Keyword mapping is a strategy that assigns specific search terms to individual pages on your website — ensuring that your content meets both user and search engine expectations.
It is one of those things that feels optional — until your pages start cannibalizing each other or your high-intent content isn’t ranking.
I’ve been writing and optimizing content for years, and this simple system has helped me organize keywords, avoid overlap, and get results without wasting time. It’s fast, efficient, and works whether you’re running a blog, SaaS site, or e-commerce store.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my personal method — using a mix of free tools like Google Search Console, GA4, and some help from AI tools like the SEO AI Agent. If a paid tool makes a real difference, I’ll mention it. Otherwise, we’re keeping it lean.
Let’s dive in.
What is Keyword Mapping?
Keyword mapping is the process of assigning specific keywords — or keyword clusters — to individual pages on your website. It helps ensure that each page targets a distinct search intent, reducing overlap and improving your chances of ranking well in Google.
Think of it as creating a blueprint for your content. Instead of randomly publishing blog posts or optimizing pages without a plan, you’re deliberately choosing which keyword goes where — and why — to create a keyword map like this:
Done right, keyword mapping also guides your content type choices. Should this keyword lead to a how-to guide, a product page, or a comparison post? A keyword map helps you decide that based on what searchers actually expect.
In short, keyword mapping brings structure to your SEO strategy, making your content easier to plan, optimize, and scale.
Why Keyword Mapping Is So Important
Keyword mapping isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the foundation of an effective SEO and content strategy. Without it, even great content can fail to rank, connect, or convert.
The benefit of keyword mapping is improved content relevance and focused optimization that aligns with user search intent, ultimately boosting your overall SEO performance.
Creating a keyword map allows you to visualize content gaps and identify opportunities for new pages or content updates.
Here’s why it matters so much:
It prevents keyword cannibalization. When multiple pages target the same or similar keywords without coordination, they end up competing against each other in the search results — diluting your chances of ranking and confusing Google about which page is most relevant.
It gives every page a clear purpose. Keyword mapping ensures that each page on your site has a defined role within your content ecosystem, aligned with a specific set of target terms and user intent.
It helps you match the right format to the right search intent. Instead of creating a blog post when users actually want a product page or comparison, keyword mapping helps you choose the correct content type based on what people expect to find.
It reveals content gaps and missed opportunities. Mapping keywords lets you see which terms don’t yet have content — and highlights topics your competitors may be ranking for that you’re missing entirely.
It supports stronger internal linking and topical authority. When you have a clear map of how your content is structured, it’s much easier to build internal links between related pages — strengthening your site’s SEO and user experience.
It keeps your SEO and content teams aligned. A keyword map serves as a single source of truth for writers, SEOs, and editors — so everyone knows which topics are covered, which pages to optimize, and which keywords to prioritize.
It scales with your website. As your site grows, a keyword map helps you maintain structure, avoid overlap, and ensure that new content fits cleanly into your existing hierarchy.
My Step-by-Step Keyword Mapping Process
Before we start, we need a spreadsheet to save and organize all the keyword data. A proper keyword distribution spreadsheet helps prevent cannibalization issues where multiple pages compete for the same terms.
To speed up this step, simply copy my template from here:
This is the template I use whenever I need to map keywords for Writesonic’s blog. It also has 20+ AI prompts which I’ll explain how to use as we go through the keyword mapping strategy.
A keyword research and mapping process typically involves five key stages: discovery, categorization, assignment, planning, and implementation.
Here’s my keyword mapping process step by step:
Step 1: Do Intent-Led Keyword Research
Learning how to do keyword mapping effectively starts with comprehensive keyword research, followed by intent analysis and strategic page assignment.
Start with keyword research — but don’t just chase volume. Focus on intent, language, and problems people actually need solved. Try any of these two methods depending on what suits you best.
Method 1:
Choose a seed keyword or primary topic area. This should be a core theme your business wants to rank for, such as “AI writing tools” or “on-page SEO checklist.”
Use multiple tools to generate keyword ideas. I recommend starting with Writesonic’s Free Keyword Generator to get quick, high-potential ideas.
Writesonic’s Free Keyword Generator jumpstarts your keyword research and mapping process without expensive SEO tools or complex setups.
Then expand with Google Autocomplete, People Also Ask, and Related Queries.
Google’s Autocomplete suggestions are useful for keyword mapping research.
Explore long-tail variations and user-generated content. Use Quora, Reddit, or even YouTube comments to see how real people talk about the topic and what problems they’re trying to solve.
Platforms like Quora and Reddit reveal exactly how your audience discusses topics — essential for creating a comprehensive keyword distribution spreadsheet.
Check the commonly asked questions about your topic and turn them into long tail keywords.
List all keywords into the spreadsheet. Combine keywords from all your sources into the keyword strategy template you copied earlier, so you have one master list before you begin filtering or grouping.
Use Writesonic’s Free Trial to check the keywords. Writesonic offers a free trial without a credit card — making it one of my preferred recommendations to any one that doesn’t want to invest in tools for keyword mapping.
Create your free account, access the Keyword Researcher and check their keyword difficulty and search volume. You can also not down their search intent — it’s important for the next step.
Analyze difficulty, volume, and intent in Writesonic’s tool — the first step in building your keyword strategy template for organized content planning.
If you scroll down, it also gives you a list of related keywords. You can use this tool for free a limited number of times — good enough if your keyword mapping requirements are small.
But if you want to map a large number of keywords, create multiple clusters, or get more in-depth insights into the keywords, I suggest moving on to the next method and consider investing in an SEO tool.
Method 2:
Automate the keyword research with the SEO AI Agent: If you’ve signed up to Writesonic’s free account, you can try the SEO AI Agent for free and automate your keyword research.
All you need to do is give it a prompt: Help me conduct keyword research for the topic “AI writing tools” for [the domain] for [the region].
One prompt to the SEO keyword mapping tool does the work of hours — simply enter your topic and watch AI transform research into actionable insights.
The SEO AI Agent basically completes all the steps in Method 1 all by itself by connecting with the right tools at the backend…
The power of a keyword mapper tool: Backend connections to premium data sources eliminate the need for multiple subscriptions and manual research.
and gives you a comprehensive report — much more detailed than the spreadsheet we created earlier.
This comprehensive keyword research template includes everything you need — clusters, volumes, and content recommendations all in one organized report.
All this within five minutes, making it perfect for large scale keyword mapping requirements. You can use other prompts in the SEO AI Agent to automate the next steps — but we will discuss it later.
Why I Don’t Use Traditional SEO Tools for Keyword Mapping (Anymore)
Could we have done this using traditional tools like Ahrefs or Semrush? Sure. But here’s the thing — using those tools means repeating the same manual steps again while also paying a premium for access. This is already taken care of by the Keyword Researcher for free.
Even though they give you keyword volume, competition scores, and SERP snapshots, you still have to:
Manually interpret the search intent for each keyword.
Create your own spreadsheet to track clusters, search volume, and page assignments.
Copy-paste or export keyword lists, then clean and organize the data.
Decide the content format and plan the mapping — all on your own.
These tools are great for data discovery, but they don’t actually help with analysis, decision-making, or execution. That’s where I find them lacking, especially if you want to scale or save time.
Instead, investing in the SEO AI Agent is smarter.
It automates the entire keyword research workflow — from gathering and analyzing keywords to clustering and even suggesting content types.
It also integrates with the same tools (like Ahrefs, Semrush, and more) in the backend, so you’re not missing out on data.
The SEO AI Agent can do much more than keyword mapping. You can use it for SEO audits, content briefs, meta tag generation, on-page optimization, and more.
That’s why I treat it as a one-time investment — instead of juggling multiple tools and manually stitching insights together, you get everything in one streamlined workflow.
Now that the tools part is clear, let’s move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Categorize Keywords by Search Intent
Now that you have your raw keyword list, it’s time to make sense of why people are searching and what kind of content matches their intent.
What to do:
Label each keyword with its search intent. Common categories include Informational (they want to learn), Navigational (they want a specific site), Commercial (they’re comparing options), and Transactional (they want to buy). As described in the previous section, use the Keyword Researcher to find each keyword’s search intent.
Use SERP analysis to validate your intent labels. Plug each keyword into Google and review the top-ranking pages — is it mostly blog posts, product pages, videos? That will tell you what content type matches intent.
Understanding what is keyword mapping in practice: SERP analysis reveals which content formats Google prefers for specific search intents.
Assign the correct content format to each keyword. For example, an informational keyword like “how to use keyword mapping” should be a blog post, while a commercial keyword like “best keyword mapping tools” might fit better in a comparison page or listicle.
Flag mixed-intent keywords that need custom formats. Some terms blend intent, like “Writesonic review,” which could be informational (for learning) and commercial (for comparing). Decide whether to tackle both intents on one page or create separate assets.
Refine intent labels based on business goals. If you only want to rank for bottom-funnel terms, you can deprioritize purely informational ones — or vice versa, depending on your SEO strategy.
Step 3: Group Keywords Into Topic Clusters
Now that you know what people want, start grouping similar keywords into content clusters.
What to do:
Identify keywords that can live on the same page. If two or more keywords are slight variations with the same intent — like “keyword mapping template” and “free keyword mapping spreadsheet”— they should be grouped into one content asset.
Pro Tip: Use the SEO AI Agent to generate topic clusters with the prompt: Generate topic clusters for my seed keyword “AI writing tools” for [the domain] for [the region].
Build a complete SEO keyword map from a single seed term — AI-generated topic clusters create stronger content hierarchies and topical authority.
Avoid splitting topics into too many thin pages. Don’t create multiple weak pages targeting variations of the same concept. Instead, build one comprehensive piece that naturally includes all related phrases.
Group keywords by primary theme and page type. For example, cluster all transactional AI tool keywords for a landing page, and group all “how-to” variations under a blog tutorial.
Create one content brief per keyword cluster. Each group should result in a clear content asset with a headline, subtopics, and goal — so writers or SEOs know exactly what to produce.
Use tabs or filters to keep your spreadsheet organized. I like to create a new sheet or color-coded section for each main content cluster. It helps with navigation and collaboration.
Step 4: Match Keywords to URLs (or Plan New Content)
Once your keywords are grouped, it’s time to assign each cluster to a page — whether it’s already published or needs to be created.
What to do:
Check if there’s an existing page targeting this cluster. Use a site search (e.g., site:yourdomain.com keyword) or your sitemap to see if the content already exists and aligns with the keyword group.
Audit existing content for optimization gaps. If you have a matching page but it’s outdated or poorly optimized, mark it for revision instead of starting from scratch.
Use the prompt in the SEO AI Agent: Analyze the content gap for [URL] and suggest what changes I need to make.
Optimize existing content with gap analysis — a crucial step in keyword mapping SEO that identifies quick wins without starting from scratch.
Assign a target URL for each cluster. For new pages, this can be a placeholder like /keyword-mapping-guide; for existing ones, paste the live link directly into your sheet.
Make decisions for every keyword group. Use simple action statuses like: “Create New Page,” “Update Existing Page,” or “Merge with Another Page.”
Identify and resolve keyword cannibalization. If multiple pages target the same or similar keywords, consolidate them into one stronger asset and use redirects as needed.
Your keyword map isn’t complete until it connects the dots between related content.
What to do:
Use the pillar-and-cluster model to plan internal links. Your main guide (pillar) should link to and from its supporting articles (clusters), creating a clear structure that signals topical authority to Google.
Add internal links using contextually relevant anchor text. Don’t just drop links randomly — make sure the surrounding copy and anchor words reinforce the relationship between the pages.
Include internal linking in your content briefs. If you’re sending articles to a writer or uploading them yourself, add a section for internal links with suggested pages and anchors.
Update older content to link to new assets. Whenever you publish a new piece of content, revisit relevant older posts and add links pointing to the new page.
Use a sitemap or topic hub to tie clusters together. If you’re working on a large site, building hub pages that list and link out to all related content can make the structure even clearer.
Bonus Step: Monitor, Optimize, and Revisit Your Map
A keyword map isn’t set in stone. Keep refining it as your site grows and the SERPs shift.
What to do:
Track rankings for your mapped pages. Use tools like the SEO AI Agent to monitor how each page performs for its assigned keyword set. It’s connected to GSC, so you’ll be able to track the impressions and clicks directly within the agent itself.
Log every major change you make to your mapped URLs. Whether it’s a content update, a title tag tweak, or an internal link change, keep a changelog to spot patterns over time.
Revisit your keyword map quarterly. Add new keywords, update search intent, and audit pages that are losing traffic or rankings.
Use your map to fuel new content opportunities. Utilizing the keyword analysis template enables you to track performance metrics over time and make data-driven optimization decisions. As you identify gaps, spin off new clusters and scale your strategy.
Download My Free Keyword Mapping Template
This is the exact Google Sheet I use for all my SEO content plans.
The perfect starting point for any keyword map template project — Writesonic’s free tools provide essential data without overwhelming complexity.
Best for: Quick keyword ideas, volumes, and related terms.
While premium options exist, there are several effective keyword mapping tool free alternatives that provide essential functionality for small businesses. And this Keyword Researcher is one of them.
This free tool is perfect when you’re just starting your keyword research. Drop in a seed keyword, and it gives you dozens of suggestions along with volume and intent. Use it to build your initial keyword list before clustering.
Your complete SEO mapping command center: Track performance, identify opportunities, and visualize your entire content strategy in one interface.
Best for: Full automation of keyword mapping.
This is my go-to tool for serious keyword mapping. It:
Conducts intent-led keyword research
Groups keywords into topic clusters
Suggests page formats and titles
Audits existing content for gaps
Tracks performance via GSC and GA4
It’s powered by AI and integrates with premium SEO data sources like Ahrefs and Semrush — without needing separate subscriptions. You can try it free (limited credits), and scale as needed.
Pro Tip: Use the prompt “Create a keyword map for [topic]” and it’ll do the heavy lifting for you.
Still unbeaten. My entire system lives in a Google Sheet that tracks keywords, intent, volume, cluster, content format, target URL, and more. It’s simple, collaborative, and flexible.
While I don’t rely on them for the full keyword mapping workflow, these tools are useful if you need:
High-accuracy keyword volume data
SERP snapshots and backlinks
Competitive gap analysis
If you already have a subscription, use them to extract keyword data — then do the actual mapping in Sheets or via SEO AI Agent.
Final Thoughts:
Keyword mapping isn’t just another SEO task — it’s the strategy behind the strategy. Once I started mapping my keywords with intent, structure, and scale in mind, everything else got easier: planning content, avoiding overlap, ranking higher, and even briefing writers.
You don’t need a dozen tools or an SEO agency to do this. With a solid spreadsheet, a few smart prompts, and the right AI to back you up, you can build a high-performing content plan in less time — and with better results.
If you’re serious about leveling up your SEO without drowning in manual work, try the SEO AI Agent. It automates every step I’ve laid out — from keyword research to mapping to optimization. Think of it as your in-house SEO strategist (minus the retainer fee).
👉 Start free and test it on your next content cluster — you’ll never go back to spreadsheets alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Keyword Mapping
What is mapping in SEO?
SEO mapping is the process of strategically assigning relevant keywords to specific pages on your website, creating a keyword map that guides content creation and optimization efforts.
How do I create a keyword mapping strategy?
Developing an effective keyword strategy template begins with thorough research, followed by organizing terms into topical clusters and assigning them to existing or planned content.
