6 Tools to Find New Keywords [Free + Paid Options]

Most teams don’t lack keyword tools — they lack clarity. You sift through lists, exports, and dashboards, yet you still leave with the same question: which terms are worth building content around? 

• You add dozens of “good keywords” to a plan, then none of them move rankings because the difficulty was unrealistic.

• You see long lists from free tools, but most ideas die once you check whether anyone searches for them.

• You spend hours digging for fresh angles, yet you keep circling the same phrases your competitors already saturate.

To solve this, we reviewed the tools that actually help uncover new keywords. We looked at where each tool excels, where it falls short, and which use cases they genuinely support. We focused on features that change outcomes: long-tail depth, competition signals, geo-specific data, and SERP patterns that reveal real opportunities.

TL;DR

Semrush: best new keyword-finding tool for large sites and serious SEO teams

Key Semrush standout features

• Huge keyword database with long-tail depth

• Keyword Magic Tool for fast idea expansion

• Strong filters by country, language, and search intent

• Full SEO suite tied to keyword research

• Smart keyword grouping and clustering

Semrush stands out because it finds new keyword ideas at a scale most tools cannot match, and it helps you judge each idea with clear data before you commit time or content resources. You can move from a seed phrase to thousands of related terms, questions, and long-tail expansions in seconds, then layer on filters that narrow the list to only the ideas that fit your niche, market, or language. This makes the discovery process more focused and removes guesswork from content planning.

Another advantage is how well Semrush connects keyword research to the rest of your SEO workflow. Once you select your ideas, you can check the current SERP winners, run a full site audit to fix blockers, or track ranking progress over time without leaving the platform. This centralization matters when your site grows, because you can manage themes, projects, and content groups inside one system instead of moving across many tools.

Semrush also has limits that matter if you are early in your SEO journey. The price is high for users who only want simple keyword lists and do not need advanced audits, backlink tools, or rank-tracking dashboards. The free tier gives only a small sample of the platform and becomes restrictive once you begin larger research or plan multiple clusters.

The platform’s depth can feel heavy for beginners, especially when you see many charts, filters, and reports before you know which ones support your goals. If you publish only a few posts each month or target a very small niche, you may find that Semrush gives more power than you need and slows your process rather than speeding it up.

Semrush for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• You run a high-content site and need new keyword clusters every week.

• You manage multi-region or multi-language content and need accurate location filters.

• You plan topic hubs or pillar pages and want clean keyword groups.

• You want one platform to handle research, audits, backlinks, and ranking.
  

KWFinder: best new keyword-finding tool for long-tail, low-competition ideas

Key KWFinder standout features

• Clean interface that keeps keyword research simple and easy to follow

• Search-by-keyword and search-by-domain modes for flexible discovery

• Difficulty, volume, CPC, and trend metrics displayed for every keyword

• Local SEO filters that target results by country, region, or city

• Autocomplete and question-based suggestions for long-tail variations
  

KWFinder helps teams find new keywords without the heavy feel of full enterprise SEO suites. The tool keeps the workflow simple by turning one seed phrase or website into a focused list of related terms, long-tail ideas, and autocomplete suggestions. This approach matters when you want to find keywords that small sites can rank for, because the tool shows difficulty scores, volume, and SERP data in one clear panel so decisions stay grounded. The process feels fast and manageable even if you are new to SEO, since the layout shows each metric in a way that makes sense without extra steps or extra tools.

Another advantage is its attention to local and language-specific searches. You can choose country, region, city, or language before you start, which keeps results tied to your real audience. This helps if you target markets where global tools can return irrelevant ideas, and it also supports early planning for content clusters based on regional terms. The broader Mangools suite adds tools like SERP analysis and rank tracking, so once you pick your keywords you can check the top pages, monitor your progress, and keep improving your content in one place.

There are trade-offs that show up once you compare it with big platforms. The keyword database is smaller than the largest enterprise suites, which means you may see fewer results for very specific niches or rare topics. As a result, the tool works best when your content plan relies on long-tail ideas rather than very broad or highly competitive head terms. Another limitation comes from its use limits on lower plans, since free or light options restrict daily searches and can slow down large research sessions.

You also pay for the whole Mangools bundle, even if you only need the keyword tool. That can feel wasteful for users who want a standalone research product, or who already use other tools for backlinks, site audits, or SERP analysis. Data freshness and scale can lag behind bigger players as well, so highly advanced users may prefer a platform with more frequent updates or deeper competitive data. For heavy link-building or deep SERP reverse-engineering, it may not replace a full enterprise suite.

