12 Free Ways to Check the Competition of a Keyword

by JC Burrows  - January 11, 2021

Are you hesitant to spend money on tools to check the competition of a keyword? Don't worry, there are plenty of free options available that can help you gain insights into the competition for your chosen keywords.

In this discussion, we will explore twelve free ways to check the competition of a keyword. From popular tools like Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends to more specialized options like Moz Keyword Explorer and Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, we've got you covered.

So, if you're looking for ways to gain a competitive edge in your keyword research, keep reading to discover these twelve free options.

Key Takeaways

  • Utilize keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Moz Keyword Explorer, SEMrush Keyword Difficulty Tool, and Ahrefs Keyword Explorer to gather data on keyword competitiveness and identify long tail keywords.
  • Use competitor analysis tools like Ubersuggest, SpyFu, SERPStat, KeywordTool.io, and KW Finder to gain insights into keyword competition, analyze search volume data, and identify the level of competition for specific keywords.
  • Conduct competitor analysis to develop an effective SEO strategy and prioritize efforts based on keyword competition.
  • Take advantage of other keyword research and analysis tools such as Soovle, Google Trends, and Google Search Console to analyze popularity and competition of keywords across multiple search engines, track search interest evolution, monitor website visibility and average position in search results, and access data on indexability, crawl errors, and mobile usability.

Google Keyword Planner

If you're looking to assess the competition for specific keywords, Google Keyword Planner is a valuable tool that can provide you with the insights you need. This free tool, offered by Google Ads, allows you to research and analyze keywords to optimize your SEO strategy.

One of the key features of Google Keyword Planner is its ability to provide data on keyword competitiveness. It gives you an estimate of how difficult it would be to rank for a particular keyword by analyzing factors like search volume and competition. This information is crucial for choosing the right keywords for your website or blog.

Additionally, Google Keyword Planner can help you identify long tail keywords. These are more specific and less competitive keywords that can drive targeted traffic to your website. By targeting long tail keywords, you can attract users who are more likely to convert into customers.

To use Google Keyword Planner, simply enter your desired keyword or phrase, and the tool will generate a list of related keywords along with their search volume, competition level, and suggested bid. This data will enable you to make informed decisions about which keywords to target in your content and advertising campaigns.

Google Trends

To further enhance your keyword research and stay up-to-date with trending topics, turn to Google Trends. Google Trends is a powerful tool that allows you to explore emerging trends in Google and leverage its insights for keyword analysis.

With Google Trends, you can gain valuable insights into the popularity and seasonality of keywords over time. By entering a specific keyword or topic, you can see how its search interest has evolved over the years. This information can help you identify rising trends and adjust your keyword strategy accordingly.

Google Trends also provides you with related queries and topics that are currently trending. This can help you discover new keyword opportunities and understand the interests and preferences of your target audience.

Another useful feature of Google Trends is the ability to compare the search volume of multiple keywords. By comparing different keywords, you can determine which ones have higher search volumes and prioritize them in your SEO efforts.

Moz Keyword Explorer

keyword research tool for moz

Moz Keyword Explorer is a comprehensive tool that provides in-depth analysis and insights for effective keyword research and strategy. With Moz Keyword Explorer, you can easily analyze search volume data to gain valuable insights into the competition of a keyword.

When using Moz Keyword Explorer, you can enter a specific keyword or topic and receive detailed information about its search volume, difficulty, and organic click-through rate. The tool also provides related keyword suggestions and SERP analysis, allowing you to identify opportunities and optimize your content.

Analyzing search volume data is crucial for understanding the competitiveness of a keyword. Moz Keyword Explorer provides accurate and up-to-date search volume data, which can help you determine the popularity and demand for a particular keyword. By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions about which keywords to target for your website or content.

In addition to search volume data, Moz Keyword Explorer also provides information about keyword difficulty. This metric indicates how challenging it's to rank for a specific keyword. By considering both search volume and difficulty, you can identify keywords that have a good balance of popularity and attainability, allowing you to optimize your content effectively.

