Find high-value keywords from the 26.6B terms people actually search.

Free Keyword Research Tool for SEO & Content Strategy

Looking to improve your SEO strategy? With the Free Keyword Research Tool—powered by Semrush and brought to you by Search Engine Land—you can effortlessly uncover valuable keywords and outshine your competition. Best of all: no credit card required.



Why Use This Free Keyword Research Tool?

  • Detect high-performing keywords: Find terms that deliver traffic and conversions.

  • Spot untapped opportunities: Discover keywords your competitors haven’t targeted yet.

  • Create rank-worthy content: Craft articles that speak directly to search intent and audience needs.


How to Use the Tool in 5 Easy Steps

1. Enter a Seed Keyword

Kick things off by typing a foundational topic—like “WordPress plugins”—into the search bar, and then hit the “Find Keywords” button.

2. Review Expanded Keyword Suggestions

Once the tool processes your query, you'll see a results table featuring:

3. Understand Each Metric

Here’s a breakdown of the key SEO metrics:

  • Volume: Average monthly searches for each keyword.

  • KD% (Keyword Difficulty): A visual indicator (green, yellow, orange, red) showing how competitive a keyword is to rank for.

  • CPC: Estimated price per ad click (in USD).

  • # of results: How many pages Google returns for that keyword.

  • Search trend: Visual insight into how interest in the keyword has changed over time.(Search Engine Land)

4. Target Effort vs. Impact with Keyword Difficulty

Keyword difficulty (KD%) helps prioritize which keywords to target first:

  • KD 10–29: Low difficulty—great for new sites or early campaigns.

  • KD 30–69: Moderate difficulty—achievable with quality content and backlinks.

  • KD 70+: High difficulty—typically dominated by authoritative domains.(Search Engine Land)

Start with lower-difficulty terms to build traction, then gradually expand into more competitive areas.

5. Refine Your Content Strategy

Gauge which keywords fit your domain authority and goals best—whether aiming for quick wins or long-term dominance. Target low-difficulty terms first to build organic momentum, then tackle higher-difficulty terms with authoritative, comprehensive content and strategic backlinking.


Example: “WordPress plugins”

Let’s say you searched "WordPress plugins." The results page shows:

That gives you a clear roadmap for content creation: which keywords are easiest to rank for, and which have the most traffic or cost potential.


SEO Best Practices When Using the Tool

  • Start small, then scale: Begin with easy-to-rank keywords to build organic traction.

  • Balance intent and volume: Don’t just chase volume—choose terms that match your audience’s search intent.(Wikipedia)

  • Group keywords thematically: Organize ideas into pillar topics and subtopics to create coherent, structured content.

  • Monitor search trends: Trending keywords can guide timely blog posts or articles.

  • Iterate strategically: Revisit your keyword list over time, refining and expanding based on performance.


Key Takeaways

Feature Benefit
Free to use No payment or credit needed—great for all users
Powered by Semrush Access to a trusted, data-rich SEO engine
Comprehensive metrics Volume, KD%, CPC, results count, search trends—everything in one view
Actionable insights Helps you choose keywords that match difficulty and strategic goals

Bonus Tip: Semrush also offers tools like the Keyword Generator, Rank Checker, Difficulty Checker, and more—perfect for expanding your SEO toolkit.(Search Engine Land)


Final Thoughts

An optimized SEO game starts with smart keyword research. Use this free, user-friendly tool to discover and prioritize keywords that align with your goals while fitting your site’s authority level. Build your content roadmap with data-backed confidence, and watch your visibility grow.



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