7 Easy-to-use Keyword Research Tools

*This article was last updated on 27/03/2025

Keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t always have to use expensive software or have years of SEO experience. I firmly believe the best keyword research tools are the ones you’ll actually open and use regularly.

That’s precisely why I put together this list of seven keyword research tools that are actually easy to use. I’ve tested these tools—some for quick wins, others for deeper digging. And no, you don’t need to be an SEO wizard to use them.

Table of Contents

1. Ubersuggest
2. Google Keyword Planner
3. AnswerThePublic
4. KeywordTool.io
5. LowFruits.io
6. KWFinder
7. Soovle
8. Final Thoughts

1. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is a keyword research tool created by digital marketer Neil Patel. It started as a simple keyword suggestion engine, but it’s grown into an (almost) complete SEO suite. Still, I like that it hasn’t lost its beginner-friendly vibe.

You don’t need to create a complicated project just to get started. Just type in a keyword and hit search—it’s that easy.

a. Why I Recommend Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is one of the few keyword research tools that balance simplicity with depth. You’ll get actual data—like monthly search volume, SEO difficulty, paid difficulty, and even content ideas—all within a single scrollable page.

The interface is clean, the metrics are color-coded, and everything feels like it’s made for real people, not SEO analysts.

I especially like how it breaks down keyword ideas into suggestions, related terms, questions, prepositions, and comparisons. These categories help you see search intent clearly, which many tools skip. 

For example, if you search “vegan recipes,” Ubersuggest will suggest things like:

• “vegan recipes for beginners”
• “vegan recipes that taste good”
• “easy vegan recipes with tofu”

These long-tail variations are gold when you’re targeting specific audiences.

b. Key Features of Ubersuggest

Here’s a quick breakdown of the features that make Ubersuggest worth using—especially if you’re new to keyword research:

• Keyword Overview:  You get core metrics like search volume, SEO difficulty, paid difficulty, and CPC in one glance.
• Keyword Suggestions: Ubersuggest pulls hundreds of related keywords grouped into categories.
• SEO Difficulty Score: This shows how hard it’ll be to rank for a keyword. It’s not perfect, but it can act as a quick filter for low-hanging fruit.
• Content Ideas Tool: Finds popular blog posts that include your keyword. You can see estimated traffic, backlinks, and social shares.
• Backlink Data: You can see who’s linking to your competitors and target those sites for your outreach.
• Keyword Tracking: If you create a free account, you can track keywords and monitor their ranking over time.
• Site Audit (Bonus): Though it’s not strictly keyword-related, this is surprisingly helpful. It provides a beginner-friendly checklist for fixing problems.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

The free version has daily search limits. That can be annoying if you’re deep into research mode. I recommend starting with the free tier and then deciding if the paid plan is worth it for your workflow.

Also, while the data is good, it’s not as deep as tools like Ahrefs or Semrush. Honestly, though, I find the latter two not as good nowadays as they once were. But if ease of use matters more to you than raw power, Ubersuggest wins hands down.

d. Ubersuggest Usage Tips

• Start with a broad topic (e.g. “keto diet”) and review related keyword suggestions.
• Use the “Questions” tab to generate blog post or FAQ content ideas.
• Explore the “Content Ideas” section to see what headlines and topics already perform well.
• Use the SEO Difficulty score to prioritize easy-to-rank terms.

2. Google Keyword Planner

There’s always Google Keyword Planner for those who feel more comfortable getting data directly from Google. This free keyword research tool comes with Google Ads. It was initially made for advertisers, yet when used right, it can also be a powerful resource for SEO.

It pulls keyword data straight from Google, meaning the numbers are as accurate as possible. If you want raw accuracy over fancy features, this tool delivers. You will need a Google Ads account to access it, but don’t worry—you don’t have to run any actual ads.

a. Why I Recommend It

This is the first keyword tool I ever used, and I still use it. Why? It’s fast, reliable, and free of fluff. I love it for getting solid baseline data, especially when I want to validate whether a keyword is even worth targeting.

