Whether you’re trying to get more views on your personal blog, a customer’s blog, or the blog for your own business, nothing is more important than keywords.
SEO runs on keywords. Keywords help sites with their search rankings, and with 3.5 billion searches per day on Google ranking is everything. Therefore, for any SEO or blogger, keyword research tools are invaluable.
Unfortunately, when it comes to using keyword tools there are a plethora available which can make it difficult to choose which ones are best and more effective. However, that shouldn’t discourage you from seeking the best ones out.
There are billions of possible keywords and keyword combinations to use in SEO. This list compiles the 9 best keyword research tools available. Keep reading to learn what they are, why they are the best and be able to choose the ones that are the best for your SEO.
1. SEMrush
SEMrush is a premium keyword search tool that always makes the list of best keyword research tools. It gives you the ability to find out what your competition is ranking and compare a number of domains against one another. This is crucial for ranking on the first page of Google, only 10% of people look beyond that.
SEMrush allows you to see common keywords and your competitor’s position in Google’s organic, paid, and shopping search results. You can also analyze the history of rising and drops of a keyword.
SEMrush offers various different subscriptions such as the pro version for $69.95/mo, Guru for $149.95/mo, and Business for $549.95/mo.
2. Google Keyword Planner
Google’s Keyword Planner gives you the ability to see trends as well as allowing you to enter landing pages from your competitors to extract high volume relevant keywords. This service is part of Google Adwords and thus requires an Adwords account. However, you don’t need to use the Adwords service.
The keyword planner creates a list of related keywords to the seed keyword you chose, as well as shows metrics to gauge how fierce the competition is surrounding each keyword generated. You can also see how many searches keywords receive on a global and local level.
Also, the keyword planner shows historical statistics and information how a list of keywords might perform. And will create a new keyword list by multiplying several lists of keywords together.
3. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is similar to SEMrush but with added bonuses and a more intuitive design. One of these added bonuses is the ability to estimate how many searches become real page visits.
However, probably the coolest feature of Ahrefs is its database which is the biggest database containing 5.1 billion keywords for over 200 countries. This database can help detect opportunities that other tools could be missing.
Ahrefs can also help with competitive research by lifting the veil on competitor’s keyword strategies, while the content gap lets you compare competitor keywords with your own to identify your might-have-beens.
The service will also email you about even the smallest rank change of your competitors.
4. Keywordtool.io
Even though it is considered a rudimentary keyword search tool it is still considered to be among the best keyword research tools by multiple experts. For one reason the service is totally free.
However, beyond that, Keywordtool.io uses Google Autocomplete to generate a list of relevant long-tail keywords suggestions. It also aims to help you understand what people are searching for around your topics.
As mentioned, the tool is completely free, however, it does offer a Pro version that allows you to export keywords and use them for content creation, SEO, CPC/PPC, or other marketing activities.
5. UberSuggest
UberSuggest is a basic keyword research tool that generates keywords by appending letters to the end of your query. It’s most useful however in combating writer’s block.
To a writer, this is invaluable and therefore helps to make it onto the list of best keyword research tools. And you can use the keyword tool as many times as you want without limitations.
UberSuggest lives up to its name by offering a list of hundreds of suggestions where you’ll also be able to see volume, the competition, and even seasonal trends for each keyword on the suggestion list. They have even added a filtering tool to make sure you find the right keywords you are looking for.
Their keyword tool also shows how expensive a keyword is and how difficult it will be to get organic rankings for specific keywords. It’s no small wonder that even though this is a basic keyword search tool it offers quite a few handy features. It is, after all, a tool developed by Neil Patel.
Patel once again provides SEOs with the right tools that are simple and easy to use. His tools not only get the job done but to effectively compete with and blow away the competition.
6. KWFinder
KWFinder helps to calculate the long tail keywords that have relatively less competition and are easier to rank. It also shows a graph that displays the popularity of your long tail keyword over time.
KWfinder also shows the top sites that rank for the given term along with their social metrics. To achieve all this it’s as easy as entering your seed keyword(s) and select the country and language you want to target your related keywords.
KWFinder makes it easy to find profitable keywords by providing accurate keyword difficulty scores in real time. And you can filter down keyword searches to a local city level, allowing you to fully take advantage of local SEO strategies.
Once the difficulty of the keyword is determined you are also given access to SERP analysis and SEO keyword metrics for specific keywords. Some of the SEO metrics you’ll see are Domain Authority, Page Authority, number of links, and rankings.
While the keyword search tool does provide SERP analysis, you also have the ability to use their SERPchecker tool for deeper SERP analysis on the keyword you are thinking about using.
7. Moz
One of the best keyword research tools available to be sure when it comes to SEO. Moz shows both numerical and visual representations of a keyword’s monthly search volume, its opportunity for ranking, priority, and difficulty.
Moz also delivers keyword suggestions and SERP analysis. However, it is worth noting the free version only allows up to two queries a day, for any more you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
8. Long Tail Pro
Long Tail Pro makes the list of the best keyword research tools for the simple reason that many SEO experts believe that this tool can find keywords that Google Keyword Planner can’t find.
Long Tail Pro connects to your Google AdWords account and locates long tail keywords containing a definite number of words. These results can be filtered based on exact match domain, Google and Bing title competition, and much more.
With Long Tail Pro you can find up to 800 keywords per seed keyword entered. The main point is to be able to find relevant keywords and reuse them as seed keywords.
9. Buzzsumo
Buzzsumo is not exactly a keyword search tool, however, it makes this list of best keyword research tools for a few reasons. The number one of which is that SEO experts always mention this tool when listing their personal choices for best keyword research tools in blogs like this.
Buzzsumo allows you to see what kind of content has performed the best based on a keyword you have chosen. This is invaluable when determining which keywords to use from a list generated by one of the previously mentioned tools.
The tool is exceptionally helpful in determining the types of content people are caring about. It’s one thing to generate a list of relevant keywords based on a seed keyword, it’s an entirely different thing to know which of those generated keywords will perform well.
This tool helps to eliminate that concern and worry over which keyword to choose.
Choosing Your Own Best Keyword Research Tools
This list is a compilation of what industry experts have stated are their own personal best keyword research tools. However, determining what is the best for you is up to you.
Be sure to research and try out each tool to determine what will work best. Most of the premium tools offer free trial periods, allowing you to try their product out before committing to anything.
We do understand that sometimes, especially for those just starting out, that the world of SEO and blogging professionally can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when you realize that SEO goes beyond Keywords.
Never fear, should you find yourself feeling like your in over your head drop us a line and contact us today with any questions you may have. We will get back to you as soon as we can.