What tools can help with keyword mapping?
While dedicated SEO keyword mapping tools offer comprehensive features, many professionals achieve excellent results using customized keyword research spreadsheets or SEO template Excel formats.
How do I track keyword mapping performance?
A detailed keyword analysis report sample typically tracks ranking changes, traffic metrics, and conversion data to measure the effectiveness of your mapping strategy.
What’s the difference between long tail vs short tail keywords? In this guide, we’ll learn about long tail and short tail keywords in detail, and discuss various strategies on how to find each one of them.
Long Tail vs Short Tail Keywords: What’s the Difference?
Short tail keywords are broad, high-volume search terms usually made up of 1–2 words. Long tail keywords are more specific, lower-volume phrases made up of 3+ words with clearer intent.
Here’s a quick glance at long tail vs short tail keywords:
Feature
Short Tail Keywords
Long Tail Keywords
Length
1–2 words
3 or more words
Search Volume
High
Low to medium
Competition
Very high
Lower
Search Intent
Broad or unclear
Specific and clear
Conversion Potential
Lower
Higher
Ease of Ranking
Difficult (needs high authority)
Easier (especially for new sites)
Examples
“shoes”, “laptops”
“best running shoes for flat feet”, “cheap laptops for students”
Best For
Brand awareness, large-scale SEO
Targeted traffic, niche topics, better UX
Use Case
Competitive industries, mature websites
New blogs, product-specific pages, FAQs
Understanding long tail and short tail keywords
When we compare long tail vs short tail keywords, it’s a popular misconception that they are named so because of their length.
While that’s definitely an attribute, their name actually comes from where they are positioned in the search-demand curve.
Long tail vs. short tail keywords: How are they named?
If we plot a graph of all the search queries or keywords people have used against their search volume, we get this curved graph.
The keywords that make up the “long tail” of the graph are long tail keywords, literally, because they occupy the longer portion of the tail. (yes, that’s how they are named.)
Collectively, these keywords are in billions. But individually, they have very little search volume — around a few hundred.
The keywords that form the “fat head” are short tail keywords, because they make up the shorter part of the tail. They are fewer in number but have very high search volumes.
While this is the etymology, it’s not quite useful for someone who wants to use short-tail or long-tail keywords to boost their SEO strategy. So, let’s define them based on their practical usage.
What are Short Tail Keywords?
Short tail keywords are broad, general search queries that usually consist of one to two words. Think of terms like “shoes,” “laptops,” or “digital marketing.”
Because they cover a wide topic, these keywords have incredibly high search volumes and attract a broad audience.
Short tail keywords are broad and have high volume.
But here’s the catch — they’re also highly competitive.
Everyone from small blogs to giant brands is trying to rank for them. So while they may bring in massive traffic, ranking for short tail keywords often requires a high domain authority, tons of backlinks, and very well-optimized content.
They’re great if your goal is brand visibility or if you’re targeting a large market. But in most cases, especially for newer websites, short tail keywords might not convert as well, simply because the search intent behind them is vague.
A user searching for “shoes” might be looking to buy, research brands, or just browse — it’s hard to determine the intent and create content for them.
What are Long-Tail Keywords?
Long tail keywords are specific, targeted phrases that typically contain three or more words. For example: “best running shoes for flat feet” or “how to start digital marketing for small businesses.”
These keywords have lower search volume individually, but they carry much clearer intent.
Long tail keywords are specific and have lower volume.
Someone searching for “best running shoes for flat feet” is probably a lot closer to making a purchase than someone just typing “shoes.”
That’s why when we compare long tail vs short tail keywords, long tail keywords often drive better-quality traffic — visitors who are more likely to convert, subscribe, or take action. Plus, they’re usually low-competition keywords, making it easier for smaller or newer sites to rank.
In short: short tail keywords = broad, competitive, and high volume; long tail keywords = specific, conversion-friendly, but low volume.
However, be wary of supporting long tail keywords.
These keywords may look long and specific, but they’re actually just less popular variations of broader, short tail terms.
For instance, “comfortable work from home chairs” may look like a long tail keyword.
Supporting long tail keywords are actually reworded versions of short tail keywords.
But, it is essentially saying the same thing as “ergonomic chairs.” Despite the added words, the intent overlaps with the more common search term — which often means similar keyword difficulty but much less traffic.
If you target these as your main keywords, ranking is as difficult as short tail keywords.
Instead, look for topical long tail keywords.
Topical long tail keywords are search phrases that represent standalone topics with clear, distinct intent. Unlike the above examples, these are actually long tail keywords that you can target — like “best ergonomic chairs for small spaces.”
Topical long tail keywords are standalone keywords with a distinct intent.
They’re not just reworded versions of a broader idea. They deserve their own page because people are actively searching for answers to that specific query.
These are the kind of long tail keywords that help you build topical authority, capture niche traffic, and rank for a broader set of related queries. In simpler words: target them!
But, does it mean these are the only keywords you should target?
Long tail vs short tail keywords: Which one should you target?
The answer: it depends.
If you’re just starting out with SEO, prioritize long-tail keywords.
They’re easier to rank for, have clearer intent, and bring in traffic that’s more likely to convert. You don’t need a high domain authority or thousands of backlinks to show up in the search results. You just need genuinely helpful, relevant content with proper keyword optimization.
That’s why long tail keywords are a favorite among new websites, niche blogs, and businesses trying to attract specific traffic.
But that doesn’t mean short tail keywords should be ignored completely.
If you’re in a competitive industry or building a large-scale content site, targeting short-tail keywords can help with building topical authority in the long-term growth.
Just be prepared for the effort it takes. It’s a slow climb that demands strong content, technical SEO, and authority in your niche.
You’ll also probably need a long time and, also, a lot of internal links to rank for these keywords. But if you’re successful, the huge amount of traffic will be worth it.
So, which one should you go after?
Here’s a general rule of thumb for long tail vs short tail keywords:
Use long tail keywords when you’re optimizing for conversions, targeting niche audiences, or creating content around specific questions or problems.
Use short tail keywords when you’re aiming for a broader reach, building brand awareness, or already have the resources to compete in competitive SERPs.
In most cases, the best strategy is a mix of both — focus on long tail keywords to build momentum. Once there’s some traffic and your site grows in authority, gradually start targeting short-tail keywords simultaneously.
But, how to find what keywords to target?
How to find short tail keywords
Comparing long tail vs short tail keywords, finding short-tail keywords is actually quite easy — you don’t need any fancy tools to get started. In fact, simply brainstorming a list of broad topics related to your niche is a great first step.
Think about what your business, product, or content is all about.
If you run a fitness blog, terms like “workouts,” “nutrition,” “gym,” or “weight loss” are all obvious short-tail keywords. These are the kinds of words people naturally associate with your niche, and they usually pop into your head without much effort.
Plug any of these words into the Keyword Researcher, and you’ll get other variations of the short tail keyword.
You can easily find variations of short tail keywords using a keyword research tool.
You can also:
Look at your product categories (if you run an e-commerce store)
Check your competitors’ homepage titles
Use Google autocomplete by typing in a word and seeing what suggestions pop up
Explore Wikipedia category pages — they often use short-tail keywords for topic headings
The point is: short tail keywords are everywhere. They’re usually the big, broad terms that define your space.
Even if you don’t want to or can’t rank for them immediately, they’ll help you in the next step — finding long tail keywords.
How to find long tail keywords that actually help you rank
Finding long tail keywords is more than just picking longer search phrases. To actually help you rank, these keywords need to have clear intent, decent traffic potential, and ideally, low competition.
Here’s how to find them:
1. Use filler words to create long tail variations
One of the easiest ways to turn short tail keywords into useful long tail ones is by adding filler words.
These are simple connectors like “for,” “with,” “to,” “in,” “near,” or even modifiers like “best,” “top,” “cheap,” etc. They add context, narrow the intent, and help you create long tail keywords with much clearer direction.
Let’s say your short tail keyword is “running shoes.” You can build long tail variations like:
best running shoes for beginners
running shoes with arch support
cheap running shoes for men
waterproof running shoes under $100
running shoes to relieve knee pain
These aren’t just longer — they’re more helpful. Each one reflects a real-world query where the user is searching for something specific. That specificity = clearer intent = easier to rank for.
Even better: Google understands these modifiers semantically. So, while the short tail keyword might be highly competitive, the long tail version (created using filler words) can still bring in targeted traffic without needing high domain authority.
If it’s hard to generate keywords like this, simply use a free keyword generator tool.
2. Use a free keyword generator
Start by entering a broad, short tail keyword into this Free Keyword Generator or any other SEO tool you prefer. It will generate hundreds of long tail variations based on real searches.
For example, if your short-tail keyword is “cake recipes.” Plug it into the Free Keyword Generator, click on “Generate Keywords,”…
Use a free keyword generator to generate long tail keywords.
…and you’ll get a list of longer keyword variations.
Long-tail keywords generated using the free keyword generator tool.
They each have clear intent and different use cases. That’s what makes them valuable.
But since it’s a free keyword research tool, the usage is also limited. If you want more long tail keywords, browse through the other strategies mentioned below.
3. Analyze “People Also Ask” and autocomplete
One of my favorite ways to find long-tail keywords is to use Google. It’s free and quite effective — if you know how to use it. There are several SERP features that can help find keywords.
Go to Google, type in a short keyword, and take note of the autocomplete suggestions. These are actual queries people are searching.
Google is a free, handy tool to look for long tail keywords.
Then, run the search and scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section. This is a goldmine for long tail questions.
These are often topical, intent-rich, and easy to turn into blog posts, FAQ sections, or product content.
The “People Also Ask” section helps you find long tail keywords framed as questions.
Pro tip: Click on one of the questions in “People Also Ask,” and more will load. You can keep clicking to expand the list and gather more long tail ideas.
You can also check the “People Also Search For” section at the bottom of the SERP for more long tail keyword ideas.
You can also check the “People also search for” section for both long tail and short tail keywords.
4. Use forums and community threads
Reddit, Quora, and niche forums are massively underrated for keyword research. These platforms are where real users talk about real problems — without any SEO polish. That’s what makes them so useful.
You’re not guessing at intent. You’re seeing it play out in actual conversations.
Let’s say your niche is skincare. Head to Reddit and search for something like “moisturizer.” You’ll find posts like:
Reddit and other user forums are helpful to find question-based long tail keywords.
Each of these can be turned into long tail keyword ideas like:
moisturizers for oily skin
budget friendly moisturizers
moisturizer for minimal skincare
These are incredibly specific, intent-rich, and easy to rank for — because you’re solving an exact problem.
Quora works the same way: search a topic, look for common themes in the questions, and note how people phrase their queries. Pay attention to the words they use — it’s often more conversational and natural, which also helps with semantic SEO.
Bonus tip: Sort by “top” or “most upvoted” to prioritize ideas with real demand.
5. Use Answer The People to find question-based long tail keywords
Answer The People is a great tool when you’re looking for long tail keywords that are phrased as questions — the kind of keywords people actually search when they’re looking for help or making decisions.
Just type in a broad keyword “skincare serum.”
Answer the People lets you find long tail keywords using short tail keywords.
…and it’ll give out dozens (sometimes hundreds) of real questions people ask on Google, like:
The tool gives a long list of keyword variations.
You can sort through different types of questions, words with prepositions, and so on that are actually searched on Google.
6. Use a keyword research tool
Using a keyword research tool is one of the most straightforward — yet underrated — ways to find long tail keywords that actually matter.
Start by plugging your short-tail keyword into the Keyword Researcher tool.
Once you enter your seed keyword (for example, “freelance writing”), hit Identify Keywords and scroll down to explore the results.
Writesonic’s Keyword Researcher is a useful tool for finding short tail and long tail keywords.
You’ll find lists of “same terms,” “related terms,” “also rank for,” and “competitor terms.” Browse through these to find long-tail keywords.
Browse through the keyword lists to check for short tail and long tail keywords.
Their search volume and competition are already given in front of them, so you can choose the keywords accordingly.
Pro tip: Set the “Volume” filter to 500 to quickly sort through the list and find low-volume, long tail keywords. Increase or decrease the filter limit depending on the type of results you get.
You don’t have to chase every keyword you see — just look for the ones that show clear user intent and match the type of content you can realistically create.
7. Let AI find the long-tail keywords
All the methods we’ve covered so far are effective — but they’re also manual. You need to dig through results, filter out the noise, and piece things together one by one.
If you want a faster route, or if you’re trying to generate keyword ideas in bulk, AI can speed up the process.
A good place to start is ChatGPT. You can give it a simple prompt like:
Prompt: “Give me 20 long-tail keyword ideas around ‘freelance writing’ with clear search intent.”
ChatGPT can give lists of long tail keywords, but they aren’t based on any metric.
It’ll generate a decent list of keyword suggestions you can explore further.
But here’s the catch: ChatGPT doesn’t have access to real-time keyword metrics. It can’t show you search volume, keyword difficulty, or how competitive a keyword is.
On top of that, there’s always a chance it could hallucinate — that is, make up suggestions that sound good but aren’t actually being searched.
So, while it’s useful for inspiration, you’ll still need a keyword research tool to validate the results.
Instead of juggling between two tools, use an AI that’s built specifically for SEO — like the SEO AI Agent. It’s an advanced tool with a built-in keyword researcher, so you can skip the back-and-forth and get everything in one place.
Give it the same prompt:
“Give me 20 long tail keyword ideas around ‘freelance writing’ with clear search intent.”
And here’s what you’ll get:
The SEO AI Agent gives a list of long tail keywords.
The SEO AI Agent gives you:
A complete list of long tail keywords
Real-time data like search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty
Actionable insights on how to use those keywords in your content
Suggestions grouped by intent, so you know which to target for traffic vs conversions
All this in minutes. This comprehensive report would easily take hours if you researched it manually.
The SEO AI Agent takes the guesswork out of keyword research and makes it easier to plan your content around what people are actually searching — not just what sounds right.
How to use long-tail keywords in content
So you’ve found a list of long-tail keywords — now what? Finding them is only half the job. You need to place them strategically throughout your content to make the most out of them.
Here are a few practical strategies to help you with how to use long tail keywords:
1. Use them in your H2s and H3s
Search engines use headings to understand the structure and relevance of your content. When you use long tail keywords in your subheadings (especially H2s and H3s), you’re signaling to Google that your content covers that exact query.
For example, if your keyword is “best ergonomic chairs for small spaces,” your subheading could be:
H2: Best Ergonomic Chairs for Small Spaces (Top Picks for Compact Homes)
This not only helps with SEO but also makes your content easier to scan for readers.
2. Create a dedicated FAQ section
Many long-tail keywords are phrased as questions — and that’s an opportunity.
Include a short FAQ section at the end of your article (or wherever it makes sense). Pick 3–5 question-based long-tail keywords and answer them directly.
For example:
Q: What is the best ergonomic chair for small apartments? A: If you’re working with limited space, the Hbada Office Task Desk Chair is a great pick…
This helps with user engagement and increases your chances of ranking in Google’s “People Also Ask” boxes.
3. Optimize for featured snippets
Long tail keywords with clear questions or comparison terms (“best,” “vs,” “how to”) are great candidates for featured snippets.
To optimize:
Answer the question within the first 40–50 words.
Use bullet points or numbered lists when possible.
Place the answer directly below the heading containing the long-tail keyword.