KWFinder for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• When you want long-tail or low-competition keywords for a small or mid-size site

• When you target local markets or specific languages and need accurate location data

• When you want fast validation for content ideas without a heavy SEO suite

• When you need an affordable research tool that is easy to learn and simple to use
  

Google Keyword Planner: best free keyword-finding tool for quick validation and demand checks

Key Google Keyword Planner standout features

• Free access to keyword ideas, volume, CPC, and competition data

• “Discover new keywords” mode that expands seed terms or website URLs

• Forecasts for clicks, impressions, and ad spend (when available)

• Location and language filters for precise regional targeting

• Simple interface that returns results fast without extra learning time
  

Google Keyword Planner helps you understand what people search for by pulling data straight from Google’s ad system, which gives a clean look at search demand. The tool works by letting you type seed words or a website URL, then returning related keyword ideas, variations, and broad trends. This matters when you want to check if a topic has real search interest before you spend time creating content. All the core numbers—volume, CPC, and ad-based competition—sit in one clear table so you can focus on which ideas look worth testing.

The tool also fits local and language-based research well. You can set a country, region, or even a city to narrow your view to only the people you target, which helps when you work in markets where global SEO tools show irrelevant data. This makes it useful for early strategy steps, especially when you want to see how broad a topic is or whether search interest looks strong enough. Because the interface is simple and fast, it works for quick checks, fast brainstorming sessions, or for users who want reliable demand data without the cost of paid tools.

There are limits that you notice once you expect deep SEO insights instead of ads-focused data. The “competition” score reflects ad bidding, not organic ranking difficulty, which means a keyword that looks easy in Google Keyword Planner may still be hard to rank for in organic search. You also see broad search-volume ranges unless your Google Ads account spends money, and these ranges can make it harder to plan precise content strategies.

The tool also lacks SEO-specific features like SERP analysis, backlink context, or keyword difficulty for organic search. As a result, it may miss long-tail or semantic clusters that other tools catch. Even the forecasts, while useful for paid campaigns, reflect ad behavior rather than organic performance, which can confuse users if they rely on this data for ranking decisions. Because of these gaps, most SEO teams treat Google Keyword Planner as a starting point rather than a full research solution.

Google Keyword Planner for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• When you need fast, free keyword validation before writing content

• When you check search demand for early content strategy or PPC campaigns

• When you target specific regions or languages and need accurate local data

• When you cross-check keywords from other tools to filter ideas with real search interest

Soovle: best free keyword-finding tool for fast multi-platform idea discovery

Key Soovle standout features

• Aggregates autocomplete suggestions from Google, Bing, YouTube, Amazon, and more

• Displays real-time keyword variations as you type a seed term

• Shows platform-specific suggestions side-by-side for quick comparison

• Supports saving or exporting ideas for later filtering

• Lightweight design that loads ideas instantly with no setup
  

Soovle gives you fast, raw keyword ideas by pulling autocomplete suggestions from many platforms at once. Instead of seeing only what Google suggests, you also see how people search on YouTube, Amazon, and other search environments, which widens the pool of possible angles. This matters at the start of keyword research, because it helps you spot phrasing differences, question formats, and long-tail ideas that may not appear in traditional SEO tools. The suggestions also update as you type, so you can explore multiple keyword stems without restarting your search each time.

Its multi-platform coverage is helpful when your content reaches different channels. You can see how users phrase questions in YouTube, how shoppers search on Amazon, and how general audiences search on Google. Each source reveals different intent patterns, which gives you a more complete view of user language before you start filtering ideas. The tool also lets you save or drag ideas into a list, which keeps early brainstorming organized. Since it’s free and does not require an account, it works well for fast ideation sessions or for creators who want to explore broad topic areas without committing to a paid tool.

The limitations become clear once you need real data rather than raw suggestions. Soovle does not show search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, or trend data, so you cannot tell which ideas have real demand or which ones are possible to rank for. Because the suggestions come from autocomplete, many results may be too niche, outdated, or irrelevant for your content goals, which means you must manually filter and validate each idea elsewhere. This adds extra steps to your workflow if you need reliable or competitive insights.

There are also gaps in the interface and consistency of insights. Soovle sometimes shows different types of suggestions depending on the engine, geography, or platform, and without metrics, it’s difficult to judge whether those differences are meaningful. For deeper SEO planning, you will still need other tools to confirm which ideas are worth using, since Soovle does not analyze SERPs or show how competitive a keyword actually is. This makes it an early-stage tool rather than a full research solution.

