How To Do Free Keyword Research for SEO Articles

There’s no doubt that a lot goes into creating effective SEO articles — from outlines and structure to meta descriptions and formatting. But there’s one key factor you really need to get started on any article: keywords.

Keywords are the backbone of every SEO strategy, including AEO, GEO and AIO. Without them, even the most well-written and heavily researched articles can get lost online. That’s why experienced marketers invest in tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz, often paying anywhere from $50 to $200 a month.

But what if you’re just starting out, or working with a limited budget? The truth is, you don’t need expensive software to begin. Free keyword research is not only possible, it’s powerful — if you know how to do it right. While it may take a bit more effort, free tools can still reveal valuable search terms that help your articles rank, attract consistent traffic, and meet your audience’s needs.

From my experience, doing your own free keyword research gives you a stronger, better understanding of the content you’ll be creating. So if you’re wondering how to get started, here’s what I have to share — from free keyword research tools, practical tips, and simple strategies you can use today to plan SEO articles that get noticed and rank.

What is Keyword Research and Why It Matters

Keyword research is the process of finding the words and phrases people type into search engines. For SEO articles, targeting the right keywords ensures your content appears when your audience is actively searching for answers.

And while search is evolving — from SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to AIO (AI Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and even GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) — keywords remain at the core. Search engines, AI tools, and answer engines all rely on keywords to understand intent and deliver the most relevant results.

Of course, keywords alone aren’t enough. Articles must still be well-researched, follow EEAT principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), and provide genuine value to readers. But when you structure and develop content with the right keywords, you increase your chances of ranking, gaining steady organic traffic, and building long-term brand authority.

There are two types of keywords you’ll need to consider:

Broad keywords (e.g., “SEO”) – High competition, wide reach, but harder to rank for.
Long-tail keywords (e.g., “free keyword research tools for SEO”) – Lower competition, higher intent, and often easier to convert.

The right balance helps your content rank faster while attracting readers who are more likely to engage with your brand.

Free vs Paid Keyword Research Tools

Paid platforms like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush go far beyond the basics. They provide detailed search volume data, advanced keyword difficulty scores, and even insights into related keyword suggestions, “People Also Ask” questions, and search volume broken down by country or region. This makes it much easier to plan content for global audiences or to identify new angles for your articles.

That said, if you’re just starting out or working with a limited budget, free keyword research tools are more than enough to uncover ideas, gauge interest, and spot trends. Free tools are particularly helpful for bloggers, freelancers, and small businesses who want to optimize content without committing to high monthly costs.

Can you rank even if you don’t have all the data related to your keyword research? Yes! As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of other factors, such as EEAT, content structure and value that determine your ability to rank and appear on both search engines and AI. When doing your keyword research using free tools, what matters is targeting the right group of keywords or keywords you believe your target audience is using.

Paid tools will become more valuable when you need to scale up SEO campaigns, compete in crowded industries, or refine your strategy with granular data. However, for most basic SEO needs, free tools provide more than enough insights to get the job done.

The key to free keyword research? Knowing the right steps and tools to use.

Step-by-Step Guide to Doing Free Keyword Research

Step 1 – Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Every keyword search begins with seed keywords — the broad ideas that define your niche or industry. Think of them as the foundation for your research.

Start by listing out:

Your niche or industry (e.g., digital marketing, skincare, fitness).
Common questions your audience asks (e.g., “How do I rank on Google?”).
Competitors’ blog titles or website categories (these often highlight the keywords they’re targeting).

Once you have these seed ideas, you can expand them further. Tools like generative AI can suggest related terms, questions, and variations you might not have thought of. Alternatively, explore forums, community discussions, and social platforms to spot recurring themes and patterns. These raw insights can guide you toward keywords that reflect what people are actually searching for.

For example:

If your website focuses on digital marketing, your seed keywords might be “SEO,” “content marketing,” and “strategy.”
If your niche is skincare, your seed keywords could be “acne treatment,” “anti-aging,” and “natural skincare.”

These seed keywords are starting points. From here, you’ll need to branch out into more specific and targeted keyword opportunities — a process we’ll refine in the next steps.

