If you’ve ever tried writing content or working on SEO, you know the struggle.

You spend hours writing something you think is helpful. But it barely gets any traffic.

Why?

Because no one’s searching for what you’re writing about. Or maybe they are, but you’re using the wrong terms.

That’s where keyword research tools come in.

They help you find what people are searching for. Real words. Real questions. Real interest.

Let’s talk about the tools that can help with that.

Why Keyword Research Tools Even Matter

Before jumping into tools, here’s why they’re worth your time:

1. They tell you what people are searching for
2. You find how hard it is to rank for certain keywords
3. You learn what your competitors are targeting
4. They help you plan your content better

Honestly, guessing just doesn’t work anymore. If you’re not using data, you’re shooting in the dark.

Alright—let’s get into the actual tools.

Top 8 Keyword Research Tools to Identify Relevant Search Terms

1. Google Keyword Planner

Let’s start with the OG.

This one’s free if you have a Google Ads account. It’s made mainly for advertisers, but it still works well for blog content and SEO.

Why Use It?

1. It pulls data straight from Google
2. You get search volume estimates
3. It gives keyword suggestions based on real searches

What You Might Not Love

1. It gives ranges instead of exact numbers (like “1K–10K”)
2. Some keyword ideas feel too broad or vague

Still, for a free tool? It’s solid. Especially if you’re just getting started.

2. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Ahrefs is kind of a big deal in the SEO world. Their keyword tool is one of the most detailed out there.

What Stands Out?

1. Tons of keyword suggestions (like… a lot)
2. Accurate search volume and keyword difficulty scores
3. Click data—so you know if people are clicking results

What’s the Catch?

1. It’s not cheap
2. It might feel overwhelming if you’re new to SEO

But if you’re serious about content and ranking, Ahrefs is one of the best keyword research tools out there.

3. SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool

SEMrush is packed with features. But their keyword tool? That’s where the gold is.

Why People Love It:

1. Huge keyword database
2. Filters by intent (informational, transactional, etc.)
3. Grouping feature for organizing topics

One Thing to Watch:

1. Pricing can get steep depending on usage.

If you’re doing client work or managing lots of sites, SEMrush is worth it. It’s not just for keyword research—it covers your whole SEO strategy.

4. Ubersuggest by Neil Patel

Ubersuggest came in like a breath of fresh air. It started free, but even the paid version is way more affordable than others.

Why You Might Try It:

1. Simple interface
2. Decent keyword suggestions and difficulty scores
3. Historical data and backlink info

What Could Be Better:

1. Smaller database than Ahrefs or SEMrush
2. Some keyword difficulty scores feel off

If you’re on a tight budget or just getting started, Ubersuggest is a good stepping stone.

5. Keywords Everywhere

This one’s a browser extension. Super handy if you want keyword data on the fly.

What’s Cool About It:

1. See keyword data right in Google, YouTube, Amazon, etc.
2. Shows related searches and “people also search for” results
3. Affordable credit-based pricing

Things to Consider:

1. Not a full-featured tool (more of a companion)
2. Data can be limited without credits

Still, if you like researching as you browse, this one’s a keeper.

6. AnswerThePublic

Sometimes you don’t just want keywords. You want questions. What are people asking about?

That’s where AnswerThePublic shines.

Why It’s Useful:

1. Generates question-based keyword ideas
2. Visually maps out topics people search for
3. Great for content brainstorming

Limitations:

1. The free version is limited (3 searches/day)
2. Doesn’t show keyword difficulty or volume

But pair it with another tool? Magic. It’s great for coming up with blog post ideas that answer real questions.

7. Moz Keyword Explorer

Moz has been around forever, and their keyword tool is built for clarity.

Why People Use It:

1. Clean, beginner-friendly interface
2. Priority score that balances volume, difficulty, and CTR
3. SERP analysis included

Downsides?

1. Smaller keyword database than Ahrefs/SEMrush
2. The free plan is limited

Still, Moz does a good job simplifying things without dumbing them down. If you find other tools too complex, this could be a great fit.

8. Soovle

This one’s a bit of a wildcard.

Soovle pulls autocomplete suggestions from multiple platforms—Google, Bing, YouTube, Amazon, Wikipedia, and more.

When It’s Helpful:

1. Great for quick brainstorming
2. Helps you see what people type in different places
3. Free

Weak Spots:

1. No data like volume or competition
2. Very basic interface

Still, it’s fast and lightweight. I often use it before diving into a more advanced tool.

How I Use These Tools

Let’s keep it real for a sec.

You don’t need all these tools. That’d be overkill. And expensive.

Here’s what I usually do:

1. Start with AnswerThePublic to find questions
2. Check Ahrefs or SEMrush for volume and competition
3. Use Keywords Everywhere to gather more ideas while browsing
4. Look at Google Keyword Planner as a final check

If I’m writing a new blog post, I want to know:

1. What are people searching for?
2. What’s the search intent—are they looking for info, products, or services?
3. Can I realistically rank for this?
4. What questions do they need answers to?

Once I have that, writing becomes way easier.

Tips to Make the Most of Keyword Research Tools

Knowing how to use them is just as important.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t just chase high volume

A keyword with 100 searches a month but low competition might bring more traffic than one with 10K and heavy competition.

1. Look at intent

Are people ready to buy? Just researching? Make sure your content matches what they’re looking for.

1. Use long-tail keywords

These are more specific. Like “best budget camera for beginners” instead of just “camera.”

1. Check the SERP

Type the keyword into Google. What kind of results show up? Can you create something better?

1. Build clusters

Group related keywords into one topic and create a post around that. It helps with SEO and structure.

There’s no one “best” keyword research tool. It depends on your budget, your goals, and how deep you want to go.

If you’re just starting, try a mix of free and cheap tools. Ubersuggest, Keyword Planner, and Soovle are good entry points.

If you’re more advanced or working with clients, Ahrefs or SEMrush are worth the money.

Whatever tool you choose, don’t skip this step.

Good content without keyword research is like a map without destinations.

And let’s be honest—you don’t want to write great stuff that no one ever finds.

So yeah, take the time. Use the tools. Find the right words.

Then write something worth reading.