Learning keyword research is the first step if you’re just starting out with SEO. Even if you’re a novice, using the correct keywords can drive steady, free traffic to your website. Fortunately, you can get started without the need for costly, commercial products.
We’ll examine the top three free keyword research tools for this guide: Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, and AnswerThePublic. We’ll also discuss how novices may choose the best keywords to rank higher.
The Significance of Keyword Research in SEO
Identifies the correct audience → People who are actively looking will see your material.
Enhances ranks => Search engines comprehend the purpose of your page.
Increases conversions => Relevant visitors = appropriate keywords = more leads and sales.
- Ubersuggest: The Greatest User-Friendly App What it does: gives suggestions for keywords based on search volume and SEO difficulty. displays the top-ranked sites of competitors. provides backlink information and article suggestions. Why novices adore it: straightforward dashboard with figures that are easy to comprehend. There is enough data in the free version to get started.
Pro Tip: Focus on low-competition long-tail keywords (3–5 words). For instance, try “best free SEO tools for beginners” rather than “SEO tools.”
- Professionals Trust Google Keyword Planner What it does: A free Google Ads tool. gives information on competition levels, search volume, and keyword trends. uses seed keywords to generate fresh keyword suggestions. Why novices adore it: Completely free and straight from Google. displays actual search results, not merely approximations.
Pro Tip: Look through the “Related Keywords” area to find unexplored prospects that your rivals might have overlooked.
- AnswerThePublic: Excellent for Coming Up with Content Ideas What it does: creates keywords using comparisons, prepositions, and queries. Maps of visual keywords that display user queries. Ideal for content for FAQs and blogs. Why novices adore it: Finding long-tail and question-based keywords is simple. aids in writing blog entries that address actual user inquiries.
Pro Tip: To get highlighted snippets (Google’s “People Also Ask” box), use these question-based keywords.
How a Novice Chooses Keywords (Step-by-Step)
- Begin with a general topic, such as “SEO tools.”
- For variations, use Ubersuggest. For instance, “free SEO tools for small businesses.”
- Use Google Keyword Planner to check search volume → Set a monthly goal of 500–5,000 searches.
- Examine the competition → Start by focusing on low to medium competition.
- Use AnswerThePublic to create blog headlines based on queries, such as “What are the best free SEO tools for beginners?”
- Select long-tail keywords → More conversions, more focused, and easier to rank.
Concluding remarks
Keyword research doesn’t have to be costly. For novices, tools like AnswerThePublic, Ubersuggest, and Google Keyword Planner are more than sufficient to begin ranking on Google.