Step 2 – Use Google Search Features to Refine Your Keywords

Google itself is one of the most powerful — and free — keyword research tools. By entering your seed keywords into Google, you can uncover real user queries and refine your keyword list based on what people are actually searching for.

Here are a few features to explore:

Autocomplete: Start typing your seed keyword into the search bar. Google will suggest common phrases people use to complete that query. Perfect for long tail keywords too.
People Also Ask (PAA): Appearing in the middle of results pages, these questions highlight related queries and give you insight into what your audience wants to know.
Related Searches: Found at the bottom of search results, these offer variations of your keyword that can help you expand your content.
Google Trends: A useful tool to identify seasonal changes, compare the popularity of different keywords, and see if a term is rising or falling in interest.

While Google doesn’t provide exact search volumes here, these features are strong signals of search demand. If you see a keyword appear in autocomplete or in the “People Also Ask” box, there’s a very high chance it’s being searched regularly.

Beyond Google, forums and community platforms (like Reddit, Quora, or niche-specific groups) are also valuable. If someone is asking a question such as “How do I do keyword research if I can’t afford paid tools?” it shows clear search intent and highlights a content opportunity. You can then refine this into a keyword like “free keyword research” or “keyword research without paid tools.”

To go further, you can feed these questions into generative AI or map them against Google’s related search features to spot patterns. When multiple people are asking the same thing in slightly different ways, you’ve likely found a keyword worth targeting.

Step 3 – Explore Free Keyword Tools

Once you’ve uncovered keyword ideas using Google’s built-in features, the next step is to validate and expand those ideas with free keyword research tools. These platforms don’t just confirm whether a keyword is worth pursuing—they also help you discover related terms, long-tail keywords, and even insights into competition.

Here are some of the best free (or freemium) tools to try:

Google Keyword Planner

Originally built for advertisers running Google Ads, it is also a treasure trove for SEOs.
Provides search volume ranges (e.g., 100–1K searches per month) and keyword ideas based on your seed keyword.
You can filter by location, language, or time period, which is especially useful if your content targets specific regions.

💡Pro tip: Combine insights from Google Keyword Planner with Google Trends to confirm whether a keyword is stable or seasonal.

AnswerThePublic

Visualizes real user questions and phrases by scraping Google Autocomplete data.
Groups keywords under categories like “what,” “how,” “why,” and “near.”
Free version only offers 1 search per day (without account) or 3 searches per day (with free signup).

💡Pro tip: Use AnswerThePublic to map out blog post sections or FAQs. For example, typing “SEO” might generate questions like “How does SEO work?” or “Why is SEO important for small businesses?”

Ubersuggest (Free Version)

Offers keyword ideas, related terms, SEO difficulty, and content ideas.
Limited to 1 search per day on the free plan.
Especially useful for identifying long-tail variations and assessing keyword competitiveness.

💡Pro tip: Ubersuggest’s “Content Ideas” tab shows top-performing pages for your keyword — a quick way to spot what works in your niche.

Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)

Integrates directly into Google Search.
Shows search volumes, related keywords, and keyword suggestions in the sidebar while you browse results.
Perfect for quick, on-the-go keyword research without switching tools.

💡Pro tip: Use Keyword Surfer when brainstorming headlines — it instantly shows whether your phrasing has search demand.

By mixing and matching these free tools, you can:

Validate if your keywords have actual search demand.
Spot long-tail opportunities (e.g., “best free keyword research tools for beginners”).
Prioritize topics that are relevant to your audience and realistic for your website to rank for.

💡Remember: you don’t need to use all the tools every time. Start with 2–3, gather overlapping insights, and build a keyword list that’s both data-backed and user-focused.

Step 4 – Check Search Volume and Competition

Not every keyword you discover will be worth developing landing pages or writing an article around. This is where search volume and competition come in — two metrics that help you decide if a keyword is worth targeting.

