ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a new site, I’d prioritize tools that help you discover specific queries and then manually judge whether the SERP is weak—not just tools that give you a low “competition” number.

Best free / low-cost options

\*Google currently requires completing Ads account setup and entering billing information to access basic Keyword Planner features, even though the keyword research itself doesn't require paying for ads. support.google.com

My favorite zero/near-zero-cost workflow

1. Start with Ahrefs Free.
Enter a broad seed such as backyard chickens, standing desk, or beginner photography. Its generator provides keyword ideas, questions, search-volume estimates, and difficulty metrics; you can repeatedly feed narrower ideas back into it. ahrefs.com

2. Look specifically for phrases like:

• best X for Y
• X for beginners
• how to X without Y
• X vs Y for Z
• how much does X cost
• X alternatives
• X in [specific situation]
• why does X [specific problem]
• can you X when Y

Those modifiers naturally produce more specific, lower-volume searches.

3. Don't trust KD alone. Check the actual Google SERP.

This is the part I'd emphasize most for a brand-new site. A keyword showing “KD 10” isn't necessarily easy, while a keyword showing “KD 30” can sometimes be surprisingly attainable.

Look at the first page and ask:

• Are there small/newish sites ranking?
• Are forums like Reddit/Quora ranking?
• Are low-authority sites ranking?
• Are the top results poorly targeted to the query?
• Do the pages actually answer the question well?
• Are there obvious content gaps?

If several weak pages are already ranking, that's a much stronger opportunity signal.

4. Use Google Keyword Planner to sanity-check demand.
Google says Keyword Planner can generate related ideas and provide monthly-search estimates, while allowing filtering by things such as search volume and keyword text. support.google.com

5. Once your site gets impressions, switch heavily to Search Console.

This becomes extremely valuable because you're no longer guessing what people search for. You can find queries where your pages are already appearing around positions 8–30, then improve/create content specifically around those terms. Search Console gives you first-party Google data for your own site. ahrefs.com

If you're willing to spend a little

I'd seriously consider LowFruits for a new site. Its main advantage is not simply generating thousands of keywords; it's identifying keywords where the existing SERP contains weak competitors, which is much closer to what you actually care about when starting with low domain authority.

If you're going to pay for only one tool eventually, I'd compare LowFruits vs. Ahrefs vs. Semrush based on your niche and how much research you do. For a brand-new niche site, I wouldn't automatically jump to the most expensive all-in-one platform.

If I were starting a site today with $0:
Ahrefs Free → Google autocomplete/related searches → Google Keyword Planner → manually inspect SERPs → Google Trends → Search Console once indexed.

That combination is surprisingly capable without a subscription. support.google.comahrefs.com

For a new site, the best keyword research tools are usually not the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find phrases with:

• clear search intent
• enough demand to justify content
• weak competition (especially low-authority sites ranking)
• specific wording (long-tail queries)

A strong free/low-cost stack looks like this:

My recommended workflow for a brand-new site

1. Start with seed topics

Example:

“backyard chickens”

Don’t target that broad term. Expand it into:

• “best chicken breeds for cold climates”
• “how many chickens can fit in a 4x8 coop”
• “quiet chicken breeds for suburban yards”
• “chicken coop ventilation ideas for winter”

Those are the kinds of phrases newer sites can often compete for.

2. Mine long-tail ideas

Use:

• Google autocomplete
• People Also Ask boxes
• AnswerThePublic
• Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator

Look for modifiers:

• “for beginners”
• “without”
• “under $”
• “near me”
• “vs”
• “how to”
• “best _ for _”

3. Validate demand

Run promising keywords through Keyword Planner.

Good signs:

• some measurable searches (even 50–500/month can be worthwhile)
• clear buyer/problem intent
• not dominated by huge brands

4. Check the actual SERP competition

This step matters more than a keyword difficulty score.

