Unlock SEO Success: 6 Free Keyword Research Tools & Tips

Unlock SEO Success: 6 Free Keyword Research Tools & Tips

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Pros and Cons of Free Keyword Research Tools
   • Pro: Value for No Cost
   • Con: Lack of Premium Features
3. Google Correlate: Finding Subtopics for Maximum Coverage
   • Pro: Discovering Hidden Gems
   • Con: Absence of Search Metrics
4. Keyword Shitter: Mining Google Auto Suggest Keywords
   • Pro: Generating Thousands of Related Keywords
   • Con: Time-consuming and No Search Metrics
5. Keywords Everywhere: Instant Keyword Metrics on Popular Websites
   • Pro: Access to Search Metrics for Free
   • Con: Limited Data Source from Google Keyword Planner
6. Search Engine Auto Suggest: Exploring Niche-specific Keywords
   • Pro: Higher Relevance in Niche Markets
   • Con: Search Volumes Based on Google Only
7. Google Trends: Analyzing Keyword Popularity Over Time
   • Pro: Market Research for Niche, Product, or Topic
   • Con: Lack of Search Volume and Organic Traffic Data
8. Answer the Public: Uncovering Long-tail Keyword Phrases
   • Pro: Finding Low Competition Keywords
   • Con: Limited Data and Comparison to Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer
9. Simple Workflow for Free Keyword Research
   • Step 1: Using Keywords Everywhere for Initial Searches
   • Step 2: Checking Search Intent on Google Trends
   • Step 3: Generating Keyword Ideas with Answer the Public
   • Step 4: Addressing Unanswered Questions and Challenges
10. The Limitations of Free Keyword Research Tools
    • Lack of Complete Picture on Search Intent, Ranking Difficulty, and Clickability
11. The Advantages of Premium Keyword Research Tools
    • Access to Advanced Features and In-depth Data
12. Conclusion

Pros and Cons of Free Keyword Research Tools

When it comes to conducting keyword research, many professionals turn to free tools that offer valuable insights without any cost. While these tools may not provide the premium features found in paid options, they still offer substantial benefits when used correctly. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using free keyword research tools and provide an overview of the best tools available. By the end, You will have a solid understanding of how to leverage these tools effectively for your keyword research needs.

Introduction

Keyword research is a crucial aspect of any successful SEO strategy. It involves identifying the right keywords and phrases that are Relevant to your target audience and have a high search volume. By optimizing your content for these keywords, you increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results, attracting more organic traffic, and ultimately driving conversions. In this article, we will explore the best free keyword research tools available and how to make the most of them in your keyword research process.

Google Correlate: Finding Subtopics for Maximum Coverage

Pro: Discovering Hidden Gems

One of the most valuable free keyword research tools available is Google Correlate. This tool allows you to find subtopics related to your target keyword, enabling you to maximize coverage on a particular topic and potentially gain more organic keyword rankings. Unlike many premium tools that rely on phrase or keyword matching, Google Correlate results are relational, allowing you to uncover hidden gems that may not be bound by traditional search metrics. By leveraging this tool effectively, you can expand your keyword research beyond the obvious and discover new opportunities for content optimization.

Con: Absence of Search Metrics

Despite its benefits, Google Correlate does have a few limitations. One notable drawback is the absence of search metrics that accompany the suggested keywords. While the tool provides valuable subtopics, it does not offer insights into search volume, competition, or other crucial metrics that can inform your keyword selection process. Therefore, it is important to use Google Correlate in conjunction with other tools that provide comprehensive search metrics to ensure that you are making data-driven decisions in your keyword research.

Keyword Shitter: Mining Google Auto Suggest Keywords

Pro: Generating Thousands of Related Keywords

Another useful free keyword research tool is Keyword Shitter. This tool mines Google's auto suggest feature to generate a large number of related and long-tail keywords based on a seed keyword. By simply entering a seed keyword, you can quickly generate thousands of keyword ideas to expand your content optimization efforts. Keyword Shitter also offers positive and negative filters that allow you to narrow down your keyword list further, ensuring that you identify the most relevant keywords for your target audience.

Con: Time-consuming and No Search Metrics

One downside of using Keyword Shitter is that it can be time-consuming to find Meaningful keywords that are relevant to your content. The tool generates a vast number of suggestions, and sifting through them to find valuable keywords requires careful analysis and filtering. Additionally, Keyword Shitter does not provide search metrics for the suggested keywords, meaning you will need to use another tool to batch process the keywords and Gather the necessary data. Despite these limitations, Keyword Shitter can still be a valuable tool for generating keyword ideas, especially when used in combination with other free and paid tools.

