Free Keyword Planner: Find The Best Keywords For Your Site

Alright guys, let's dive into the exciting world of keyword research and how you can do it absolutely free! If you're running a website, blog, or any kind of online business, understanding what people are searching for is crucial. That's where a keyword planner comes in handy. This guide will walk you through how to find the best keywords without spending a dime.

Why You Need a Keyword Planner

So, why should you even bother with a keyword planner? Here's the lowdown. Keywords are the bread and butter of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). When someone types a query into Google, they're using keywords. If you want your website to show up in those search results, you need to use the same keywords on your site. Makes sense, right?

Keyword planners help you discover these keywords. They show you how many people are searching for a specific term, how competitive that term is, and suggest related keywords you might not have thought of. This information is gold! By targeting the right keywords, you can attract more organic traffic to your website, which means more potential customers or readers.

But here’s the catch: many of the top-tier keyword planner tools come with a hefty price tag. Don't worry, though! There are plenty of free options available that can give you a solid starting point. Let's explore some of the best ones and how to use them effectively. Using a free keyword planner is a smart move for anyone just starting or on a tight budget. It allows you to get your feet wet in the world of SEO without committing to expensive subscriptions. Plus, many free tools offer a surprising amount of functionality. You can often find valuable keyword suggestions, analyze competition, and get insights into search volumes. This information helps you tailor your content strategy, ensuring that you're creating content that people are actually searching for. Remember, the goal is to attract relevant traffic to your website, and the right keyword planner can help you achieve that without breaking the bank. So, let's dive into some of the best free options available and how to make the most of them!

Top Free Keyword Planner Tools

1. Google Keyword Planner

First up, the granddaddy of them all: Google Keyword Planner. Yes, it's technically designed for advertisers, but you can still use it for free to get keyword ideas and search volume data. You'll need a Google account to access it, but most of you probably have one already. To make the most of Google Keyword Planner, start by entering a seed keyword related to your business or website. The tool will then generate a list of related keywords, along with their average monthly searches, competition level, and suggested bid (if you were running ads). While the search volume data might be a bit broad without an active ad campaign, it still gives you a good idea of which keywords are popular. Pay close attention to the competition level. Keywords with low competition are often easier to rank for, especially if you're just starting. Also, explore the suggested keywords. You might discover some hidden gems that you hadn't considered before. For example, if you run a coffee shop, you might start with the keyword "coffee shop." Google Keyword Planner could then suggest keywords like "best coffee shop near me," "specialty coffee beans," or "latte art classes." These additional keywords can help you create more targeted content and attract a wider audience. Remember, the goal is to find keywords that are relevant to your business and have a decent search volume without being too competitive. With a little digging, Google Keyword Planner can be a powerful tool for your SEO efforts.

2. Ubersuggest

Next, we have Ubersuggest, a tool created by Neil Patel. It's super user-friendly and offers a range of features, including keyword suggestions, content ideas, and competitor analysis. Ubersuggest is a fantastic option for those who want a comprehensive overview of their keyword landscape. To get started, simply enter a keyword into the search bar. Ubersuggest will then provide you with a detailed report, including search volume, SEO difficulty, paid difficulty, and cost per click. One of the standout features of Ubersuggest is its ability to generate content ideas. It shows you the top-performing articles and blog posts for your target keyword, giving you inspiration for your own content. This can be incredibly helpful for creating content that resonates with your audience and ranks well in search results. Additionally, Ubersuggest allows you to analyze your competitors' websites. You can see which keywords they're ranking for, their estimated traffic, and their top-performing pages. This information can help you identify opportunities to outrank your competitors and capture more traffic. While Ubersuggest does have some limitations in its free version, it still provides a wealth of valuable information. You can perform a limited number of searches per day, but that's usually enough to get you started. Overall, Ubersuggest is a user-friendly and powerful tool that can help you improve your SEO and content strategy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced marketer, Ubersuggest is definitely worth checking out.

