Discover which keyword research tools can boost your organic traffic and help you create strategic content.
When the subject is SEO, One of the most important steps is choosing the right keywords. They are the link between your brand and the public's searches on search engines. But how do you identify the best terms? The answer lies in using keyword research tools, which help analyze search volume, competition, and user intent.
In this article, you will learn 5 Keyword Research Tools that can transform your digital strategy, as well as tips on how to choose the most suitable one for your business.
Why Use Keyword Research Tools
One SEO strategy Without keyword research, it's like navigating without a compass. Keyword research tools help you:
- Identify real opportunities: find out what terms your audience uses when searching for information.
- Analyze competition: understand the difficulty of ranking for certain words.
- Find long tail: more specific terms with a higher conversion rate.
- Plan content: create guidelines aligned with market demands.
- Measure trends: track trending terms.
In short, using a good tool ensures that your SEO strategy is based on data, not guesswork.
5 Keyword Research Tools You Need to Know About
1. Google Keyword Planner
THE Google Keyword Planner is a free tool offered within Google Ads. Although it's geared toward paid campaigns, it's widely used for SEO.
Key Features:
- Suggestions for new keywords from terms or URLs.
- Average monthly search volume.
- Competition and suggested bid (good for assessing commercial intent).
Pros:
- Free.
- Data provided directly by Google.
- Useful for identifying high volume keywords.
Cons:
- Requires a Google Ads account.
- Less accurate in terms of organic competition.
👉 Ideal for companies that are just starting out and want an initial overview of the market.
2. SEMrush
THE SEMrush is considered one of the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing tools on the market. It goes far beyond keyword research, offering technical audits, backlink analysis, and competitor tracking.
Key Features:
- Keyword Magic Tool: Robust keyword database.
- SERP (Search Engine Results Page) analysis.
- Tracking positions on Google.
- Keyword insights by intent (informational, transactional, commercial).
Pros:
- Extremely broad database.
- Allows you to study competitors in detail.
- Custom reports.
Cons:
- High cost for small businesses.
- Bigger learning curve.
👉 Recommended for SEO professionals, agencies, and companies that already have digital maturity.
3. Ahrefs
THE Ahrefs is another powerful tool, focusing on backlink analysis and keyword research. It's widely used for international strategies, but it's also useful for SEO in Portuguese.
Key Features:
- Keyword Explorer: Shows search volume, difficulty, and click-through rate (CTR).
- Competitor study: analysis of backlinks and traffic from rival websites.
- Detailed data on pages that rank for specific keywords.
Pros:
- Excellent for link building strategies.
- Metrics like “Keyword Difficulty” are quite reliable.
- Intuitive interface.
Cons:
- It also has a high cost.
- Less integration with areas other than SEO.
👉 Perfect for businesses that need to grow their authority and keep a close eye on competitors.
4. Ubersuggest
Created by Neil Patel, the tool Ubersuggest has become an affordable option for those looking for good SEO insights without spending a lot.
Key Features:
- Related keyword suggestions.
- Search volume and difficulty.
- Content ideas and competitor analysis.
- Simplified reporting.
Pros:
- Free plan with limitations.
- User-friendly and easy-to-use interface.
- Affordable for small businesses and freelancers.
Cons:
- Smaller database than SEMrush and Ahrefs.
- Some reports may be superficial.
👉 Great option for those who are starting out and need a good value for money.
5. Moz Keyword Explorer
THE Moz Keyword Explorer is well known among SEO professionals and offers different metrics, such as analysis of opportunity and CTR potential.
Key Features:
- Detailed ranking difficulty.
- Organic click-through rate estimate.
- Related word suggestions.
- Integration with other Moz tools (such as Moz Pro and Link Explorer).
Pros:
- Unique metrics that help with prioritization.
- Very good for finding long tail terms.
- Trusted among experienced professionals.
Cons:
- Free version quite limited.
- Less modern interface than competitors.
👉 Recommended for those looking for more accurate CTR and difficulty metrics for strategic decisions.
How to choose the right tool for your business
Not every company needs to invest in expensive tools. The ideal is to evaluate objectives, budget and digital maturity.
- Startups and small businesses: Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner.
- E-commerce and expanding businesses: Moz or Ahrefs.
- Large companies and agencies: SEMrush, for its in-depth reporting and competitor analysis.
Practical tip: Many of these tools offer free trials. Try it before you decide.
Extra tips for doing good keyword research
In addition to choosing the right tool, follow best practices to maximize results:
- Analyze search intent – it’s not enough to look at volume, you need to understand whether the user wants information, a purchase or a comparison.
- Prioritize long-tail keywords – More specific terms tend to have less competition and a higher conversion rate.
- Compare with competitors – find out what terms they are ranking for and identify opportunities.
- Update periodically – research changes over time; what works today may not work in 6 months.
Keyword research tools are the foundation of a good SEO strategy.
Invest in keyword research tools is essential for guiding your digital strategy. They allow you to understand how your audience searches, which opportunities to explore, and where to focus your content efforts.
But remember: the tool is just a resource. What really makes a difference is the strategy behind the use of data.
If you want to structure a solid SEO plan, combining keyword research, optimized content and technical performance, the follow55 can help.
Talk to the follow55 team and discover how to transform data into real results with a customized SEO strategy for your business.