Example:
H2: How to choose running shoes for flat feet If you have flat feet, look for running shoes with these features:…
This structured format makes it easy for Google to pull your content as a snippet.
4. Use them in image alt texts and filenames
If you’re adding images, don’t ignore the alt text. It’s another place to sneak in your long-tail keywords naturally.
For example, if your keyword is “budget skincare routine for oily skin,” name your image:
budget-skincare-routine-oily-skin.jpg
And use the alt text:
A 4-step budget skincare routine for oily skin types
It’s small, but it adds semantic relevance to your page — and helps your images show up in search too.
5. Anchor text for internal linking
When linking between blog posts or product pages, use long-tail keywords as anchor text. This gives Google more context about what the linked page is about.
Instead of writing:
Learn more [here].
Write:
Learn more about [best email marketing tools for small businesses].
It improves SEO and also boosts UX by making the link more descriptive.
Final Thoughts: Long Tail vs Short Tail Keywords: Which One to Choose?
Comparing long tail vs short tail keywords for understanding is fine. But in content, both have their place. Short tail helps with broad visibility, while long tail drives targeted, high-converting traffic.
The smart move? Start with long-tail keywords to build traction, then layer in short tail terms as your authority grows.
And if you want to skip the guesswork, try the SEO AI Agent — it finds high-intent keywords with real-time data so you can rank faster.
Ready to discover long tail keywords you can actually rank for? Sign up for the SEO AI Agent for free!
FAQs for Long Tail vs Short Tail Keywords
How do I use long tail keywords in content effectively?
To use long-tail keywords effectively in your content, focus on creating valuable, informative pieces that naturally incorporate these phrases. Start by:
Using the keyword in your title and main headings where relevant
Including variations throughout your content naturally
Creating dedicated content pieces that thoroughly address the topic
Optimizing meta descriptions and image alt text
For example, if targeting “how to choose fitness equipment for home gym,” create a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of home gym setup, equipment selection, and space considerations. This approach helps satisfy user intent while maintaining natural keyword placement.
What is the ideal balance between long tail and short tail keywords?
The ideal balance depends on your website’s authority, competition level, and business goals. For new websites or those in competitive industries, focusing on long-tail keywords (about 70-80% of your strategy) can help establish initial rankings and traffic. More established sites might aim for a 60-40 split between long-tail and short-tail keywords.
Consider your resources and timeline as well. Ranking for short-tail keywords typically requires more time and effort due to higher competition. For instance, while ranking for “digital marketing” might take months or years, you could see results much sooner for “digital marketing consultant for small businesses in Portland.”
How many words should a long tail keyword contain?
Long-tail keywords typically contain three or more words, but the focus should be on specificity rather than word count alone. While most long-tail keywords range from 3-5 words, some can be longer if they accurately reflect user search intent. For example, “what is the difference between long tail and short tail keywords” is a valuable long-tail keyword despite its length because it matches exactly what users are searching for.
Studies show that 56% of buyers use queries containing three or more words, indicating that these longer phrases align well with purchase intent. The key is to choose keywords that precisely match your target audience’s search behavior, regardless of the exact word count.
What tools are best for finding long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty?
Several effective tools can help you discover long-tail keywords with low competition:
Writesonic’s Keyword Researcher Tool: Offers comprehensive keyword difficulty scores and search volume data
Writesonic’s SEO AI Agent: Uses AI to look for perfect long tail keyword opportunities tailored to your website.
Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer: Provides detailed metrics and keyword ideas
Google Search Console: Shows actual search terms bringing traffic to your site
Recent data indicates that using a combination of these tools can help identify keywords where pages move up an average of 11 positions in search rankings. Focus on keywords with difficulty scores under 30 for the best ranking opportunities.
Keyword research gives you a list. Meanwhile, keyword clustering tools tell you exactly what to do with that data.
If you’ve ever looked at a spreadsheet packed with hundreds of search terms and had no idea how to organize them, you’re not alone. Keyword clustering tools solve that. They group similar keywords together so you can target multiple queries with a single piece of content.
I’ve tested many of these tools—some paid, some free, some with clean UX, and even some that looked like they were built in 2002.
In this guide, we’ll explore the nine best keyword clustering tools I’ve come across, comparing their features, pros, and cons so that you can find the right one for your SEO strategy.
Marketers, SEOs, and writers wanting AI-powered content and keyword clustering
Starting at $195/month
Cluster AI
• Data-driven keyword clustering using Ahrefs, SEMrush, or GSC • SERP analysis using Google • Import keyword data • Crawls search engines
SEO agencies, consultants, and large in-house teams who need reliable, SERP-based keyword clusters without additional features.
Pricing available at request.
What is Keyword Clustering?
Keyword clustering refers to grouping related search terms based on intent or topic. Instead of targeting one keyword per page, you group similar ones together and build content that can rank for all of them.
For example, if you want to write about meal planning apps for your website, your keyword list might include terms like:
best meal planning app
weekly meal planner app
free meal prep app
app for planning meals
These keywords are all variations of the same topic. Grouping them means you don’t need four separate articles—you just need one solid page that covers all angles.
This method of keyword clustering or grouping gives you three major wins:
You avoid keyword cannibalization.
You rank for more long-tail queries.
You build deeper, more helpful content.
And search engines reward topic clustering. Google’s algorithm now evaluates how well your content addresses a topic, not just whether it includes a single keyword. That’s why clustering has become a standard in modern SEO.
But doing it manually can be a nightmare, especially when working with thousands of keywords across multiple projects.
That’s where keyword grouping tools step in. They automate clustering using SERP data, language models, or intent mapping. Instead of messing with spreadsheets for hours, you get structured groups in a few clicks.
Some benefits of keyword clustering include:
Better search rankings: Google understands topics, not just individual keywords. Clusters help you rank for multiple queries.
Improved content strategy: Ensures your content covers a topic in-depth, making it more valuable to readers.
Higher organic traffic: Ranking for multiple keywords means more chances of appearing in search results.
With the basics covered, let’s dive into how we chose the best keyword clustering tools.
Factors We Considered to Choose the Best Keyword Clustering Tools
Not all keyword clustering tools are built the same. Some are fast but inaccurate. Others are flexible but confusing to use. To find the ones that actually work for real SEO automation, we tested them using these key criteria:
1. Clustering Method
We prioritized tools that use SERP-based clustering (grouping by shared ranking URLs), since this approach aligns best with how Google understands search intent. Tools using NLP or semantic similarity were considered, too, but only if they explained their method clearly.
2. Speed and Performance
Processing thousands of keywords manually is time-consuming. The best tools should be able to cluster large keyword lists within minutes without compromising accuracy.
3. Output Format and Integration
Clean output matters. We favored tools that group keywords clearly, show volume or intent labels, and let you export to CSV, Sheets, or directly into your content workflow without needing extra formatting. A good clustering tool should allow seamless data export and integration with other platforms.
4. Pricing and Value
Some keyword grouping tools are free. Others charge monthly fees. We compared cost vs. features to see which ones deliver actual time savings and quality clusters for the price.
5. Ease of Use
Some tools require technical expertise, while others offer a user-friendly experience with simple interfaces and one-click clustering.
Each tool we’ve recommended in this blog checked most of these boxes. A few stood out more depending on use case—whether you’re a freelancer, agency, or in-house SEO team.
9 Best Keyword Clustering Tools to Try in 2025
Based on our evaluation, here are the 9 best keyword clustering tools that can help you streamline your SEO efforts:
Writesonic
KeyClusters
Chatsonic
SE Ranking
Keyword Insights
SEO Scout
Keyword Clarity
Zenbrief
Cluster AI
1. Writesonic
Best For: Marketers and content creators who want AI-powered keyword clustering integrated with an AI writing tool.
Writesonic’s Keyword Clustering Tool
Writesonic is an AI content creation platform with a keyword clustering feature to help marketers group similar keywords effortlessly. It leverages machine learning algorithms to identify keyword relationships and organize them into clusters, making content planning more efficient.
Key Features:
AI-driven keyword clustering for faster and more accurate grouping
Works best when used within the Writesonic ecosystem
Pricing: Available within Writesonic’s premium plans, starting at $39/month.
2. KeyClusters
Best For: SEO professionals who prefer SERP-based clustering over AI-driven methods for more Google-aligned keyword grouping.
KeyClusters helps you group keywords.
KeyClusters is a SERP-based keyword clustering tool designed for SEOs and content marketers. It groups keywords by analyzing Google search results, ensuring that keywords sharing similar ranking pages are clustered together. This approach helps users create topically relevant content that aligns with how search engines interpret keyword relationships.
Key Features:
SERP-based clustering for high relevance and accuracy
Bulk keyword processing for large-scale SEO campaigns
No need for API integrations — just upload a list and get clusters
Simple, no-frills interface focused on keyword grouping
Pros:
Uses real-time Google SERP data for clustering
No API or third-party tool dependencies
Cons:
No AI-based automation beyond SERP analysis
Lacks additional SEO features like keyword difficulty or search volume insights
Pricing: Starts at $9 for 1,000 keywords (pay-as-you-go model)
3. Chatsonic
Best For: Marketers, bloggers, and SEO professionals looking for a full-stack AI-driven SEO tool to simplify keyword clustering and save time.
Chatsonic is one of the best AI-powered keyword clustering tools
Chatsonic is a comprehensive, all-in-one content and SEO AI agent that goes beyond just keyword clustering. This platform can automate your entire SEO workflow from start to finish, including keyword research, grouping thousands of keywords, or identifying competitor topics in minutes, without manual intervention.
Unlike SERP-based tools, Chatsonic leverages AI-driven natural language processing (NLP) to identify keyword relationships, making clustering faster and more efficient.
Plus, the platform integrates with key SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Search Console for data-driven results. Unlike most keyword grouping tools, Chatsonic provides real-time insights from the web, instead of historical data.
Key Features:
AI-based keyword clustering with zero manual effort
Ability to process and group thousands of keywords in minutes
Seamless integration with other SEO and content creation tools
NLP-powered insights to identify search intent and keyword relevance
Pros:
Fully automated keyword clustering, eliminating manual work
Processes large keyword lists quickly and accurately
AI-driven insights help optimize content strategy
Cons:
Has a slight initial learning curve to discover all the features
Requires a subscription for full access to features
Pricing: Free trial available with limited generation. Paid plans starting at $39/month.
4. SE Ranking
Best For: SEOs and businesses looking for a full-scale SEO tool that includes keyword clustering along with other essential SEO features.
SE Ranking has a keyword clustering feature.
SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO platform that includes a keyword clustering feature as part of its toolkit. Unlike standalone clustering tools, SE Ranking allows users to conduct keyword research, cluster keywords, and track rankings in one place. It uses search intent analysis and SERP-based grouping to ensure accuracy.
Key Features:
SERP-based keyword clustering to group terms with similar ranking pages
Offers custom clustering settings for more control
Cons:
Clustering feature isn’t as advanced or automated as AI-powered alternatives
Higher pricing compared to standalone clustering tools
Pricing: Starts at $52/month, including keyword research, clustering, and rank tracking.
5. Keyword Insights
Best For: Content marketers and SEO professionals who want AI-powered clustering along with content planning capabilities.
Keyword Insights is an AI-based keyword clustering tool
Keyword Insights is a data-driven keyword clustering tool that uses AI and SERP analysis to group keywords based on search intent and ranking similarities. It also includes content planning features, making it a great option for marketers who want both keyword organization and content strategy support in one platform.
Key Features:
AI-powered keyword clustering based on SERP similarity
Search intent detection to categorize keywords by user intent (informational, transactional, etc.)
Content planning tools to help structure pillar and cluster content strategies
Bulk keyword processing for large-scale SEO projects
Not a full SEO suite, so it may require integrations with other tools
Pricing is based on keyword volume, which may not be ideal for small-scale users
Pricing: Starts at $46/month, with higher-tier plans available for larger datasets.
6. SEO Scout
Best For: Content marketers and SEOs looking for keyword clustering with search intent insights and content planning features.
SEO Scout groups keywords based on SERP rankings.
SEO Scout is an SEO optimization and content planning tool that includes a keyword clustering feature to help users group related search terms based on search intent and SERP analysis. It’s designed for content-driven SEO strategies, helping users create well-structured content silos and topic clusters.
Key Features:
SERP-based keyword clustering to group terms by ranking similarities
Search intent analysis to categorize keywords into informational, commercial, and transactional groups
Content brief generator to help plan topic clusters and internal linking
Bulk keyword clustering for large-scale projects
Pros:
Combines keyword clustering with content strategy
Helps identify search intent for better targeting
Includes content brief generation for structured content creation
Cons:
Not a standalone keyword research tool, so it requires input from other sources
Lacks AI-powered automation for clustering
Pricing: Starts at $49/month for access to keyword clustering and other SEO features.
7. Keyword Clarity
Best For: SEO professionals and content marketers who need a dedicated keyword clustering tool with AI-driven accuracy.
Keyword Clarity is a free keyword clustering tool.
Keyword Clarity is a specialized keyword clustering tool that uses AI and SERP-based analysis to group related keywords. It’s designed to help SEOs and content marketers streamline topic research and content strategy by identifying keyword relationships and search intent.
Key Features:
AI-powered keyword clustering for accurate groupings
SERP-based analysis to ensure clusters reflect search engine ranking patterns
Keyword intent detection to categorize queries as informational, commercial, or transactional
Bulk keyword processing for handling large datasets efficiently
Pros:
Uses a combination of AI and SERP data for better accuracy
Helps with content planning and search intent identification
Supports large-scale keyword clustering
Cons:
No additional SEO tools, so it may require integrations with other platforms
Pricing is based on keyword volume, which might not be ideal for smaller projects
Pricing: Free
8. Zenbrief
Best For: Marketers, SEOs, and content writers who want an AI-powered content and keyword clustering tool to streamline content creation.
Zenbrief is a content optimization tool with clustering features.
Zenbrief is an AI-powered SEO and content optimization tool that includes keyword clustering as part of its feature set. It helps marketers and writers group keywords, analyze SERP data, and generate content briefs, making it a great choice for streamlining content creation based on keyword clusters.
Key Features:
AI-driven keyword clustering to group related search terms efficiently
SERP analysis to ensure clusters align with search engine rankings
Content brief generation to help structure articles around keyword clusters
Competitor analysis to identify content opportunities based on top-ranking pages
Pros:
Combines keyword clustering with content planning
AI-powered insights help optimize content for better rankings
Includes competitor analysis to refine SEO strategies
Cons:
Not a standalone keyword research tool, so it works best alongside other SEO platforms
Higher pricing compared to some dedicated keyword clustering tools
Pricing: Starts at $195/month for keyword clustering and content optimization features.
9. Cluster AI
Best For: SEO agencies, consultants, and large in-house teams who need reliable, SERP-based keyword clusters without additional features.
Cluster AI – Keyword Clustering Tool
Cluster AI by Content Distribution is a no-frills, SERP-based keyword clustering tool built specifically for SEO pros who want fast, accurate results with zero setup.
It uses a 3+ URL overlap method, meaning if three or more of the same URLs rank in Google’s top 10 results for multiple keywords, those keywords are grouped into the same cluster.
What makes Cluster AI stand out is its raw efficiency. This keyword grouping software processes thousands of keywords quickly with pre-formatted CSVs that can be plugged directly into your content planning workflow. Plus, it integrates with keyword research tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to facilitate workflows.
