Struggling to figure out how to do keyword research without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place! We’re into Semrush’s free tools to show you how to find those golden keywords, even on a tight budget. Think of this as your practical, no-nonsense guide to getting started with SEO, making sure your content actually reaches the people looking for it.

In the world of online content and business, keyword research isn’t just a nice-to-have. it’s like having a map to where your audience is hanging out. It tells you exactly what words and phrases people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for information, products, or services. Without it, you’re essentially shouting into the void, hoping someone hears you. Effective keyword research, especially in 2024, is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. It helps you pinpoint low-competition keywords, understand what users really want, and ultimately, drive more valuable traffic to your site. And the good news is, you don’t always need a hefty subscription to get started. We’ll show you how to leverage Semrush’s free offerings, combine them with other free tools, and build a keyword strategy that actually works. Ready? Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

Understanding Semrush’s Free Account: What You Get

Alright, let’s talk about Semrush’s free account. It’s not the full-blown, all-access pass, but it’s definitely more than just a sneak peek. Think of it as a starter kit that gives you a solid foundation for your keyword research journey. You don’t even need a credit card to sign up for this basic free account, which is super convenient if you’re just exploring or working with limited resources.

Here’s what you can typically do with a free Semrush account, focusing on keyword research:

Limited Keyword Searches: You usually get up to 10 requests or “reports” per day. Each request might give you about 10 results. This means you can check out around 10 different keywords a day using tools like Keyword Overview or Keyword Magic Tool. It’s not unlimited, but if you’re smart about it, you can gather some really useful data.
Access to Key Metrics for those limited searches: For each keyword you search, you can see important metrics like:
- Search Volume: How many times people search for that term each month.
- Keyword Difficulty KD: This score from 0-100% tells you how hard it might be to rank organically for that keyword. Lower is generally easier!
- Search Intent: Semrush tries to figure out why someone is searching. Is it informational looking for answers, navigational trying to find a specific site, commercial researching products, or transactional ready to buy? This is incredibly important for creating content that actually matches what users expect.
- CPC Cost Per Click: This gives you a hint at how valuable advertisers find the keyword. A higher CPC often signals commercial value.
- Related Keywords and Questions: Even with the free limits, you can often see a handful of related keywords and common questions people ask, which is fantastic for brainstorming.

Beyond just keyword research, a free Semrush account also lets you dabble in other areas:

Site Audit: You can crawl up to 100 URLs of your website each month to find technical SEO issues like broken links or missing meta descriptions.
Position Tracking: You can track the ranking of up to 10 keywords for one project your website to see how you’re performing in search results.
Competitor Analysis: You can get an overview of up to 10 competitor domains per day, seeing their estimated organic traffic and top keywords.

So, while it has its limits, the free Semrush account is far from useless. It’s a great way to dip your toes into serious SEO without commitment.

Master Bulk Keyword Research with Semrush: Your Ultimate Guide

Getting Started with Your Free Semrush Account

Using Semrush for keyword research for free is pretty straightforward. Here’s a quick rundown to get you set up and making the most of those daily searches.

Signing Up for a Free Account

First things first, you need an account!

Head to Semrush: Go to the Semrush website.
Sign Up: Look for the “Sign Up” or “Create an account” option. You can often sign up using your Google account, which makes it super quick. Remember, for the basic free account, you usually don’t need to provide credit card details. This is different from a “free trial” which typically gives you full access for a limited time like 7 days but often requires your credit card info upfront. We’re focusing on the free account here.
Confirm: Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm your email.

Once you’re in, you’ll land on your Semrush dashboard. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the features you see—we’re zeroing in on keyword research for now.

Navigating the Keyword Tools

The two main tools you’ll be using for free keyword research are Keyword Overview and the Keyword Magic Tool.

Keyword Overview: This is your quick-check tool. You pop in a single keyword, and it gives you an instant snapshot of its key metrics.
Keyword Magic Tool: This is where you generate a broader list of keyword ideas from a “seed” keyword. Think of it as a brainstorming engine.

You’ll quickly notice your daily limits. It’s usually 10 requests per day for keyword data, and each report might show you a limited number of results. This means you need to be strategic with your searches! Building a Keyword Strategy with Semrush: Your Ultimate Roadmap

Step-by-Step Free Keyword Research Process with Semrush

Now, let’s put those free Semrush tools to work. Here’s a practical, step-by-step process for doing keyword research effectively without paying a dime.