Keywords Everywhere: Instant Keyword Metrics on Popular Websites

Pro: Access to Search Metrics for Free

Keywords Everywhere is a Google Chrome browser extension that adds search metrics to popular websites, such as Google search results and auto suggestions. This free tool allows you to view key search metrics, including search volume, CPC (cost per click), and competition, alongside your target keywords. By installing the extension and setting up a free account, you gain instant access to valuable keyword data that was previously restricted by Google Keyword Planner. This feature makes Keywords Everywhere a valuable asset in your keyword research arsenal.

Con: Limited Data Source from Google Keyword Planner

One limitation of Keywords Everywhere is that it sources its data solely from Google Keyword Planner. This means that the tool's search metrics are based on the buckets used by Google Keyword Planner to group keywords. While this data provides valuable insights, it may not always reflect the true search volume or competitiveness of a keyword. For example, keywords with similar search volumes may be grouped together, leading to inaccuracies in the data provided by Keywords Everywhere. Despite this limitation, Keywords Everywhere remains a powerful tool for obtaining valuable search metrics, especially considering the data limitations imposed by other free keyword research tools.

Search Engine Auto Suggest: Exploring Niche-specific Keywords

Pro: Higher Relevance in Niche Markets

When conducting keyword research, it is important to explore specific search engines beyond traditional options like Google. Many niche markets have their own dedicated search engines where users are more likely to search for specific topics or products. By leveraging search engine auto suggest features on platforms like Amazon, Pinterest, and YouTube, you can uncover highly relevant and niche-specific keywords that may not be readily available through generic search engines. This provides an opportunity to optimize your content for keywords that are more likely to attract relevant and targeted traffic.

Con: Search Volumes Based on Google Only

While exploring niche-specific search engines can yield valuable keyword ideas, it is essential to note that the accompanying search volumes are based on Google searches. This means that the search volumes provided may not accurately represent the popularity or search behavior on the niche-specific platform itself. To gain a more accurate understanding of the search volume and potential organic traffic for these keywords, additional research and analysis specific to the niche platform may be required. Nevertheless, incorporating search engine auto suggest into your keyword research process can be a valuable tactic for diversifying keyword sources and optimizing for niche-specific audiences.

Google Trends: Analyzing Keyword Popularity Over Time

Pro: Market Research for Niche, Product, or Topic

Google Trends is a powerful tool for analyzing keyword popularity over time. By entering a keyword or topic into Google Trends, you can view a visual representation of its search volume and popularity trends over a specific period. This allows you to assess the long-term viability and interest in a particular niche, product, or topic. Google Trends can provide valuable insights into seasonal trends, market saturation, and the overall popularity of your chosen keywords. This information can inform your content strategy and help you identify potentially lucrative opportunities to target specific keywords.

Con: Lack of Search Volume and Organic Traffic Data

While Google Trends offers valuable information regarding keyword popularity, it does not provide specific search volumes or organic traffic data. The tool's data is based on popularity among all keywords and topics, rather than the specific metrics necessary for assessing search volume and potential organic traffic. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the search volume and competition for your target keywords, it is advisable to combine Google Trends with other keyword research tools that provide detailed search metrics. By leveraging Google Trends alongside other tools, you can develop a more informed and data-driven keyword strategy.

Answer the Public: Uncovering Long-tail Keyword Phrases

Pro: Finding Low Competition Keywords

Answer the Public is a unique free keyword research tool that generates a wide range of keyword ideas in the form of questions, prepositions, comparisons, and more. By entering a seed keyword, the tool provides hundreds of relevant and long-tail keywords that can be used to optimize your content for specific search queries. Answer the Public is especially useful for identifying low competition keywords and uncovering keyword phrases that are less frequently targeted by other competitors. By incorporating these keywords into your content strategy, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results and attracting targeted traffic to your Website.

Con: Limited Data and Comparison to Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer

While Answer the Public offers a vast array of keyword ideas, it is important to note that the data provided is relatively limited. The tool may only provide a fraction of the potential keyword ideas that can be discovered through other keyword research tools, such as Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer. Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer is a premium tool that offers advanced features and comprehensive search metrics, making it a valuable asset for in-depth keyword research. While Answer the Public can serve as a starting point for generating keyword ideas, it is advisable to use it in conjunction with other tools to ensure a thorough and comprehensive keyword strategy.

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