6 Keyword Research Tools to Find the Right Keywords for Your SEO Strategy

The rule of thumb in SEO is the keyword. Whether it’s an image, an in-depth article, or even an animated marketing video, keywords are the compass guiding your content through the labyrinth of search engine rankings.

The perfect keyword strategy is never etched in stone. Every content marketer has their own unique approach and set of preferences regarding keyword research. But, no matter how they do it, they need some tools to make sure they do it right and efficiently.

In this article, we’ll dive into some robust keyword research tools that will help you unearth the golden keywords you need to propel your website to the top of search results. 

What Do You Need in a Keyword Research Tool?

Before we get into the list, let’s break down what you actually need in a keyword research tool. These tools serve as your trusted companions in the world of SEO, so choosing the right ones can make all the difference. 

Here are some key criteria to consider when evaluating keyword research tools:

• Keyword Suggestions: A good tool should provide you with a wide range of keyword suggestions related to your niche. The more, the merrier, as this gives you a broader pool to fish for the perfect keywords.
• Search Volume Data: Accurate search volume data is crucial for understanding how often users are searching for specific keywords. This information helps you prioritize keywords that will have the most impact.
• Competitive Analysis: An effective tool should allow you to assess the competition for your chosen keywords. This helps you identify keywords where you have a better chance of ranking.
• Long-Tail Keyword Support: Long-tail keywords are often less competitive and can drive targeted traffic. Look for a tool that helps you uncover these hidden gems.
• Filtering and Sorting Options: Robust filtering and sorting capabilities help you fine-tune your keyword list, making it easier to work with.
• Export and Integration: The ability to export data and integrate it with other SEO tools and platforms is a big plus for efficiency and collaboration.

Keyword Research Tools to Boost Your SEO Efforts

There are tons of keyword research tools in the market. Remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to SEO. So, what works for one marketer might not be the perfect fit for another. 

That's why we've compiled a diverse list of keyword research tools, each with its own unique strengths and specialties.

Ahrefs

Let’s just agree that this tool is probably the first one that crosses our minds when it comes to keyword research tools or all-in-one SEO tools in general. This tool provides thousands of potential keywords you can use for your content, from articles to even YouTube videos.

Not only for the giant search engine Google, Ahrefs also allows you to get the right keywords for other search engines like YouTube, Amazon, Bing, Baidu, etc. There’s also a keyword difficulty feature, so you can find the “low-hanging fruit” among your keyword ideas.

SEMRush

SEMRush is another all-in-one SEO tool that is well-known for its keyword research feature. With one of the biggest keyword databases on the market, you can use this tool to find and analyze everything you need to know about a keyword.

There’s a keyword history feature where you can go back to keyword trends from a decade ago so you can analyze trends from years and seasons past. You can also keep an eye on what keywords your competitors use, their traffic, and even their backlink profiles using the competitor analysis feature.

KeywordTool.io

If you want a robust yet straightforward keyword research tool, KeywordTool.io can be such a good option. This tool provides you with free keyword research essential features like keyword suggestions, search volumes, trends, competitions, etc.

You can opt for the premium plan to get a more in-depth keyword analysis, but the free version is robust enough for small businesses with a tight budget or for those people who just dipped their toes in the SEO world.’

Moz Keyword Explorer 

With Moz, you have the flexibility to input any keyword of your choice and gain insights into its monthly search volume, difficulty, and organic clickthrough rate (CTR). 

One standout feature is Moz's "Priority" score. This feature simplifies the keyword research process by offering a concise assessment of whether a keyword is worth pursuing for your specific needs. Moz automatically calculates this score, taking into account the keyword's volume, organic CTR, and difficulty while also considering your "My Score.”

Your "My Score" is a metric that you can personally customize to reflect the importance of a given keyword to your business, drawing upon your own industry knowledge and expertise. 

Google Keyword Planner

If you need a keyword tool for PPC, Google Keyword Planner stands out as one of the premier tools available. The beauty of it lies in its cost-free nature, making it accessible even to those who don't invest in Google Ads. This means you can conduct your research without fretting about constraints or the burden of costly upgrades.

There are two key features that make them different: one designed for initial keyword exploration and discovery and another tailored for comprehensive investigation into search volume and predictive forecasting.

UberSuggest

UberSuggest is an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and digital marketing tool created by entrepreneur Neil Patel. With the keyword research tool, you can discover relevant keywords for your niche or industry. It provides free data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and cost-per-click (CPC) information.

The keyword list this tool provides combines the keywords utilized by your competitors with the phrases that users are actively searching for on Google. This comprehensive approach forms the foundation of a well-rounded and effective strategy.

Wrapping Up: Find Your Ideal Research Tools

No matter how robust the keyword tool you use, what actually matters is finding your ideal research tools that seamlessly align with your SEO strategy and objectives. 

Whether you’re an e-commerce store owner or blogger, the search for the perfect keyword isn't a one-size-fits-all journey, and the same holds true for the tools you employ to uncover it. Each of the featured tools in this guide offers its own set of advantages, and the best fit for you depends on your specific needs, experience, and resources.

By incorporating these keyword research tools into your arsenal, you're well-equipped to unlock the potential of your SEO strategy and elevate your online presence. 

Author

Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).