3. Wordtracker Scout

Then there's Wordtracker Scout, a Chrome extension that lets you analyze keywords directly from any webpage. It's like having a keyword planner right in your browser! Using Wordtracker Scout is incredibly simple. Once you've installed the Chrome extension, just navigate to any webpage related to your niche. Click on the Wordtracker Scout icon, and it will automatically analyze the page and extract the most relevant keywords. It then provides you with data on search volume, competition, and keyword effectiveness. One of the best things about Wordtracker Scout is that it allows you to see which keywords your competitors are using on their websites. This can give you valuable insights into their SEO strategy and help you identify opportunities to improve your own. Additionally, Wordtracker Scout can help you find long-tail keywords that you might not have considered otherwise. Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people use when they're closer to making a purchase. By targeting these keywords, you can attract highly qualified traffic to your website. While Wordtracker Scout does have some limitations in its free version, it's still a powerful tool for keyword research. It's especially useful for analyzing competitor websites and finding long-tail keywords. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to analyze keywords, Wordtracker Scout is definitely worth checking out. It's a convenient and efficient way to gather keyword data without having to switch between different tools.

4. Moz Keyword Explorer (Limited)

Don't forget about Moz Keyword Explorer, although the free version has limitations, it still offers valuable insights. You get a limited number of free queries per month, but each query provides a wealth of data, including keyword suggestions, difficulty scores, opportunity scores, and potential. The Moz Keyword Explorer is a powerful tool that offers a wealth of data to help you make informed decisions about your keyword strategy. One of the standout features is the difficulty score, which tells you how hard it will be to rank for a particular keyword. The opportunity score, on the other hand, tells you how much potential traffic you can get from a keyword. By combining these two scores, you can identify keywords that are both relatively easy to rank for and have a high potential for traffic. Additionally, Moz Keyword Explorer provides you with a list of keyword suggestions that are related to your target keyword. This can help you expand your keyword list and find new opportunities. The tool also shows you the top-ranking pages for your target keyword, giving you insights into what kind of content is performing well. While the free version of Moz Keyword Explorer has some limitations, it's still a valuable tool for keyword research. The data it provides is accurate and comprehensive, and it can help you make informed decisions about your SEO strategy. If you're serious about keyword research, it's definitely worth checking out the free version of Moz Keyword Explorer and considering upgrading to the paid version for even more features and data.

How to Use a Free Keyword Planner Effectively

Okay, so you've got your free keyword planner tool of choice. Now what? Here's how to make the most of it:

1. Start with Seed Keywords: Think of a few broad terms related to your business. If you sell handmade jewelry, start with keywords like "handmade jewelry," "beaded necklaces," or "silver earrings."
2. Analyze the Results: Look at the search volume, competition, and related keywords. Aim for keywords with a decent search volume but not too much competition. Long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases) are often easier to rank for.
3. Check the Trends: See if the keyword's popularity is increasing or decreasing over time. You want to target keywords that are on the rise.
4. Spy on Your Competitors: Use the keyword planner to see what keywords your competitors are targeting. This can give you ideas for your own strategy.
5. Create Content: Once you've identified your target keywords, start creating content around them. Write blog posts, optimize your website pages, and create social media content.

To truly maximize the effectiveness of your free keyword planner, consider these additional tips. First, don't rely on just one tool. Using a combination of tools, like Google Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest, can give you a more comprehensive view of the keyword landscape. Each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, so using multiple tools can help you fill in the gaps. Second, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your audience. Google's algorithm is constantly evolving to prioritize content that is relevant and helpful to users. By creating content that meets these criteria, you'll be more likely to rank well in search results. Third, don't be afraid to experiment with different keywords and content formats. The world of SEO is constantly changing, so it's important to stay flexible and adapt to new trends. Try different types of content, such as blog posts, videos, and infographics, to see what resonates best with your audience. Finally, be patient. SEO takes time, and it can take months to see significant results. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvements. Keep creating high-quality content and optimizing your website, and eventually, you'll start to see the traffic and rankings you're looking for.

Beyond the Free Tools

While free keyword planners are great for getting started, they do have limitations. If you're serious about SEO, you might eventually want to invest in a paid tool like Ahrefs or SEMrush. These tools offer more in-depth data, advanced features, and better accuracy. These paid tools typically provide more accurate search volume data, more comprehensive keyword suggestions, and more advanced features like competitor analysis and rank tracking. They also offer more detailed reporting and analytics, which can help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement. However, if you're just starting out or on a tight budget, free tools can still be a valuable resource. They can help you get a feel for keyword research and start building a foundation for your SEO strategy. Just remember to be aware of their limitations and to use them in conjunction with other SEO best practices.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right keywords is essential for driving traffic to your website. With the free keyword planner tools available, there's no excuse not to do your research. Start exploring, experimenting, and optimizing your content today! Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep learning, keep creating, and keep optimizing, and you'll eventually see the results you're looking for.