Why Visual Search Should be a Part of Your Search Strategy (4)

The Best Keyword Research Tools You May Not Know

Bill Sebald
Founder & Managing Partner


Note: This post reviews web-based keyword tools. It doesn’t cover desktop tools or plugins.

Keyword research is extremely important when conceiving new content ideas or optimizing existing content for search engines. You likely have a favorite keyword research tool – be it Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. These tools are great for finding high search volume head terms, but what about those times you need more detailed long-tail keywords?

There are some unique tools that every SEO should know about.

SE Ranking

Suppose you selected target keywords from Google Keyword Planner. I suggest you not rush things and run additional keyword research via SE Ranking, an excellent advanced Google Suggest tool. 

While SE Ranking Keyword Suggestion Tool has a basic set of essential metrics, it suggests more diverse long-tail keywords. It generates a comprehensive list of key phrases, categorized into similar, related, and low search volume keywords.

Click to enlarge

When I said SE Ranking is an advanced SEO tool, I mean it. For example, I found a useful bonus in SERP Feature info. The system highlights each SERP feature displayed for the analyzed keyword and gives you the advantage of getting a zero position in search results.

Lastly, SE Ranking Keyword Suggestion Tool got a recent update, where they added bulk keyword analysis. It really works – I analyzed hundreds of keywords and got rid of unnecessary search queries in a matter of seconds!

Übersuggest 

I believe Übersuggest was the first keyword research tool for Google Suggest. At least it was the most popular. It was purchased by Neil Patel, who made some minor changes to the interface.

Ubersuggest
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The addition of search volume and CPC metrics are nice. The PD (paid difficulty) and SD (SEO difficulty) are interesting metrics. I’ve seen several tools try to formulate a similar number, but have never been one to trust in them too heavily. But for some who enjoy directional data, this may be for you.

Keywordtool.io Keyword Suggestion Tool

Next up is another great little Google keyword suggestion tool with a less-creative name. Called Keyword Tool, This tool is a lot like Like Übersuggest; it also takes your base term and appends it with letters and phrases.

keywordtool.io
Click to enlarge

Keyword Tool has more platforms to pull from. Instead of just Google, they have added support for YouTube, Bing, Amazon, Play Store, eBay, Instagram and Twitter.

The tool gives plenty for free, but will cost you if you need more keywords than the free version provides. Or metrics.

Answer The Public 

Answer The Public takes a cool spin on “suggest” data, targeted at finding and answering searched questions through Google and YouTube. Pick your subject (keyword) and pick your region.

Keyword Visualization

The results are solid (and similar to Keywordtool.io and Übersuggest). But this tool does something unique with visualizations.

Keyword.io

Another awesome Google Suggest keyword tool is Keyword.io.

keyword.io
Click to enlarge

Keyword.io prepends and appends your search phrase with different letters from the alphabet as well as prepends your phrase with questions like “how”, “what”, “why”, and “where” to help you better meet searcher intentions. I like the option to pick keywords for exporting.

SEO Scout 

SEO Scout is one I just found. Much like the others with a good amount of options.

SEO Scout
Click to enlarge

Which Google Suggest tool is the best?

To answer the question posed in the title, the best tool is… all of them. (I know, what a cop-out!) These are all very simple tools with straightforward functions. They all contribute to generating inspiring content ideas and optimizing copy. I have probably used keyword.io the most because I find the “pick and export” feature useful. My recommendation is to give them all a try and see which one you prefer.

Interested in SEO services? We are a Philadelphia SEO and digital marketing agency supporting clients all over the country. Let’s talk.

Bill Sebald headshot.

Bill Sebald

Founder & Managing Partner

Bill started in SEO in 1996, early enough to have watched the discipline form around him and to have introduced some of the approaches still in use today. He founded Greenlane in 2005 as a consulting business, which reformed in 2012 as an alternative to the standard agency model: senior people, small roster, every client getting the collective attention of the whole team. His writing focuses on SEO strategy, where AI and LLMs are taking search, and unvarnished industry opinion.

In the field since
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Outside of work, Bill is a guitarist and songwriter. When he isn’t writing or playing music, you’ll usually find him watching 80s movies.

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Greenlane Marketing is a highly experienced PPC and SEO agency trusted by leading Lead Generation, E-commerce, and Media brands. We align SEO, paid media, and analytics to turn search demand into revenue growth. From day one, you’re paired with a dedicated strategist focused on your goals. Choose one-time projects or monthly retainers — whatever fits your needs. Whether it’s E-commerce, B2B, or B2C, you’ll have direct access to our strategy experts every step of the way.