Introduction
Keyword research is the foundation of SEO and content marketing. It helps you understand what people are searching for and how to rank your website higher on Google. If you’re a beginner, you might not want to invest in expensive tools. The good news? You can do keyword research for free!
In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step methods and free tools to find high-ranking keywords without spending a penny.
1. Understand the Basics of Keyword Research
🔹 What is a Keyword? A keyword is a word or phrase that users type into search engines to find information.
🔹 Types of Keywords:
- Short-tail keywords (1-2 words) – High search volume, high competition (e.g., “digital marketing”)
- Long-tail keywords (3+ words) – Lower competition, higher conversion rate (e.g., “best free digital marketing tools”)
- LSI keywords (related terms) – Improve SEO relevance (e.g., “SEO tools,” “content optimization”)
🎯 Goal: Find keywords with high search volume and low competition to rank easily.
2. Use Google Autocomplete (Free & Easy)
Google’s search bar suggests popular searches as you type. These suggestions come from real user queries!
🔥 How to Use It:
- Go to Google.com
- Start typing a topic (e.g., “best SEO tools for…”)
- Note down the suggestions that appear
👉 Pro Tip: Use an asterisk (*) in your search (e.g., “best * SEO tools”) to find hidden keyword ideas.
3. Google’s “People Also Ask” and Related Searches
Google provides additional keyword ideas under two sections:
- People Also Ask (PAA): Questions that users frequently search for.
- Related Searches: Shown at the bottom of search results.
🔥 How to Use It:
- Search for your topic on Google
- Scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section
- Expand questions to discover more related queries
- At the bottom, check the “Related Searches” section for additional keyword ideas
👉 Pro Tip: Use these questions as blog post topics or FAQs to boost SEO.
4. Use Google Keyword Planner (100% Free)
Google’s Keyword Planner is a free tool designed for advertisers, but bloggers and website owners can use it for keyword research too!
🔥 How to Use It:
- Sign in to Google Ads (it’s free, no need to run ads)
- Go to Tools & Settings > Keyword Planner
- Click “Discover New Keywords”
- Enter a seed keyword (e.g., “SEO tips”)
- Get a list of keyword ideas with search volume and competition data
👉 Pro Tip: Look for keywords with low competition and high monthly searches.
5. Use Ubersuggest (Free Version)
Ubersuggest is an SEO tool by Neil Patel that provides free keyword research features.
🔥 How to Use It:
- Go to Ubersuggest.com
- Enter a keyword (e.g., “blogging tips”)
- Click “Search” to see keyword suggestions, search volume, and competition
👉 Pro Tip: The free version gives limited searches per day, so use it wisely.
6. Use AnswerThePublic for Question-Based Keywords
AnswerThePublic generates a list of common questions, comparisons, and prepositions related to your keyword.
🔥 How to Use It:
- Visit AnswerThePublic.com
- Enter your topic (e.g., “content marketing”)
- Get a visual map of keyword questions
👉 Pro Tip: Use question-based keywords for blog topics, FAQ pages, and voice search optimization.
7. Use Free Chrome Extensions (Keywords Everywhere & SEO Minion)
💡 Keywords Everywhere (Freemium) – Shows search volume, CPC, and competition right inside Google search. 💡 SEO Minion (Free) – Helps with on-page SEO and keyword analysis.
🔥 How to Use:
- Install Keywords Everywhere & SEO Minion extensions
- Search for a topic on Google
- See keyword data next to search results
👉 Pro Tip: Combine these tools with Google Autocomplete for powerful keyword insights.
8. Use Reddit & Quora for Trending Keywords
🚀 Reddit and Quora are great platforms to find real-time keyword trends.
🔥 How to Use:
- Search your topic on Reddit.com or Quora.com
- Look at the most upvoted discussions and questions
- Identify keywords that people are actively discussing
👉 Pro Tip: Use these trending topics for blog post ideas and long-tail keywords.
9. Use Google Trends for Seasonal Keywords
Google Trends helps you find rising and seasonal keywords.
🔥 How to Use It:
- Go to trends.google.com
- Enter your topic (e.g., “Black Friday deals 2024”)
- See how the keyword trends over time
👉 Pro Tip: Create seasonal content before trends peak to get higher traffic.
10. Use Free SEO Tools Like Moz & Ahrefs Free Version
Moz and Ahrefs offer limited free keyword research tools.
🔥 How to Use:
- Visit Moz.com/explorer or Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
- Enter a keyword (e.g., “best blogging platforms”)
- Get keyword suggestions and difficulty scores
👉 Pro Tip: Use these tools to find low-competition keywords.
Conclusion: Best Free Keyword Research Methods
✅ Best for Beginners: Google Autocomplete & Related Searches
✅ Best for SEO Data: Google Keyword Planner
✅ Best for Content Ideas: AnswerThePublic & Quora
✅ Best for Trending Keywords: Google Trends & Reddit
✅ Best for Long-Tail Keywords: Ubersuggest & Keywords Everywhere
🚀 Use these free keyword research tools and start optimizing your content for better rankings!