When evaluating keywords, focus on three key factors:

Search Volume – Indicates how many times a keyword is searched for in a month. Free tools that you can use to find search volumes include SearchVolume.io (great for checking bulk keywords, limited countries) and Backlinko (limited to 3 searches per day). Moderate volumes are usually best, however…
- Don’t ignore low-volume keywords. A keyword with only 50–100 searches per month might sound small, but if it reflects high intent (e.g., “best dermatologist for acne scars Kuala Lumpur”), those few visitors can be extremely valuable — more likely to engage, convert, or share your content.
- In fact, many successful SEO strategies are built around clusters of low-volume long-tail keywords that together drive significant organic traffic.

Competition / Keyword Difficulty – A measure of how hard it is to rank for that keyword. Paid tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush provide precise scores, but free tools such as Ubersuggest, Backlinko, or Keyword Surfer can still give a rough idea of difficulty. Aim for low-to-medium competition if your site is new or still growing.
Relevance – The most important filter of all. A keyword must fit your topic and audience. Ranking for irrelevant keywords may bring traffic, but it won’t lead to conversions — which means no real impact on brand visibility or conversions.

Think of search volume and competition as guides, not rules. A smaller keyword that fits your niche and matches strong intent is often more valuable than chasing broad, competitive terms like “SEO” or “skincare.”

Step 5 – Group and Select the Right Keywords

Once you’ve gathered a list of potential keywords, the next step is to organize and prioritize them. Instead of writing one article per keyword, think in terms of topics and clusters.

Group related keywords together: For example, if your seed keyword is “free keyword research,” related terms like “SEO keyword research free” and “how to find SEO keywords for free” can naturally live in the same article. This avoids thin content and signals to search engines that your article covers the topic with depth.
Choose the right focus keyword: Within each cluster, select one primary keyword as your article’s main focus — the term you’ll optimize the title, URL, and headings around.
Use supporting (secondary) keywords: Sprinkle related terms throughout subheadings, FAQs, and the body text. These secondary keywords capture variations of search intent and broaden your chances of ranking.

Example Keyword Cluster: Free Keyword Research

Topic	Primary Keyword	Secondary Keywords	Search Intent
Free Keyword Research for SEO	free keyword research	SEO keyword research free, how to find SEO keywords for free, keyword research without paid tools, best free keyword research tools	Informational – readers want to learn methods and tools to do keyword research without paying for premium software

💡 In practice:

The article title could target the primary keyword such as what you see in this article (“How to Do Free Keyword Research for SEO Articles”).
Subheadings and sections can use secondary terms (e.g., “Best Free Keyword Research Tools” or “How to Find SEO Keywords Without Paid Tools”).
Together, this builds a single, in-depth article that ranks for multiple variations while fully covering the topic.

Example Keyword Cluster 2: Skincare Routine

Topic	Primary Keyword	Secondary Keywords	Search Intent
Daily Skincare Routine for Beginners	skincare routine for beginners	basic skincare routine, how to start a skincare routine, best skincare routine for beginners, simple skincare steps	Informational – readers want a simple, step-by-step routine they can follow

💡 In practice: One article could be titled “The Ultimate Skincare Routine for Beginners: Simple Steps to Start Today” with sections optimized around the secondary terms.

Example Keyword Cluster 3: Digital Marketing Strategy

Topic	Primary Keyword	Secondary Keywords	Search Intent
Digital Marketing Strategy for Small Business	digital marketing strategy for small business	small business online marketing plan, marketing strategy examples for SMEs, affordable digital marketing ideas	Informational + Transactional – small business owners want actionable strategies that fit their budget

💡 In practice: The article could target the main keyword with the title “How to Build a Digital Marketing Strategy for Your Small Business” and include subsections that naturally cover the supporting terms.

When prioritizing keywords, keep three filters in mind:

Relevance – Does the keyword align with your article’s topic and your audience’s needs?
Search Intent – Are readers looking for information, solutions, or guidance (not just products)?
Feasibility – Can your site realistically compete for this keyword, based on its search volume and competition level?