You won’t get AI insights or UX bells and whistles, but you will get Google-aligned keyword clusters you can trust.
Key Features:
SERP-based clustering using URL overlap logic (2+, 3+, or customizable)
Handles up to 25,000 keywords per batch
Instant CSV export with cluster groupings
Designed for speed and minimalism
Integrations with key tools.
Pros:
Extremely fast and scalable for enterprise-level clustering
Simple and accurate SERP-based logic—no guesswork
Pay-as-you-go model with no recurring fees
Cons:
No NLP or AI-based keyword relationships
Doesn’t include content planning, keyword metrics, or integrations
If you treat keyword clustering as a one-time spreadsheet task, you’re missing the point. The real value of clustering isn’t just in grouping keywords. You need to build search intent-aligned content frameworks that can scale.
Here’s how you can build an effective keyword clustering strategy:
1. Start with Intent-Rich, Not Just Volume-Rich Keywords
Most people start clustering after dumping keywords from a tool like Ahrefs or Semrush based on volume. That’s fine—but volume doesn’t equal value.
What you really need is a mix of high-volume, mid-volume, and long-tail queries, but all aligned around intent. This means pulling in modifiers, questions, and variations that reflect how people are actually searching.
For example, if your main target keyword for your content is email marketing software, don’t just stop at terms like:
best email marketing tools
top email marketing platforms
Also include long-tail keywords and related search queries like:
email tools for ecommerce
how to automate email campaigns
which email software has the best open rates
These aren’t just “supporting” keywords. They reflect different angles of user intent. And when you cluster them well, you’ll rank for more long-tail and mid-funnel queries.
2. Use SERP-Based Clustering
Here’s where most SEO teams slip: they rely on NLP-based clustering (similar terms based on language), but Google doesn’t think like a thesaurus.
Instead, you should focus on SERP-based clustering.
This involves looking at which pages rank for each keyword and grouping terms that share the same top-ranking URLs. If Google serves the same 5–7 pages for three keywords, it tells you these belong in the same cluster.
Many of the best keyword grouping tools do this for you. Look for one that offers SERP-based or URL overlap logic, ideally letting you set the clustering strength (like 2+ shared URLs, 3+, etc.).
3. Don’t Blindly Trust Keyword Grouping Tools
Keyword clustering is not fully automated. Even the best tool won’t replace editorial judgment.
Here’s how I vet clusters:
Scan for intent mismatches (e.g., “free CRM” vs “CRM comparison”)—these should be separate pages.
Look at cluster size. If it’s too big (20+ keywords), split it. If it’s just 2 keywords, consider merging or deprioritizing.
Identify which keyword should be the primary topic (based on volume and strategic value), and which ones are supporting subtopics.
If you’re publishing content off these clusters, every one of them should have a clear focus, not just a keyword dump.
4. Align Cluster with the Right Content Type
Once you’ve identified your keyword clusters, decide which page best serves that intent. Too many people default to blog posts when a comparison page, landing page, or template gallery might perform better.
A few examples:
A cluster around “email marketing software for nonprofits” probably deserves a targeted landing page, not a generic listicle.
A cluster about “how to improve email open rates” should lead to a data-backed blog post with benchmarks and best practices.
A cluster around “email automation examples” might work better as a downloadable template hub.
When you match content format to intent, you increase engagement and conversion, not just rankings.
5. Use Clusters for Internal Linking and Topical Structure
Keyword and topic clusters aren’t just helpful for SEO and content strategy, but they also help structure your site.
Once you’ve built content around your clusters, use them to create internal linking paths between top-level topics and deeper subtopics.
For example:
A pillar page on email marketing tools should link to comparison pages, tool-specific reviews, and FAQs—all pulled from sub-clusters.
Subpages should also link back to the pillar using contextual anchors (not just a simple “click here” CTA).
This kind of topical interlinking helps Google see the semantic relationships across your site—and it increases time-on-site by guiding users deeper into the funnel.
6. Measure Cluster Performance—Not Just Page Rankings
Don’t just track how one page ranks. Track how the entire cluster performs over time. Set up dashboards in GSC or Ahrefs to monitor:
Which keywords from each cluster are driving traffic
Which pages are picking up long-tail terms that weren’t originally mapped
Where cannibalization or overlap might be happening
When clusters need to be split, merged, or expanded based on performance
This is where the long-term value of clustering comes in. It’s not a task—it’s a system that improves over time.
Verdict: Which is the Best Keyword Clustering Tool?
There are plenty of keyword grouping tools that get the basics right, but most stop short when it comes to flexibility, integrations, and real-time context.
If you’re looking for a tool that actually fits into a modern SEO workflow and supports content execution end-to-end, Chatsonic by Writesonic stands out.
Here’s what makes Chatsonic different from other keyword grouper tools:
Chatsonic SEO AI agent for keyword clustering
1. Offers Real-Time Data, Not Static Keyword Lists
Most clustering tools rely on outdated keyword snapshots or internal databases. Chatsonic pulls in real-time search data, which means your clusters are always based on what people are actually searching today, not last quarter.
This matters when you’re in competitive niches, chasing fresh trends, or optimizing for seasonality. You get accurate keyword suggestions and SERP-backed clusters based on what’s live in the search results.
2. Built-In Integrations with Your SEO Stack
Chatsonic plays well with the tools you’re already using. You can plug it into your workflows with integrations to:
Google Search Console
Semrush
Ahrefs
WordPress
Zapier (for custom workflows)
So instead of exporting files, reformatting data, and jumping between tabs, you can sync keyword research, cluster mapping, and content generation in one place.
3. Optimizes for SEO-Friendly Content
Once you’ve created your clusters, you can turn them into optimized content briefs, blog outlines, or full articles inside the same dashboard. No exporting, no tool-switching.
You can assign primary and secondary keywords, pull in related questions from People Also Ask, and even generate SEO-optimized blog drafts—using your clusters as the foundation.
Keyword clustering is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s how smart teams scale content without sacrificing quality.
Manual grouping works for small lists. But if you’re working with hundreds or thousands of keywords across multiple campaigns, you need a keyword clustering tool that’s fast, flexible, and reliable.
Chatsonic gives you that—and more. From real-time data to workflow-friendly integrations, it helps you go from chaos to clarity in minutes.
Ready to turn your keyword mess into a clear content plan?
1. What is the difference between keyword clustering and topic clustering?
Keyword clustering groups semantically related keywords together based on search intent and SERP similarities, while topic clustering organizes broader content themes into pillar and cluster pages.
Keyword clustering is more granular and typically used for optimizing individual pages, whereas topic clustering structures your entire site architecture.
2. Are free keyword clustering tools effective?
Free keyword clustering tools can be effective for basic clustering needs and small websites. However, they typically have limitations in processing volume, advanced filtering capabilities, and integration features.
For enterprise-level SEO or sites with thousands of keywords, paid tools offer more comprehensive solutions with better accuracy and time-saving features.
3. How often should I update my keyword clusters?
Keyword clusters should be reviewed quarterly, or whenever you notice significant shifts in your rankings or industry trends. Search patterns evolve over time, and regular updates ensure your content strategy remains aligned with current user intent and search behaviors.
If you’re only optimizing for traditional rankings, you’re likely missing out on some of the most valuable real estate in search. Search results today are packed with SERP features — rich elements like featured snippets, videos, FAQs, AI-generated overviews, and more — that steal attention and clicks. They not only boost visibility, but also improve click-through rates and generate organic traffic — even if you’re not in position #1.
But how to find SERP features opportunities and how to boost rankings with SERP features?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 11 of the most important SERP features and also share my strategies on how to rank for each one of them.
But before that, let’s understand what exactly are SERP features.
What Are SERP Features?
SERP features are enhanced elements that appear on Google’s search results page in addition to the standard list of organic links.
Instead of just showing a blue link and a short description, SERP features offer more interactive, visual, or information-rich results designed to help users find what they need faster.
Take this Featured Snippet, for example.
Featured snippet is a SERP feature that is quite common.
It’s a SERP feature that highlights the best answer possible to the query and appears at position zero — above all the other links.
Similarly, this AI overview is another example of a SERP feature. It gives an AI-generated summary of other results to quickly answer the search query.
AI overviews are a newly added SERP feature by Google.
In total, there are more than 30 reported SERP features, including free ones like the examples above and paid ones like Sponsored results. Each of these features serves a specific user intent — whether it’s getting a quick answer, watching a tutorial, or finding a nearby service.
However, for the sake of brevity and value, we’ll only focus on the top 11 free SERPs you need to optimize for in this guide.
11 Types of SERP Features & How to Optimize for Each One of Them
So, how to boost rankings with SERP features and how to find SERP feature opportunities?
While there are 30+ reported features, focusing on each one of them isn’t practical. Instead, we’ll understand the 11 top SERP features and learn how to rank for each one of them.
Here are the types of SERP features we’ll cover:
Featured Snippets
AI Overviews
People Also Ask
Knowledge Panels
Discussions and Forums
Image Packs
Video Carousels
Local Pack
Popular Products
Rich Snippets
Top Stories
Featured Snippets
Featured snippets, often called “position zero,” appear above traditional search results but below paid ads. They show extracted content from a specific search result that Google thinks is the best answer to a search query.
Here’s what a featured snippet looks like in a SERP:
Featured snippets are also known as position zero.
Featured snippet is one of the most common SERP features and usually appears for informational and commercial queries. In fact, depending on the query, it follows different formats, such as:
Paragraph snippets
List snippets
Table snippets
Video snippets
As these snippets show up even above the traditional search results, ranking in them automatically means more clicks and traffic.
How to optimize for Featured Snippets
Before you try to boost rankings with SERP features, whether it is the featured snippet or otherwise, you need to check if the keyword triggers that particular SERP feature. A quick way to do this is to run a Google search for that keyword and see if the required SERP features appear.
Once you find a keyword that triggers a featured snippet, ranking in it is pretty straight forward. The easier you make it for readers to find the direct answer to their query in your article, the more likely your content is to appear in a featured snippet.
Start by using the exact search query or a close variation as an H2, preferably right after the introduction.
To boost rankings with SERP features, use the primary keyword or one of its variations as H2 for the featured snippet.
Then, structure the answer to this H2 depending on the type of featured snippet that appears:
For paragraph snippets: Write a concise definition (40-60 words) that directly answers the question. Start with an “is” statement when defining concepts, like “Featured snippets is a special block above organic search results…” Place this definition under a “What is [keyword]” heading near the top of your page.
For paragraph snippets, give a direct, concise answer to the H2.
For list snippets: format your content with clear H2 or H3 tags for each step or item. Keep formatting consistent throughout your list. For ordered items, use clear numerical indicators like “Step #1” or “1.” in each subheading.
For list snippets, properly lay out the H3s, preferably in a numbered format.
For table snippets: Include properly formatted HTML tables with the <table> tag that present comparable data clearly and concisely.
For table snippets, create a properly optimized table within your article.
💡 Pro Tip:
Always match the existing featured snippet format. If Google is showing a paragraph snippet for your target keyword, don’t try to force a list or table format. For paragraph snippets specifically, write objectively—similar to a dictionary entry—without opinions or emotional language.
Avoid using brand names or first-person language in potential snippet content unless it’s a branded keyword.
AI Overviews
AI Overviews are AI generated responses that summarize the top SERP results and create a helpful response for the query. Unlike featured snippets that extract content from just one webpage, AI Overviews analyze and combine information from various sources to create more complete responses.
AI overviews is a SERP feature that displays AI-generated summaries appearing on top of all the search results.
When you see one, you’ll typically notice:
Concise AI-generated text answering your query
Links to supporting resources that back up the information
Additional links that help you explore the topic further
Various formats including paragraphs, lists, tables, and interactive elements
How to optimize for AI Overviews
While Google claims that “no action is needed” beyond following standard search guidelines, following some strategies can boost your chances of appearing in AI overviews.
For example, AI overviews typically summarize content and display supporting links from the first, or at most, the second page of the search results. That means, your first priority should be ranking in the first couple SERPs.
AI overviews also tend to favor content that thoroughly addresses user questions with clear, direct answers. So, structure your content by
Using question-based headings followed immediately by concise answers
Breaking information into digestible chunks with proper H1-H6 hierarchy
Including relevant lists and tables where they make sense
Making content scannable with short paragraphs and clear formatting
AI overviews primarily appear for complex informational queries, so target informational long-tail keywords rather than transactional or navigational searches.
Since AI overviews summarize information from multiple sources, you have a chance to appear at the top of SERPs even if you’re not ranking on position #1.
People Also Ask
People Also Ask is basically Google’s way of showing you questions related to what you just searched for. These questions typically show up near the top of search results, usually between positions one and four, though they can pop up anywhere on the page.
People Also Ask is a SERP feature that contains commonly asked questions related to the given topic.
What I love about PAA boxes is how they adapt to what you’re interested in. Click through different questions and Google keeps suggesting more related ones, creating what feels like an endless stream of information.
Clicking on a question in the People Also Ask box expands the answer and also gives rise to more questions.
This helps you navigate through topics without having to bounce back to the search bar.
Each answer links back to the source website. So Google still sends traffic to the respective website if you click on it while also giving a quick answer to the reader.
How to optimize for People Also Ask boxes
Appearing in a People Also Ask box is relatively easy, as there are multiple “slots” and the “slots” keep growing as people click on the questions.
But how do you make sure you get one of these slots? By targeting long-tail keywords!
Start by inserting your seed keyword, say “organic marketing” into a tool like Keyword Researcher and click on Identify Keywords.
Writesonic’s Keyword Researcher can help find keywords for the People Also Ask section.
Once you get the keyword report, scroll down to the bottom, go through the keyword lists and find keywords that are long-tail or in question format.
The Keyword Researcher gives a list of keywords related to the main term.
You can also use Answer The People from the same Writesonic suite of tools to find long-tail keywords. Insert your seed keyword in the box and click on Get Suggestions…
Answer The People is another tool that’s helpful to find keywords.
…and find all question-based keywords related to the main term.
Answer the People gives a list of long-tail and question-based keywords.
Once you’ve got a list of keywords, use them as FAQs in the main article targeting the seed keyword to get featured in the People Also Ask box.
💡Pro Tip:
Answer each question with a clear, direct response before adding details. Google typically shows brief answers in the PAA box with paragraphs averaging around 41 words.
Knowledge Panels
Knowledge panels are those information boxes you see on the right side of Google’s search results when you search for specific entities — people, places, organizations, or things — that exist in Google’s Knowledge Graph.
Knowledge panels are SERP features with information boxes that describe an entity.
Think of them as quick snapshots that pull data from various trusted sources across the web.
Look at any knowledge panel and you’ll typically find:
The entity’s name and basic description
A representative image or logo
Key facts about the entity (founding date, location, etc.)
Social media profiles and official website links
Related entities under “People also search for”
Context-specific information (like songs for musicians or books for authors)
What makes knowledge panels different from other SERP features is where they get their information. Rather than pulling from a single webpage, they draw primarily from Google’s Knowledge Graph. It’s a massive database of facts about people, places, and things that helps Google understand how different entities connect to each other.
How to optimize for Knowledge Panel
Knowledge Panel information comes from Google’s Knowledge Graph rather than other SERP results. It’s a massive database that maintains information about people, places, and other things, helping Google connect different data about the same entity.
