How to Do Keyword Research for Free? A Simple Guide

1. What is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the process of finding the words and phrases that people type into search engines when looking for information. These keywords help businesses and bloggers create content that meets user needs and ranks well on Google.

Why is Keyword Research Important?

• Helps in creating SEO-optimized content.
• Improves organic traffic and rankings.
• Targets the right audience for your website.
• Increases chances of higher conversions.

2. Free Keyword Research Tools

Many powerful tools can help you find the right keywords without spending a dime. Here are some top free keyword research tools:

1. Google Keyword Planner

• Google’s free tool designed for Google Ads but great for SEO too.
• Shows search volume, competition, and keyword ideas.
• How to use:
  1. Go to Google Keyword Planner.
  2. Click on Discover New Keywords.
  3. Enter a seed keyword (e.g., “digital marketing”).
  4. Analyze the list of suggested keywords.

2. Google Autocomplete & People Also Ask

• Google’s search bar provides real-time keyword suggestions.
• The “People Also Ask” section shows related searches.
• How to use:
  1. Start typing a keyword in Google’s search bar.
  2. Look at the autocomplete suggestions.
  3. Scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section for more ideas.

3. Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel)

• Free tool that provides keyword suggestions, search volume, and SEO difficulty.
• How to use:
  1. Visit Ubersuggest.
  2. Enter a keyword and click Search.
  3. View keyword ideas and related terms.

4. AnswerThePublic

• Great for finding question-based keywords.
• Helps generate content ideas based on what people ask online.
• How to use:
  1. Go to AnswerThePublic.
  2. Enter your main topic (e.g., “SEO”).
  3. Get a visual map of questions people ask.

5. Google Trends

• Helps find trending and seasonal keywords.
• Shows keyword popularity over time.
• How to use:
  1. Visit Google Trends.
  2. Type a keyword and select a region.
  3. Compare different keywords.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Keyword Research

Now that you know the tools, let’s go through a simple keyword research process.

Step 1: Find Broad Topics in Your Niche

• Think about general topics related to your industry (e.g., “SEO,” “digital marketing,” “social media marketing”).

Step 2: Use Free Tools to Find Keyword Ideas

• Enter your broad topic in Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic.
• Collect a list of low-competition, high-search volume keywords.

Step 3: Analyze Keyword Difficulty & Search Volume

• Prioritize keywords with low competition but high search volume.
• Use Ubersuggest to check SEO difficulty (SD) and Google Trends to check popularity.

Step 4: Choose Long-Tail Keywords

• Instead of using broad terms like “SEO”, target specific phrases like “best free SEO tools for beginners”.
• Long-tail keywords face less competition and drive higher conversion rates.

Step 5: Organize Keywords into Content Topics

• Categorize your keywords into different blog post ideas.
• Example: If you find “How to do keyword research?”, you can create a blog post explaining the process.

4. Best Practices for Using Keywords

Once you have your keywords, here’s how to use them effectively in your content:

Where to Place Keywords?

✅ Title (H1) & Subheadings (H2, H3)
✅ First 100 words of your article
✅ Meta Description & URL
✅ Image Alt Text
✅ Naturally within the content (avoid keyword stuffing)

Avoid These Common Mistakes

❌ Keyword stuffing (overusing keywords unnaturally).
❌ Using only high-competition keywords.
❌ Ignoring search intent (what users really want).

Conclusion

Keyword research doesn’t have to be expensive! By using free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic, you can find high-ranking, low-competition keywords that will boost your SEO. Start using these strategies today and see your website’s organic traffic increase.