One strong, well-structured article targeting a cluster of related keywords often outperforms multiple short posts chasing single terms. This approach builds authority, satisfies search intent more fully, and drives more consistent organic traffic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Keyword Research

Even with the right tools, many beginners (and sometimes even experienced writers) make mistakes that weaken their SEO articles. Here are the most common pitfalls — and how to avoid them:

Targeting overly broad terms
- Keywords like “SEO” or “skincare” may attract huge search volumes but are highly competitive and often irrelevant to your specific audience.
- Instead, focus on long-tail or niche keywords where you have a realistic chance of ranking and where intent is clearer.
Ignoring search intent
- A keyword might look perfect in volume and difficulty, but if the intent doesn’t match your content, your traffic won’t stick.
- For example, ranking for “buy running shoes online” won’t help if your article is about “best running shoes for beginners.” Always align your keywords with what the user actually wants — informational, navigational, or transactional.
Neglecting keyword clustering
- Writing one article per keyword creates thin, repetitive content that Google may ignore.
- Grouping related terms into clusters signals topical depth and positions your content as a more authoritative source.
Keyword stuffing
- Forcing keywords unnaturally into sentences makes your content awkward to read and can even harm rankings.
- Instead, use natural language. Sprinkle your primary keyword in the title, URL, intro, and a few headings — then use secondary keywords naturally throughout.
Focusing only on volume, not value
- High search volume doesn’t always equal high-quality traffic. Sometimes, low-volume keywords with high intent deliver more engaged readers and conversions.
- Think beyond numbers: ask whether this keyword aligns with your expertise, builds authority (EEAT), and offers genuine value to your audience.

💡Remember: Successful keyword research isn’t about chasing numbers. It’s about finding the right balance between volume, competition, intent, and relevance — then building content that’s authoritative, user-friendly, and trustworthy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keyword Research

1. Do I really need to focus on long-tail keywords if broad terms bring more traffic?
Yes — broad terms like “SEO” or “skincare” are usually too competitive for beginners and often bring traffic that doesn’t convert. Long-tail keywords (like “best free keyword research tools for beginners” or “skincare routine for dry skin”) attract fewer searches but higher-quality visitors who are more likely to engage, subscribe, or buy.

2. How do I know the search intent behind a keyword?
Look at the current top-ranking pages. If they’re how-to guides, the intent is informational. If they’re product pages, the intent is transactional. Matching your content format to what users expect is the key to satisfying both search engines and readers.

3. Can I write separate articles for every keyword I find?
That’s a common mistake. Writing one article per keyword leads to thin, overlapping content. Instead, cluster related keywords into one in-depth article. For example, “free keyword research,” “SEO keyword research free,” and “how to find SEO keywords for free” can all live in the same piece.

4. How many times should I use a keyword in my article?
There really is no magic number. What matters is natural placement. Include your focus keyword in the title, URL, introduction, and a couple of headings. Then weave secondary keywords where they fit naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing, you should always write for humans first, and search engines will follow.

5. Are low search volume keywords even worth targeting?
Absolutely. Low-volume terms often have higher intent, meaning the people who search for them are more ready to act. For example, “affordable CRM for freelancers” may have fewer searches, but those clicks are highly valuable for a business offering CRM solutions.

6. Should I only rely on free keyword tools?
Free tools are great for beginners, small businesses, and testing ideas. They give you enough data to generate content that ranks. But as you scale, paid tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz provide advanced insights like keyword difficulty, competitor analysis, and international search volume — helpful for staying competitive in tougher markets.

Turning Keyword Research Into Real Results

Keyword research isn’t just about finding words — it’s about understanding your audience, their intent, and how your content can meet their needs. By starting with seed ideas, using free tools, clustering related keywords, and focusing on intent over volume, you’ll build articles that not only rank but also resonate with readers.

Avoiding common mistakes like targeting overly broad terms or keyword stuffing ensures your content stays valuable, trustworthy, and aligned with EEAT principles. Even if you’re working with free tools, you can still uncover powerful opportunities to grow your organic traffic and strengthen your brand authority.

The next step is action. Start small with one article, apply these methods, and refine as you go. Consistency is what drives long-term SEO success.

If you’d like more personalised guidance on keyword research, SEO content strategy, or building articles that rank, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to help you take the next step in growing your visibility and results.

Contact Me For Personalised Keyword Research