Free SEO Keyword Search: Reddit’s Top Completely Free Tool

Introduction — based on Reddit discussions

This article summarizes and expands on a lively Reddit thread about a “completely free keyword research tool.” Below you’ll find the consensus from that discussion, the disagreements, concrete tips users shared, and expert-level guidance to turn free keyword research into measurable SEO wins. This is a synthesis of Reddit community wisdom plus additional practical steps and scoring ideas so you get more value than reading comments alone.

Reddit’s Consensus: What Works for a Free SEO Keyword Search

Across the thread, several clear themes emerged about how to run a free seo keyword search effectively:

Use Google tools first: Google Keyword Planner (via Google Ads account) and Google Search Console are high-value, zero-cost starting points.
Combine sources: No single free tool gives perfect data — combine Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and browser extensions (like Keyword Surfer) to cross-check volumes.
Exploit SERP signals manually: Autocomplete, “People Also Ask,” and “Related searches” are reliable ways to discover long-tail queries and intent.
Leverage niche-specific sources: Reddit, Amazon, YouTube, and Quora provide topic and phrasing cues you might miss with general tools.

Where Reddit Users Disagreed

Not all users agreed on the single best path. The main disagreements were:

Accuracy vs. convenience: Some prefer Keyword Planner volume estimates (seen as more official), others trust lightweight extensions (Keyword Surfer) for on-the-fly convenience.
Reliance on browser extensions: Some raised privacy and accuracy concerns about extensions that guess volumes; others recommended them for quick ideation only.
Free vs. freemium: People debated whether limited free tiers (e.g., Ubersuggest, Moz free credits) are truly “free” for sustained research.

Specific Tips Redditors Shared

Use Google Search Console to discover keywords your site already ranks for — low-hanging fruit for optimization.
Open Google Ads -> Keyword Planner (you can create an account without launching campaigns) to access search volume ranges and seasonality.
Combine Google Trends with local filters to spot rising queries and seasonality patterns.
Use Reddit and Keyworddit to extract real-world phrasing from subreddit threads relevant to your niche.
Use Soovle and AnswerThePublic to surface long-tail and question-based queries for content ideas.
Check SERPs manually for intent and SERP features — featured snippets, PAA boxes, videos — then craft content to match those formats.
Export CSVs when possible and keep a master spreadsheet that records volume ranges, intent, and where the keyword appeared (GSC, Planner, Surfer, etc.).

Practical Workflow: How to Do a Free SEO Keyword Search Step-by-Step

Use this reproducible process to convert free tools into a strategic keyword list:

Step 1 — Seed list: Start with your product/service terms and customer questions. Use Reddit, Amazon, and YouTube autocomplete to find natural phrasing.
Step 2 — Volume signals: Check Google Keyword Planner for search volume ranges and Keyword Surfer or Ahrefs free SERP preview for on-page estimates.
Step 3 — Intent mapping: For each keyword, identify intent: informational, transactional, navigational, or commercial investigation.
Step 4 — SERP analysis: Manually inspect the first page for featured snippets, ads, video results, and the top ranking domains (use MozBar or simple site: searches for domain authority clues).
Step 5 — Prioritize: Use the simple scoring model below (or your own) to rank opportunities for content creation or optimization.
Step 6 — Execute & monitor: Create content or optimize existing pages, track performance in Google Search Console, and iterate.

Free Tools the Reddit Thread Recommended

Google Keyword Planner — access volume ranges (requires Google Ads account, but free to set up).
Google Search Console — see actual queries that drive impressions and clicks for your site.
Google Trends — check seasonality and rising queries.
Keyword Surfer (Chrome extension) — instant on-page volume estimates and related keywords while browsing Google.
AnswerThePublic / Soovle — great for question-based ideation.
Keyworddit — extracts keywords from Reddit threads in a subreddit (useful for conversational phrasing).
Bing Webmaster Tools — offers query data and keyword insights supplementing Google.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools — free site audit and limited keyword data for verified sites.

Tool usage notes

Most free tools will give ranges or trends rather than exact volumes. Treat them as directional signals and cross-check multiple sources before prioritizing a keyword.

Expert Insight #1 — Prioritize by Click Potential, Not Just Volume

Redditors focused heavily on volume, but an important nuance is that volume alone is a noisy metric. You want keywords that both match intent and produce clicks. A keyword with 10k searches dominated by rich results (video carousels, featured snippets, shopping ads) may deliver far fewer organic clicks.

Use this simple prioritization approach:

Score search volume (1–5) based on Google Keyword Planner ranges.
Score intent match (1–5): how well the keyword fits your product or content goal.
Score SERP clickability (1–5): lower the score if SERP is dominated by ads, videos, or knowledge panels.
Total score = Volume + Intent + Clickability. Focus on higher totals.

This forces you to deprioritize high-volume but low-opportunity keywords and favor mid-volume, high-intent keywords that convert.

Expert Insight #2 — How to Validate and Scale Without Paid Tools

Once you’ve identified a shortlist from free sources, validate and scale like this:

Run quick on-page experiments: Optimize title tags and H1s to include a target phrase and watch impressions/clicks and position changes in Search Console over 4–6 weeks.
Build clusters: Create pillar pages and cluster supporting posts answering related long-tail queries (use AnswerThePublic results to map these).
Leverage internal linking: Use internal links from higher-authority pages to boost new content for your target keyword.
Monitor CTR and positions: Use Search Console’s average position and CTR to estimate real click volumes and adjust content where CTR is low.

Scaling this process doesn’t require paid tools — it requires disciplined measurement and iterative optimization using Search Console and your CMS analytics.

Quick Checklist: Running a Free SEO Keyword Search Right Now

Create a Google Ads account and open Keyword Planner for volume ranges.
Pull your queries from Google Search Console to find quick wins.
Use Keyword Surfer or Soovle to expand long-tail ideas.
Check Google Trends to verify seasonality or rising interest.
Do a manual SERP analysis for intent and click potential.
Prioritize using the scoring approach above and start optimizing content.

Final Takeaway

Reddit’s thread confirmed what many SEOs already know: a robust free seo keyword search is absolutely possible by combining Google properties (Keyword Planner, Search Console, Trends) with lightweight tools and manual SERP analysis. The key is to treat free tools as complementary signals rather than definitive answers. Focus on intent and click potential, validate using Search Console, and iterate. With a disciplined workflow and the prioritization tactics above, you can uncover high-opportunity keywords without paying for expensive subscriptions.

Read the full Reddit discussion here.