tip: Use it with other keyword strategy tools to really dig into long-tail keywords that are easier to rank for.
Learn more about how to build an SEO keyword strategy on our guide How to Optimize your Content For your Target Keywords.
video credit to ahrefs
2. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Probably one of the world’s most powerful SEO ranking tools is Ahrefs and its Keyword Explorer is a really cool tool that will be a deep look into keyword difficulty as well as search volume plus its potential in traffic.
- Why Use It?
- Look at competitor keywords and what’s driving that traffic.
- Very good for advanced bloggers that really want to uncover ranking opportunities.
Case Study Example: A fitness blogger improved their organic traffic by 120% in three months using Ahrefs to target low-competition keywords.
3. SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool
If you’re serious about keyword research for SEO,
SEMrush is a must-have. Its Keyword Magic Tool generates thousands of keyword ideas, filters them by intent, and even suggests related phrases.
- Why Use It?
- Pinpoints keywords for specific regions or devices.
- Allows you to create topic clusters with a core keyword.
Pro Tip: Use SEMrush with our best content planning tips here for even more organic clicks: Content Strategy Tips for SEO.
4. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest by Neil Patel is a low-cost tool that offers keyword suggestions and domain overview along with backlink data for use in a broader SEO strategy.
Why Use It?
- User-friendly for beginners.
- Offers competitive analysis and keyword difficulty scores.
Quick Tip: Update your keyword list with the best keyword research tools, such as Ubersuggest, to stay on track with changing search patterns.
5. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz is easy to use and gives actionable insights. Its SEO keyword tools will help you know which keywords to focus on and how they’ll likely perform.
Why Use It?
- Unlocked access to special metrics, including “Priority Score” ranking for keyword opportunities.
Suggestion by niche. - Extra Resource: Ever wonder which keyword will actually convert? Download some resources about:
Keyword Selection for Conversions.
6. Keywords Everywhere
Browser extension – best tool to carry along research while working. Keywords Everywhere gives a look at all important information of search volume, CPC, and competition directly at the browser.
Why Use It?
- Access information directly on Google, YouTube, and more.
- Cheap and light, so very popular with the budget-conscious blogger.
7. AnswerThePublic
Want some content ideas? AnswerThePublic graphically displays search queries in a question-based format to target user intent head-on.
Why Use It?
- Great for brainstorming topics for blogs.
- Underlines questions your audience i
- s asking, so you will write content that solves their problems.
Example: A tech blog used AnswerThePublic to target “how-to” queries and saw their click-through rates rise 35%.
8. Serpstat
This is an all-in-one SEO ranking tool. Serpstat offers keyword suggestions, SERP analysis, and even rank tracking.
Why Use It?
- Really good for competitor analysis and finding untapped keyword opportunities.
- Gives a complete view of your SEO performance.
9. Long Tail Pro
If you’re focusing on long-tail keywords (phrases with 3+ words), Long Tail Pro is your best bet. It specializes in uncovering low-competition phrases that drive targeted traffic.
Why Use It?
- Helps bloggers rank for niche topics with less competition.
- Offers detailed keyword analysis and profitability scores.
10. SpyFu
SpyFu is the competitive edge when it comes to using SEO keyword tools. This tool puts more attention on what your competitors are doing and how you can take a step ahead.
Why Use It?
- Analyze competitor keywords, ad history, and backlink strategies.
- Find high-value keywords that your competitors rank for but you do not target.
How to Choose the Right Keyword Research Tools
Not all tools fit all bloggers. Here is how you can make your choice:
- Determine Your Budget: Some are free (Google Keyword Planner), while others will cost you money each month (Ahrefs, SEMrush).
- Define Your Goals: Do you target local SEO, high competition keywords, or long-tail phrases?
- Multiple Tools Available: You are not tied to a single tool. Take a quick peek using Ubersuggest and delve into details with Ahrefs.
Use Keywords to Your SEO Benefit
You now have your keywords identified. It’s now the right time to put these into practice in the most beneficial way possible. Here is your checklist:
- You’ll use primary keywords for titles, headings, and meta descriptions.
- Use related keywords throughout your content in a natural manner.
- Optimize images using alt text that includes relevant keywords.
- Build internal links using related anchor text (check our article on Internal Linking Strategies).
Why You Need to Regularly Update Your Keyword Research
SEO isn’t a one-and-done thing. Search trends change, competitors evolve, and user intent shifts. Using SEO ranking tools keeps you on the curve and maintains your website’s performance.
For example, our blog increased 200% in visitors after frequently renewing keywords and repurposing rehashed and reused phrases for old content.
It’s less about the features and more about what fits into your overall strategy. Whether you’re new and seeking free tools like Google Keyword Planner or an advanced user using Ahrefs or SEMrush, there’s something to fit. Just start small, experiment, and refine as you go.
The right SEO keyword tools will help you to develop content that resonates well with your audience and is ranked higher on search engines. Remember, every great piece of content starts with thorough research.
What is the single most important factor to consider when choosing a keyword research tool?
The most important factor to consider is how well the tool aligns with your specific SEO goals.
For example:
1.If you’re just starting and need basic keyword ideas, opt for tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest.
2.For detailed competitor analysis or advanced strategies, tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush are better suited.