The best way to appear in a knowledge panel? Put out data about your brand or product and maintain consistency across all panels.
Start by creating an About Us page for your website, if you already haven’t. If possible, having a Wikipedia page also helps bring you to the spotlight in the Knowledge Panel.
Creating a home page, about page, or a Wikipedia page helps you to appear in the Knowledge Box section.
Next, make sure you have a good social media presence — at least active accounts on three popular social media platforms.
To appear in the Knowledge box, make sure you have active social media handles.
Make sure that you’re maintaining consistency across platforms. Ensure that the same information appears on your website, social profiles, business directories, and anywhere else you’re mentioned online.
Google picks up and verifies information for the Knowledge Panel from multiple sources. To get even more visibility, try getting authoritative mentions in reputable publications, industry websites, and trusted directories.
Once Google generates a knowledge panel for your entity, you can claim it through these steps:
Search for your entity on Google
Click “Claim this knowledge panel” at the bottom of the panel
Verify your identity through an official website or social profile
After verification, you can suggest edits to information and select a featured image
💡Remember:
Knowledge Panels are usually related to entities and only come up when someone searches for that particular entity. Unlike many other SERP features, the content of the Knowledge Panel cannot be influenced by single posts or blog articles.
Discussions and Forums
The Discussions and Forums feature pulls relevant conversations from places like Reddit, Quora, and other forum sites directly into search results.
You’ll typically see it labeled as “Discussions and forums” in search results with a bunch of question-answer formatted forum discussions related to your search query.
Discussions and forums is a SERP feature that is a collection of links to forum-style websites.
Today, many users seek and trust community-based platforms and other user reviews. That’s why, getting visibility in this SERP feature is essential to gain customer trust rather than for organic traffic.
How to optimize for Discussions and Forums
Getting visibility in the Discussions and Forums SERP feature is a bit tricky. Many platforms ban any kind of brand promotion, as they want to focus on giving authentic, real user answers and reviews to people.
To get featured (without getting banned), participate thoughtfully in existing threads that are featured for your target keyword. Give valuable advice instead of just focusing on brand promotions.
If you want to promote your brand, be authentic and transparent. Mention who you are, give the exact information required, and refrain from sounding salesy.
Read forum or subreddit rules carefully and make sure you’re NOT mentioning your brand in subreddits which explicitly ban such behavior.
💡Pro Tip:
Think about developing your own community space right on your website where users can engage in discussions. This gives you the chance to appear in the Discussions and Forums feature with content you actually control.
Image Packs
Image Packs show up as horizontal rows or grids of images within search results. Google displays them when it thinks visual content would better answer what you’re looking for.
Image packs display images from related articles and websites.
When you click any image in the pack, you’re taken to Google Images with your search query already filled in.
How to optimize for Image Pack inclusion
Google picks images directly from your blog posts and website content. These can be featured images or images that appear within the blog post. But here’s the catch: Google can’t actually “see” what the image is, so it relies on information given by you to decide what an image is about.
If you want to get your images featured in these packs, optimize them properly. Use proper captions and alt texts that contain the main keyword for which you want the image to appear.
Write well-optimized alt text and image captions to increase your chances of appearing in Image packs.
If your image is too large, compress it to a smaller size as heavy image and video files can decrease page load speed — impacting your website’s rankings.
Video Carousels
Video carousels are those horizontal rows of video thumbnails you see in search results related to what you’re looking for. They show up on both mobile and desktop, typically displaying 3-4 videos initially with options to scroll for more.
To boost rankings with SERP features, create and optimize video content for keywords that trigger the video carousels.
Unlike text-based SERP elements, video carousels are visually striking — making them practically impossible for users to scroll past without noticing. YouTube dominates these carousels, with over 80% of featured videos coming from their platform.
This makes sense considering Google owns YouTube. That said, videos from other sources like Twitter, Facebook, news sites, and company websites can also appear when properly optimized.
How to optimize for SERPs
The strategy to boost rankings with SERP features using Video Carousels is pretty obvious: create video content and properly optimize it for the required keyword.
Where to upload the videos? I highly recommend YouTube because that gives you a much higher chance of getting featured.
Start by creating content people actually search for. Use Keyword Researcher to find “how to…,” “what is…,” and other keywords that are clearly “video intent.”
Once you’ve identified promising topics, optimize your videos with these key elements:
Descriptive, keyword-rich titles that accurately represent your content while encouraging clicks
Comprehensive video descriptions that use YouTube’s generous 5000-character limit to include related keywords
Custom thumbnails designed specifically to stand out in search results
Timestamps that Google can display as “key moments” in search results
Tags and hashtags to help search engines understand what your content is about
Basic optimization is just the start. For a significant visibility boost, embed your videos on relevant webpages with proper schema markup.
Focus on creating high-quality videos that keep viewers engaged throughout. Videos with strong audience retention rates perform better in search results because Google prioritizes content that keeps people watching longer.
💡Pro Tip:
Want your videos to rank even higher? Pay attention to audience engagement metrics like comments, likes, and shares. Google sees these as quality signals that help determine which videos deserve prime placement in carousels.
Local Pack
When users search with local intent, the Local Pack appears as a map with three relevant business listings prominently displayed at the top of search results.
Local pack is a feature that displays local businesses closest to you.
You’ll typically see it pop up for searches containing location names, “near me” phrases, or when Google detects you’re looking for something nearby.
How to optimize for local pack
Google determines Local Pack rankings based on three key factors: relevance, distance, and prominence. If your business is of the type where it benefits from a local customer base, focus on getting it featured in the local pack.
Here’s how to optimize for this SERP feature:
Create and optimize your Google Business Profile by selecting the right business categories.
Keeping contact information accurate, filling out every single available field. How complete your profile is directly impacts your visibility.
Build a consistent online presence by making sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) match exactly across your website, social profiles, and business directories. Even small inconsistencies can seriously undermine your local authority.
Develop a review strategy to actively collect and respond to Google reviews. High-quality, positive reviews are crucial ranking signals for showing up in the Local Pack.
On top of the Google Business page, optimize your website with local keywords and location-specific content. If you serve multiple areas, create dedicated location pages for each one.
You can do this by using Article Writer 6 to create multiple, location-specific articles to boost your chances of appearing in the Local Pack.
💡 Pro Tip:
While you can’t control how close you are to searchers (proximity is a dominant factor), you can expand your effective ranking radius through proper optimization. I’ve seen businesses appear in Local Pack results up to 10 miles further than their competitors simply by having better optimization and more reviews.
For multi-location businesses, make sure each location has its own Google Business Profile — don’t try to cover multiple locations with one listing, as this significantly reduces your chances of appearing in the Local Pack.
Popular Products
Popular Products is exactly what it sounds like — an organic search feature that shows relevant products when users search for shopping-related queries.
Getting your product featured in the Popular Products section is one way to boost rankings with SERP features.
The best part? Unlike paid Google Shopping ads, these listings appear naturally in search results without requiring you to spend a dime on advertising.
These products typically appear in a carousel format, displaying product images, titles, prices, ratings, and the number of retailers selling each item. This gives shoppers a quick overview of available options.
When someone clicks on a product, Google takes them to a dedicated product page with comprehensive details including reviews, available stores, and pricing options. From there, they can click through to any retailer’s website to complete their purchase.
Clicking on a product in the Popular Products section expands it.
How to optimize for Popular Products
Getting your products to appear in this feature requires a two-step approach:
First, make sure your product data is accessible to Google through one of these methods:
Google Merchant Center: Upload a product feed with required attributes including id, title, description, link, image_link, price, brand, and GTIN. Then enable “free product listings” in your account settings.
Structured Data: Add product schema markup to your website with properties like image, name, review, offers, brand, and description.
Once your data is accessible, optimize these critical elements to improve visibility:
Product titles: Create keyword-rich, descriptive titles that clearly identify your items
Product reviews: Encourage and display authentic customer reviews
High-quality images: Use clear, professional product photography
Competitive pricing: Keep prices aligned with market expectations
Product options: Offer multiple colors, sizes, or variants when possible
Rich snippets (sometimes called rich results) are enhanced search listings that show extra information beyond the basic title, URL, and description.
They pull in elements like star ratings, product prices, cooking times, event dates, or thumbnail images directly in search listings.
Rich snippets displays additional information such as ratings, time taken, and so on.
Different rich snippet types serve different purposes. Review snippets show star ratings for products or services. Recipe snippets display cooking times and calorie counts. Product snippets reveal prices and availability.
How you optimize for rich snippets depends on the type of product you’re creating the page for.
How to optimize for rich snippets
Getting rich snippets for your content requires implementing structured data markup on your web pages.
You’ll need to add specific code that helps search engines understand what your content means and how it’s structured.
Here’s my step-by-step approach:
Choose the appropriate schema type based on your content (Product, Review, Recipe, etc.)
Add JSON-LD markup to your page’s HTML (this is Google’s preferred format)
Test your implementation using Google’s Rich Results Test
Fix any errors the testing tool identifies
If you’re using WordPress, you can take advantage of plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math that make structured data implementation much easier without requiring coding knowledge. Another option is using Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to generate the necessary code for you.
Whatever method you choose, make sure your structured data accurately matches what visitors can actually see on your page. Search engines don’t take kindly to misleading markup and may consider it spam, potentially resulting in penalties.
Top Stories
The Top Stories is a carousel of news articles at the top of search results. Google displays this when it thinks you’re looking for news-related information.
Top Stories is a SERP feature that displays the top news articles related to the given topic.
Rather than just displaying the most recent articles chronologically, Google organizes current, relevant pieces by story groups.
How to optimize for top stories
Usually, Top Stories is only meant for news websites that are indexed in Google News. It does not display any other type of content, such as blog posts or non-news related videos.
However, you can rank your website in Top Stories by creating a dedicated News section in your website. Once you create the section, publish at least 3-5 original news stories every day that are relevant to your niche.
Use Article Writer 6 to scour news websites and create relevant news articles within minutes.
Headlines play a crucial role too—keep them between 2-22 words, clearly describing the content without including dates that might confuse readers or become outdated quickly.
After uploading the news content:
Implement NewsArticle structured data markup with correct datePublished and dateModified fields
Create a specific news sitemap containing articles from the past 48 hours
Update your sitemap whenever you publish new content
💡 Pro Tip: While producing timely news is essential, don’t sacrifice page performance. Core Web Vitals matter a lot for Top Stories placement. Google prioritizes sites that deliver excellent user experiences alongside quality journalism.
How to find SERP features opportunities
Before you optimize for any SERP feature, it’s important to find the right opportunity where you actually have a chance to rank. However, unlike the usual keyword research, finding keywords for SERP features is a bit tricky.
Here are my three strategies to find SERP feature opportunities that you can try:
1. Use Google search
One common method to find SERP features opportunities is to take your top keywords and Google them to find which SERP features they trigger.
For example, say your seed keyword is “digital marketing.” A simple Google search will show you that it triggers AI Overviews, Knowledge Panel, People Also Ask,and Video Carousels.
Using Google search results is one method to find SERP features opportunities.
However, if you run this keyword through the Keyword Researcher, you can see it’s a very high difficulty keyword, meaning it will be extremely hard to boost rankings with SERP features of such keywords.
Keyword Researcher gives you more insights into keywords to boost rankings using SERP features.
You can use this guide on finding low competition keywords to look for keywords that might give you a better chance at ranking in SERP features.
However, manually searching each keyword on Google is time-consuming, and, ultimately, a hit or miss strategy.
While this strategy is usually used, I’d recommend checking out the next two strategies to find SERP feature opportunities easily.
2. Check content that you’re already ranking for
If you already have a website, have published content, and some of it is ranking — it gives you a much better chance to get into SERP features.
Simply use Google Search Console to find the top pages that are already ranking.
Google Search Console gives you a list of top-ranking pages from your website.
Figure out their primary keyword and check which SERP features are triggered for these keywords using Google.
You can check the pages that are already ranking in SERP features using Google Search.
Then, optimize the existing content for the triggered SERP feature using the guide above. Since these pages are already ranking, it will give you a higher chance of appearing in any of the SERP features.
But what if your content isn’t ranking yet? Then, move on to the next strategy.
3. Let AI find SERP features opportunities
If you’re tired of manually finding SERP features opportunities or want to look for keywords that actually give you a chance to rank, the SEO AI Agent is your best bet.
The SEO AI Agent is connected to the same tools you’d use for keyword research, such as Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Search Console, and so on. But instead of you putting in the manual efforts, the agent does it all.
It analyzes keywords in bulk, looks through multiple Google SERPs, and finds the best SERP feature opportunities depending on your given keyword.
Create your free Writesonic account and simply use this prompt to get the SEO AI Agent going:
Prompt: Find keywords that have SERP feature opportunities that I can actually rank for. My seed keyword is [seed keyword] and domain is [domain.com]. Give me a list of 20 such keywords along with the type of SERP feature to optimize for.
Use SEO AI Agent to boost rankings with SERP features.
Once you click on Send, the SEO AI Agent starts connecting with the required tools, runs a detailed research process, and generates a comprehensive report with all the SERP features opportunities in it.
SEO AI Agent gives a comprehensive list of top SERP features opportunities.
The Final Output has the required list of 20 keywords that we actually have a chance to rank for in the SERP features.
If you scroll further down the report, you’ll also find insights on how to optimize content for a particular keyword and a particular SERP feature.
The SEO AI Agent also gives you actionable tips on how to boost rankings with SERP features.
Instead of spending hours or days looking for the perfect SERP feature opportunity, you can get the keywords in bulk within a few minutes and boost rankings with SERP features.
In fact, the SEO AI Agent is versatile. After you get the list of keywords, you can actually use the SEO AI Agent to optimize your content for SERP features.
Explore the full capabilities of the SEO AI Agent here.
Boost Rankings With SERP Features Using AI
The SEO AI Agent can also help you write blogs, product descriptions, video titles, and descriptions, and much more. Once you generate the list, give further prompts in the same conversation depending on which keyword and SERP feature you want to optimize for.
Use it to create a section for the featured snippet, or generate FAQs for the People Also Ask section. You can find a list of different prompts to use with any AI tool here.
Doing this will help you save a lot of time and effort that you’d otherwise spend on manually optimizing for SERP features.
Ready to boost your ranking with SERP features? Sign up for SEO AI Agent for free!
SEO isn’t just about stuffing pages with keywords anymore. You can have the best content and still struggle to rank — if it doesn’t match what searchers actually want. That’s where search intent comes in.
Search intent (also called user intent) defines the purpose behind a search query. Is the user looking for information? Are they trying to compare products? Depending on the reason, search intents is divided into four categories.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
What search intent is and why it matters
The four main types of search intent
How to identify intent behind a keyword
How to optimize your content for search intent
Let’s dive in.
What is Search Intent?
Search intent is the purpose behind a search query—the reason someone types a specific phrase into Google. It tells us whether a user is looking for information, a particular website, or ready to make a purchase.
Search engines prioritize intent to ensure users get the most relevant results, not just pages with matching keywords — making it an important part of keyword research.
For example, if someone searches for “best natural moisturizers,” they are likely comparing options, not looking to buy immediately. But if they search “buy organic face moisturizer,” they’re ready to make a purchase.
If your content doesn’t align with the searcher’s intent, it won’t rank — no matter how well-optimized it is. But, when you nail intent, your content becomes exactly what users and Google are looking for.
