How to Do Keyword Research Without Paying a Dime
SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush are expensive—not everyone can afford them. But at the same time, you still need a way to find the perfect keywords as a beginner without a high budget or complex process.
In this article, I'm going to share how to do keyword research without paid tools, so you can still rank on Google as a beginner with a limited budget.
Google Autocomplete
This method uses Google search itself. Based on what people are searching for, Google suggests search queries automatically. All you need to do is type a broad topic—for example "digital marketing"—and look at the suggestions that appear.
These suggestions aren't random. They are real searches people are typing right now.
People Also Ask (PAA)
PAA is a box of questions that Google shows under some search results. It represents real questions your audience is asking. What you have to do is type a topic related to your niche and check the PAA section.
You can use these questions as keyword inspiration, or you can answer them directly in your content—for example in an FAQ section.
Long-Tail Keywords
As a beginner, targeting broad or general keywords will hold you back because of the high competition. That's why you need to use long-tail keywords—keywords that contain 3 to 6 words.
They are:
- More specific to what people are searching
However, if you're not a beginner, you can try targeting broader keywords. But remember: to compete with big blogs, you'll need real high-quality content and strong SEO optimization.
Free Keyword Research Methods Every Beginner Can Use
You can use free tools to see what's popular, check search volume directly in Google, and find out which keywords are performing better.
Here are some free tools to try:
- Google Trends
- AnswerThePublic (free version)
- Keyword Surfer (browser extension)
- Google Search Console
After collecting keywords, you should know how to filter them. This is the most important step in the whole process. There are two elements you should check:
1. Relevance
To check your keyword relevance, ask yourself these three questions. If you get "yes" to all three, then your keyword is relevant:
- Does this keyword match my niche?
- Does it fit my audience's level?
- Can I write about and explain this keyword realistically?
2. Low Keyword Competition
To check if the keyword has low competition, type it into Google search and look at the results:
- Small blogs ranking on the first page? → Easier to compete
- Big brands and authority sites ranking? → Harder to compete
How to Find Profitable Keywords Without Paid Tools
First, you need to know that there are two types of keywords: Informational and Commercial Intent.
- Informational keywords – searches where users want to learn something.
Example: "what is digital marketing"
- Commercial intent keywords – searches where the user is closer to spending money.
These often include words like "best," "review," "top," "vs," "pricing," "buy"
The best strategy many blogs use is combining both types – informational to build trust and authority, commercial to make revenue.
Second, look at Google Ads and affiliate articles.
These two target specific keyword types. If you want to focus on making money, check:
- If your keyword triggers Google Ads → it has commercial value
- If your keyword appears in affiliate articles → it has revenue potential
My Honest Experience So Far
For me, I don't use paid tools because I'm a beginner with a very limited budget. However, throughout my small experience in blogging, I figured out how to find the best keywords for my needs.
At first, I used a website called Ubersuggest to find popular keywords—both commercial and informational.
After some time, I started using other sources and inspiration like social media, AI tools, and Google search. But I always check relevance—not every good keyword aligns with my readers and my niche.
Conclusion
For every blogger and content creator, keyword research is one of the main elements of success. That's why they need to know how to do keyword research without paid tools—especially beginners with a limited budget.
You can use free tools like:
- Google Trends
- AnswerThePublic (free version)
- Keyword Surfer (browser extension)
- Google Search Console
- Long-tail keywords
- Ubersuggest (like I do)
Also, pay attention to what type of keywords you choose—are they:
- Commercial or informational?
Want to learn more about SEO and ranking on Google? Check out these guides:
FAQ Section
What Makes a Keyword Profitable?Profitable keywords show buying or decision intent. They usually include words like best, review, vs, pricing, and buy. These keywords attract visitors who are closer to taking action, such as buying, signing up, or hiring. This makes them more valuable for bloggers and businesses.
How Can You Identify Commercial Intent Without Paid Tools?First, search for the keyword in Google. Then check if there are ads at the top of the page. Also look at the ranking results. If many affiliate-style articles rank, like “best tools” or “top software,” the keyword likely generates revenue and has commercial intent.
Should Beginners Target Informational or Commercial Keywords?This depends on the beginner’s strategy. Informational keywords build traffic and trust, while commercial keywords focus on generating revenue. However, beginners should combine both. Informational content attracts visitors, and commercial content helps monetize that traffic.
Why Do “Best” and “Review” Keywords Convert Better?Best and review keywords convert better because users are closer to making a decision compared to keywords like “what is.” They are in the decision stage, which means they are more likely to take action. These keywords often trigger ads and usually have higher conversion potential.
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