How to Do Keyword Research for Free

 Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of SEO. It helps you understand what your audience is searching for, allowing you to optimize your content and improve your rankings on search engines. While there are paid tools that make keyword research easier, you can still do effective keyword research without spending a dime.

In this blog, we will explore several free methods and tools to help you perform keyword research on a budget and ensure you target the right keywords for your website.

---

Why Is Keyword Research Important?

Before we dive into the process of doing keyword research for free, let’s quickly go over why keyword research is essential:

• Understand Search Intent: Keyword research allows you to identify what your audience is searching for. It helps you create content that aligns with their needs, solving their problems and answering their questions.

• Improve SEO Rankings: By targeting the right keywords, you can increase your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more organic traffic to your website.

• Target the Right Audience: Knowing what keywords your audience uses helps you attract the right visitors. These are people who are likely to convert into customers, subscribers, or clients.

• Stay Competitive: Keyword research also allows you to analyze competitors and identify gaps in their content strategy that you can capitalize on.

---

Free Tools for Keyword Research

Let’s now look at some free tools and techniques that can help you perform keyword research without any cost.

1. Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool from Google Ads that helps you find keywords and estimate their search volume and competition level. While it’s intended for advertisers, you can use it for SEO keyword research too. Here’s how to use it:

• Sign Up for Google Ads: To use Google Keyword Planner, you need a Google Ads account. The tool is free to use, and you don’t have to run any ads to access it.

• Discover New Keywords: Enter a seed keyword related to your business, and Google Keyword Planner will provide you with a list of keyword ideas, along with their search volume and competition data.

• Get Location-Specific Data: You can filter keywords based on the location you’re targeting, which is especially useful for local SEO.

• Estimate Traffic Potential: Keyword Planner provides an estimated number of clicks and impressions you can expect based on the keywords you select.

---

2. Google Autocomplete

Google Autocomplete is one of the simplest and most overlooked tools for keyword research. As you start typing a search query into Google’s search bar, it automatically suggests popular search queries based on what people are commonly searching for.

Here’s how to use Google Autocomplete effectively:

• Start with a Seed Keyword: Begin typing a relevant keyword or phrase into the search bar, and Google will show you suggestions that people are searching for.

• Analyze the Suggestions: These suggestions give you insights into what your target audience is looking for, and you can use them as long-tail keyword ideas.

• Use Variations: Experiment with different variations of your keyword to uncover additional ideas. For example, if you’re searching for “best SEO tools,” Google might suggest “best free SEO tools” or “best SEO tools for beginners.”

---

3. Related Searches on Google

Another way to find valuable keywords is by checking the “related searches” section at the bottom of Google’s search results page. These are additional search terms that are closely related to the original keyword you searched for.

Here’s how to use it:

• Search for Your Primary Keyword: Enter a keyword into Google and scroll to the bottom of the page.

• Explore Related Searches: You will see a list of keywords that Google deems related to your query. These are good candidates for long-tail keywords or related topics that might help you rank.

• Focus on Specific Phrases: Look for highly relevant long-tail keywords in this list. These tend to have lower competition and can be easier to rank for.

---

4. Ubersuggest (Free Version)

Ubersuggest is a free keyword research tool created by Neil Patel that offers valuable keyword data and suggestions. While the paid version of Ubersuggest provides more detailed metrics, the free version still gives you useful insights.

Here’s how to use Ubersuggest:

• Enter Your Seed Keyword: Type a relevant keyword into Ubersuggest, and it will generate keyword suggestions along with search volume, SEO difficulty, and paid difficulty.

• Check Keyword Trends: Ubersuggest provides data on the historical performance of keywords, so you can see whether a keyword is gaining or losing popularity over time.

• Long-Tail Keyword Suggestions: Ubersuggest will also show you long-tail variations of your primary keyword, which are often less competitive and easier to rank for.

• Analyze Competitors: You can enter the domain of your competitors to find out what keywords they are ranking for and uncover additional opportunities.

---

5. Answer the Public

Answer the Public is another free tool that can help you find question-based and long-tail keywords. It visualizes search queries in the form of a wheel, showing you the questions people are asking about your topic.

Here’s how to use Answer the Public:

• Enter a Keyword: Type a keyword related to your business into the search bar.

• Generate Question Keywords: Answer the Public will show you a list of questions people are asking related to your keyword, including “what,” “how,” “why,” and “where” questions.

• Use for Content Ideas: These question-based queries are great for creating content that directly answers your audience’s concerns, which can improve your chances of ranking for those specific queries.

---

6. Google Trends

Google Trends is another free tool that provides data on the popularity of specific search terms over time. It’s particularly useful for identifying seasonal keywords or tracking the performance of certain topics.

Here’s how to use Google Trends:

• Check Keyword Popularity: Enter your keyword into Google Trends and see how its search volume has changed over time.

• Compare Keywords: You can compare the popularity of multiple keywords to determine which ones are more frequently searched.

• Find Trending Topics: Google Trends also shows trending topics in various regions and industries, helping you spot emerging keywords before they become highly competitive.

---

7. Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)

Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension that provides keyword data directly in Google search results. It shows search volume and related keywords for any search query.

Here’s how to use Keyword Surfer:

• Install the Extension: Download the Keyword Surfer Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.

• Search in Google: After the extension is installed, perform a Google search, and Keyword Surfer will show you the search volume and related keywords on the right side of the search results.

• Explore Related Keywords: Keyword Surfer will also suggest related keywords and provide data on their search volume, which you can use for your SEO strategy.

---

Tips for Conducting Keyword Research

In addition to using these free tools, here are some tips for maximizing your keyword research:

• Focus on Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords (keywords with three or more words) often have lower competition and can drive more targeted traffic to your website.

• Prioritize Search Intent: When choosing keywords, consider the search intent behind them. Are people looking for information, making a purchase, or trying to solve a problem? Tailor your content to match their intent.

• Analyze Your Competitors: Look at what keywords your competitors are targeting. This can give you ideas for your own strategy and highlight gaps in their content that you can exploit.

• Consider User Experience: While keywords are important, make sure your content is user-friendly and valuable. Overstuffing your content with keywords will harm your rankings and reduce user engagement.

---

Conclusion

Keyword research doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right free tools and strategies, you can identify the keywords that will help you rank higher in search engine results and drive more traffic to your website. By using Google Keyword Planner, Google Autocomplete, Ubersuggest, and other free tools, you can gain valuable insights into what your audience is searching for and create content that meets their needs.

Remember, keyword research is an ongoing process, so make sure to regularly update your keyword strategy to stay ahead of the competition and attract the right audience.