I've been using WordTracker's Free Keyword Tool exclusively for my keyword research for a few years now.
One of the things I love most about it is that it's completely web-based, which means I can use it from anywhere and any device - anytime.
The only real drawback (in my opinion) was that you could only perform 20 searches a day (um, per account, lol). But that wasn't a big deal to me, and that's no longer the case...
WordTracker released a MAJOR update to their Free Keyword Tool, which just rolled out this week. Their free tool now works more like the paid version of WordTracker, with a few minor restrictions...
I really loved the simplicity of the original Free Keyword Tool.
You typed in a word or phrase, and got up to 100 results. Each result was hyperlinked, allowing you to simply click on it to explore that phrase further - which was great for finding long tail keyword phrases easily!
Here's a screenshot of the original free tool to show you what I mean:
You could then click on "ipad apps" or "ipad accessories" to get new results containing those phrases specifically.
Their new/updated Free Keyword Tool looks and functions just like their paid tool, minus access to a few features you get by purchasing a subscription.
Here's what the free interface looks like now:
I do miss the simple interface. It was really great for super-fast keyword research, and a quick glance at market depth. The new tool is a tad bit slower - and doesn't include hyperlinks to "dig deeper" on phrases that interest you in the results.
What IS cool about the update is that you can now download the results into a spreadsheet, search by "exact match" or "any order" etc, and you now get competition data (which I don't personally use).
Take it for a spin and see for yourself!
All you have to do is register and you can start using the free tool.
Note: If you have ever used WordTracker's paid tool in the past, you may need to register for the free tool with a different email address.
I know a lot of people were using Google's Free Keyword Tool, which Google is shutting down in favor of their new "Keyword Planner" tool for Adwords advertisers. I was never a fan of their free tool myself, for a number of reasons.
If you have an Adwords account, or want to set one up just to use the tool, you can use Google's free tool for research, but I'm definitely sticking to WordTracker myself.
This update gives us a lot of new features and data to work with - and WordTracker does not own a search engine or sell advertising, if you catch my drift. 😉
I would love to hear what you use for keyword research, how you feel about the new Google Keyword Planner in place of their free keyword tool, and would really like to know your thoughts on the new updates to WordTracker's Free Keyword Tool now that it offers so much more functionality.
Again, this keyword research tool is completely free, not to be mistaken for the free trial of their paid tool. They do make it tricky!
Leave a comment below and let us know what you think...
Best,
* I am an affiliate for WordTracker and used my referral links in this post. That said, the free keyword research tool is completely free to use, and is the tool I use every day myself. Enjoy!
About Lynn Terry
I've never tried Wordtracker in the past, but I see it has an SEMRush-powered feature, which is what I use for my keyword research.
Off to check it out; thanks for the heads-up, Lynn.
hi Lynn
I'm not a fan of Google keyword research tool either, I find there are lots other programs far better than theirs...
Anyway...
How would you compare this WordTracker upgrade with Long Tail Pro?
I haven't used Long Tail Pro - I've been using WordTracker exclusively for years now...
What about you - have you compared them? And where does LTP get their results?
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll definitely go and try it! Love it when you share free tools with us. Thanks Lynn.
Lynn,
Thank you so much for this post. On your recommendation, I have been using the WordTracker free keyword tool, and I got worried when they changed the interface. Thanks for letting us know about the update. 🙂
Zori
Good day Lynn,
I love coming here and learning method of doing things. I have used the Wordtracker way of finding keywords from my mentor one and only Lynn Terry ... lol.
You always share the best and today after going through the new version WordTracker's Free Keyword Tool , the search is amazing.
Thank you Lynn and I am grateful for being here learning.
I always used the Google keyword tool for keyword research as most of the training courses I bought used it in their examples and methods. I tried WordTracker a few times as a second opinion for some of my choices, but never really got into it because I thought Google was going to give the most accurate results.
What I don't like about the Google changes is that I was using a third party tool that links to the Google Keyword Tool and now I can't get it to work. It was really useful too.
