Best Keyword Research Tools for Beginners

Stepping into the world of SEO can feel a bit like diving into a deep, murky ocean. You know there’s treasure down there somewhere, but how do you find it? That’s where keyword research tools come in—they help you uncover the keywords that will make your content rank higher in search engines.

For beginners, it’s often hard to figure out which tool to start with. While SEMrush, Ahrefs, and other big names offer powerful features, they can be a bit overwhelming (and expensive!). That’s why many experts (and I) recommend Mangools as the go-to tool for beginners. It’s easy to use, offers accurate data and is priced affordably. But before diving into why Mangools is a great choice, let’s take a look at all the top tools and what they have to offer.

An overview of the most important points:

Mangools: The top recommendation for beginners due to its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set.
SEMrush: A robust all-in-one tool with deep analytics but a steeper learning curve.
Ahrefs: Another powerful tool with excellent backlink analysis but can be overwhelming for beginners.
Google Keyword Planner: A free, no-frills option great for starting out but lacks advanced features.
Ubersuggest: A beginner-friendly and affordable tool with solid functionality but fewer insights than premium tools.

Now, let’s dive deeper into these tools to see which one fits your needs!

Mangools (KWFinder): The Best Choice for Beginners

When it comes to simplicity, accuracy, and affordability, Mangools (especially its flagship tool, KWFinder) is hard to beat. It’s designed specifically for keyword research and is perfect for beginners who want something easy to understand, without sacrificing valuable insights.

Why Mangools Is Ideal for Beginners:

User-Friendly Interface: Mangools excels with its clean, intuitive interface. While other tools can feel overwhelming, KWFinder’s simple layout makes keyword research straightforward.
Accurate Data: KWFinder offers accurate keyword difficulty metrics, search volume, and related keywords. It even shows you historical data to help you spot trends.
Competitor Insights: You can easily analyze your competitors’ ranking keywords and backlinks with the help of Mangools’ suite of tools like SERPChecker and LinkMiner.
Localized Results: If you’re focusing on local SEO, KWFinder lets you target specific regions and languages, giving you more accurate data for local searches.

Best For:

Beginners looking for a simple yet effective tool.
Small businesses, bloggers, and freelancers.

Pricing:

Mangools starts at just $19.90 per month, but they often offer discounts for new users. Considering the ease of use and the accuracy of data, it’s excellent value for money.

A Beginner Tip:

Start with KWFinder for keyword research, then gradually explore the other tools in Mangools’ suite (like SERPChecker for ranking insights) to maximize your SEO strategy.

SEMrush: A Powerful Swiss Army Knife for SEO

If you’ve spent any time researching SEO, you’ve probably come across SEMrush. It’s often referred to as one of the most comprehensive SEO tools on the market, and for good reason. SEMrush doesn’t just focus on keyword research—it’s an all-in-one digital marketing suite with features that cover everything from content optimization to PPC campaigns, competitor analysis, and even social media management.

What Makes SEMrush a Standout?

Keyword Magic Tool: SEMrush’s keyword research feature is aptly named the „Keyword Magic Tool.“ It gives you access to an enormous database of over 20 billion keywords, breaking them down into easily navigable subcategories, intent, and competitive density. You can even filter by region or device.
Competitive Analysis: You can see what keywords your competitors are ranking for, which pages bring in the most traffic, and even estimate how much traffic they’re getting.
Topic Research: If you struggle to come up with content ideas, SEMrush helps by generating topics based on popular keywords.
SERP Features Data: Understand which SERP features (like featured snippets or local packs) are appearing for specific keywords, so you can optimize your content accordingly.

Best For:

Beginners with a serious interest in SEO.
Those willing to invest time in learning the platform.
Users looking for a broad, all-in-one solution.

Pricing:

SEMrush starts at around $139.95 per month, which is on the pricier side. However, its extensive features make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about SEO.

A Beginner Tip:

While SEMrush offers an incredible amount of data, it can also be overwhelming. Start by focusing on just one area (like the Keyword Magic Tool), and gradually explore the platform as you grow more comfortable.

Ahrefs: A Deep Dive into SEO and Backlinks

Ahrefs is another heavy hitter in the SEO world, often considered SEMrush’s biggest competitor. While it also offers a wide range of SEO tools, Ahrefs is best known for its backlink analysis and large keyword database.

Key Features:

Site Explorer: This is where Ahrefs really shines. Enter any URL, and Ahrefs will show you everything about its SEO profile—backlinks, organic traffic, top keywords, and more.
Keywords Explorer: With access to a huge keyword database, Ahrefs‘ keyword research tool gives you keyword difficulty scores, search volume, and detailed data on who is ranking for those keywords. It even suggests related terms you might want to consider.
Content Explorer: Input a keyword and find top-performing content around that topic, based on traffic, backlinks, and social shares.

Best For:

Those looking to dive deep into backlink analysis.
Intermediate users who want a more advanced SEO tool.

Pricing:

Ahrefs starts at $119 per month for the Lite plan, but most people find they need the Standard plan at $229 per month to unlock the full power of the tool.

A Beginner Tip:

Ahrefs has a steeper learning curve, but it’s a fantastic tool for understanding how your competitors are succeeding. If you’re just starting, focus on using the Keywords Explorer and Site Explorer to get a solid grasp of what’s working in your niche.

Google Keyword Planner: The Free Option from Google

For those just starting out, Google Keyword Planner can be a good entry point. It’s a free tool, and while it doesn’t offer as many bells and whistles as SEMrush or Ahrefs, it gets the job done—especially if you’re on a budget.

Key Features:

Keyword Suggestions: Google Keyword Planner helps you discover new keywords based on a seed keyword or a URL. It also provides historical data like search volume trends and competition levels.
Bid Estimates: If you’re planning to run Google Ads, Keyword Planner gives you bid estimates for keywords, helping you budget your campaigns more effectively.
Integration with Google Ads: Since it’s integrated directly with Google Ads, this tool is especially helpful if you’re looking to run paid search campaigns in addition to organic search efforts.

Best For:

Beginners on a tight budget.
Anyone focusing primarily on Google Ads campaigns.

Pricing:

Free! (But keep in mind it’s less robust compared to premium tools.)

A Beginner Tip:

Google Keyword Planner is great for getting a basic idea of keyword volume and trends, but it lacks more detailed insights like keyword difficulty or competitor analysis. If you’re just starting out, this is a good way to dip your toes into keyword research without spending money.

Ubersuggest: A Solid Budget-Friendly Alternative

Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, is another excellent choice for beginners who want a more user-friendly and affordable tool. Ubersuggest offers many of the features of the pricier tools but at a fraction of the cost. It’s designed with simplicity in mind, making it a great entry-level choice.

Key Features:

Keyword Overview: Ubersuggest provides data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and cost-per-click (CPC) for paid campaigns.
Content Ideas: It offers a tool similar to SEMrush’s Topic Research, suggesting content ideas based on keyword data and top-performing articles.
SEO Audit: Ubersuggest also provides site audits, giving you a quick overview of your website’s SEO health, from backlink profiles to page speed insights.

Best For:

Beginners who want something affordable and easy to use.
Anyone who needs basic keyword research and content ideas.

Pricing:

Ubersuggest starts at $16 per month or $55 for Enterprise with 8 to 15 websites—an unbeatable deal if you’re sticking to a strict budget.

A Beginner Tip:

Start with Ubersuggest’s free version, which offers limited daily searches but gives you a feel for the tool. Upgrade when you feel comfortable and need more features.