Soovle for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• When you want fast, free keyword ideas before deeper research

• When your content spans platforms like blogs, YouTube, and e-commerce

• When you want to discover phrasing patterns across different search engines

• When you need raw long-tail ideas to refine later in data-rich SEO tools

KeywordTool.io: best new keyword-finding tool for fast long-tail and question-based ideas

Key KeywordTool.io standout features

• Generates long-tail ideas using autocomplete data from major search engines

• Supports Google, YouTube, Amazon, Bing, eBay, and app stores

• Free tier can produce hundreds of keyword suggestions per seed term

• Paid version adds volume, trend, CPC, and competition metrics

• Simple interface that produces large keyword lists within seconds
  

KeywordTool.io helps you discover how people phrase real queries by pulling autocomplete suggestions from many search platforms. Instead of gathering ideas one by one, the tool expands a seed term into hundreds of long-tail and question-style keywords, which gives you a broad view of user language right away. This matters when you want to build content that matches natural search patterns, because you see variations, stems, and phrasing that users type across different platforms. The quick output also helps speed up early research sessions, especially when you need to generate many ideas in a short window.

Its multi-platform reach adds another layer of value. You can explore how people search on YouTube, Amazon, and app stores, which helps if your content extends beyond blogs. The tool works well for ideation across formats such as videos, product content, or app-related pages. Since the free version does not require a login and returns suggestions immediately, it fits workflows where speed, simplicity, and early exploration matter more than deep SEO metrics. Paid plans add volume, CPC, and competition data, which helps filter ideas later if you need basic demand validation.

There are limits that appear when you move into serious SEO planning. The free version does not provide search volume, difficulty, CPC, or trend data, so you only get raw ideas without knowing which ones have meaningful demand. Even the paid version focuses only on keyword metrics and lacks deeper SEO features like SERP analysis, competitor insights, or backlink context. Because of that, you will need to pair KeywordTool.io with other tools if you want to build full keyword strategies or prioritize high-value opportunities.

Some reviewers also point out accuracy and pricing concerns. Volume and CPC estimates in the paid tier can be inconsistent, which means the numbers should be cross-checked with a more robust tool before making decisions. Paid plans can feel expensive relative to the limited feature set, especially if you need ongoing access to exports and metrics. KeywordTool.io works best as a fast idea generator, not a full all-in-one solution for SEO planning or content execution.

KeywordTool.io for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• When you want fast long-tail and question-based keywords for blogs, videos, or product pages

• When you need raw keyword variations before moving into deeper SEO tools

• When your content spans multiple platforms and you want insights from Google, YouTube, and Amazon

• When you want a simple, fast ideation tool that does not require a full SEO suite
  

LowFruits: best new keyword-finding tool for low-competition “hidden-gem” search opportunities

Key LowFruits standout features

• Finds long-tail, low-competition keywords built for small or new sites

• Detects SERP “weak spots” like forums, outdated posts, or low-authority pages

• Simple interface focused on practicality rather than heavy data

• Flexible credit-based pricing for occasional or niche keyword research

• Designed to surface easy-to-rank ideas for niche or regional content
  

LowFruits helps you uncover keywords that small sites actually have a chance to rank for by focusing on weak spots in the search results. Instead of showing long lists of competitive terms, it scans the SERP for signals such as forums, thin content, outdated articles, or low-authority domains. These patterns reveal openings where a new or niche site can publish a stronger page and win traffic. This approach matters when you do not have high domain authority but still want a realistic plan for growing search visibility. It shifts your content strategy from chasing high-volume terms to finding practical opportunities.

Its workflow stays simple and direct, which keeps the focus on execution rather than analysis overload. You can drop a list of keywords into the tool, and LowFruits highlights the terms that have the best ranking potential. The credit-based pricing model helps too, because you only pay for what you need when researching niche topics or building clusters for smaller sites. This model fits teams that produce content in sprints or seasonal bursts, and it prevents overspending on heavy SEO suites. For regional or niche markets, this lightweight setup makes keyword discovery faster and easier to manage.

There are limits you notice when comparing LowFruits with full-suite platforms. The database is smaller, and data points such as volume, trend history, or backlink metrics are less developed. As a result, it may miss some competitive signals or broader keyword variations that enterprise tools capture. You also need a consistent publishing rhythm because low-competition keywords often bring lower search volume, which means traffic grows through accumulation rather than sudden spikes. That pattern is normal for long-tail strategies but demands ongoing content effort.

