Keyword research is the foundation of SEO, content marketing, and PPC advertising. For beginners, finding the right keywords can be challenging, especially with budget constraints. Fortunately, several free keyword research tools can help you discover high-value keywords without spending money.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best free keyword research tools, their features, pros, cons, and how to use them effectively.
🔍 Why Keyword Research Matters
Before diving into the tools, let’s understand why keyword research is crucial:
✅ Helps you rank higher on Google
✅ Drives targeted traffic to your website
✅ Improves content relevance
✅ Reduces guesswork in SEO & marketing
🔝 10 Best Free Keyword Research Tools for Beginners
1. Google Keyword Planner (Best for SEO & PPC)
Best For: Beginners, bloggers, and advertisers.
Features:
✔ Free keyword suggestions
✔ Search volume & competition data
✔ Works with Google Ads (PPC insights)
Limitations:
❌ Requires a Google Ads account (free to sign up)
❌ Broad search volume ranges (not exact numbers)
How to Use:
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Go to Google Ads
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Sign up (no payment required)
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Navigate to Tools > Keyword Planner
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Enter a seed keyword to get suggestions
2. Ubersuggest (Best Free Alternative to Ahrefs/SEMrush)
Best For: Bloggers, small businesses, and SEO beginners.
Features:
✔ Free keyword suggestions
✔ Search volume, CPC, and competition
✔ Content ideas & backlink data
Limitations:
❌ Limited daily searches (free version)
❌ Fewer features than paid tools
How to Use:
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Visit Ubersuggest
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Enter a keyword
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Analyze keyword difficulty & traffic potential
3. AnswerThePublic (Best for Long-Tail Keywords)
Best For: Content creators looking for question-based keywords.
Features:
✔ Visual keyword mapping
✔ Question & preposition-based keywords (e.g., “how to,” “best”)
✔ Free daily searches (limited)
Limitations:
❌ Free version has restricted searches
❌ No search volume data
How to Use:
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Go to AnswerThePublic
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Enter a keyword
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Download keyword suggestions
4. Keyword Tool.io (Best for Google & YouTube Keywords)
Best For: YouTube creators, bloggers, and local SEO.
Features:
✔ Free Google & YouTube keyword suggestions
✔ Long-tail keyword ideas
✔ No signup required
Limitations:
❌ No search volume in the free version
❌ Limited keyword filtering
How to Use:
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Visit Keyword Tool
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Enter a keyword
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Filter by platform (Google, YouTube, etc.)
5. Google Trends (Best for Trending Keywords)
Best For: Seasonal content, news websites, and trend analysis.
Features:
✔ Free real-time search trends
✔ Geographic interest data
✔ Related queries
Limitations:
❌ No exact search volume
❌ Not for low-competition keyword research
How to Use:
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Go to Google Trends
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Compare keyword trends over time
6. Soovle (Best for Multi-Platform Suggestions)
Best For: Finding keywords from Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and Wikipedia.
Features:
✔ Aggregates autocomplete suggestions
✔ No signup required
✔ Great for eCommerce & video SEO
Limitations:
❌ No search volume data
❌ Basic interface
How to Use:
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Visit Soovle
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Enter a keyword to see suggestions
7. Keyword Surfer (Free Chrome Extension for Google Searches)
Best For: Quick keyword research while browsing Google.
Features:
✔ Shows search volume & keyword ideas
✔ Works directly in Google Search
✔ Free & easy to use
Limitations:
❌ Limited to Google searches
❌ Basic data compared to full SEO tools
How to Use:
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Install Keyword Surfer
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Search on Google to see keyword data
8. SEMrush (Free Version – Limited but Powerful)
Best For: Competitor keyword research.
Features:
✔ Free 10 searches/day
✔ Competitor keyword analysis
✔ Difficulty score
Limitations:
❌ Very limited in the free plan
❌ Requires signup
How to Use:
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Sign up at SEMrush
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Use the Keyword Magic Tool
9. Moz Keyword Explorer (Free 10 Queries/Month)
Best For: Beginner SEOs who want keyword difficulty scores.
Features:
✔ Free 10 searches/month
✔ Keyword difficulty & opportunity scores
✔ SERP analysis
Limitations:
❌ Very limited free searches
❌ Requires account creation
How to Use:
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Sign up at Moz
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Use the Keyword Explorer tool
10. Twinword Ideas (Free Long-Tail Keyword Generator)
Best For: Bloggers needing long-tail keyword ideas.
Features:
✔ Free keyword suggestions
✔ Grouped by topic clusters
✔ Simple interface
Limitations:
❌ No search volume in free version
❌ Limited advanced filters
How to Use:
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Visit Twinword Ideas
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Enter a keyword
📌 How to Choose the Best Free Keyword Tool?
| Tool | Best For | Search Volume? | Difficulty Score? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | SEO & PPC | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Ubersuggest | Bloggers & SEO | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| AnswerThePublic | Content Ideas | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Keyword Tool.io | YouTube & Google | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Google Trends | Trending Topics | ❌ No | ❌ No |
💡 Beginner Tips for Keyword Research
✔ Start with seed keywords (e.g., “best running shoes”)
✔ Look for long-tail keywords (lower competition)
✔ Check keyword difficulty (aim for < 50 if new)
✔ Analyze competitors’ keywords (use SEMrush/Ubersuggest)
✔ Group keywords by intent (informational, commercial, navigational)
🔚 Final Verdict: Best Free Keyword Research Tool?
For beginners, the best free options are:
🥇 Ubersuggest (Best overall)
🥈 Google Keyword Planner (Best for PPC & SEO)
🥉 AnswerThePublic (Best for content ideas)
If you need YouTube keywords, try Keyword Tool.io. For trending topics, Google Trends is unbeatable.
