How to Do Keyword Research Using Free Tools

If you want your website to show up in Google search results, the first step is to know what your audience is actually searching for. That’s where keyword research comes in. Fortunately, you don’t need expensive software to get started—free SEO tools can help you find powerful keywords that bring real traffic.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to do keyword research using free online tools, step by step.

🔍 What Is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the process of finding words and phrases that people type into search engines like Google. By targeting these keywords in your content, you increase the chances of your site appearing in search results when users are actively looking for topics you cover.

🛠 Tools You Can Use (For Free)

Here are some tools that can help you get started:

• ✅ Keyword Suggestion Tool: Enter a keyword and get a list of related terms, long-tail phrases, and popular search variations.

• ✅ Google Autocomplete: Start typing your keyword in Google and see what it suggests.

• ✅ Google Trends: Analyze how keyword interest changes over time.

• ✅ AnswerThePublic (limited free searches): Find common questions based on your topic.

• ✅ People Also Ask boxes (manually): Check SERPs for related questions.

📌 Step-by-Step: Doing Keyword Research with Free Tools

1. Start with a Topic Idea

Think of a general topic related to your niche. For example:

2. Use a Keyword Suggestion Tool

Input your topic into a free keyword suggestion tool. You might get results like:

• healthy snacks for kids

• low-calorie healthy snacks

• best healthy snacks for weight loss

• high-protein snacks

• healthy snacks on a budget

3. Look for Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords (3+ words) are less competitive and often have higher conversion intent.

Example:
Instead of targeting "healthy snacks", try "best healthy snacks for office workers".

4. Analyze Keyword Intent

Ask yourself:

• Is the user looking for information?

• Are they trying to buy something?

• Do they want to compare options?

Choose keywords that match your content goals.

5. Check Keyword Trends

Use Google Trends to check if your keywords are rising or declining in popularity.

🎯 Pro Tips

• Focus on keywords with clear intent (e.g., “buy”, “review”, “how to”)

• Use keywords naturally in your title, URL, meta tags, and content

• Don’t stuff keywords—write for humans first

• Optimize for related keywords and synonyms to increase relevance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do keyword research without any paid tools?
Absolutely. Many bloggers and SEO beginners start with free tools and still get great results.

Q: How do I know which keywords are too competitive?
If big brands dominate the search results, it may be hard to rank. Look for keywords with lower competition and more specific intent.

Q: How many keywords should I target per page?
Focus on one primary keyword and a few related secondary keywords per page.

✅ Conclusion

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy—and the good news is, you can start today using free tools. By understanding what people are searching for, and creating content that directly answers their needs, you’ll be on your way to higher rankings and more targeted traffic.

James Smith

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.