The foundation of SEO is keyword research, which plays a crucial role in determining the success of a website's organic ranking. Along with keyword research, factors such as on-page optimization, creating SEO-friendly content, providing a good user experience, and fulfilling user intent are essential for generating significant organic traffic from search engines like Google, Bing, and Yandex. While some companies spend large sums of money on paid keyword research, this guide suggests an alternative approach.
The guide emphasizes that choosing the right keywords is not always easy and requires substantial data to determine their effectiveness. For beginners in keyword research, there are helpful guides available on understanding the importance of keywords in SEO and utilizing tools like the Google Keyword Planner. By grasping the basics of keyword research, individuals gain an understanding of its value.
Thankfully, various tools assist in identifying the most effective keywords for an overall web strategy. Two primary types of keyword research tools are discussed: basic keyword research, which uses a seed keyword to find profitable keywords, and competitor-based keyword research, which identifies keywords proven to drive traffic for other websites. The guide recommends competitor-based research, as it focuses on keywords already generating positive results.
After identifying profitable keywords, the guide suggests creating web pages that target those keywords to reap the benefits of keyword research. While most of the featured keyword research tools are paid, a few free options are also available. Overall, this exclusive guide covers both types of keywords and provides valuable insights for optimizing digital marketing efforts.
6 Best Keyword Research Tools
As keyword research is one of the most critical aspects of any SEO plan, the correct keyword research tools are a vital component of any SEO tool stack. If you're new to SEO or simply searching for new tools to test, we've got you covered. We'll look at 6 of the greatest keyword research tools used by SEO pros and help you select the ideal one for your needs.
Semrush
The easiest keyword research tool for a blogger is Semrush. While it offers more than just keyword research, it provides various ways to perform keyword research. One of the simplest methods is finding keywords based on a URL. By entering a URL, whether it's your own or a competitor's, Semrush displays all the keywords that page or website is ranking for, along with monthly search volume, keyword difficulty, and CPC for PPC.
Semrush also offers keyword suggestions, including "Keyword variations" and "Related keywords," which help uncover additional search terms to target. This feature makes it effortless to discover both short-tail and long-tail keywords to outperform competitors.
Key Features
- Keyword research
- Content marketing
- Link building
- On-page SEO
- Rank tracking
- Content optimization
KWFinder
If you're seeking a tool solely focused on keyword research, KWFinder is the top choice. Despite being new in the market, they are one of the fastest-growing companies in the field of SEO tools.
KWFinder is designed to assist you in discovering keywords that attract highly targeted traffic. By utilizing the option for question-based keyword research, you can swiftly identify long-tail keywords that pertain to problem-solving. It's evident that problem-solving content plays a crucial role in driving more targeted traffic and conversions.
Key Features
- Find hidden long-tail keywords
- Find your competitor’s keywords
- Google Suggest keyword source
- Organize keywords with keyword lists
- Local keyword research
- The most accurate keyword difficulty
- Search volume and keyword metrics
- SERP analysis and SEO metrics
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a comprehensive and powerful SEO software that has gained recognition for its extensive range of features and user-friendly interface. It offers a suite of tools designed to assist businesses in optimizing their online presence and improving their search engine rankings. With SE Ranking, users can conduct keyword research, track website rankings, analyze backlinks, audit websites for SEO errors, and monitor competitors' strategies.
The platform provides detailed reports and intuitive dashboards, making it easy for users to monitor their SEO performance and make data-driven decisions. SE Ranking is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes, helping them enhance their online visibility and attract more organic traffic to their websites.
Key Features
- Single keyword research
- Bulk keyword research
- Keyword grouping
- Find Keyword difficulty score
- Keyword search volume
- Global volume for a keyword
- Keyword manager
- Historical data
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a highly popular keyword tool with a range of impressive features. What sets them apart is their comprehensive information, including keyword difficulty. By utilizing clickstream data, Ahrefs can even display the number of clicks you can expect from search engines. Moreover, their Keyword generator tool is capable of generating ideas for various search engines like Google, Bing, Amazon, and YouTube. This tool becomes particularly valuable after the integration of the knowledge graph because certain keywords may receive substantial traffic but minimal clicks from search engines. This occurs when users obtain answers directly from Google search results. For instance, a query like "birthdate of any celebrity" falls into this category.
Ahrefs' Keyword research tool stands out not only for its user-friendly interface but also for the extensive data it provides. In addition to these features, Ahrefs offers other functionalities like Backlink analysis and SEO site audit. Another notable advantage is the ability to create a targeted keyword list directly from the Ahrefs dashboard, eliminating the need for external tools like Excel and saving a significant amount of time.
Key Features
- Backlink Monitoring
- Competitive Analysis
- Dashboard
- Data Import/Export
- Data Visualization
- Keyword Analysis
- Keyword Discovery
- Keyword Tracking
Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool that assists digital marketers and advertisers in conducting comprehensive keyword research for their online campaigns. Developed by Google, this versatile platform provides valuable insights into search volume trends, competition levels, and suggested bid estimates for specific keywords. By analyzing user search queries and their relevance, Google Keyword Planner enables marketers to identify high-value keywords that align with their business objectives and target audience.
It offers a user-friendly interface, allowing users to generate keyword ideas, evaluate their performance, and create effective advertising strategies. With its robust features and data-driven approach, Google Keyword Planner has become an indispensable resource for businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility, optimize their content, and maximize their ad reach.
Key Features
- Keyword Suggestions
- Bid Estimates
- Keyword Performance Metrics
- Search Volume Trends
- Competition Analysis
- Location and Language Targeting
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, conducting effective keyword research is essential for any successful SEO strategy. The six tools discussed above have proven to be invaluable in this process. Each tool offers unique features and functionalities to help identify high-performing keywords, analyze competition, and optimize content. Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or a beginner, these tools can significantly enhance your keyword research efforts and improve your website's visibility in search engine rankings. Invest in the right SEO keyword research tool and unlock the potential for increased organic traffic and online success.