Search the phrase and look at page one:

Easier:

• forums ranking
• small blogs ranking
• outdated articles
• thin content
• no exact-match answers

Harder:

• Wikipedia
• major publishers
• government sites
• dominant brands

If I were starting a site with $0/month

I would use:

1. Google Autocomplete → generate ideas
2. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator or Ubersuggest → expand/check difficulty
3. Google Keyword Planner → confirm demand
4. Google Trends → check whether interest is stable
5. Search Console → improve existing pages after publishing

That combination gets you surprisingly far before paying for tools like Semrush or Ahrefs full subscriptions. blog.contentforce.ai

A useful rule for new sites: don’t chase keywords just because they have volume. Chase keywords where the current search results look beatable. A 100-search/month phrase with weak competition can be more valuable than a 10,000-search/month phrase you’ll never rank for.

For a new site with little or no authority, I’d prioritize tools that help you find specific search intent + weak SERPs, rather than simply chasing high search volume.

Best free / low-cost options

*Google Keyword Planner requires completing Google Ads account setup and entering billing information to access the basic keyword-idea functionality, even though you don't necessarily need to run ads. Google Help Google Help

1. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator — best overall starting point

ahrefs.com is probably my first choice.

It gives you keyword ideas, questions, search-volume estimates and difficulty information. You can repeatedly feed narrower phrases back into it to turn something broad like:

"gardening"

into progressively more specific ideas such as:

"best soil for container gardening on balcony"
"how often to water tomatoes in containers"
"best vegetables to grow in shallow containers"

Ahrefs specifically provides reports for questions, autocomplete suggestions, phrase matches and related terms, and its free tools include keyword-difficulty functionality. Ahrefs Ahrefs

Best tactic: don't just look for low KD. Look for low KD + very specific intent + a SERP where the current results aren't particularly authoritative.

2. Google Keyword Planner — best for validating demand

ads.google.com is useful after you've generated ideas elsewhere.

You can enter a seed keyword or a competitor/site URL and have Google generate related keyword ideas. You can also filter the resulting ideas. Google Help

The important caveat: its "competition" metric is primarily an advertising competition metric. Don't interpret "Low" competition as "easy to rank organically."

Use it primarily to answer:

• Is there meaningful search demand?
• What related phrases does Google associate with this topic?
• Which variations have commercial value?

3. Google Search Console — potentially the most valuable free tool

Once your site has some impressions, search.google.com becomes extremely useful.

Instead of guessing what people search for, you get your site's actual queries, impressions, clicks and positions. Ahrefs also describes GSC as first-party data, whereas tools such as Ahrefs estimate competitive keyword metrics. Ahrefs

A particularly good new-site strategy is finding queries where you're sitting around positions 8–30, then improving or expanding the relevant page.

Those can be much easier wins than starting from zero.

4. Google Trends — underrated for new sites

trends.google.com is less about finding a giant keyword list and more about finding topics whose demand is growing.

For a new site, I'd rather publish around a low-volume phrase whose interest is accelerating than a supposedly attractive keyword whose demand is steadily declining.

It's also excellent for identifying seasonal variations before using Keyword Planner/Ahrefs to investigate the exact phrases.

5. Keyword Tool — great for long-tail discovery

keywordtool.io is particularly useful because it mines autocomplete-style suggestions.

That's valuable when you're specifically hunting for long-tail phrases because autocomplete often exposes the way people actually formulate questions and problems.

Think of it as an idea generator, then use another tool to assess competition.

6. LowFruits — my pick if you're willing to spend a little

lowfruits.io is worth considering if your goal isn't merely "find keywords," but find keywords a new site can realistically rank for.

That's an important distinction.

For a new domain, I'd much rather find:

800 searches/month + weak SERP

than:

20,000 searches/month + dominated by Wikipedia, Reddit, Forbes, major brands and sites with thousands of backlinks.

The workflow I'd actually use

You don't need an expensive SEO suite.

I'd use this stack:

Ahrefs Free → Google autocomplete/Keyword Tool → Google Keyword Planner → manual SERP analysis → Search Console

For each candidate keyword, ask:

1. Is the intent obvious?
2. Is it specific enough that I can create a page that answers it extremely well?
3. Are there genuinely weak pages ranking?
4. Are forums, Reddit, Quora, small niche sites, outdated pages, etc. appearing on page one?
5. Does the keyword have enough commercial/site value to justify creating the page?
6. Can I make the best result for that particular query?

The last two are especially important. Keyword Difficulty is a filter, not a verdict. A keyword with a low numerical difficulty score can still be a poor target if search intent is ambiguous or the SERP is packed with exceptionally relevant competitors.