But matching your content to search intent isn’t just about rankings — it’s about delivering what users actually need. When you align your content with intent, you:
Improve click-through rates because your page matches what users expect
Increase time on page and reduce bounce rates
Boost conversion rates by delivering the right content at the right stage of the buyer’s journey
Now that you know what search intent is, let’s look at the four main types.
The Four Main Types of Search Intent
Not all searches are the same. Some people want quick answers, while others are ready to buy. Understanding the four main types of search intent helps you create content that aligns with what users are looking for.
1. Informational Intent
Users with informational intent are looking for answers, explanations, or guidance. These searches often include words like “how,” “what,” “why,” or “guide.”
Examples:
“How to reduce acne scars”
“What is green tea useful for?”
“Guide to starting a home garden”
What ranks on Google? In-depth blog posts, step-by-step guides, and authoritative sources satisfy information intent. You can often find featured snippets, “People Also Ask” boxes, and knowledge panels in these search results.
2. Navigational Intent
These searches happen when users already know where they want to go but need help finding it. They often include brand names or specific websites.
Examples:
“Sephora vitamin C serum”
“Instagram login”
“Writesonic website”
What ranks on Google? Official websites, brand pages, social media profiles, and directory listings (like Google My Business or Wikipedia) tend to dominate these results.
3. Commercial Intent
They know the broad category they want to buy, but haven’t decided on the exact product yet. They are comparing options before making a decision.
Examples:
“Best moisturizers 2025”
“Nike vs Adidas sneakers”
“Top-rated smart phones in budget”
What ranks on Google? Comparison articles, listicles, product reviews, and expert roundups. Google favors detailed content that provides insights, pros and cons, and user-generated reviews.
4. Transactional Intent
Users with transactional intent are ready to take action — whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or requesting a quote.
Examples:
“Buy organic face moisturizer”
“Discount codes for natural skincare”
“Free shipping on vitamin C serum”
What ranks on Google? E-commerce product pages, online stores, marketplaces (Amazon, Sephora), and paid ads. Google also prioritizes pages with strong product descriptions, clear pricing, and fast-loading checkout experiences.
Note: Some keywords may satisfy multiple intents, making them mixed intent keywords.
Understanding these intent types is key to crafting content that ranks and converts. But how do you know which search intent a keyword covers? Let’s find out how to identify the search intent in the next section.
5 Easy Strategies to Identify Search Intent
Understanding search intent isn’t guesswork. Google’s search results already tell you what it considers relevant for a keyword.
By analyzing SERPs, studying competitors, and using keyword research tools, you can determine the intent behind any search query.
Read and Understand the Keyword
Most keywords naturally indicate what their intent is. By analyzing how a keyword is structured and what words it contains, you can predict what the searcher is looking for and create content that directly answers their needs.
Take informational intent, for example. These keywords often include “how to,” “guide,” “tips,” “what is,” or “best way to.” Users are looking for explanations, guides, or general knowledge when using these keywords.
Eg: how to start a podcast, keyword research guide, and so on..
Informational intent keywords usually contain words like “how to,” “guide,” or “what is.”
Keywords of commercial intent, on the other hand, include “best,” “top,” “vs,” “comparison,” “review,” and so on. Searchers are comparing options before making a decision.
Eg: best budget gaming laptops, iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16, and so on..
Commercial intent keywords usually contain the words “best,” “top,” and so on.
If the keywords include words like “buy,” “discount,” “deal,” “price,” or brand-specific terms, they are most likely of transactional intent. People know which product to buy, they are just searching where to buy it from.
Eg: buy JBL wireless noise cancelling headphones, Air Jordan 4 price, and so on..
Transactional intent keywords contain the words “buy,” “discount,” and so on.
With navigational intent, the user is looking for a specific brand, website, or product page. These searches typically contain brand names, product models, or official site terms.
Eg: Netflix login, Sephora website, etc..
Naviagational intent keywords clearly have the brand or website name mentioned.
💡Remember
While the above strategy works for a lot of keywords, not every keyword has such indicative terms. People may phrase queries in different ways, making it difficult to understand the intent with just a glance. In that case, use the next few strategies we mention in this guide.
Analyze the SERPs
Say someone searches for “find keywords.” You’re unsure whether they want to know how to find keywords i.e. informational intent, or they want a software to find keywords i.e. commercial intent.
In such cases, where the keyword’s intent is not clear just by its words, the best thing to do is look at SERPs.
If we search “find keywords” on Google…
Analyzing the SERPs can help you identify the search intent.
Most of the results are either product pages for keyword research tools or listicles on the best tools to find keywords — meaning the keyword has a commercial intent.
Similarly, the keyword “kitchen cleaning” might mean two things. The person either wants to know how to clean the kitchen or is looking for kitchen cleaning services.
A quick Google search shows you that most of the displayed pages are educational guides, with only a couple of service pages.
For each keyword, Google prioritizes those results that satisfy the search intent.
Technically, the service page, too, is providing relevant information. But why is Google prioritizing educational blogs here? That’s because the majority of people searching for “kitchen cleaning” are clicking on the educational blogs rather than the service pages, making it an informational intent keyword.
💡Remember
Google shapes its results based on user behavior. If most top-ranking pages are blog posts, you probably won’t rank with a product page. If SERPs show shopping ads and e-commerce listings, users are likely ready to buy and don’t want to read a beginner’s guide.
Check What Competitors Have Covered
Say you sell home gardening tools. Naturally, you’d want to target the keyword “home garden.” But searching the keyword on Google gives you a confusing SERP.
Checking what your competitors have covered also helps you identify the search intent.
You can see video tutorials, written guides, product pages, gardening services — everything in a single SERP. In this case, how to determine which content type satisfies the keyword’s intent?
This is a classic case of a mixed intent keyword where Google tries to satisfy multiple intents at once. But that doesn’t mean you jump in to create multiple types of content pages hoping it would rank. This can lead to keyword cannibalization, causing a drop in rankings.
Instead, check what your competitors are doing using Google search operators — especially those that are ranking in the top SERPs.
Say aerogarden.com is one of your competitors. You can check how they’re targeting the keyword by using:
site:aerogarden.com home garden
Use Google search operators to find competitor pages covering the given keyword.
They have mostly created product pages satisfying commercial intent instead of creating guide pages for informational intent.
While you can go ahead and create a guide page, you’ll have better chance of attracting the right kind of traffic if you stick to product pages. People who click on the guide page may simply not have the intention to buy.
You can repeat the search operator for as many competitors as you want before coming to a conclusion.
Google ranks these pages for a reason — your goal isn’t to copy them but to understand why they work and improve upon them.
Use a keyword research tool
If analyzing the SERPs for each keyword is getting tedious and confusing, use a keyword research tool for a straight forward answer.
Use a keyword research tool to directly identify the search intent.
And it’ll mention the search intent directly.
The only drawback is it displays a single intent. That means, if a keyword has multiple or mixed intent, like we saw in the “home garden” example, the keyword research tool likely won’t catch it.
However, a keyword research tool may not be able to identify mixed intent.
If this isn’t the intent you aim for, you’ll have to again manually check the SERPs to find what your competitors are targeting.
Instead, it’s better to switch to an AI-based keyword research tool.
Let AI determine the search intent
If you’re unsure about a keyword’s search intent or want to know the best way to target a keyword, let AI do the keyword research for you.
ChatGPT is a good tool to start with if you want a broad understanding of the keyword.
ChatGPT isn’t equipped with the right tools to properly identify a keyword’s search intent.
But as you can see, it’s not equipped with the right tools to determine a keyword’s search intent. As a result, it simply classifies the keyword into all the intents — making it counterproductive.
Instead, use a tool like SEO AI Agent that’s designed for keyword research and connected to the right tools. Simply run the same prompt through the SEO AI Agent:
Using the SEO AI Agent makes search intent identification easier as it generates a comprehensive report.
And it will give you a detailed analysis, correctly identifying it as a mixed intent keyword.
It also gives you an overview of the SERPs, identifying the percentage of results that belong to various categories. You can just look at the comprehensive report to determine the best way to target the keyword.
That wraps up how to determine search intent effectively. But identifying intent is only half the battle.
Now, let’s move on to the next critical step — optimizing your content to match search intent. Creating content that aligns with user expectations is key to ranking on Google and driving meaningful traffic.
Let’s dive into how to structure and optimize your content for each type of search intent.
How to Optimize for Search Intent
Now that you know how to identify search intent, the next step is to optimize your content to match what ranks on Google.
If your content doesn’t align with the dominant intent of a keyword, it won’t rank — no matter how well-written or optimized it is. Here’s how to make sure your content fits the intent Google favors.
Match Content Format to Intent
Google has already figured out what users want for most search queries. That’s why the top-ranking results follow a clear pattern. If you want to rank, you need to follow that pattern too.
For example, if you search “best smartphones 2025,” the results will be listicles and comparison guides — not product pages. That’s because Google knows users searching for this keyword are in the research phase, not ready to buy yet.
On the other hand, if you search “buy iPhone 15 online,” you’ll find e-commerce pages, because the intent is transactional.
The takeaway? Check the top-ranking pages for your keyword and match their content format.
Here’s what works best for each type of intent:
Informational intent: Blog posts, how-to guides, Wikipedia pages, explainer videos
Navigational intent: Brand pages, official websites, social media profiles
Your content might be perfectly aligned with search intent, but if your title, meta description, and URL don’t reflect that, users may never click through. These elements act as your page’s first impression on both Google and searchers.
Titles should clearly signal intent while being compelling enough to earn clicks. If users are searching for “best budget smartphones,” your title should reflect that comparison intent. A weak title like “Smartphones to Consider” won’t cut it.
Instead, go for something like “10 Best Budget Smartphones in 2025 (Tested & Reviewed)”. Numbers, brackets, and power words like “best,” “top,” “vs,” or “reviewed” make your title stand out.
The same goes for meta descriptions. If someone searches “how to clean white sneakers,” your meta description should be something similar to “Learn how to clean white sneakers with simple at-home ingredients. Step-by-step guide with before-and-after results!” gives users a clear reason to click.
By optimizing these elements, you improve both visibility and click-through rates, helping your content rank higher while attracting the right audience.
Use Supporting Keywords & Contextual Optimization
Incorporating supporting keywords enhances your content’s relevance and helps Google understand the broader context.
Supporting keywords are semantically related terms to your main keyword, like using “affordable smartphones” alongside “best budget smartphones.” These keywords improve your chances of ranking for related queries.
Contextual optimization takes this further by addressing the full scope of what users might need.
For example, in a guide on “how to clean white sneakers,” you could include related terms like “best cleaning products” or “common cleaning mistakes.” This makes your content more comprehensive, boosting its relevance and rankings for a range of related searches.
Final Thoughts: Identify and Optimize for the Right Search Intent
If you want to rank for a keyword, optimizing it for the right search intent is essential. If your content doesn’t satisfy the intent, Google won’t rank it regardless of the content’s quality.
However, for many keywords, directly identifying the search intent can be difficult. That’s why we recommend using the SEO AI Agent — a platform that’s designed for keyword research and SEO.
The SEO AI Agent is connected to all the mainstream SEO tools ,including Semrush and Ahrefs. It can also directly review Google SERPs and analyze it using AI, making it the best tool to identify the right search intent plus get suggestions to optimize your content.
If you’re creating content for your website, your first instinct might be to target the most popular keywords in your industry. After all, everyone’s searching for them, right?
However, you’re likely to get a better outcome if you do the opposite and findlow competition keywords — phrases with decent popularity that are covered by fewer competitors.
These low competition keywords give you a better chance to rank and attract organic traffic, especially if your website is new or has lower authority. The catch? Everyone’s looking for them and they are not easy to find.
Let’s tackle this. In this guide, I’ll discuss how to find low competition keywords using five strategies that I use for my own keyword research.
But first, let’s understand exactly what these keywords are.
What Are Low-Competition Keywords?
Low-competition keywords are search terms that have low to medium search volume but are targeted by very few websites. As a result, they give a much better chance at ranking in SERPs compared to other highly competitive keywords, especially for newer websites.
These keywords usually either cover new trends or are long-tail phrases or questions that are highly specific.
For example, “skincare products” is a high competition keyword. It has a search volume of 74,000 and a keyword difficulty of 52, meaning a lot of people search for it and a lot of websites have already covered it.
The seed keyword might have high difficulty.
However, change it to a more specific keyword “skincare for sensitive skin,” and you’ll see that the keyword difficulty has dropped to 8 while the search volume is low but decent at 3600.
Making the keyword more specific might help you discover a low competition keyword.
Make it more specific with “skincare products for sensitive skin,” and you’ll find an opportunity with an even lower difficulty.
Long tail keywords usually have a lower difficulty.
Though the search volume isn’t as high as the first keyword, attracting that smaller search volume is much easier with these low competition keywords, making them valuable for your SEO strategy.
But due to their easy to rank nature, low competition keywords are also highly sought after. It’s safe to say that once a competitor taps into a low competition keyword, other websites quickly follow, and it won’t be as easy to rank as before.
That’s why, you need to be quick in finding low competition keywords and use unconventional strategies to spot and use them before anyone does. And that’s what we’ll discuss going forward in this guide.
5 Strategies to Find Low-Competition Keywords
By definition, low competition keywords are keywords with a fair search volume and low keyword difficulty. But when you’re finding low competition keywords, those aren’t the only metrics to look at.
In fact, keeping metrics aside, you need to strategically consider phrases, questions, and search terms that people might be using and then use a keyword research tool to verify them.
And there are multiple ways to do it. Here are some of my favorite ways to find low competition keywords:
1. Use Google Search as A Keyword Research Tool
Google itself is one of the best free keyword research tools — you just need to know where to look. The autocomplete suggestions, People Also Ask box, and People Also Search For queries at the bottom of the search results page are packed with keyword ideas based on real user queries.
To get started, just type in your product name, industry name, or any other seed keyword into Google search bar. It’ll display several long tail keywords that people actually search for as autocomplete suggestions.
Use the autocomplete suggestions by Google to discover low competition keywords.
Note these down and click Search. Once it displays the search results, scroll down to check for the “People Also Ask” section.
The People Also Ask section is a good place to find common queries your target audience might be searching.
These are questions that people actually search for and can be potential keywords. Clicking on any of these expands the list, revealing even more related questions.
Expanding any question in the People Also Ask section reveals more questions.
If you scroll further down the SERP, you can also see the People Also Search For section at the bottom of the page:
You can find the People Also Search for section at the bottom of a SERP page.
Once you get a good number of keywords, insert them in a tool like Keyword Researcher and check their search volume and difficulty.
Insert your keywords into a keyword research tool to know their search volume and difficulty.
If a keyword has a difficulty of less than 30 and has some search volume, it’s a good low competition keyword. However, to be on the safer side, I recommend targeting keywords with a keyword difficulty of less than 10.
Keywords with a difficulty of less than 30 can be considered as low competition keywords.
As a rule of thumb, the lower the keyword difficulty and the higher the search volume, the better when finding low competition keywords.
💡Remember
Not every search query will display the People Also Ask and People Also Search For features. If your main keyword does not display these SERP features, try the other methods mentioned below.
2. Browse Reddit and Other Forums for Niche Keyword Ideas
Reddit, Quora, and niche forums are full of real people asking real questions — many of which haven’t been fully answered by major websites. That makes them a great place to find untapped keyword opportunities.
