Keyword research is about finding what people are ALREADY searching for, how often they search it, how hard it would be to rank for it, and ideas for what kinda content to create.
The right tool gives you helpful data, so you can prioritize the best opportunities.
And because of this, I have students & clients asking me this question ALL the time: “what are the best SEO tools for keyword research????”
And so today, I’m breaking it alllll down for ya; the top 5 SEO keyword research tools that I recommend most. We’re gonna go into what I like, where each one shines, what to watch for, and how to choose the right fit for your budget and goals.
My top 5 favorite SEO keyword research tools:
- Semrush
- SE Ranking
- Keysearch
- Ubersuggest
- Answer Socrates // Answer the Public
(Links to tools, tutorials, and coupon codes listed below!)
Why These Tools Make SEO Easier
Good keyword research saves time and reduces guesswork. You avoid topics that are too hard and find ideas with a higher chance of ranking.
These tools help you:
- See search volume, so you know demand.
- Check keyword difficulty, so you pick battles you can win.
- Understand search intent, so you match what users want.
- Pull keyword ideas and questions, so you plan content that covers the topic.
- Review the SERP (search engine results page), so you learn from pages already ranking.
Want more details on doing effective Keyword Research? Check out these previous newsletters where I dive into specifics: 👉 Outdated SEO advice gets this wrong… 👉 2 different keywords. Same post. |
Tool 1: Semrush, My Personal Favorite for In-Depth Research
Semrush has a robust suite for serious research. And because that’s where I spend most of my time for clients & students, this is my go-to tool of choice.
It’s the tool I’m using every single day for allllll things SEO related.
Key Features and How It Works
Start with Keyword Overview. Enter a keyword, and you’ll see things like:
- Search volume in the US and globally
- Keyword difficulty to estimate ranking difficulty
- Search intent to understand user goals
- Trend data to spot seasonality
- CPC for paid benchmarks
- Keyword ideas and variations, including related questions
- SERP analysis of the current top results
My favorite part is the Keyword Magic Tool. It builds LARGE lists of related keywords with:
- Intent
- Monthly volume
- Difficulty
- SERP features (like featured snippets)
You can switch between phrase match, exact match, related, and questions. You can also group keywords by terms to avoid getting lost in a rabbit hole.
Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For
Pros
- Deep data and flexible filters
- Great for building content clusters
- Strong SERP insights for competitive niches
Cons
- Overwhelming for beginners at first
- Pricing is high for solo users or small sites
How to Get Started with Semrush:
- Semrush has a FREE plan, check out this tutorial for how to get access to it.
- Want a free 14-day PRO trial? You can use this link here!
- Tutorial: How to Use Semrush for SEO Keyword Research
Semrush is best if you want a comprehensive toolkit or you manage multiple SEO projects. If you prefer a simpler, lower-cost option, keep reading…
Tool 2: SE Ranking, Affordable All-in-One SEO Suite
SE Ranking feels like Semrush, but it’s a bit simpler to navigate. It’s a strong middle ground on features and price.
Exploring the Dashboard and Keyword Suggestions
Open the dashboard & dive into keyword research:
- Enter your keyword in the Research Overview.
- View the key metrics: difficulty, monthly volume, intent, CPC, and global volume.
- Scan keyword ideas and related keywords.
- Review the SERP overview and ranking dynamics to see how results shift over time.
- Open the Keyword Suggestions tool to dig into related terms, questions, and low search volume ideas that are still high intent.
The layout gives you what you need without too much noise. It’s great for building a focused keyword list and planning content.
Full Toolkit Benefits and Pricing Edge
SE Ranking offers more than keyword research. You also get:
- Backlink monitoring
- Site audit tools
- Content marketing features
- Social media tools
- Local marketing features
- Report building
- An agency pack
This tool is a GREAT alternative to Semrush if you’re on a budget.
Their plans are 1/2 the price of Semrush in most cases, and their toolkit is *almost* as vast. Their dashboard is a little simpler and more easy to navigate, and can feel less overwhelming for beginners.
One of my favorite tools of theirs is the On Page SEO Checker tool, it’s wayyyyy more straightforward then Semrush’s version.
How to Get Started with SERanking:
- Want a free trial? You can use this link here!
- Tutorial: On-Page Optimization with SERanking
- How to Use SERanking for SEO Keyword Research
Tool 3: Keysearch, Streamlined for Focused Keyword Hunts
Keysearch keeps things simple, which is perfect if you want pure keyword research without extras.
This is my GO-TO suggestion for students & clients that want reliable SEO keyword research data, but don’t want the price tag of Semrush or SERanking. It’s budget-friendly & pretty in-depth.
I’m a big fan!
Core Features on a Simple Dashboard
Pop in a keyword and you’ll see it all on one screen:
- Keyword, variations, and related terms
- Trends over time
- Search volume
- CPC
- PPC competition
- Difficulty score
Scroll for the SERP analysis to compare your site with pages already ranking on page one. It’s a clean view that helps you decide if a term fits your site now, or if you should try a related phrase first.
Ideal for Budget-Conscious Beginners
Keysearch is great if you don’t need agency-style features. The plans start budget-friendly. It’s easy to learn, and it gives enough data to make smart choices.
