Keyword research is the backbone of SEO and successful content creation. If you target the wrong keywords, your content will not rank—no matter how good it is. The good news is that you don’t need expensive software. There are many keyword research tools free that can help beginners find low-competition, high-potential keywords.
In this guide, you will learn:
- What keyword research is
- Why free keyword research tools work
- The best free keyword research tools
- How to find low-competition keywords step by step
What Is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of finding the exact words and phrases people type into search engines like Google. These keywords help you:
- Understand what users want
- Create targeted content
- Rank higher in search results
- Get free organic traffic
Choosing the right keywords is more important than writing more content.
Why Use Free Keyword Research Tools?
Free keyword research tools are ideal for beginners because:
- No monthly cost
- Easy to use
- Perfect for new blogs
- Great for long-tail keywords
- Enough data to rank small websites
Many successful bloggers started using only free tools.
1. Google Search (Most Powerful Free Tool)
Google itself is the best free keyword research tool.
How to Use Google Search:
- Type your main keyword
- Check autocomplete suggestions
- Use “People Also Ask”
- Scroll to “Related Searches”
These keywords are real searches from real users.
2. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a trusted free tool.
Features:
- Search volume range
- Keyword ideas
- Competition level
It is designed for ads but works well for SEO research too.
3. Google Trends
Google Trends helps analyze keyword popularity.
Why Google Trends Is Useful:
- Shows rising topics
- Compares multiple keywords
- Helps avoid dead keywords
It’s great for choosing future-proof topics.
4. Ubersuggest (Free Version)
Ubersuggest provides limited free searches daily.
What You Get:
- Keyword ideas
- SEO difficulty
- Content ideas
Perfect for beginners doing basic keyword research.
5. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic shows question-based keywords.
Best Use Cases:
- Blog topic ideas
- FAQ content
- Long-tail keywords
Question keywords rank faster on new websites.
6. Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)
Keyword Surfer shows keyword data directly in Google search.
Features:
- Search volume
- Related keyword suggestions
- Content length estimates
It saves time and works instantly.
7. YouTube Search (Bonus Tool)
YouTube is also a keyword research goldmine.
How to Use It:
- Type a keyword in YouTube search
- Note autocomplete suggestions
- Analyze video titles
This is excellent for blog + video content.
How to Find Low-Competition Keywords (Step-by-Step)
- Choose a main topic
- Use Google autocomplete
- Target long-tail keywords (3–5 words)
- Analyze top 10 Google results
- Avoid authority websites
- Publish high-quality content
Low-competition keywords rank faster.
Common Keyword Research Mistakes ❌
- Targeting high-competition keywords
- Ignoring search intent
- Choosing keywords with zero traffic
- Overusing keywords
Always focus on relevance and intent.
How Many Keywords Should You Use Per Article?
Best practice:
- 1 main keyword
- 2–4 supporting keywords
- Natural placement
Never stuff keywords unnaturally.
Final Thoughts
Using keyword research tools free is more than enough for beginners and small websites. If you choose the right keywords and write helpful content, you can rank on Google without spending money on expensive tools.
Start with free tools, build authority, and upgrade only when needed.