Historically speaking, Google is not exactly known for giving accurate results or numbers. 😉 PageRank is one good example. They have never (ever) disclosed actual PageRank. But they did give us a ToolBar that showed "PageRank" - which was known as TBPR (Toolbar PageRank) specifically because it was known not to be accurate.
Several years ago, Google tanked two major linking companies: PayPerPost and TextLinkAds. They did this by zeroing out the PageRank (on the toolbar) for any site publishing their ads. They didn't "punish" the two networks OR the advertisers - but the publishers. Of course, those networks paid out based on your TBPR, so guess what happened? lol...
Of course, this "white bar" of PageRank did not affect actual search engine rankings, or even *actual* PageRank. But the "ploy" worked. And that's not the first or only instance that it was used as a tool of manipulation...
On the same toolbar there was a link metric to show the number of inbound links - which no one ever used either, for the same reason - it wasn't accurate. Google isn't in the business of helping in the area of "SEO".
It's almost important to note that Google's free keyword tool - or the results I should say, are based on Adwords (paid advertising) not organic searches. And like I said in the original post, they sell advertising (they make money) based on those numbers. WordTracker does not.
i was always use the google keyword tool ,but now i like this new tool its awesome and so useful and easy to use ,thanks for this post 🙂
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Thanks for the heads up on the "new" free Keyword Tracker tool. I have been using Google mostly because it's free after the KWT trial period ran out. Thanks for the heads up on this great new free resource and it's soooo much easier to use than Google too (always a "good thing").
I just tried it for a phrase I use in my day job. I got nothing at all listed for it, all 0's. What does that mean? And yes, I do like the old one better, except for the Competition listing which may do us good. Just out of curiosity, Lynn, why don't you use that?
And, thanks again for giving us this update! You're the best!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for this post, I haven't yet use WordTracker its something I will look into, especially that keyword search is important aspect. Like always Lynn you always on point, until next tme have a nice weekend.
Tony
Just tried it out, works really well - thanks. I mainly use Market Samurai for keyword research as it's always been the most accurate but it's a bit fiddly.
I am hesitant about taking too much notice of these tools as far as traffic estimates go though as the traffic never quite matches up to estimations (well in my experience anyway).
What I tend to do is ignore traffic estimates for my ranking keywords and check actual visits - i.e monitor actual visits on each keyword.
Thanks again useful post 🙂
Thanks for sharing about this Wordtracker. Even I have tried this Free keyword tool which was helpful in finding out some keywords and ranking i for my blog.
Also added to it, I also use Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner.
I'm a huge, huge fan of SEMRush for multiple reasons. 🙂
I was just reading your reasons here, Rae:
http://sugarrae.com/reviews/semrush-review/
GREAT post! 😉 *cheers*
I have used Market Samurai and Google's Keyword Planner but I am going to give Wordtracker's Free Keyword Tool a try. I hadn't thought about the advantages of a web based tool vs. computer based tool but it makes sense. I have also been suspicious of Google's Keyword Planner because it's intended use (advertising) is not the same as mine (marketing). I hope Wordtracker will be the solution I'm looking for. Thanks Lynn for letting us know about this.
Geni
I just signed up. This is going to make my job so much easier. Thanks for sharing this very resourceful tool!
You're welcome, Kim - you'll love it! 😉 *cheers*
Hello Lynn,
Is it just me, or WordTracker is not free anymore?
It has a 7-days free trial, then 27$/month.
All I can find is the Free 7 Day Trial. Do they still offer the free version somewhere?
Lynn, are you using the paid version now?
Unfortunately they did away with the free tool. Keyword data is SUCH an important part of the process, that I hesitate to use just anything...
I decided to stay with WordTracker. They have given me a special link to get 25% off the WordTracker monthly plans - the Bronze Plan (which is what I would use) comes to only $20/month with our discount.
Here is the discount link:
http://affiliate.wordtracker.com/n/qk07vq1jNjk5AGYxAEIAAGKlQQAB2b4-A/
You get the first week free (trial) as well, so that helps. At just $20.25/month it's well worth it considering I use it daily and definitely get a return on that investment. 😉