Introduction: The Secret Behind Every Successful SEO Strategy

If content is king, then keywords are the map to the kingdom.

They tell you exactly what your audience is searching for, how they’re thinking, and what they want to find.

But here’s the thing: most beginners think keyword research requires expensive tools or subscriptions. It doesn’t.

In 2025, some of the best keyword data still comes from free tools — tools you already use every single day.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to find the exact keywords people are searching for, organize them properly, and choose the best ones to target — all without spending a dollar.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Start With Google Search

This might sound too simple, but Google itself is the best free keyword research tool in the world.

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to Google.
2. Type a word related to your topic — for example, running shoes.
3. Look carefully at what happens next.

As you type, Google starts showing autocomplete suggestions — phrases like:

• “running shoes for flat feet”
• “best running shoes under $100”
• “running shoes for beginners”

These aren’t random guesses — they’re real searches happening right now.

People Also Ask

Scroll a little further down, and you’ll see a section called “People Also Ask.”

These are common questions users ask about your topic, such as:

• “What is the best brand of running shoes?”
• “Are running shoes good for walking?”

Each of these can become a new blog post, video, or subheading idea.

Related Searches

At the bottom of the results page, you’ll find Related Searches.

These phrases show you more keyword variations, giving you a bigger picture of what people are curious about.

Pro tip: Copy these keywords into a spreadsheet or Notion page. You’re already building your first keyword list.

Step 2: Use AnswerThePublic to Discover Real Questions

Next, go to answerthepublic.com.

It’s one of the most powerful free tools for uncovering questions your audience is asking.

When you enter a keyword like “SEO” or “healthy breakfast,” it visualizes hundreds of related questions grouped by:

• What (e.g., “What is SEO in marketing?”)
• How (e.g., “How does SEO work for beginners?”)
• Why (e.g., “Why is SEO important?”)

This is gold for content creators. Every question can inspire a video, blog post, or FAQ page.

How to Use It Strategically

• Look for “how” and “why” questions — they often have less competition.
• Group related queries to form pillar content and supporting posts.
• Filter for intent: Some questions indicate curiosity (“What is SEO?”), while others indicate readiness to buy (“Best SEO tools for small businesses”).

Think of AnswerThePublic as a window into your audience’s brain.

Step 3: Try Ubersuggest for Keyword Data

Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel) is another beginner-friendly tool with a generous free plan.

Type in your keyword, and you’ll instantly get data like:

• Search volume: How many people search for this keyword per month.
• SEO difficulty: How hard it is to rank for that keyword.
• Keyword variations: Similar phrases and ideas.

How to Read the Numbers

• Volume (100–1,000 searches/month): Perfect for beginners.
• Difficulty (below 35): Easier to rank faster.
• Trend line: Shows if a topic is gaining or losing popularity.

Example:

If you search “healthy breakfast”, you might see:

• “healthy breakfast for weight loss” – 1,300 searches, low competition.
• “healthy breakfast ideas for kids” – 720 searches, medium competition.

That’s two ready-to-use blog post titles right there.

💬 Tip: Use Ubersuggest’s keyword ideas section to export up to 100 free keyword suggestions — it saves tons of time.

Step 4: Explore Forums and Online Communities

Not all keyword ideas come from data tools — some of the best come directly from real people.

Reddit, Quora, and Facebook groups are keyword treasure chests.

For example:

• On Reddit’s r/Fitness, people constantly ask things like “best home workout for beginners.”
• On Quora, someone might ask, “How can I start SEO without paying for tools?”

Each of these recurring questions signals demand — people are searching for answers, which means you can create the content that answers them.

How to Use Forums for Keyword Discovery

1. Join relevant groups in your niche.
2. Note repeated questions or problems.
3. Turn those into content topics or keyword phrases.

Example: If 20 people ask, “Is oatmeal good before a workout?” — that’s not just a question. It’s a keyword waiting to rank.

