Best SEO Keyword Research Tools

The best SEO keyword research tools

To choose a good SEO keyword research tool, I’d say there are 2 main criteria: breadth of functionality and reliability of data. In the list of the best tools that I’ve put together below, there are only tools that I’ve personally tested and which I feel meet both these criteria.

1 – SEMRush: The keyword research tool par excellence

Tool overview: SEMRush is a must-have reference for SEO experts. The tool offers a complete suite of tools for keyword research, competitive analysis and ranking tracking.

Its ability to provide accurate, up-to-date keyword data makes SEMRush the tool of choice for professionals wishing to optimize their SEO strategy.

⚙️ Key features

• Advanced keyword research with search volumes and trends;
• Keyword difficulty analysis;
• Long-tail keyword suggestions;
• Competition analysis for keywords.

🎁 Hidden functionality: Keyword gap analysis to identify opportunities not exploited by your competitors.

👊 I use it to: Develop and refine my keyword strategies to maximize online visibility.

✅ Advantages:

• Comprehensive, reliable database ;
• Advanced keyword research features;
• Intuitive user interface.

❌ Disadvantages:

• High price, especially for small businesses or freelancers.

💰 Price: From $129.95 per month.

😎 Ease of use: High .

😉 My verdict: SEMRush is a must-have for those who take keyword research and SEO analysis seriously. Its cost is justified by the richness of its features and the accuracy of its data.

2 – Ahrefs: Keyword research power for SEO strategists

Tool overview: Ahrefs is widely recognized for its backlink analysis tool, but its keyword research functionality is equally impressive. With data from hundreds of millions of keywords, Ahrefs helps SEO professionals spot valuable keyword opportunities, understand their potential and plan their content strategically.

⚙️ Key features :

• Keyword research in over 170 countries;
• Keyword difficulty indicators;
• Keyword ideas based on questions;
• SERP analysis and competitor content structure.

🎁 Hidden feature: Estimation of potential traffic per keyword, offering a more strategic view of keyword choice.

👊 I use it to: Identify the best keyword opportunities and analyze the feasibility of ranking them.

✅ Advantages:

• Richness and accuracy of keyword research data ;
• Comprehensive SEO tool;
• Clear, functional interface.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Can be perceived as expensive by individual users or small teams.

💰 Price: Starting at $99 per month.

😎 Ease of use: Very good.

😉 My review: Ahrefs is a powerful tool that goes beyond simple keyword research, for a complete, in-depth analysis for SEO professionals. Highly recommended for its depth of analysis.

3 – KWFinder (Mangools): The ideal tool for long-tail keyword research

Tool overview: KWFinder by Mangools is the tool of choice for SEO specialists looking for long-tail keywords with little competition. Easy to use, it offers valuable information on search volumes, keyword difficulty, and relevant suggestions to enrich your SEO content strategy.

⚙️ Key features :

• Intuitive long-tail keyword research ;
• Detailed analysis of keyword difficulty;
• Alternative keyword suggestions;
• Overview of search trends.

🎁 Hidden feature: Domain search function to analyze competitors’ keywords.

👊 I use it to: Find under-exploited keyword niches and increase organic traffic.

✅ Advantages:

• Specialized in long-tail keyword research;
• Simple, effective user interface;
• Attractive price for features offered.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for advanced global SEO analysis needs.

💰 Price: From €29.90 per month.

😎 Ease of use: Excellent.

😉 My verdict: KWFinder is the perfect tool for those new to SEO or needing to find relevant long-tail keywords quickly. Its value for money is exceptional.

4 – SurferSEO: Optimize your content with precise keyword research

Tool overview: SurferSEO stands out for its unique approach to content optimization based on SERP and keyword data analysis. This tool is ideal for content creators and SEO specialists who want to align their content with search engine ranking criteria, thanks to precise keyword research and content analysis.

⚙️ Key features :

• Keyword density analysis ;
• Keyword suggestions for content optimization;
• Keyword-based content audit;
• Competitive analysis for keywords.

🎁 Hidden feature: real-time content optimization tips to improve SEO ranking.

👊 I use it to: Align my content with SEO best practices and improve its visibility.

✅ Benefits:

• Specialized in content optimization based on keyword research;
• Intuitive, easy-to-use interface;
• Valuable tool for improving SEO rankings.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Less focused on traditional keyword research.

💰 Price: From $89 per month.

😎 Ease of use: Very high.

😉 My opinion: SurferSEO is a revolutionary tool for those looking to improve their content scientifically. Its ability to provide recommendations based on precise keyword and content analysis makes it a top choice.

5 – SERanking: Discover the best keywords for your SEO strategy

Tool overview: SERanking is an all-in-one SEO platform that particularly shines in the field of keyword research. Offering powerful tools for identifying winning keywords, analyzing the competition, and tracking trends, SERanking helps digital marketers and site owners optimize their content strategies and improve their online visibility.

