A successful content strategy begins with keyword research. It will guide your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaigns, shape your content, and help you rank in search for the terms you actually need for your business or brand. Fortunately, there are numerous SEO keyword research tools out there, both free and paid. Here are our favorites:
Google AdWords Keyword Planner
This is the most popular keyword research tool available, mostly because it’s free and incredibly easy to use. If you’re new to keyword research and SEO, this is a good place to start. But even if you’ve been doing this for years, it can still be quite helpful, though it’s definitely not as advanced or detailed as the other tools in this list. What’s great about the Google Keyword Planner is that it is powered by Google, the search engine you’re probably targeting.
LongTail Pro
Another crowd favorite, LongTailPro is a paid cloud-based keyword research tool. This one helps you craft better content and optimize your content with very specific keywords for your particular niche. The service also offers a platinum version that provides even more detailed keyword analysis. In addition, LongTailPro can help you check the competition — an added feature that will help you pick the best keywords.
AdWord & SEO Keyword Permutation Generator
This paid keyword research tool is best for when you’re having difficulty coming up with creative keywords. AdWord & SEO Keyword Permutation Generator shows you a bunch of keywords that may have not occurred to you but that still align with your website and marketing goals. The downside to this keyword research tool is that not all of the results generated will make sense, so you’ll have to spend some time going through the list.