Pros:
- Simple interface
- Solid keyword metrics
- Good for solo creators and bloggers
Cons:
- Not as in-depth as Semrush or SERanking
How to Get Started with Keysearch:
- Want a free trial? You can use this link here! (Use code MARIAHMAGAZINE to save $$$ on a paid plan if you choose to upgrade!)
- Tutorial: How to do SEO Keyword Research with Keysearch
Tool 4: Ubersuggest, Free Data Without the Cost
If you want a no-cost option to get started, Ubersuggest works well. It gives you useful data, as long as you know the limits.
Getting Started with Free Searches
Type in a keyword and you’ll get:
- SEO difficulty
- Monthly search volume
- Keyword suggestions
- Content ideas
- Questions related to the topic
The free plan, if you create a free account, gives you 3 searches per day. Each search returns a solid list of variations, so you can still do real research. Just be careful, clicks add up fast and you can burn through your daily limit.
Start here: Ubersuggest.
- Limit: Only 3 free searches per day
- Strength: Good overview and ideas for zero cost
- Watch out: Clicking into multiple reports uses your daily quota
When to Use It Over Paid Options
Use Ubersuggest if you need data to make decisions but you are not ready to pay. It’s a good bridge between guesswork and deeper tools.
If you want more depth, more searches, and stronger metrics, tools like Semrush, SE Ranking, or Keysearch will serve you better.
You can totally use the paid version of Ubersuggest as your SEO keyword research tool! Some people love it. I’m just not a huge fan. I prefer Keysearch!
How to Get Started with Ubersuggest:
- Sign up for a FREE Ubersuggest account here
- Tutorial: How to use Ubersuggest for SEO keyword research
Tool 5: Answer Socrates, Content Ideas on a Budget
Answer Socrates is great for brainstorming blog posts, FAQs, and topic clusters. It’s a great tool on it’s own if you’re looking for content ideas, or you can pair it with a tool like Keysearch to take it up a notch.
Generating Blog Post Inspiration
Enter a topic and you’ll see a large list of questions and phrases, based on what people are searching for around that topic.
For example, if you enter “business coaching” in the search box, you’ll see ideas like:
- “How to start business coaching”
- “What does a business coach do”
- “Why hire a business coach”
- “Business coaching near me”
- “Business coaching for small business”
- “Is business coaching worth it”
You’ll also see some light data based on those specific search terms.
Limitations and Best Fits
Use Answer Socrates when you want content ideas fast. It’s not ideal for picking keywords for product pages, sales pages, homepages, or services pages. Use Semrush, SE Ranking, or Keysearch for those.
- Do: Blog post ideas, FAQs, topic clusters
- Do not: Sales page keywords, service page keywords, full site keyword plans
How to Get Started with Answer Socrates:
- Sign up for a FREE Answer Socrates account here (Use code MARIAHMAGAZINE to save $$$ on a paid plan if you choose to upgrade!)
- Tutorial: How to use Answer Socrates for blog post SEO keyword research
BONUS: Answer the Public
Answer the Public is VERY similar to Answer Socrates (both great for blog post & content ideas), I just think Answer Socrates is slightly better because of their additional tools.
Answer the Public DOES have a lifetime deal though which is pretty enticing though.
One payment = lifetime access. I snagged this up YEARS ago.
How to Get Started with Answer the Publish:
- Sign up for a FREE Answer the Public account here
- Tutorial: How to use Answer the Public for blog post SEO keyword research
Quick SEO Keyword Research Tools Comparison at a Glance
| Tool | Best For | Standout Strength | Watch Out For |
| Semrush | Deep research and agencies | Keyword Magic Tool and SERP depth | Price and a steeper learning curve |
| SE Ranking | All-in-one at a lower price | Suite of tools with clear UI | Less brand recognition than Semrush |
| Keysearch | Simple keyword research | Clean dashboard and ease of use | Fewer bells and whistles |
| Ubersuggest | Free starter data | Good ideas without paying | Three free searches per day |
| Answer Socrates or Answer the Public | Content ideas and questions | Fast idea generation | Light metrics, not for full research |
How to Pick the Right Tool for Your Needs
Choose your tool based on budget, data depth, and project size.
- Budget near zero? Start with Ubersuggest. Pair it with Answer Socrates or Answer the Public for ideas.
- Need simple and affordable? Try Keysearch.
- Want value with more features? Go with SE Ranking.
- Need deep data and a full suite? Semrush will cover you.
Different tools work for different people. If you can, test a few and see which dashboard feels best. The layout and filters matter more than you think when you are doing this often.
Additional Resources and Next Steps
If you want to explore the tools I mentioned, here are the direct links:
- Try the Semrush free trial or sign up for the Semrush free plan!
- Grab the SE Ranking free trial
- Explore Keysearch (use code MARIAHMAGAZINE on paid plan!)
- Start with Ubersuggest
- Brainstorm with Answer Socrates (use code MARIAHMAGAZINE on paid plan!) or Answer the Public
Helpful free resources:
- Get my full list of favorite SEO tools in th efree SEO tools expert list
- New to SEO? Download the FREE SEO Assessment & Scorecard to get an idea of where your website is starting at.
Conclusion
The best keyword research tool is the one you’ll actually use.
Semrush gives unmatched depth, SE Ranking balances power and price, Keysearch keeps it simple, Ubersuggest covers the basics for free, and Answer Socrates or Answer the Public fuels content ideas.
Start with your budget and the level of data you need, then pick the tool that matches your workflow.