Start by searching for your topic on Reddit. Go through the questions and find keywords related to your niche.
Use Reddit and other forums to discover questions asked by real people.
At the side, you can also find Communities related to your keyword.
Join Reddit Communities to keep track of new topics and trends in your niche.
Join or browse any of these communities by clicking on them and you’ll find many more questions and phrases. These are direct questions people want answers to, which often translate into long-tail, low-competition keywords.
Since many of these queries aren’t covered by high-authority sites, writing content around them can give you an edge.
💡Pro Tip
Reddit Communities are one of the best places to find new and trending keywords — keywords that traditional keyword research tools won’t even recognize yet. Join relevant Reddit communities and keep track of what people discuss.
Research any new phrases and be quick in creating related content, as other websites might catch up with these low competition keywords.
Another method to check forums for low competition keywords is by using Google search operators to find discussions quickly. Just type: site:reddit.com “[keyword]” into Google’s search bar.
Use Google Search Operators to browse through a forum.
This pulls up relevant Reddit threads where people are talking about the topic. The same method works for Quora and other forums — just swap out the site name.
Once you’ve found potential keyword ideas, run them through the Keyword Researcher like in the first step. If they look promising, add them to your content plan.
3. Use Google Trends to Find Emerging Low-Competition Keywords
Google Trends is one of my favorite tools for spotting low-competition keywords. Unlike traditional keyword tools that show static search volumes, Google Trends reveals how interest in a keyword changes over time — helping you jump on rising trends early.
Open Google Trends and start by entering your seed keyword and click Explore.
Google Trends is an excellent tool to find trending keywords.
You’ll see different types of data related to the keyword, including the interest over time and interest in subregions.
Scroll down to the Related Topics and Related Queries sections, where Google suggests emerging searches. You will find rising queries related to your niche — keywords with lower competition but increasing interest.
You can find trending topics under the Related Topics and Related Queries section.
Check these in the Keyword Researcher and see if they have good search volume and low difficulty. For example, here, the keyword “best skincare products for sensitive skin” has a 300% increase in searches.
A quick check in our Keyword Researcher reveals that it has a search volume of 5400 and a difficulty of just 6 — meaning this is a great low-competition keyword to capitalize on.
Check every keyword using a keyword research tool.
💡Remember
Be quick to capitalize on the keywords you find through Google Trends. As these keywords are trending, their popularity may also die down quickly.
4. Use Keyword Research Tools to Expand Your Keyword List
We’re already using a keyword research tool — Keyword Researcher — to check the keyword difficulty and search volume in the previous steps.
However, you can also use this tool to discover low-competition keywords on its own. As always, start with the seed keyword and click on Identify Keywords.
Keyword Researcher can also help find low competition keywords.
Scroll down to the Related Terms section.
The Related Terms section gives you similar keywords.
You’ll find a list of keywords related to the main topic, including long tail keywords.
Browse through the Related Terms list to find low competition keywords.
Browse through the list, note down the long-tail keywords, and put them back through the tool to check their keyword difficulty. You can also check the Also Rank For and Competitor Keywords to identify keywords that your competitors rank for.
5. Let AI Find Low-Competition Keywords
All the methods mentioned above are very helpful in finding low competition keywords. The only downside is that they are tedious, time consuming, and can be a little confusing, especially for a beginner.
If you want a simpler and faster way to find low-competition keywords, use AI. ChatGPT is a good tool to begin with. Just give it a simple ChatGPT prompt with your seed keyword, like:
Prompt: “Generate a list of low-competition keywords for my website on skincare products.”
You can use ChatGPT to discover low competition keywords, though it isn’t very reliable.
Within seconds, you’ll get a broad list of keyword ideas. While this is a good start, there’s a major drawback: ChatGPT isn’t designed for keyword research.
It doesn’t provide search volume, difficulty, or real-time data. Plus, it can hallucinate, i.e., generate keywords that aren’t actually being searched, making it unreliable for strategic keyword research.
If you want to use AI to find low competition keywords, use a tool like SEO AI Agent which is made for keyword research and other SEO processes.
You can use it just like ChatGPT. Enter the same prompt as above and click on Send.
SEO AI Agent is a better tool to find low competition keywords.
You’ll get a well-researched report of all the low-competition keywords, along with their search volume, keyword difficulty, and also suggestions on how to best use them.
The SEO AI Agent gives you a detailed report on low competition keywords.
The SEO AI Agent connects with the necessary tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Writesonic to do the keyword research for you. It can also consider platforms like Reddit and Google Trends to find those low competition keywords before your competitors do.
In fact, it can also find hidden opportunities from platforms that you wouldn’t have thought of manually.
Now that you know how to find low competition keywords in multiple ways, it’s time to create content using them to drive organic traffic.
However, while it’s important to focus on low competition keywords, what about high competition keywords?
Should You Ignore High-Competition Keywords?
Not necessarily. While low-competition keywords are easier to rank for, high-competition keywords still have value — if approached strategically.
High-competition keywords often indicate strong demand. If you can rank for them, they can drive massive traffic to your site. But since big brands and high-authority sites dominate these keywords, outranking them with a new website is challenging.
So, what’s the best approach?
Instead of completely ignoring high-competition keywords, use them as inspiration. Look for long-tail variations that are more specific and easier to rank for. For example, instead of targeting “best sunscreen,” you might go for “best sunscreen for acne-prone skin under $20.” This way, you still tap into the search demand without competing directly with industry giants.
Another strategy is to create in-depth, high-quality content around high-competition keywords. Google often ranks well-researched, expert-driven content even if the site isn’t as authoritative. If your content provides unique insights or a fresh angle, you might still rank over time — especially if you also optimize for lower-competition keywords in the process.
Bottom line: Don’t ignore high-competition keywords — but be smart about how you target them.
Tips to Include Low-Competition Keywords in Your Content
Low-competition keywords require a different approach than high-volume, competitive ones. Since they often have fewer searches and less direct competition, your goal is to capture niche search intent effectively and maximize visibility. Here’s how:
Target Multiple Variations in a Single Article: Instead of optimizing for just one keyword, group closely related low-competition terms in a single piece to create a topic cluster.
For example, if “best face serum for rosacea” has low competition, also include variations like “top serums for sensitive skin with rosacea” or “rosacea-friendly hydrating serums” within the content.
This helps you rank for multiple search queries at once.
Go Long-Tail and Specific in Headings: Unlike high-competition keywords, which work best in short, broad titles, low-competition keywords should be placed in detailed, intent-driven headings.
Instead of “Best Sunscreens,” try “Best Mineral Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin in Humid Weather.” This ensures higher ranking chances even with low authority.
Use Low-Competition Keywords in Answer Format: Many low-competition keywords come in the form of questions or detailed queries. Format your content in FAQ style or direct answer format to increase the chance of ranking in featured snippets and voice search.
Example: If your keyword is “Does aloe vera reduce acne scars?” start a section with: “Yes, aloe vera can help fade acne scars due to its natural healing properties. Here’s how…”
Prioritize Context Over Keyword Density: Since low-competition keywords often lack exact-match optimized content, Google prioritizes well-explained, contextually relevant articles over exact keyword matching. Instead of forcing the keyword multiple times, focus on writing in-depth, useful content that fully answers the search intent.
Internal Link Strategically to High-Traffic Pages: Since low-competition pages don’t get as much organic exposure, boost them by linking from your higher-traffic pages.
Example: If your main blog post on “Best Skincare for Acne” is ranking well, link to your new low-competition keyword article using anchor text like “Check out our detailed guide on calming acne redness overnight.”
Final Thoughts: Streamline Your Keyword Research with Chatsonic
By now, you must have understood how to find low competition keywords and how to use them in your content. Reddit, Google Trends, and Google Search itself are good platforms to find low competition keywords.
However, if you want an easier and more reliable way, it’s best to use SEO AI Agent. The SEO AI Agent is connected to all the necessary SEO tools — from Ahrefs to Semrush. It conducts the necessary keyword research steps, whether it is finding keywords or discovering topic ideas, and give you a detailed report with actionable suggestions.
With the SEO AI Agent, targeting low competition keywords before your competitors do, won’t be a task anymore.
Ready to find low competition keywords? Sign up for SEO AI Agent for free!
1. Why should I focus on low-competition keywords?
Low-competition keywords give you a much better chance of ranking faster and with fewer backlinks. While high-volume keywords might seem appealing, they are usually dominated by big brands and authoritative sites. Targeting low-competition keywords allows you to gain organic traffic without needing a massive SEO budget or years of domain authority.
2. How do I know if a keyword is truly low competition?
The best way to determine keyword competition is by using SEO tools like Writesonic’s Keyword Researcher. Look at metrics like keyword difficulty, domain authority of ranking pages, and backlink count. If the top-ranking pages are from smaller websites with few backlinks, it’s a strong indicator that you can rank with well-optimized content.
3. Can I rank for low-competition keywords without backlinks?
Yes, you can! Unlike high-competition keywords that require strong backlink profiles, low-competition keywords often allow you to rank with well-structured, high-quality content alone. However, adding internal links and gaining a few niche-relevant backlinks can still help boost your rankings.
Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing keywords — words or phrases that people use to search online and look for information. It’s a process that’s quite important if you want to rank your content and generate organic traffic.
But if you’ve ever done the keyword research process, you know how tedious and time-consuming it can get. AI solves this!
AI can analyze thousands of keywords in a few seconds, generate comprehensive reports, and help complete your keyword research end-to-end. The trick is to know how to use AI for keyword research.
In this article, I’ll discuss the process of using AI for keyword research, which free and paid tools to use, and the exact AI keyword research prompts I use.
Compared to using traditional keyword research tools, using AI gives faster, more comprehensive, and potentially effortless results. Let’s look at all the ways you can use AI to simplify keyword research.
Instantly generate keyword ideas
Every keyword research process starts with a bunch of seed keywords — broad words that are related to your product or business. But brainstorming new seed keywords every time is somewhat difficult.
You can take care of that with AI. Simply describe your business and ask AI to generate a list of keywords to use. Writesonic’s Free Keyword Generator is a great tool for this.
Copy the below prompt, fill in the required details, and click on Generate Keywords.
Prompt: We run a [category] business and want to create SEO-optimized content. We sell [products/services]. Our target audience is [country/age/type]. Generate a list of seed keywords relevant to this audience.
Use free AI tools for keyword research to generate seed keywords.
You’ll get a list of keywords that are popular and also relevant to your business.
The free keyword research tool gives a list of seed keywords.
You can also use ChatGPT for the same. Run the above prompt through ChatGPT, and you’ll get a list of seed keywords you can use later.
ChatGPT is also a great tool if you want to experiment with using AI for keyword research.
The downside of these tools is they don’t give any insights into the keywords i.e. their search volume, keyword difficulty, or user intent — necessary data for further keyword research.
That’s why I’ll be using other AI keyword research tools to get better, more valuable results in the next steps.
Collect keyword data at scale
Once you have a list of seed keywords, the next step is to gather data on them—things like search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, and user intent. This helps you understand which keywords are actually worth targeting.
AI makes this process effortless. Instead of manually checking each keyword in a research tool, you can use SEO AI agents like Chatsonic to analyze thousands of keywords at once.
Sign up to Chatsonic’s free trial. Copy paste the list of keywords you generated in the first step in the below prompt and run it through Chatsonic.
Prompt: “Analyze these keywords: [list of keywords]. Provide search volume, keyword difficulty, and CPC insights. Highlight the best opportunities for ranking.”
Chatsonic is an AI agent that helps analyze keyword data at scale.
Once you click the Send Arrow, Chatsonic connects with the necessary keyword research tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, runs the listed keywords through the tools, and creates a detailed report with the metrics you asked for.
Write your prompt in Chatsonic and it will give a comprehensive report on the given keywords.
You can also see how exactly it fetches these metrics (and verify if it’s data-backed) by clicking on the arrows in the Research tab.
You can also see how Chatsonic uses AI for keyword research by clicking on the research tab.
💡Pro Tip:
You can refine the AI prompt to include additional metrics like SERP features (e.g., featured snippets, people also ask), seasonality trends, and location-based volume to uncover even more ranking opportunities. For more useful AI prompts, click here.
Filter out keywords that are easy to rank
Now that you have a list of keywords with detailed metrics, the next step is to filter out the ones that are easiest to rank for.
AI simplifies this process by quickly sorting keywords based on difficulty, competition, and search intent. Instead of manually analyzing each keyword, you can use Chatsonic to automatically highlight the ones with the best ranking potential.
Copy and paste your keyword list into the following prompt:
Prompt: “From this list of keywords: [list of keywords], filter out those with low keyword difficulty (KD < 30) and moderate to high search volume. Prioritize keywords with informational or commercial intent.”
Or, if you’ve already used Chatsonic to analyze keywords, paste this prompt in the same conversation (just like you use ChatGPT).
Chatsonic can also help filter out easy to rank keywords
It will instantly return a refined list of keywords that are both relevant and easier to rank for.
Find keywords your competitors rank for
Another smart way to discover high-performing keywords is by analyzing what your competitors are already ranking for. Instead of starting from scratch, you can leverage their keyword strategy to identify opportunities you might have missed.
Use the below prompt and ask Chatsonic to extract this data instantly. Just enter your competitor’s domain into the following prompt:
Prompt: “Perform competitor analysis on [competitor website] and check which keywords they rank for.”
With Chatsonic, running a competitor analysis using AI is easy.
Once you run this, Chatsonic will generate a comprehensive list of competitor keywords along with essential metrics. This helps you:
Identify high-traffic keywords that bring visitors to your competitor’s site.
Spot ranking gaps — keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t (yet).
Find low-competition opportunities where you can outrank them with optimized content.
Generate keyword clusters specific to your domain
Now that you have a refined list of keywords, the next step is to organize them into keyword clusters—groups of related keywords that help structure your content strategy. Instead of targeting individual keywords, clustering allows you to rank for multiple search queries with a single page, improving your SEO performance and topical relevance.
Run the below prompt through Chatsonic, and the AI agent will categorize your keywords into meaningful topic clusters and suggest how to structure your content around them.
Prompt: “From this list of keywords: [list of keywords], generate keyword clusters based on semantic relevance. Group keywords by search intent (informational, commercial, transactional) and suggest content types for each cluster (blog posts, landing pages, product pages, etc.).”
Chatsonic can also generate well-researched keyword clusters.
💡Remember:
Don’t over-cluster! If a group has too many unrelated keywords, split it into smaller, more focused clusters.
Identify semantic keywords quickly
Beyond primary keywords, semantic keywords — also known as LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords — help search engines understand content relevance. These are related terms, synonyms, and contextually relevant phrases that strengthen your SEO strategy.
AI tools can extract semantic keywords instantly. Run this prompt through Chatsonic:
Prompt: “From this list of keywords: [list of keywords], generate semantic keyword variations and LSI terms. Categorize them by relevance and suggest content placement (headings, subheadings, body text, FAQs).”
Using a single prompt, you can discover secondary and LSI keywords through Chatsonic.
The AI agent generates a list of secondary and LSI keywords. Seamlessly integrate them into headings, alt text, and meta descriptions for better search visibility.
This helps in two ways:
Enhances topical authority: Search engines recognize your content as comprehensive.
Improves ranking opportunities: You target multiple variations of a search query.