It doesn’t give you trendy UI elements or creative ideas. But when you need to check actual monthly search volume and competition levels, it’s spot on. And yes, I firmly believe every SEO should know how to use this tool, even if just to cross-check data from other sources.

b. Key Features of Google Keyword Planner

• Keyword Ideas Based on a Seed Term: You enter one keyword, which returns a clean list of related keywords.
• Geo-Targeting Options: This is one of my favorite features. You can filter data by country, state, or city. It’s especially handy for local SEO.
• Competitor Website Analysis: You can input a competitor’s domain, and it will show the keywords they’re targeting.
• Forecasting Tool: Google estimates how a keyword might perform in a paid campaign. Although the tool is geared toward advertisers, the data reveals commercial intent.
• Grouped Keyword Ideas: This feature clusters keywords into ad group-style categories. Although it’s ad-focused, I’ve used it to build blog content clusters.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

As far as most keyword research tools on this list go, Keyword Planner isn’t beginner-friendly out of the gate. You need to navigate through the Google Ads interface, which feels clunky. 

Also, it doesn’t give exact search volumes unless you’re actively running ad campaigns. You’ll often see ranges like “1K–10K,” which can be vague.

Despite that, I still use it to cross-reference other tools. It keeps me grounded in actual search demand.

d. Google Keyword Planner Usage Tips

• Use it to double-check keyword volume from other tools.
• Filter by location to get hyper-specific data for local SEO.
• Plug in a competitor’s URL to uncover the keywords they target.
• Use the “Grouped ideas” for creating blog categories.

3. AnswerThePublic

For those who like something with a bit more eye candy, AnswerThePublic may be more of your thing. It’s a keyword discovery tool that pulls autocomplete data from Google and other search engines. 

But it doesn’t just give you a list—it turns search queries into visual keyword maps. These maps show what people are asking, how they phrase their questions, and what they want to learn. This tool is a game changer if you want to understand real user intent.

a. Why I Recommend It

I use AnswerThePublic whenever I feel creatively stuck. Seriously, five minutes on this tool, and I walk away with ten content ideas.

What sets it apart is the way it organizes keywords into human questions. Not just random terms, but things like:

• “How does intermittent fasting work?”
• “Can intermittent fasting help with bloating?”
• “What are the risks of intermittent fasting?”

This is gold when you’re trying to connect with readers (or customers). You’re not just targeting keywords—you’re answering real questions people ask every day.

b. Key Features of AnswerThePublic

• Visual Keyword Wheel: The first thing you see is a circular map of questions sorted by “who,” “what,” “why,” etc. It’s beautiful and quickly gives you context.
• Question-Based Keyword Suggestions: You’ll see queries that reflect genuine curiosity—not just search volume. Perfect for FAQs, scripts, and educational content.
• Prepositions and Comparisons: Beyond questions, it also surfaces searches with prepositions (“for,” “with,” “without”) and comparisons (“vs,” “or,” “like”).
• Export Options: You can export everything into a CSV file with one click. It’s handy when building content calendars or sharing ideas with clients or teams.
• Language and Region Filters: You can choose different countries and languages.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

The free plan limits how many searches you can run per day. If you’re deep into research, you’ll hit that cap fast. Also, the tool doesn’t show exact search volumes or keyword difficulty, so it’s not ideal for final keyword selection.

d. AnswerThePublic Usage Tips

• Enter a topic and focus on the “Why,” “How,” and “Can” questions for informational content.
• Screenshot or export the keyword wheel for visual planning.
• Use it before writing pillar content or to expand your blog’s topical authority.
• Combine with a volume-checking tool to prioritize questions by demand.

4. KeywordTool.io

This freemium keyword research tool pulls autocomplete suggestions from Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, Instagram, and more. KeywordTool.io is built for speed and simplicity. Just type in a seed keyword, and you’ll get hundreds of actual user search queries within seconds.

Unlike most tools, KeywordTool.io doesn’t rely on database estimates. It scrapes live suggestions—so everything you see reflects how people search for “live”.

a. Why I Recommend It

If you want long-tail keywords fast, this tool delivers. I use it when building topical clusters or generating niche content ideas—especially for platforms beyond Google. 

For example, when researching YouTube topics, I’ll switch to the YouTube tab and instantly get keyword suggestions that reflect how viewers search.