Step 5: Organize and Choose Your Keywords

By now, you’ll probably have dozens (maybe hundreds) of ideas.

Now it’s time to clean and prioritize.

Create a spreadsheet with these columns:

• Keyword
• Search Volume
• Difficulty
• Intent (Informational, Transactional, Navigational)
• Notes/Ideas

How to Choose

• Go for long-tail keywords (3–6 words). They’re specific and easier to rank.

• Check if the topic matches your content goals.

• Start with 3–5 keywords per piece of content.

Example:

If you’re writing about “home workouts for beginners”, you might target:

• “home workout routine for beginners”
• “simple home exercises for weight loss”
• “no equipment home workouts”

All three are closely related — perfect for building topical authority.

Step 6: Plan Content Around Your Keywords

Now that you’ve picked your keywords, it’s time to build around them.

Use them as the foundation for:

• Blog posts: “10 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids”
• YouTube videos: “How to Start SEO for Free (Step by Step)”
• Social posts: “3 Underrated Free Tools for Keyword Research”

Make sure your content answers the search intent.

If the keyword is a question, provide the clearest, most helpful answer on the internet.

Pro tip: Add the keyword naturally to your title, meta description, first paragraph, and a few subheadings. Avoid overusing it — focus on readability first.

Step 7: Monitor and Improve Over Time

After you start publishing, track your progress using Google Search Console.

This free tool shows which keywords are bringing traffic, how often your pages appear, and what your average ranking position is.

When you see keywords getting impressions but not clicks, update your title and meta description to be more compelling.

When a keyword starts performing well, expand it with a related post — build momentum.

Consistency turns keyword research into real results.

Common Keyword Research Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Chasing only high-volume keywords: They’re tempting but often too competitive.

✅ Focus on specific, lower-volume ones that match your niche.

❌ Ignoring intent: Ranking for “best shoes” is useless if people just want pictures, not reviews.

✅ Match the content to what people actually want.

❌ Copying competitors blindly: Inspiration is fine; duplication kills trust.

✅ Find gaps they missed — questions they didn’t answer.

❌ Skipping updates: Keywords evolve.

✅ Refresh your posts every 3–6 months to stay relevant.

Quick Recap: The Free Keyword Research Formula

1. Google Autocomplete → Start with what people already search.
2. People Also Ask → Turn questions into topics.
3. AnswerThePublic → Discover how people phrase their problems.
4. Ubersuggest → Get data-driven keyword ideas.
5. Forums & Communities → Find what real people talk about.
6. Organize & Prioritize → Pick long-tail keywords with low difficulty.
7. Create Helpful Content → Write answers better than anyone else.

Do this consistently, and you’ll never run out of SEO topics to rank for.

FAQs

Q1: What’s the easiest keyword tool for beginners?

Google itself. Start typing your topic and pay attention to autocomplete and related searches.

Q2: How many keywords should I target in one post?

1 main keyword + 2–3 related ones. That’s enough for clarity without confusion.

Q3: Do I need to pay for tools like Ahrefs or Semrush?

Not yet. Free tools like Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic are more than enough to start.

Q4: How often should I update my keyword list?

Every 3–6 months. Trends shift, and refreshing your list keeps you ahead.

Q5: What’s the biggest keyword mistake beginners make?

Choosing topics they want to write about instead of what people are actually searching for.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research isn’t about chasing numbers — it’s about understanding people.

Every search represents a question, a curiosity, or a problem waiting to be solved.

When you align your content with those needs, SEO stops feeling like guesswork and starts feeling like a strategy.

Start small, stay consistent, and within a few months, you’ll notice real traffic — the kind that grows naturally because you’re creating content people genuinely want to find.

Watch the Full Video

Want to see this entire keyword research process live?

Watch the full video here:

https://youtu.be/Z95udx2-NQs

In the video, I walk through Google Search, AnswerThePublic, and Ubersuggest in real time — showing exactly how to build your keyword list and choose the best ones for fast results.