Keyword Research is a critical step to any paid or organic SEM campaign
Doing your market research is paramount before embarking on an SEO or PPC campaign. In this blog, we will review a few of our favorite keyword research tools to help you on your journey.
Google Keyword Planner
What better way to find out more about search volume and competitiveness of your market than by going straight to the source! Here’s a quick video overviewing the tool and how to use it:
Third Party Tools
Google supplies loads of data for those looking to purchase PPC to increase web traffic, but it’s not so helpful for those using the tool for SEO purposes. Additionally, tracking longtail keywords in Googles Keyword tracker, Search Console and Google Analytics can be a bit lackluster which is why I employ a hybrid analytic approach using all the great features of Google coupled with a few proprietary keyword research tools. Many of these tools have their own keyword databases which are valuable for those looking to enrich their metrics with multiple datasets.
Here are a few of the top options in 2019:
SPYFU
If you’re a data-junkie like me, you’ll want to check out Spyfu. Youll be able to get a different vantage point by using the free features which will give you a different level of insight when performing your keyword research. You really cannot go wrong with this tool, the interface is clean and easy to use and the analytics are unbelievably robust for being a free turnkey tool.
- Keyword search volume, click through rate, difficulty and average monthly cost
- Top related PPC keyword recommendations
- A competitive landscape which even includes a look at their actual ads!
- And a snapshot of the organic landscape as well
Quick Rundown of SpyFu’s Keyword Research Tools
SEM Rush
SEM Rush is a gold standard in the world of Keyword Analytics. SEM Rush can be a bit overwhelming at first, but if you’re looking for the Cadillac of SEO software, it’s one of the best bets.
Here’s a 7-day free trial if you want to try it out.
SEO MOZ Keyword Explorer
MOZ has been on the forefront of SEO analytics since the dawn of time- relatively speaking of course. Many third-party tools use their database to pull data which makes them a thought leader in the industry. They have some budget-friendly pricing tiers compared to SEM Rush but are definitely not as price friendly as some of the cheaper options out there. Even at $100 a mo, SEO MOZ is still a high-value option for those looking to enhance their research.
Raven Tools
My favorite part of Raven Tools is the clean user interface. They definitely put a lot of effort into helping their audience decipher meaning in an industry notorious for “data overload”. Raven Tools pulls data from multiple sources, including MOZ – without the ticket price of MOZ. They definitely don’t have as many bells and whistles as competitors like SEM Rush, but for the price, you can’t beat it.
Check out Raven Tools Keyword Research Tool
Mangools Keyword Finder
Strange name for a surprisingly powerful tool! Mangools Keyword Finder gives you the option to search for any keyword in any location. This is super helpful for those targetting a specific region. I really love the user interface as well. Much like the other tools, they offer metrics relating to difficulty, competitive landscape and volume. At about $30 a month, it’s hard to beat the value.
Check it out for yourself – for free!
In conclusion
Keyword research tools are a dime a dozen, but good software is worth its weight in gold. When running an SEO or PPC campaign your core strategy will rely on research which is why accuracy is paramount. These 6 tools are a good launchpad to exploring the complex and exciting world of Keyword Research.
As always, thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions we’d love to hear from you!