Moz Keyword Explorer is a valuable tool for analyzing search volume data and gaining insights into keyword competition. By leveraging the insights provided by this tool, you can develop an effective keyword strategy and improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

SEMrush Keyword Difficulty Tool

The SEMrush Keyword Difficulty Tool is a powerful resource for analyzing the competitiveness of keywords and optimizing your content strategy. When conducting SEMrush keyword research, this tool provides valuable insights into the difficulty level of ranking for specific keywords. By entering a keyword into the tool, you can obtain a difficulty score that ranges from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates a more challenging keyword to rank for, while a lower score suggests a less competitive keyword.

This tool also allows you to compare your website's performance against your competitors. By conducting SEMrush competitor analysis, you can identify the keywords your competitors are ranking for and evaluate their difficulty scores. This information can help you refine your content strategy and target less competitive keywords that can still drive relevant traffic to your website.

Ahrefs Keyword Explorer

powerful keyword research tool

Now, let's talk about the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.

This tool is highly regarded in the SEO community for its competitor analysis capabilities and comprehensive keyword difficulty metrics.

With Ahrefs, you can gain valuable insights into your competitors' strategies and identify high-potential keywords that are easier to rank for.

Competitor Analysis Tools

To effectively analyze your competitors' keyword strategies, consider utilizing the powerful tool known as Ahrefs Keyword Explorer. This tool provides comprehensive competitor analysis by offering valuable insights into your competitors' keyword rankings, search traffic data, and backlink profiles.

With Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, you can identify the keywords that your competitors are ranking for, uncover new keyword opportunities, and refine your own keyword strategy. By using advanced keyword analysis techniques and competitor research methods, you can gain a competitive edge and optimize your content to rank higher in search engine results.

Ahrefs Keyword Explorer allows you to track your competitors' keyword performance over time, helping you stay updated on any changes in their strategies. With this tool, you can make informed decisions and effectively optimize your website for better search engine visibility.

Keyword Difficulty Metrics

Analyzing keyword difficulty metrics using Ahrefs Keyword Explorer can provide valuable insights into the competitiveness of specific keywords. This tool offers a comprehensive analysis of keyword difficulty, allowing you to gauge the level of competition you may face when targeting particular keywords.

By using Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, you can access key metrics such as keyword difficulty score, search volume, and click-through rate potential. These metrics enable you to make data-driven decisions when it comes to selecting keywords for your content.

With this information, you can focus on keywords that have a higher search volume but lower competition, increasing your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. Incorporating these keyword research techniques and optimizing keyword usage based on Ahrefs' metrics can greatly enhance your SEO strategy.

Ubersuggest

When exploring keyword competition, Ubersuggest is a valuable tool that provides free and comprehensive data. Ubersuggest is one of the most popular keyword research tools available today, and it offers a range of features and benefits that make it a great choice for analyzing competition.

One of the key advantages of Ubersuggest is that it provides detailed insights into keyword difficulty metrics. It gives you an overview of the competition for a specific keyword, including the search volume, cost per click (CPC), and the overall competition level. This information helps you understand how difficult it will be to rank for a particular keyword and make informed decisions about your SEO strategy.

Additionally, Ubersuggest offers alternatives to the keyword you're researching. It suggests related keywords that you can consider targeting, helping you discover new opportunities and expand your keyword list. This feature is particularly useful when you want to explore different variations or long-tail keywords that may have lower competition but still drive relevant traffic to your website.

SpyFu

competitive keyword research tool

SpyFu is a powerful keyword research tool that provides valuable insights into competitor's strategies and helps you uncover new opportunities for your own website. With its impressive features and advantages, SpyFu is a must-have tool for anyone looking to gain an edge in the competitive online marketplace.

One of the key features of SpyFu is its ability to reveal the keywords that your competitors are ranking for. By analyzing their keyword strategies, you can identify valuable keywords that you may have overlooked. This allows you to optimize your website's content and improve your organic search rankings.

Another advantage of using SpyFu is its competitor analysis feature. It allows you to see which websites are competing for the same keywords as you and provides valuable information on their traffic, ranking history, and ad spend. This information can help you understand your competition better and develop effective strategies to outperform them.

