Keyword research is another invaluable use of SEO tools; they help you know the best keywords to target for your website and content. This is how SEO tools can help out in keyword research:
1. Identify Relevant Keywords
Keyword Suggestions: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Semrush may all suggest keywords related to the seed keywords you have entered into the software. This helps find a wide variety of connected terms and phrases.
Autocomplete and Questions: AnswerThePublic and Ubersuggest algorithms use what others are actually searching for, including autocomplete suggestions and questions.
2. An analysis of keyword metrics
Search Volume: What number of average searches the keyword generates in a month
SEO tools provide an idea of each keyword based on number of searches per average month how popular the keyword will be and gives priority to those with high search volume.
Keyword Difficulty: Several tools, Moz and Ahrefs included, have a keyword difficulty score estimating how hard or easy it’s going to be to rank on a particular term. This would make you highlight achievable targets from your keyword pool.
Click Through Rate (CTR): Moz may be able to provide an expected click-through rate with regards to certain keywords, knowing what features the SERP has along with competition so that you have more keywords to be selected in increasing your chances to get more traffics.
3. Competitive Analysis
Competitor Keywords: With the use of tools like Semrush and Ahrefs, you will know what keywords your competitors rank for. This can unlock keyword opportunities you have missed and also show you what your competitors are doing.
Content Gaps: With the comparison of your site with your competitors, SEO tools can present content gaps, which means keywords that your competitors rank for but you do not.
4. Understanding User Intent
Keyword Classification: Keywords are automatically grouped into multiple kinds of user intent, such as information, navigational, transactional, or even commercial investigation types. Determination of intention makes it easy for you to formulate content similar to what they require.
SERP Analysis: Performing the SERP for a specific keyword will get an idea of the sort of content and even the reason users are searching by having an analytical thought.
5. Long-Tail Keywords
Find Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer keyword phrases that contain more words, and often these have lower search volume but are more likely to convert. Tools can help identify long-tail keywords that rank easier and will drive highly targeted traffic.
Question Keywords: AnswerThePublic tool focuses on question-based keywords that are usually long-tail, helping you develop content that answers user queries directly.
6. Keyword Performance Monitoring
Track of Rank: It tracks the rank position of your site for particular target keywords over periods.
Analysis from this can reflect the success in any SEO strategy which can then enable you to enhance your approach.
Tracking SERP Features: Analyze whether those target keywords produce special SERP features such as featured snippets, local packs or knowledge panels
This helps evaluate further opportunities toward improvement.
7. Localized Keyword Research
Geographic Targeting: For companies that are focusing on specific geographies, tools allow keyword data to be segmented by location. That will help you understand which are the best keywords for your local SEO efforts.
Local Competition Analysis: Knowing which keywords your local competitors are ranking for can help hone in on the focus of your local SEO efforts and open up new keyword opportunities.
Top SEO Tools for Keyword Research
- Google Keyword Planner
- Keywords suggested
- Search volume
- Competition level
Use case: Basic keyword research and preliminary idea generation
Ahrefs
Features: Keyword database, keyword difficulty, search volume, competitor analysis, content gap analysis.
Use Case: Complete keyword research and competitive analysis.
Semrush
Features: Keyword suggestions, search volume, keyword difficulty, competitive analysis, keyword tracking.
Use case: Keyword research, competitive insights, and tracking in one.
Moz Keyword Explorer
Features: Keywords; Suggest Keywords, Search Volume; Difficulty Score; Opportunity Score; SERP Analysis.
Use Case: Extended keyword research including the aspects of difficulty and opportunity.
Ubersuggest
Features: Keyword ideas, search volume, difficulty score, content ideas, competitor analysis.
Use Case: Cheap and accessible tool for basic to intermediate keyword research.
AnswerThePublic
Features: Display of questions and phrases relevant to a keyword in visual form.
Use Case: Uncovering question-based and long-tail keywords.
KeywordTool.io
Features: Google Autocomplete suggestions for keywords and search volume data.
Use Case: Generating a long list of keyword ideas fast.
