Keyword research is one of the first steps to creating a solid SEO campaign.
As the experts say, keywords are the bread and butter of digital marketing, so it should be a top priority. Whether you’re new or not to the digital world, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the best keyword research tools. These tools can help you determine the accurate search queries of your target audience, which are the keywords you have to insert into your content.
By utilizing the right keywords, you’re effortlessly driving your target audience to your site. As a result, the organic traffic and conversion rates will increase over time. If you’re wondering about what keyword research tools to use, here’s a list of the best ones used by many SEO experts.
1. SEMRush
SEMRush is one of the SEO keyword research tools used by the top marketers and experts around the globe. It is a complete SEO tool that you can use for keyword research and improving your rankings on search engine result pages.
It has a “Keyword Overview” feature that allows you to see everything you need to know about a particular keyword. Some of the valuable data it shows are the monthly search volume and the trend — whether the keyword is getting more or less popular.
If you scroll down, the “Keyword Overview” feature also displays a handful of similar keywords along with organic search results, which allows you to see where your competitors rank. You also have the option to see which Google Ads utilize the keyword you typed in pay-per-click advertising.
SEMRush also has a feature called “Domain Overview,” wherein you can type in your competitor’s website. It will display relevant information, including keyword data, organic search terms, and organic traffic metrics. You can then use these data to formulate a strategic plan to outrank your competitors on search results.
2. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is another keyword research tool used by many top marketers, mainly because it offers a range of features similar to SEMRush. By using its keyword explorer, you’ll see a lot of keyword ideas by typing in only one keyword.
This tool also allows you to see your competitor’s website’s keywords that rank on search engines. With that information, you’ll know what content from your website needs improvement to land a higher ranking than your competitors. Aside from that, Ahrefs has other competitive intelligence functionalities — it allows users to see new keywords and keyword movements in search queries.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is an excellent tool for those who are new to SEO. It works differently compared to most keyword research tools out there. When you type in a keyword, it’ll present you with an image called search cloud, which contains a neat visual format of suggested autocomplete searches and search questions from Google and Bing.
You can then click on any of those displayed keywords to search for it on Google. By doing so, a new tab will open, showing the content that ranks for that specific keyword. AnswerThePublic has a free version that bloggers can use. It also offers a pro plan for marketers who frequently conduct keyword research.
4. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is a free keyword research tool created by Neil Patel. Despite being a free tool, it’s a useful one that allows users to see keyword suggestions, keyword difficulty, volume data, and more. By typing in a keyword, you’ll see the top 100 websites ranked for that keyword as well as other essential information:
- Domain scores
- The estimated number of visits
- Number of backlinks
- Number of social media shares
When you sign in on Ubersuggest using your Google account, you’ll get more personalized SEO and keyword suggestions. It also comes with a Chrome extension for an improved user experience.
5. SpyFu
SpyFu, as the name implies, is a tool that acts as a spy. You can improve your strategy since it works by digging into your competitor’s most profitable keywords. All you have to do is type the URL of your competitor’s website into SpyFu’s search bar, and it will display the results right away.
It allows users to analyze one website for free, even without logging in. If you want to see the performance of more than one website, then you’ll have to create an account and log in.
6. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is another free keyword research tool. Initially designed for advertisers, it also provides relevant information as far as SEO is concerned. You need a Google Ads account to access it. After signing up, you can start typing in keywords and see relevant data, including monthly searches and related keywords.
7. Long Tail Pro
Long Tail Pro allows users to see different data about a specific keyword like other keyword research tools. It focuses on how your website ranks against your top competitors — usually the sites on the first page of search results. This feature lets you see their strategies, including content creation and web design, and helps you formulate a better one.
By using Long Tail Pro, you’ll also get to monitor your website’s performance over time for a specific keyword.
Seek Help from the Experts
The world of SEO is vast. With the volume of competitors, it’s challenging to establish a solid online presence. With the best keyword research tools, however, you’ll stand a chance.
If you need help increasing your visibility on search engine result pages, Advanced Digital Media Services is here to help you! We are a digital marketing company that offers a range of services, including SEO services. We utilize three of the best keyword research tools to target high-domain keywords and drive more audience to our clients’ websites. For any inquiries or questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us. Give us a call today!