1. Finding Your Seed Keywords

Before you even touch Semrush, you need some starting points. These are your “seed keywords” – broad terms related to your business or content topic.

Brainstorm: What do you offer? What problems do you solve? What topics do you talk about? If you sell homemade natural soaps, “natural soap,” “handmade soap,” or “organic body wash” could be seed keywords.
Google Autocomplete: One of my go-to tricks? Just start typing something into Google’s search bar. those autocomplete suggestions are basically a peek into what people are actually looking for. This is a treasure trove for finding initial ideas and understanding common queries.
“People Also Ask” & “Related Searches”: After you search for a seed keyword on Google, scroll down the results page. You’ll often find a “People also ask” box and “Related searches” at the bottom. These are goldmines for discovering questions and related topics that people are genuinely interested in.
YouTube Search: Just like Google, YouTube’s autocomplete can give you ideas for video content.

Jot down a list of 5-10 strong seed keywords. These will be your starting points in Semrush.

2. Using Semrush’s Keyword Overview Strategic Free Usage

With your seed keywords in hand, it’s time to hit Semrush. Cracking the Code: How Semrush Keyword Gap Analysis Unlocks Your SEO Potential

Go to Keyword Overview: On your Semrush dashboard, find the “Keyword Overview” tool it’s usually under “SEO Toolkit” then “Keyword Research”.
Enter a Seed Keyword: Type one of your brainstormed seed keywords into the search bar. Make sure you select the correct country if your audience is location-specific.
Analyze the Snapshot: Semrush will give you a quick report. Even with the free account, you’ll see:
- Search Volume: How popular the keyword is.
- Keyword Difficulty KD: A percentage score indicating how hard it might be to rank. Aim for lower numbers, especially if you’re just starting out!
- Search Intent: Is it informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational? This helps you decide what kind of content to create. For example, if the intent is informational, a blog post or guide is perfect. If it’s transactional, a product page or service landing page makes more sense.
- Trend: You can see if the keyword’s popularity is rising or falling over time.
- Keyword Variations, Questions, and Related Keywords: Even in the limited free view, you’ll get a few suggestions. These are valuable for expanding your list!

Pro Tip for Free Users: Since you have limited searches, use them wisely. Don’t waste a search on a keyword you already know is super competitive. Start with your most promising seed keywords and focus on extracting as much info as possible from each of your 10 daily reports.

3. Uncovering More Ideas with the Keyword Magic Tool Limited Free Use

The Keyword Magic Tool is powerful, even with its free limitations.

Switch to Keyword Magic Tool: From the Keyword Overview, you might see a button or link to “View all keywords” or just navigate directly to the “Keyword Magic Tool” under “Keyword Research” in the SEO Toolkit.
Enter Your Seed Keyword: Pop in one of your seed keywords.
Filter Smartly: This is crucial for free users. You’ll get a big list, but only a few results will show the full metrics. To make the most of it:
- Use Filters: Look for filters like “Keyword Difficulty” or “Volume.” Try filtering for keywords with a KD score below a certain threshold e.g., <50% or <70% to find less competitive terms.
- Focus on Questions: There’s often a “Questions” filter which is fantastic for finding long-tail, informational keywords that directly address user queries. These are perfect for blog posts and FAQ sections.
- Match Type: Explore “Phrase Match” or “Related” terms to broaden your ideas beyond exact matches.
Export/Copy if possible: If the free tier allows, export your limited results or simply copy-paste them into a spreadsheet. This helps you track and analyze them outside of Semrush’s daily limits.

4. Analyzing Keyword Metrics and Intent

Once you’ve pulled some data, it’s time to really look at it.

Prioritize Search Volume: While it’s not the only thing that matters anymore, higher search volume still indicates more potential traffic.
Look for Lower Keyword Difficulty KD: Especially as a free user or a new site, target keywords with lower KD scores. These are your “easy wins” where you have a better chance of ranking.
Understand Search Intent: This is perhaps the most important metric in 2024. If someone is searching “how to fix a leaky faucet” informational intent, they want a guide, not a product page for a new faucet. If they search “best waterproof phone case” commercial intent, they’re looking for product reviews or comparisons. Aligning your content with intent is key to ranking and satisfying users.

5. Identifying Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are phrases of three or more words that are highly specific. For example, instead of “coffee,” think “best coffee beans for French press.” They usually have lower search volume but also much lower competition, and often, higher conversion rates because the user’s intent is very clear.