SpyFu also provides insights into your own website's performance by tracking your keyword rankings over time. This allows you to monitor the effectiveness of your SEO efforts and make necessary adjustments to improve your search rankings.

SERPStat

To gain further insights into your keyword competition, another valuable tool to consider is SERPStat. SERPStat is a comprehensive SEO platform that offers a range of features to help you analyze and understand your competition. With its powerful keyword research tools, you can uncover valuable data about your competitors' strategies and identify opportunities to improve your own.

One of the key features of SERPStat is its competitor analysis tool. This allows you to compare your website's performance against your competitors, giving you valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses. You can also track your competitors' rankings and analyze their backlink profiles to understand their link building strategies.

In addition to competitor analysis, SERPStat also offers keyword research tools, site audit features, and backlink analysis capabilities. These features can help you optimize your website for better search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to your site.

When it comes to pricing options, SERPStat offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you're a small business owner or a large enterprise, there's a plan that fits your requirements.

KeywordTool.io

keyword research made easy

Now it's time to explore KeywordTool.io, a powerful tool that can assist you in competitor analysis and keyword research strategies.

With KeywordTool.io, you can analyze search volume data to identify high-demand keywords that can drive traffic to your website.

This tool provides valuable insights to help you optimize your content and improve your search engine rankings.

Competitor Analysis Tools

For a comprehensive analysis of your competitors' keywords, consider utilizing the powerful tool KeywordTool.io.

This tool is specifically designed for competitor keyword research and provides valuable insights into the competition for specific keywords.

With KeywordTool.io, you can easily identify the keywords that your competitors are targeting, allowing you to gain a better understanding of their SEO strategy.

By analyzing the keyword competition, you can make informed decisions about your own keyword targeting, ensuring that you aren't going head-to-head with highly competitive keywords.

Additionally, KeywordTool.io provides suggestions for related keywords that may have lower competition, giving you the opportunity to optimize your content for less competitive terms.

With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive data, KeywordTool.io is a valuable resource for competitor keyword analysis.

Keyword Research Strategies

When conducting keyword research, KeywordTool.io offers a strategic and efficient approach to uncovering valuable insights about your competitors' keyword strategies.

One effective strategy is keyword brainstorming, where you generate a list of relevant keywords that your target audience might use when searching for your products or services.

KeywordTool.io provides a comprehensive list of long tail keywords, which are longer and more specific phrases that have lower competition and higher conversion rates. By incorporating these long tail keywords into your content, you can attract more targeted traffic and increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

Additionally, KeywordTool.io allows you to analyze your competitors' keyword strategies, helping you identify opportunities and optimize your own keyword strategy.

Analyzing Search Volume Data

To effectively analyze search volume data, KeywordTool.io provides valuable insights into the popularity and competitiveness of keywords in your industry. By understanding the search volume of specific keywords, you can gauge how many people are searching for them and determine the level of interest in your niche.

This information is crucial for identifying trends and targeting your audience effectively. KeywordTool.io allows you to analyze search volume data for both short-tail and long-tail keywords, giving you a comprehensive understanding of search intent.

This tool also helps with long-tail keyword research, which is essential for targeting specific, niche audiences. By utilizing KeywordTool.io's search volume data, you can optimize your content strategy and improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

KW Finder

keyword research tool online

You can utilize KW Finder to efficiently check keyword competition for free.

KW Finder is a powerful keyword research tool that can provide you with valuable insights into the competition level of specific keywords. By using KW Finder, you can gather data on the difficulty level, search volume, and trends of keywords, helping you make informed decisions for your SEO strategy.

One of the key features of KW Finder is its ability to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of keyword competition. It assigns a difficulty score to each keyword, ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher competition. This score is based on various factors such as the number of websites targeting the keyword, the strength of their backlinks, and the quality of their content.

By understanding the competition level, you can prioritize your efforts and focus on keywords that offer a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results.