⚙️ Key features :

• Keyword research and analysis;
• Keyword positioning tracking;
• Keyword suggestions and competitor analysis;
• SEO audit and backlink analysis tools.

🎁 Hidden feature: Keyword planning tool to organize and prioritize your content strategy.

👊 I use it to: Build a solid foundation for my content strategy by choosing the right keywords.

✅ Advantages:

• User-friendly interface and comprehensive keyword research tools ;
• All-in-one SEO features for an integrated strategy;
• Flexible pricing to suit all budgets.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Can be a little complex for beginners due to rich functionality.

💰 Price: From $44 per month.

😎 Ease of use: Good.

😉 My opinion: SERanking is an extremely useful tool for those who want an integrated approach to keyword research and SEO optimization. Its versatility and ease of use make it a solid choice for professionals of all levels.

The best free keyword research tools

If you’re just starting out in the SEO world, or have just discovered SEO, you may not want to invest in a very expensive tool.

Fortunately, there are free keyword research tools available! These won’t necessarily enable you to carry out the most advanced analyses, but they can help you find your first keywords.

6 – Keyword Planner: Google’s free keyword research tool

Tool overview: Keyword Planner, offered by Google, is an essential keyword research tool, specially designed for Google Ads campaigns. Despite its focus on advertising, it remains an excellent tool for discovering search volumes, keyword competitiveness and getting SEO-relevant keyword suggestions.

⚙️ Main features :

• Discovery of new keywords and their search volumes;
• Estimates of competitiveness and cost per click (CPC);
• Results filtering by location, language and time period.

🎁 Hidden functionality: Performance estimates to help plan advertising budgets.

👊 I use it to: Identify relevant keywords and understand their traffic potential.

✅ Advantages:

• Direct access to Google search data;
• Free and integrated with Google Ads ;
• Easy to use for beginners.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Oriented primarily towards advertisers rather than pure SEOs.

💰 Price: Free

😎 Ease of use: Very high

😉 My opinion: Keyword Planner is an ideal starting tool for keyword research, especially if you’re planning to use Google Ads. It offers valuable insights straight from the source.

7 – Ubersuggest: The free SEO tool for inspiring keyword ideas

Tool overview: Ubersuggest, developed by Neil Patel, offers a free, comprehensive solution for keyword research, competitor analysis and content suggestions. This tool is particularly popular for its ability to generate long-tail keyword ideas and provide trend analysis to help them plan their content strategy.

⚙️ Main features :

• Long-tail keyword idea generation;
• Search volume and trend analysis;
• Keyword difficulty overview;
• Content suggestions based on searched keywords.

🎁 Hidden feature: analysis of competitors’ keyword strategy.

👊 I use it to: Quickly get keyword ideas and analyze their SEO potential.

✅ Advantages:

• Intuitive keyword idea generator ;
• Free SEO software with affordable upgrade options ;
• Ideal for beginners and small businesses.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Some advanced features require a paid subscription.

💰 Price: Free with premium options.

😎 Ease of use: Excellent.

😉 My opinion: Ubersuggest is an excellent tool for those starting out in SEO or on a budget. It offers a good foundation for keyword research and content planning.

8 – Answer The Public: Find out what questions your audience is asking

Tool overview: Answer The Public is a keyword research tool that stands out for its ability to visualize the questions, prepositions and comparisons people make around a specific keyword. This tool is invaluable for understanding your audience’s queries and generating content that responds directly to them.

⚙️ Main features :

• Visualization of questions asked on search engines;
• Keyword suggestions in the form of questions, prepositions and comparisons;
• Rapid exploration of niches and sub-themes.

🎁 Hidden functionality: Discovery of unique and under-exploited prospects in your niche.

👊 I use it to: Inspire my blog content and respond precisely to my audience’s needs.

✅ Benefits:

• Helps generate relevant content ideas ;
• Free for basic searches ;
• Unique and engaging visual interface.

❌ Disadvantages:

• Results can sometimes be overwhelming in number.

💰 Price: Free for basic functionality.

😎 Ease of use: Good

😉 My take: Answer The Public is a fantastic tool for those looking to create content that directly answers their audience’s questions. Its unique approach makes it a valuable addition to any SEO toolbox.

In your quest to dominate the SERPs, choosing the right keyword research tool is crucial. Whether you opt for the versatility of SEMRush, the backlink expertise of Ahrefs, the accessibility of KWFinder, the content optimization of SurferSEO, or the flexibility of SERanking, each tool has the potential to transform your SEO strategy.

Free options like Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Answer The Public also offer valuable insights at no upfront cost. Investing in the right tool will give you a head start in the SEO race. Choose wisely and get ready to see your site climb to the top. ⛰️

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