You can find these even with free tools: Exploring the Work of Jessica L. Sousa at RAND Corporation: A Deep Dive into Health Policy as a Business Tool

Semrush Keyword Magic Tool Questions filter: As mentioned, the “Questions” filter is great for uncovering long-tail questions.
Google Autocomplete & “People Also Ask”: These manually give you excellent long-tail ideas.
Forums & Communities: Look at what questions people are asking on Reddit, Quora, or niche forums related to your topic. People often use natural, long-tail language when seeking advice.

6. Quick Competitive Analysis Free Perspective

While in-depth competitor analysis is mostly a paid feature, you can still get a few insights:

Domain Overview: With your free Semrush account, you can plug in a competitor’s website into the “Domain Overview” tool. You’ll get a limited view of their top organic keywords and estimated traffic.
Manual Google Searches: Search for your target keywords and see who ranks on the first page. Analyze their content structure, headings, and what kind of topics they cover. This helps you understand what it takes to compete.

What is SEO Keyword Research Meaning?

So, what does it all mean, this “SEO keyword research”? In simple terms, SEO keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing the actual words and phrases that people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for information, products, or services online.

It’s not just about finding popular words. it’s about understanding:

What your audience is searching for: What are their problems, questions, and needs?
The language they use: Do they use formal terms or casual slang? Long phrases or short ones?
The intent behind their search: Are they looking to learn something informational, compare options commercial, find a specific website navigational, or buy something transactional?
How difficult it will be to rank: Can your website realistically compete for this keyword, or is it dominated by huge brands?

The goal of this whole process is to use this data to create content like blog posts, product pages, videos that search engines can easily understand and deem relevant to what users are searching for. This helps your content show up higher in search results, bringing more traffic to your site. The Legendary “J.T. Barrett First Down” – A Game-Changing Call

In 2024, the focus has really shifted. It’s less about just finding high-volume keywords and more about truly understanding user intent and creating content that deeply answers that intent. Long-tail and conversational keywords are increasingly important, partly due to the rise of voice search and more natural language queries.

Why Keyword Research Matters Even for Free

Even if you’re only using free tools and have limited daily searches, keyword research is incredibly important for several reasons:

It Connects You with Your Audience: Imagine trying to talk to someone, but you don’t speak the same language. That’s what content without keyword research is like. It helps you speak your audience’s language, using the exact terms they use, so they can find you.
Drives Targeted Traffic: You don’t just want any traffic. you want the right traffic. By targeting relevant keywords, you attract people who are genuinely interested in what you offer, leading to higher engagement and better conversion rates.
Informs Your Content Strategy: Keyword research isn’t just for SEO. it’s for content planning too! It tells you what topics to cover, what questions to answer, and what kind of content blog post, video, product page will best serve your audience. In fact, 75.5% of marketers use keyword research when creating content.
Identifies Low-Competition Opportunities: Especially when you’re starting out, finding those low-competition keywords often long-tail ones is key. These are the “hidden gems” that allow you to rank faster and build authority over time, even with limited resources.
Understands Competitors: Even with free tools, a quick peek at what your competitors are doing can reveal opportunities or gaps in your own strategy.
Adapts to Search Trends: The online world changes fast. Keyword research helps you stay updated on what’s trending and what’s becoming less popular, so your content remains fresh and relevant.
Saves Time and Effort: Writing content without research is like throwing darts blindfolded. You might hit something, but it’s pure luck. Research ensures your efforts are focused and more likely to yield results.

Think about it this way: 70% of all search traffic comes from long-tail keywords. And over 50% of search queries are four words or longer. If you ignore keyword research, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential audience!

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Beyond Semrush Free: Other Powerful and Free Keyword Tools

While Semrush’s free account is a fantastic starting point, combining it with other free tools can significantly boost your keyword research capabilities. Think of it as building a robust toolkit without spending a cent.

1. Google Keyword Planner

This tool is a powerhouse, primarily designed for Google Ads advertisers, but it’s also incredibly useful for SEO. And the best part? It’s completely free, even if you don’t run any ads!

How to Access: You need a Google Ads account to use it. Don’t worry, you can set one up and skip the campaign creation process entirely. Just choose to “Set up an account only” when prompted.
What You Get:
- “Discover new keywords”: Enter a seed keyword or even a competitor’s website URL, and Google Keyword Planner will generate a ton of related keyword ideas.
- “Get search volume and forecasts”: You can upload a list of keywords to see their average monthly searches, competition level for ads, but still useful for SEO insight, and even historical trends.
Why it’s great: It gives you data directly from Google, which is invaluable. While search volume is often presented in ranges e.g., 1K-10K, it’s still a great indicator of popularity.