Identify new and trending keywords
Identifying high-potential keywords means spotting trends before they become mainstream. AI can help you uncover emerging search queries that competitors haven’t optimized for yet.
Run this prompt through Chatsonic:
Prompt: “Identify trending keywords in [industry/niche] that have shown recent growth but have low competition. Prioritize emerging topics and seasonally relevant queries.”
Chatsonic can identify new and trending keywords by using tools like Google Trends.
For further validation, check Google Trends to see if a keyword is consistently growing or just a short-lived spike. Social platforms like X, Reddit, and Quora are also great for finding hidden opportunities before they appear in search tools.
Use this prompt to check social media for new discussions related to your industry:
Prompt: “Analyze recent discussions on Twitter, Reddit, and Quora about [topic]. Extract keywords that are frequently mentioned but not yet widely covered in search results.”
Chatsonic can also go through social media discussions to spot trending topics.
Analyze search intent and build keyword strategies
Understanding search intent is crucial for choosing the right keywords and crafting content that ranks. AI can help analyze whether a keyword is informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional—so you can align your strategy accordingly.
Run this prompt through Chatsonic:
Prompt: “Analyze the search intent of these keywords: [list of keywords]. Categorize them as informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational. Suggest content formats for each.”
Chatsonic can analyze the search intent of keywords and help build strategies.
Once AI categorizes your keywords, you can build an intent-driven strategy:
Navigational → Brand-specific content, site structure optimization
💡Remember
Intent matters more than search volume. A lower-volume keyword with the right intent can drive better conversions than a high-volume, misaligned one.
Conclusion: 8 Ways to Use AI for Keyword Research [+Tools & Prompts]
With search trends changing and AI-based tools making more space in SEO, using AI for keyword research is almost unavoidable now. However, the key is to know how to use it in the right way so you get the best results in minimal time.
AI agents like Chatsonic are built for keyword research and help you make the most out of AI and keyword research tools. Chatsonic is useful for everything keyword research, right from generating seed keywords to analyzing competitor websites.
It’s connected to the necessary tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, making it an all-in-one AI agent not just for keyword research but for the complete SEO process.
The best part? You can try it for free! Accelerate your keyword research process today. Use AI for keyword research.
Keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. Whether you’re crafting blog posts, optimizing product pages, or running ad campaigns, finding the right keywords can make or break your online visibility.
But here’s the problem — most premium keyword research tools come with a hefty price tag. While they offer powerful insights, not everyone has the budget for them, especially freelancers, startups, small businesses, and SEO beginners.
The good news? There are free keyword research tools that can still give you valuable data to optimize your content, rank higher, and attract the right audience. Many of these tools are developed by the same premium SEO brands and are great to get started with.
In this article, we’ll explore eleven of the best free keyword research tools, breaking down their features, use cases, and whether they require you to sign up.
Let’s dive in!
11 Free Keyword Research Tools at a Glance
Here’s a comparison of all 11 free keyword research tools based on key factors like features, pros, cons, and whether they require sign-up.
Now that you’ve seen the free keyword research tools at a glance, let’s take a look at them in depth.
What Are Keyword Research Tools?
Keyword research tools help you discover what people are searching for online. Whether you’re writing a blog post, optimizing a product page, or planning a paid ad campaign, the right keywords ensure your content appears in front of the right audience.
These tools provide valuable insights into search volume, competition levels, keyword variations, and search trends. Instead of guessing which keywords might work, they allow you to make data-driven decisions. You can identify high-traffic keywords, spot emerging trends, and find long-tail phrases that are easier to rank for — metrics that are important for any keyword research strategy.
By using keyword research tools, businesses and content creators can optimize their content, improve search engine rankings, and attract more visitors. The best part? You don’t always need expensive keyword research software to get these insights. There are powerful free tools that can help you find the right keywords without spending a dime.
Now, let’s dive into eleven of the best free keyword research tools you can start using today.
11 Free Keyword Research Tools To Try Out
Here are the eleven free keyword research tools to try out in 2025:
The Writesonic Keyword Generator Tool is a free keyword research tool that provides an AI-powered solution designed to help users discover keyword ideas quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or business owner, finding the right keywords is essential for driving traffic to your website. This tool simplifies the keyword research process by generating relevant keyword suggestions based on a seed keyword, helping users uncover both short-tail and long-tail keyword opportunities.
What sets Writesonic apart is its AI-driven insights, which analyze search intent and trending keywords to suggest terms with real ranking potential. Instead of manually brainstorming keyword variations, users can leverage this tool to get a comprehensive list of potential keywords within seconds.
Key Features of Writesonic Keyword Generator Tool
Generates keyword variations and related terms based on seed keywords.
Provides AI-powered insights to align with search intent.
Suggests a mix of short-tail and long-tail keywords for different ranking opportunities.
Identifies trending search terms to help you stay ahead of the competition.
Pros
AI-powered suggestions make keyword discovery fast and efficient.
Google Trends is a free keyword tool from Google that helps users track the popularity of search queries over time. Unlike traditional keyword research tools that focus on providing static search volume numbers, Google Trends offers dynamic insights into how interest in a keyword fluctuates. This makes it particularly valuable for identifying seasonal trends, viral topics, and emerging search patterns.
For businesses and content creators, Google Trends can be a powerful tool for strategic content planning. It allows users to compare multiple keywords, analyze interest across different geographic regions, and determine whether a keyword is gaining or losing traction. If you’re looking to optimize your content for trending topics or plan campaigns around seasonal demand, Google Trends provides real-time data to help you stay ahead.
Key Features of Google Trends
Tracks keyword popularity over time, showing whether interest is rising or falling.
Allows keyword comparisons to determine which terms perform better.
Identifies regional interest, helping businesses tailor their local SEO strategies to specific locations.
Highlights related queries and trending searches to uncover emerging keyword opportunities.
Pros
Completely free with unlimited searches.
Provides real-time trend data for spotting rising search terms.
Helps identify seasonal trends and regional keyword demand.
Cons
Doesn’t provide exact search volume — only relative popularity.
Lacks detailed competition or keyword difficulty metrics.
Google Trends Is Best For
For analyzing keyword trends and identifying seasonal opportunities.
Ubersuggest, created by digital marketing expert Neil Patel, is a powerful keyword research tool that provides in-depth keyword data for SEO and content marketing. Unlike basic keyword generators, Ubersuggest offers search volume, keyword difficulty, and competitor insights, making it a well-rounded tool for anyone looking to improve their search rankings.
One of the biggest advantages of Ubersuggest is its ability to analyze competitor websites and uncover the keywords they are ranking for. This allows businesses to reverse-engineer successful SEO strategies and find untapped keyword opportunities. Additionally, Ubersuggest suggests long-tail variations, related keywords, and content ideas, helping users craft SEO-friendly content that matches search intent.
Key Features of Ubersuggest
Provides search volume, keyword difficulty, and CPC (cost-per-click) data.
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool designed primarily for advertisers using Google Ads, but it’s also widely used for SEO and content marketing. Since it pulls data directly from Google’s search engine, it provides some of the most accurate and reliable keyword insights available.
This tool allows users to discover new keyword ideas, analyze search volume, and assess competition levels. It also provides cost-per-click (CPC) estimates, which can be useful in determining the commercial value of a keyword. While its main focus is on paid advertising, SEO professionals use it to identify high-potential keywords for organic search optimization.
Key Features of Google Keyword Planner
Generates keyword suggestions based on a seed keyword or website URL.
Provides search volume, competition level, and CPC estimates.
Allows keyword filtering by location, language, and search network.
Offers historical search data to track keyword trends over time.
Pros
Directly powered by Google, ensuring highly accurate keyword data.
Provides search volume and competition insights for both SEO and PPC campaigns.
Allows location-based keyword research, making it useful for local SEO.
Cons
Doesn’t show precise search volumes — only estimated ranges.
Primarily designed for Google Ads users, so some features are PPC-focused.
Google Keyword Planner Is Best For
For highly accurate keyword data and advertising insights.
Does It Have a Paid Version?
No, but some advanced features require an active Google Ads campaign.
Does It Require Sign-Up?
Yes, you need a Google Ads account to access the tool.
The Writesonic Keyword Extractor Tool is designed to help users analyze existing content and extract the most relevant keywords from it. Unlike traditional keyword research tools that generate keyword ideas from a seed term, this tool scans webpages, competitor content, or any text input to identify high-impact keywords.
This is especially useful for competitive analysis and on-page SEO optimization. If you want to understand which keywords a top-ranking article is targeting or refine your own content for better search visibility, this tool provides quick and accurate keyword insights. It’s a great way to ensure your content is optimized with the right keywords without overstuffing or missing key terms.
Key Features of Writesonic Keyword Extractor Tool
Extracts high-impact keywords from any given text or webpage.
Helps with competitor analysis by identifying keywords from top-ranking content.
Provides quick insights for on-page SEO improvements.
AnswerThePublic is a unique keyword research tool that focuses on question-based search queries. Instead of just providing keyword lists, it generates a visual map of real questions, prepositions, and comparisons that people search for related to a given keyword. This makes it especially valuable for content creators, bloggers, and SEO professionals looking to optimize for long-tail keywords and voice search queries.
By pulling autocomplete data from Google and Bing, AnswerThePublic helps users understand what their audience is actively searching for. Whether you’re brainstorming blog post topics, optimizing FAQ pages, or planning video content, this tool provides insightful keyword ideas based on real user intent.
Key Features of AnswerThePublic
Generates question-based keyword ideas based on real user searches.
Visualizes keyword data in an easy-to-understand mind map format.
Helps uncover long-tail keywords and voice search queries.
Pulls data from Google and Bing autocomplete for accurate search trends.
Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension that provides real-time keyword insights directly in Google search results. Unlike other keyword research tools that require switching between platforms, Keyword Surfer lets users analyze search volume, keyword variations, and related terms without leaving the search engine results page (SERP).
This tool is perfect for quick, on-the-go keyword research. As you type a search query in Google, Keyword Surfer instantly displays estimated monthly search volume, CPC (cost per click) data, and a list of related keyword suggestions. It also shows basic domain-level traffic insights, making it useful for competitive analysis.
Key Features of Keyword Surfer
Provides search volume and CPC data directly in Google search results.
Suggests related keyword variations for content optimization.
Displays domain-level traffic insights for competitor analysis.
Offers SERP similarity score to measure keyword relevance.
Pros
Convenient and fast — no need to switch between tools.
Helps with real-time keyword research while browsing Google.
Free to use with no daily search limits.
Cons
Lacks advanced keyword difficulty or competitive analysis metrics.
Data accuracy can sometimes vary compared to premium tools.
Keyword Surfer Is Best For
For quick keyword insights directly in Google search results.
Does It Have a Paid Version?
Yes, it’s part of Surfer SEO which provides a host of other paid tools.
Does It Require Sign-Up?
No, but you need to install the Chrome extension to use it.
WordStream Free Keyword Tool is a beginner-friendly keyword research tool designed to help users uncover relevant keywords for SEO and PPC campaigns. Simply enter a seed keyword or website URL, and the tool generates a list of keyword suggestions alongside essential metrics like competition level and estimated cost-per-click.
This tool is especially useful for small businesses and digital marketers looking to plan Google Ads campaigns or optimize website content without investing in expensive software. It also offers filters for industry and location, making it more targeted.
Key Features of WordStream Free Keyword Tool
Generates keyword ideas from a seed keyword or URL.
Shows competition level and estimated CPC.
Offers filters for industry and geographic targeting.
Provides downloadable keyword reports.
Pros
Simple and fast interface.
Useful for both SEO and PPC.
No login required for basic results.
Cons
Limited number of free searches per day.
More in-depth data requires email submission.
WordStream Free Keyword Tool Is Best For
Running quick PPC-focused keyword research.
Does It Have a Paid Version?
No, but it connects with WordStream’s PPC Advisor, which is a paid platform.
Does It Require Sign-Up?
No, you can access basic results without creating an account.
Soovle is a multi-source keyword research tool that pulls autocomplete suggestions from popular platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, Bing, and Wikipedia—all in one place. It’s ideal for marketers who want to explore how users are searching across different platforms.
Just enter your base keyword, and Soovle instantly shows top search phrases from each engine, helping you identify platform-specific search intent.
Key Features of Soovle
Combines search suggestions from multiple platforms.
Updates results in real-time as you type.
Offers a simple and intuitive interface.
Allows users to save favorite keywords.
Pros
Great for multi-platform keyword discovery.
No sign-up or installation required.
Fast and easy to use.
Cons
Lacks keyword metrics like search volume or competition.
No export functionality for free version.
Soovle Is Best For
Finding keyword trends across various search engines.
Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator Tool is a simplified version of Ahrefs’ powerful keyword research suite. This free tool provides keyword ideas from Google and Bing, along with essential metrics like search volume and keyword difficulty for the top five results.
Ideal for beginners and budget-conscious marketers, it offers a quick way to uncover keyword opportunities without needing a full subscription. It’s especially helpful for content creators and bloggers who want data-backed ideas to plan their SEO strategy.
Key Features of Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator Tool
Generates up to 150 keyword suggestions per search.
Includes keyword difficulty and search volume for top results.
Covers multiple search engines including Google, Bing, YouTube, and Amazon.
Available in dozens of languages and locations.
Pros
Provides reliable SEO metrics from a trusted source.
Offers keyword suggestions for different platforms.
No account needed to access core features.
Cons
Limited to top 100 keywords per query.
No access to full metrics like CPC without a paid plan.
Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator Tool Is Best For
Quick keyword research with credible SEO data.
Does It Have a Paid Version?
Yes, the full Ahrefs suite includes advanced keyword tools and in-depth analytics.
Does It Require Sign-Up?
No, you can use the tool for free without creating an account.
Keyword Tool Dominator specializes in uncovering long-tail keywords from platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Google. It’s particularly useful for e-commerce sellers looking to optimize product listings with high-intent search terms.
The tool emulates autocomplete data from search engines and marketplaces to reveal real user queries.
Key Features of Keyword Tool Dominator
Generates platform-specific long-tail keywords.
Supports Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Google, YouTube, and Walmart.
Offers real-time autocomplete suggestions.
Export keywords to CSV.
Pros
Ideal for marketplace keyword research.
Covers multiple platforms in one dashboard.
No login required for limited use.
Cons
Limited to a few searches per day in the free version.
More advanced filters require payment.
Keyword Tool Dominator Is Best For
Amazon and Etsy sellers optimizing product listings.
Does It Have a Paid Version?
Yes, paid plans unlock unlimited searches and advanced filtering.
Does It Require Sign-Up?
No, you can perform limited searches without creating an account.
Final Thoughts: Building A Keyword Strategy Using Free Keyword Research Tools
The best free keyword research tool to use depends on your requirements and your work volume. Some tools above are completely free with unlimited usage, while others give limited free usage but have quite useful features behind their paid versions.
However, it’s possible to get started with these tools and build a beginner keyword strategy. For example, you can use Google Trends to identify trending topics, and then plug these topics into any of the other free keyword research tools to get specific keyword ideas.
We suggest using this Keyword Generator to get those keywords for your content. You can also use the Keyword Extractor to identify keywords your competitors are targeting, and start working on the same.
If you feel you need more features or a sophisticated SEO tool, some of the above tools, such as Chatsonic, offer credits to try out their paid versions for free. Try them out, explore their features, and decide if you’re ready to move on to a paid keyword research tool.