It’s also great for Amazon SEO. If you’re an eCommerce seller, this tool shows what shoppers are typing in real-time.The interface is ridiculously simple. No logins needed. No clutter. Just keywords.

b. Key Features of KeywordTool.io

• Multi-Platform Suggestions: This is where it shines. You can pull search queries from almost anywhere, making it far more versatile than most other tools.
• Alphabetical + Question-Based Results: It helps you quickly scan large volumes of terms without feeling overwhelmed. Great for identifying angles you hadn’t thought of.
• Keyword Metrics (Paid Version): If you upgrade, you’ll unlock search volume, trend graphs, CPC, and competition scores.
• CSV Export: One-click export lets you save hundreds of keyword ideas. I like dropping these lists into a spreadsheet and tagging them by topic or intent.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

The free version doesn’t show keyword volume or difficulty, so it’s best for brainstorming, not final decision-making. You’ll need to pay for deep insights or integrations, but I still use the free version for raw idea generation.

d. KeyWordTool.io Usage Tips

• Use the platform tabs (e.g. YouTube, Amazon) to adapt content or product listings.
• Export the free suggestions and tag them manually for use in campaigns or editorial calendars.
• Great for marketplaces—use Amazon or eBay tabs for listing optimization.
• Combine with paid metrics if you want search volume and CPC.

5. LowFruits.io

This niche-focused keyword research tool helps you find low-competition opportunities based on actual Google results. LowFruits.io is designed to uncover weak spots in the SERPs—places where small websites or forums already rank.

Unlike most keyword tools, LowFruits doesn’t just give you volume and difficulty scores. It analyzes search engine results to spot keywords where you can realistically compete, even if your site is new or small.

a. Why I Recommend It

LowFruits is one of my go-to tools for finding low-hanging SEO fruit. I recommend it if you’re tired of targeting high-volume keywords that never rank.

This tool flips the usual keyword research process. Instead of starting with search volume, it begins with ranking feasibility. That mindset shift can save you months of frustration.

For example, I’ve found keywords with 100–300 searches/month that have zero authority sites on page one. These are gold mines for blogs and affiliate marketers.

This tool saves time and reduces guesswork when building a niche site, writing content for a client, or running a content sprint.

b. Key Features of LowFruits.io

• SERP Weak Spot Detection: LowFruits scans the top 10 Google results and highlights weak domains like Reddit, Quora, or low-DA blogs. 
• Keyword Clustering: Lowfruits groups related keywords together to help you build content silos or topical clusters without manually organizing them.
• Color-Coded Keyword Difficulty: The easy-to-understand green/yellow/red scoring shows how likely you are to rank. I love this system—it’s simple and actionable.
• Bulk Import & Filtering: Paste in thousands of keywords, then filter by weak spots, volume, or question format.
• CSV Export & Tagging: You can save filtered lists and tag keywords by topic, intent, or funnel stage.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

There’s no free plan, just a credit-based system. You pay for each keyword you analyze, which can add up if you’re not selective.

Also, while the interface is clean, there’s a small learning curve to filter effectively. It’s not plug-and-play like Ubersuggest, but once you get it, it’s incredibly powerful.

If you’re after mass keyword volume, this isn’t the tool. But if you’re hunting for realistic ranking opportunities, LowFruits deserves a spot in your toolkit.

d. LowFruits.io Usage Tips

• Paste in keyword ideas in bulk and filter by “Weak spots in SERP.”
• Prioritize terms where forums and low-authority blogs rank on page one.
• Use keyword clustering to plan supporting content and internal links.
• Focus on green/yellow difficulty scores to find ranking opportunities for new sites.

6. KWFinder

Part of the Mangools SEO suite, KWFInder is known for its intuitive design and beginner-friendly interface. It’s a cloud-based keyword tool that shows search volume, keyword difficulty, SERP analysis, and trend data—all in one clean dashboard.

Unlike bulkier tools, KWFinder is made to be simple, visual, and easy to learn. You don’t need to set up projects or click through multiple screens. Everything you need is right there, laid out clearly.

a. Why I Recommend It

I recommend KWFinder to anyone just getting serious about SEO. It feels more like an app than an SEO tool—polished, smooth, and easy to navigate.

You’ll find reliable keyword metrics, plus real-time SERP snapshots for every keyword. This helps you judge competition with your own eyes instead of relying only on scores.

One of my favorite things? The keyword difficulty score is genuinely trustworthy. If KWFinder says a keyword is easy, it usually is.