2. Google Search Console

If you already have a website, Google Search Console GSC is an absolute must-have free tool. It’s not a keyword discovery tool in the traditional sense, but it shows you the keywords your site is already ranking for.

How to Access: Verify your website ownership with Google.
What You Get: Under “Performance” > “Search results,” you can see:
- The exact search queries people used to find your site.
- Your average position in search results for those queries.
- How many impressions times your site appeared and clicks you received.
Why it’s great: This data is 100% accurate for your own site. You can find keywords you’re ranking for on page two or three and optimize your existing content to push them higher. It’s fantastic for uncovering “hidden gems” that are already bringing you some traffic.

3. Google Trends

Google Trends lets you explore the popularity of search terms over time.

How to Access: trends.google.com
What You Get: You can compare multiple keywords, see their search interest over time up to 5 years, and discover related queries and rising topics.
Why it’s great: Perfect for understanding seasonality, identifying emerging trends, and avoiding keywords whose popularity is declining. If you’re wondering whether “vegan recipes” is more popular than “plant-based meals,” Google Trends can tell you.

4. AnswerThePublic now part of Semrush

This tool is a visual goldmine for question-based keywords. While it’s now owned by Semrush and has some integration, it still functions well for free queries. Jack Parkhouse CMU: Unpacking Carnegie Mellon’s Influence on Business Tools

How to Access: answerthepublic.com
What You Get: Enter a seed keyword, and it generates a beautiful visualization of questions, prepositions, comparisons, and alphabetical suggestions people are searching for.
Why it’s great: Excellent for content ideas, especially for blog posts, FAQs, and addressing specific pain points or curiosities your audience might have. It’s like seeing the collective mind of your audience laid out.

5. Manual Google Search & Autocomplete

Never underestimate the power of simply using Google itself!

Autocomplete: As you type, Google suggests common searches. This is real-time, user-driven data.
“People Also Ask” box: Directly answers common questions and offers related queries.
“Related Searches” at the bottom: Provides terms semantically related to your initial search.

These manual methods are free, unlimited, and give you immediate insight into user intent.

6. Forums and Communities Reddit, Quora, Niche Forums

People often ask very specific, long-tail questions in forums, which are pure gold for keyword research.

How to Use: Search Reddit for subreddits related to your topic. Look at posts with high engagement or recurring questions. Similarly, explore Quora for common questions and answers.
Why it’s great: You’ll find the exact language people use, their pain points, and specific problems that your content can solve.

By combining the limited but powerful features of a free Semrush account with these other fantastic free tools, you can build a comprehensive keyword strategy that genuinely helps you attract the right audience.

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Strategies for Maximizing Your Free Keyword Research

Since you’re working with Semrush’s free tier, you’ve got to be smart about it. Here are some strategies to get the most out of your limited daily searches and other free tools:

Prioritize Your Seed Keywords: Don’t just randomly plug in keywords. Start with your most important, broad topics your seed keywords first. Use your 10 daily searches strategically to get the most foundational data.
Focus on Keyword Intent: Before you even look at search volume or difficulty, think about intent. Is the keyword informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational? This helps you quickly decide if a keyword is relevant for the type of content you want to create. If your goal is to sell a product, “how to” informational keywords might not be your top priority, unless you plan to use them to guide users to your product.
Go for the Low-Hanging Fruit Low KD: Especially if you have a new website or limited authority, prioritize keywords with lower Keyword Difficulty KD scores. These are typically easier to rank for and can bring in traffic faster, helping you build momentum.
Embrace Long-Tail Keywords: These are your best friends as a free user. They have lower search volumes but are highly specific, often indicating stronger user intent, and are much easier to rank for. Use Google Autocomplete, “People Also Ask,” and AnswerThePublic to find them.
Use Your Daily Limits Wisely: You get 10 Semrush reports a day. Instead of doing 10 single-word searches, try to group related keywords into one “project” or search intent. For example, if you’re researching “healthy breakfast ideas,” use a few searches for variations, questions, and related terms, then move on to another topic the next day.
Create a Master Spreadsheet: Whenever you find valuable keyword ideas and data from Semrush or other free tools, immediately copy and paste them into a spreadsheet Google Sheets or Excel works great. This creates your own growing database that bypasses Semrush’s daily limits. Include columns for:
- Keyword
- Search Volume
- Keyword Difficulty
- Search Intent
- Source e.g., Semrush, Google PAA, Reddit
- Content Idea e.g., “blog post,” “product page,” “FAQ”
- Notes e.g., “competitor X ranks #1”
Combine Tools for Depth: Remember, no single free tool gives you everything. Use Semrush for a snapshot of metrics, Google Keyword Planner for more bulk data even if ranges, Google Search Console for your own site’s performance, and AnswerThePublic for question-based content ideas.
Regularly Review and Update: Keyword trends change. Social media can rapidly influence keyword popularity. Make it a habit to revisit your keyword lists and update them every few months. New opportunities constantly emerge!
Look for Topic Clusters: Instead of just targeting individual keywords, think about broader topics and how different keywords fit together. For example, “healthy breakfast ideas” could be a main topic, with sub-topics like “quick healthy breakfast,” “high-protein breakfast recipes,” and “vegetarian breakfast options.” This helps you build comprehensive content.