Effective use of LowFruits also requires some SEO judgment. You must be able to filter through long-tail keywords, recognize when low volume still has value, and understand how to pair weak-SERP opportunities with matching pages. Without that foundation, it can feel less plug-and-play than it first appears. Since the tool lacks advanced backlink data, competitor intelligence, or deep trend analytics, you will still need other tools to confirm long-term potential or to build broader SEO strategies. LowFruits is strongest as a focused discovery engine, not a full replacement for larger systems.

LowFruits for finding new keywords: quick snapshot

Best use cases

• When you want keyword ideas a small or new site can rank for

• When you focus on long-tail, niche, or regional content with low competition

• When you want a simple tool to spot weak SERPs instead of analyzing heavy data

• When you publish many posts over time and need consistent low-competition ideas
  

Analyze: The best tool to track prompt performance in AI search

Analyze isn’t an SEO tool. We help you understand and grow the business impact of answer engines—so you can see which prompts and engines drive real sessions, conversions, and revenue, not just visibility.

Analyze does include prompt suggestions (through our suggestion workflow), but that is only one piece of the platform. The bigger gap we solve is tying AI visibility to measurable outcomes—so you can move from “we showed up” to “it worked.”

Here’s how it comes together:

• See where you show up and why: Track prompt-level visibility across answer engines and understand what is surfacing, where, and under which prompts (Discover).

• Prove what it actually drives: Connect those engine responses to on-site behavior—sessions, landing pages, actions, assisted revenue, and ROI by referrer (Monitor).

• Improve what matters: Use those insights to prioritize fixes and content updates that lift qualified AI traffic and conversion performance, not vanity metrics (Improve).

• Stay in control over time: Track how brand sentiment and positioning shift across the market, so you can spot changes early and respond deliberately (Govern).

Here are in more details how Analyze works:

See actual traffic from AI engines, not just mentions

Analyze attributes every session from answer engines to its specific source—Perplexity, Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini. You see session volume by engine, trends over six months, and what percentage of your total traffic comes from AI referrers. When ChatGPT sends 248 sessions but Perplexity sends 142, you know exactly where to focus optimization work.

Know which pages convert AI traffic and optimize where revenue moves

Most tools stop at "your brand was mentioned." Analyze shows you the complete journey from AI answer to landing page to conversion, so you optimize pages that drive revenue instead of chasing visibility that goes nowhere.

The platform shows which landing pages receive AI referrals, which engine sent each session, and what conversion events those visits trigger. 

For instance, when your product comparison page gets 50 sessions from Perplexity and converts 12% to trials, while an old blog post gets 40 sessions from ChatGPT with zero conversions, you know exactly what to strengthen and what to deprioritize.

Track the exact prompts buyers use and see where you're winning or losing

Analyze monitors specific prompts across all major LLMs—"best Salesforce alternatives for medium businesses," "top customer service software for mid-sized companies in 2025," "marketing automation tools for e-commerce sites." 

For each prompt, you see your brand's visibility percentage, position relative to competitors, and sentiment score.

You can also see which competitors appear alongside you, how your position changes daily, and whether sentiment is improving or declining.

Don’t know which prompts to track? No worries. Analyze has a prompt suggestion feature that suggests the actual bottom of the funnel prompts you should keep your eyes on.

Audit which sources models trust and build authority where it matters

Analyze reveals exactly which domains and URLs models cite when answering questions in your category. 

You can see, for instance, that Creatio gets mentioned because Salesforce.com's comparison pages rank consistently, or that IssueTrack appears because three specific review sites cite them repeatedly. 

Analyze shows usage count per source, which models reference each domain, and when those citations first appeared.

Citation visibility matters because it shows you where to invest. Instead of generic link building, you target the specific sources that shape AI answers in your category. You strengthen relationships with domains that models already trust, create content that fills gaps in their coverage, and track whether your citation frequency increases after each initiative.

Prioritize opportunities and close competitive gaps

Analyze surfaces opportunities based on omissions, weak coverage, rising prompts, and unfavorable sentiment, then pairs each with recommended actions that reflect likely impact and required effort. 

For instance, you can run a weekly triage that selects a small set of moves—reinforce a page that nearly wins an important prompt, publish a focused explainer to address a negative narrative, or execute a targeted citation plan for a stubborn head term.