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| Strategic keyword research is the foundation of SEO success, even without expensive tools. |
You’ve been told to “do keyword research.” But what does that actually mean when you're starting out with a zero-dollar budget? Do you really need to pay hundreds of dollars per month for premium SEO platforms just to discover what people are searching for?
The short answer: absolutely not.
While enterprise tools offer advanced features, the truth is that you can get 80–90% of the insights you need using free keyword research tools. The difference between beginners who succeed and those who don’t isn’t budget — it’s how strategically they use the data available.
This guide isn’t just a list. It’s a practical system for keyword research for beginners, showing you exactly how to find keywords for free, identify long-tail keywords, and uncover question keywords. Once you have your keywords, the next step is to learn how to write an SEO-friendly article that ranks.
Tool 1: AnswerThePublic
Best for: Finding dozens of question-based keywords and long-tail ideas in minutes.
If you want to understand real user intent, AnswerThePublic is one of the fastest ways to do it. You enter a broad term like “content marketing,” and it generates hundreds of actual search queries organized into questions, prepositions, comparisons, and more.
This is powerful because modern SEO is no longer about stuffing keywords. It’s about answering real questions.
How to Use It Strategically
- Create blog titles instantly: Every question can become a high-converting article title.
- Build structured articles: Use the generated questions as H2 subheadings.
- Target long-tail keywords: Phrases like “how to start content marketing with no money” often have lower competition and higher intent.
For beginners learning how to find keywords for free, this tool alone can generate weeks of content ideas.
Link: AnswerThePublic
Tool 2: Google Trends
Best for: Validating ideas and spotting rising topics before they explode.
Google Trends shows relative interest over time. This helps you avoid writing about declining topics and instead focus on growing search demand.
How to Use It Strategically
- Compare topics: Example: “TikTok marketing” vs “Facebook marketing.”
- Spot seasonal trends: Publish seasonal content before peak interest.
- Validate niches: Ensure your topic isn’t losing relevance.
This is one of the most underrated Google keyword tools available — and it’s completely free.
Link: Google Trends
Tool 3: Google Keyword Planner
Best for: Search volume data directly from Google.
Although built for advertisers, Keyword Planner remains one of the most reliable sources of monthly search volume estimates.
You don’t need to run ads. You only need a Google account.
How to Use It Strategically
- Discover new keywords: Enter a seed term and explore related ideas.
- Analyze search volume: Even ranges like 1K–10K provide prioritization insight.
- Assess competition: Low-to-medium competition keywords are ideal for beginners.
When doing keyword research for beginners, combining this tool with long-tail targeting dramatically increases ranking chances.
Link: Google Keyword Planner
Tool 4: Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
Best for: Keyword difficulty insights from a premium SEO platform.
Ahrefs offers a limited but powerful free keyword generator. It shows keyword ideas and the first few Keyword Difficulty (KD ) scores.
How to Use It Strategically
- Target KD under 20 if you're a new site.
- Explore the Questions tab for high-intent content ideas.
- Use multiple search engines (Google, YouTube, Amazon).
Understanding difficulty is critical. Ranking for a low-volume keyword you can actually win is better than chasing a 50K-volume term you’ll never rank for.
Link: Ahrefs Keyword Generator
Tool 5: Ubersuggest (Limited Free Version )
Best for: A full overview dashboard of a keyword.
Ubersuggest combines volume, SEO difficulty, CPC, and content ideas in one interface.
How to Use It Strategically
- Analyze CPC: High CPC keywords are valuable for Adsense monetization.
- Study top-ranking pages: Improve on what already ranks.
- Find related keywords: Expand topical authority.
This makes it ideal for bloggers focused on monetization and long-term traffic growth.
Link: Ubersuggest
Tool 6: Google Search & “People Also Ask”
Best for: Real-time user intent discovery.
The Google search results page is one of the most powerful free keyword research tools available.
How to Use It Strategically
- Autocomplete: Reveals the most common related searches.
- People Also Ask: Direct insight into question keywords.
- Related Searches: Semantic keyword expansion.
If you consistently answer PAA questions, you increase your chances of winning featured snippets.
Link: Google Search
Tool 7: AlsoAsked
Best for: Visualizing the relationship between question keywords.
AlsoAsked expands Google’s “People Also Ask” into a visual branching structure, helping you understand the user journey.
How to Use It Strategically
- Create comprehensive content: Cover all related sub-questions in one guide.
- Plan topic clusters: Turn branches into supporting articles.
- Improve topical authority: Google rewards depth.
Link: AlsoAsked
Quick Comparison: Which Tool Should You Use?
| Tool | Best For | Search Volume Data | Keyword Difficulty | Question Keywords | Best For Beginners? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnswerThePublic | Question & long-tail ideas | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google Trends | Trend validation | Relative only | No | No | Yes |
| Keyword Planner | Official search volume | Yes | Competition (Ads ) | No | Yes |
| Ahrefs Free Tool | Keyword difficulty insight | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ubersuggest | Monetization & CPC | Yes | Yes | Limited | Moderate |
| Google Search | Search intent | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| AlsoAsked | Topic clustering | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Common Keyword Research Mistakes Beginners Make
Even with the best free keyword research tools, many beginners fail because of execution mistakes. Avoid these:
- Targeting high-volume keywords too early: Competing against authority sites reduces your ranking chances.
- Ignoring search intent: Ranking is not about keywords alone — it’s about matching user intent.
- Choosing keywords without checking SERP competition: Always analyze the first page manually.
- Not targeting long-tail keywords: These convert better and rank faster.
- Publishing thin content: Depth beats word count stuffing.
Smart keyword research isn’t about finding the biggest numbers — it’s about finding realistic opportunities.
A Practical Free Keyword Research Workflow
Here’s a simple system you can follow:
- Start with Google Search and autocomplete to understand intent.
- Use AnswerThePublic to collect long-tail and question keywords.
- Validate demand using Google Keyword Planner.
- Check keyword difficulty using Ahrefs free generator.
- Analyze the first page manually and look for weak competitors.
- Create the most complete guide on that specific keyword.
This workflow combines data, intent, and strategy — the three pillars of ranking.
Conclusion: From Keywords to Rankings
Having a list of keywords is just the first step. Real results come from execution.
Pick one or two of these free keyword research tools. Identify a low-competition long-tail keyword. Write the best article on the internet about that specific topic.
SEO success doesn’t require expensive subscriptions. It requires clarity, consistency, and strategic action. This is a foundational skill in your overall digital marketing strategy.
The difference between bloggers who rank and those who don’t isn’t budget — it’s implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ )
Q1: Do I need to use all seven of these tools?
A1: Not at all. Start with two or three that you like. A strong combination is Google Search for intent, AnswerThePublic for question ideas, and Ahrefs’ free generator to check difficulty.
Q2: What is a "good" monthly search volume to target?
A2: For a new blog, targeting keywords with 50–500 monthly searches is ideal. These long-tail keywords are often easier to rank for and help build authority.
Q3: How do I know if a keyword is too competitive?
A3: Check the first page of Google. If the results are dominated by major authority sites like Wikipedia or Forbes, competition is high. Also use keyword difficulty scores as guidance.