By being methodical and strategic, you can achieve surprisingly effective keyword research results with free tools. It requires a bit more elbow grease than a paid subscription, but it’s totally doable and a great way to learn the ropes of SEO.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is keyword research in SEO and why is it important?

Keyword research in SEO is the process of identifying and analyzing the words and phrases people use when searching for information on search engines. It’s crucial because it helps you understand your target audience’s needs and language, allowing you to create content that ranks higher in search results, attracts relevant traffic, and ultimately helps achieve your online goals, whether that’s sales, information dissemination, or brand building. In 2024, it’s particularly important for understanding user intent rather than just high search volume.

Can I really do comprehensive keyword research using Semrush for free?

While a free Semrush account has limitations typically 10 searches/reports per day with 10 results per report, you can still perform effective, foundational keyword research. It provides valuable metrics like search volume, keyword difficulty, and search intent. For more comprehensive research, you’ll need to be strategic with your daily limits and combine Semrush’s free features with other free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Google Search Console, and manual Google searches.

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What are the main limitations of a free Semrush account for keyword research?

The main limitations for keyword research with a free Semrush account are:

Limited Searches: You usually get up to 10 keyword searches or reports per day.
Limited Results per Report: Each report or search will only show a limited number of keyword suggestions, often around 10.
No Full Historical Data: You might not have access to extensive historical data for keyword trends.
Restricted Filtering Options: Advanced filters might be limited or unavailable.
These limitations mean you need to be very focused and systematic in your approach.

What are some other free keyword research tools I can use alongside Semrush?

There are several excellent free tools that complement Semrush’s free account:

Google Keyword Planner: Great for bulk keyword ideas and search volume data requires a free Google Ads account, no ads needed.
Google Search Console: Shows the keywords your site already ranks for and its performance.
Google Trends: Helps you see keyword popularity over time and discover trending topics.
AnswerThePublic: Fantastic for generating question-based long-tail keywords.
Google Autocomplete & “People Also Ask”: Manual but highly effective for real-time user queries.
Reddit/Quora: Excellent for finding natural language questions and user pain points.

How often should I perform keyword research?

Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. The digital evolves rapidly, with new trends emerging and search behaviors shifting. It’s a good practice to revisit and update your keyword lists every few months, especially when planning new content or noticing changes in your industry. For your existing content, regularly check your Google Search Console data to see if you can optimize for new, relevant keywords you’re already ranking for.

What’s the difference between a Semrush free account and a free trial?

A Semrush free account gives you limited access to certain tools and features like 10 daily keyword searches without any time constraints or the need for a credit card. It’s perfect for casual use or getting familiar with the platform. A Semrush free trial, on the other hand, typically offers full access to all the features of a paid plan like Pro or Guru for a limited time often 7 days, but usually requires your credit card details upfront. If you don’t cancel, you’ll be charged once the trial ends. Is Semrush Accurate? Let’s See What Reddit Thinks!

What is “Keyword Difficulty” and why should I care about it for free keyword research?

Keyword Difficulty KD is a metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank in the top search results for a particular keyword. It’s usually a score from 0 to 100%. For free keyword research, KD is crucial because it helps you identify “low-hanging fruit”—keywords that have decent search volume but are less competitive. As a new website or a user with limited resources, targeting keywords with lower KD scores gives you a much better chance of ranking and driving organic traffic, rather than trying to compete for highly difficult terms right away.

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How to Do Keyword Research with Semrush for Free (And Actually Get Results!)