It’s also great for local SEO. If you’re targeting a specific country, state, or city, KWFinder lets you filter results right down to the local level. That’s something many tools skip.

b. Key Features of KWFinder

• Accurate Keyword Metrics: You get precise data for search volume, CPC, PPC competition, and keyword difficulty. The visual layout makes comparisons easy.
• Local and Global Search Filters: You can filter keywords by specific countries, cities, or languages. 
• SERP Analysis: Each keyword has a SERP overview showing domain authority, backlinks, traffic, and social signals. You can quickly tell who’s ranking and why.
• Keyword Suggestions and Autocomplete: KWFinder pulls related keywords, autocomplete phrases, and question-based terms. 
• Seamless Mangools Integration: It connects with Mangools’ other tools like SERPChecker, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler. That makes it a complete (and affordable) SEO stack.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

KWFinder doesn’t offer a free version—just a 10-day trial with limited daily lookups. After that, you’ll need a paid subscription.

Also, while it’s very polished, it’s not as deep or scalable as tools like Ahrefs or Semrush. You might hit some limitations if you’re working on a huge site or doing advanced competitor analysis.

d. KWFinder Usage Tips

• Type in a keyword and examine the SERP analysis panel for competitor data.
• Use location filters to discover high-potential regional terms.
• Group similar terms and export for structured content creation.
• Excellent for freelancers working with local businesses or small ecommerce sites.

7. Soovle

Soovle is a lightning-fast keyword suggestion tool that aggregates autocomplete data from multiple search engines in one screen. It pulls live suggestions from Google, YouTube, Amazon, Bing, Wikipedia, Yahoo, and more—all at once.

Unlike most keyword tools, Soovle doesn’t try to interpret or filter results. It just shows you what real users are typing right now across different platforms.

If you’re after raw inspiration without the clutter, Soovle is a hidden gem.

a. Why I Recommend It

I recommend Soovle when you’re at the very start of your research—brainstorming ideas, exploring topics, or checking user intent across platforms.

It’s unbelievably fast. Type a keyword, and you instantly see live autocomplete suggestions from multiple sources. No loading bars, accounts, or limitations.

I especially like using it when writing for multi-platform audiences. For example, I might want to see how people search differently on Amazon versus YouTube versus Google. Soovle gives me that contrast in seconds.

Also, the minimal interface is a breath of fresh air. It’s not pretty—but it’s efficient.

b. Key Features of Soovle

• Multi-Platform Autocomplete: Soovle pulls suggestions from Google, Bing, Amazon, YouTube, Yahoo, Wikipedia, and Answers.com—simultaneously.
• Real-Time Results: Everything loads the moment you type. No need to hit enter or wait for processing.
• Drag and Save Suggestions: You can drag any keyword you like into a “saved” area on the same screen. Simple, but useful for collecting ideas.
• Custom Search Engine Preferences: You can prioritize specific sources if you only want suggestions from, say, Amazon or YouTube.
• One-Click Google Search: Click on any keyword and it takes you straight to the Google SERP for instant context.

c. Limitations to Keep in Mind

Soovle doesn’t offer any keyword metrics—no search volume, no difficulty scores, no CPC data. That means it’s not great for final analysis or SEO forecasting.

Also, the interface looks dated and can feel clunky if you’re used to polished tools like KWFinder or Ubersuggest. There’s no export button either—you’ll need to copy/paste manually.

d. Soovle Usage Tips

• Use it when you want a fast brainstorm without logging into anything.
• Compare how people search for the same term across Amazon, Google, and YouTube.
• Drag the most relevant keywords into the saved area, then copy/paste to your doc.
• Best for content creators, not SEOs—don’t expect volume or rankings.

8. Final Thoughts

You don’t need complex software or years of SEO experience to do great keyword research. These seven tools prove that powerful insights can come from clean, user-friendly platforms.

Start with one tool that matches your goals.

Need ideas fast? Try AnswerThePublic or Soovle.

Want to rank with minimal effort? LowFruits.io will spot the easy wins.

Looking for reliable data? Go with Google Keyword Planner or KWFinder.

And if you’re just beginning, Ubersuggest offers the best mix of simplicity and features.

Each tool on this list brings something unique to the table. Test a few. See what fits your workflow. What matters most is taking consistent action—not getting stuck in endless research.