In addition to competition analysis, KW Finder also offers other useful features for keyword research strategies. You can explore related keywords, analyze search trends, and even find long-tail keywords that have less competition but still attract relevant traffic. This allows you to optimize your content for keywords that have a higher chance of driving organic traffic to your website.

Soovle

Now let's explore Soovle, another useful tool for checking keyword competition.

Soovle provides competitor analysis tools and keyword difficulty analysis, helping you understand the level of competition for your chosen keywords.

With Soovle, you can gain insights into which keywords are being used by your competitors and assess the difficulty of ranking for those keywords.

This information can be invaluable in developing an effective SEO strategy for your website.

Competitor Analysis Tools

Soovle is a powerful competitor analysis tool that provides invaluable insights into keyword competition. It allows you to analyze search volume data and identify the level of competition for specific keywords. By understanding the competition, you can develop effective keyword research strategies and optimize your content accordingly.

With Soovle, you can analyze the popularity and competition of a keyword across multiple search engines, including Google, Bing, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, and more. This gives you a comprehensive overview of the keyword's performance and helps you make informed decisions about your content strategy.

One of the key features of Soovle is its ability to suggest related keywords based on your initial search term. This helps you uncover new opportunities and identify potential competitors in your niche. By incorporating these suggestions into your keyword research, you can stay ahead of the competition and improve your search engine rankings.

Keyword Difficulty Analysis

To effectively analyze keyword difficulty using Soovle, you can gain valuable insights into the level of competition for specific keywords and develop strategic keyword research strategies.

Keyword difficulty analysis is crucial for understanding how challenging it will be to rank for a particular keyword. Soovle can help you evaluate the competitiveness of a keyword by providing data on search volume and the number of competing websites.

By conducting keyword difficulty analysis, you can identify low-competition keywords that present opportunities for ranking higher in search engine results. This information allows you to optimize your website's content and implement targeted competitor analysis strategies.

Google Search Console

website performance tracking tool

You can utilize the Google Search Console to gain valuable insights and optimize your website's performance. Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google that allows you to monitor and manage your website's presence in the search engine. It provides important information about your website's visibility, including the keywords that are driving traffic to your site and the average position of your website in the search results.

One of the key features of Google Search Console is the ability to analyze your website's performance in relation to your competitors. By using the competitor analysis tools in Google Search Console, you can compare your website's performance to that of your competitors. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and gain a competitive advantage.

In addition to competitor analysis, Google Search Console also provides valuable data about your website's indexability, crawl errors, and mobile usability. By monitoring these factors and making necessary optimizations, you can ensure that your website is performing well in the search results and reaching your target audience effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Other Free Tools Available to Check Keyword Competition Apart From the Ones Mentioned in the Article?

There are indeed alternative free tools for keyword competition analysis, along with their pros and cons. Additionally, you can also employ manual techniques to analyze keyword competition without relying on any tools.

Can I Use Google Analytics to Check the Competition of a Keyword?

You can use Google Analytics to check keyword competition, but there are pros and cons compared to other tools. Understanding keyword competition is essential for effective SEO strategy, and Google Analytics can help with that.

How Often Should I Check the Competition of My Target Keywords?

You should regularly analyze the competition of your target keywords to stay ahead. By checking often, you can effectively assess the level of competition and make strategic decisions to improve your rankings.

Is It Possible to Check the Competition of Long-Tail Keywords Using These Tools?

Yes, it is possible to check the competition of long-tail keywords using these free tools. However, there are pros and cons to using long tail keywords for SEO. To optimize them for better search rankings, follow these tips.

Can I Use These Tools to Analyze the Competition of Keywords in Different Languages?

Yes, you can use these tools to analyze keyword competition in different languages. By doing so, you can determine the benefits of using keyword competition analysis tools and how to choose the right keywords for multilingual websites.

Conclusion

So, there you have it folks! With these 12 free tools at your disposal, you can easily check the competition of any keyword.

From Google Keyword Planner to Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, there's no shortage of options.

Now you can conduct your research like a pro without breaking the bank.

So go ahead and outsmart your competitors in the wild world of keywords.

Happy hunting!

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