A simple rule for a brand-new site

I'd initially target phrases that are:

• 4+ words
• highly specific
• clearly informational or problem-solving
• roughly 10–500 searches/month rather than obsessing over volume
• showing at least a couple of relatively weak results
• closely related to your site's eventual products/services

Don't dismiss a keyword because it only gets 20 searches/month. A collection of 100 highly relevant 20-search queries can become a substantial traffic source—and many long-tail queries overlap around the same underlying topic.

If I had $0: Ahrefs Free + Google Keyword Planner + Search Console + Trends.

If I could spend ~$20–50/month: I'd add a dedicated low-competition tool such as LowFruits rather than immediately paying for a full enterprise SEO suite.

And if you tell me what niche the new site is in, I can show you a concrete keyword-research workflow and the kinds of long-tail phrases I'd hunt for in that niche.

keywordtool.io is particularly useful because it mines autocomplete-style suggestions.

That's valuable when you're specifically hunting for long-tail phrases because autocomplete often exposes the way people actually formulate questions and problems.

Think of it as an idea generator, then use another tool to assess competition.

6. LowFruits — my pick if you're willing to spend a little

lowfruits.io is worth considering if your goal isn't merely "find keywords," but find keywords a new site can realistically rank for.

That's an important distinction.

For a new domain, I'd much rather find:

800 searches/month + weak SERP

than:

20,000 searches/month + dominated by Wikipedia, Reddit, Forbes, major brands and sites with thousands of backlinks.

The workflow I'd actually use

You don't need an expensive SEO suite.

I'd use this stack:

Ahrefs Free → Google autocomplete/Keyword Tool → Google Keyword Planner → manual SERP analysis → Search Console

For each candidate keyword, ask:

1. Is the intent obvious?
2. Is it specific enough that I can create a page that answers it extremely well?
3. Are there genuinely weak pages ranking?
4. Are forums, Reddit, Quora, small niche sites, outdated pages, etc. appearing on page one?
5. Does the keyword have enough commercial/site value to justify creating the page?
6. Can I make the best result for that particular query?

The last two are especially important. Keyword Difficulty is a filter, not a verdict. A keyword with a low numerical difficulty score can still be a poor target if search intent is ambiguous or the SERP is packed with exceptionally relevant competitors.

A simple rule for a brand-new site

I'd initially target phrases that are:

• 4+ words
• highly specific
• clearly informational or problem-solving
• roughly 10–500 searches/month rather than obsessing over volume
• showing at least a couple of relatively weak results
• closely related to your site's eventual products/services

Don't dismiss a keyword because it only gets 20 searches/month. A collection of 100 highly relevant 20-search queries can become a substantial traffic source—and many long-tail queries overlap around the same underlying topic.

If I had $0: Ahrefs Free + Google Keyword Planner + Search Console + Trends.

If I could spend ~$20–50/month: I'd add a dedicated low-competition tool such as LowFruits rather than immediately paying for a full enterprise SEO suite.

And if you tell me what niche the new site is in, I can show you a concrete keyword-research workflow and the kinds of long-tail phrases I'd hunt for in that niche.

For a new site, I’d prioritize tools that help you discover specific queries with weak SERPs, rather than simply giving you huge lists of keywords.

My top picks

1. ahrefs.com — best free starting point

This is probably where I'd start for a brand-new site. It generates keyword ideas, questions, search-volume estimates and, for some keywords, difficulty information. Ahrefs specifically supports filtering toward low-difficulty opportunities and identifying long-tail variations. Ahrefs Ahrefs

Good workflow:
Start with something broad like backyard gardening → find best vegetables for backyard garden → feed that back in → discover even narrower phrases such as best vegetables for shaded backyard garden.

That iterative narrowing is particularly useful for new domains. Ahrefs

ahrefs.com

2. Google Search Console — best once your site has some impressions

This is underrated because it gives you actual queries Google has already associated with your site, rather than third-party estimates.

Look for queries where:

• You have impressions but few clicks.
• You're ranking around positions 8–30.
• The query is more specific than the page's primary keyword.
• You could create a dedicated page that answers it better.

For an established site, I'd arguably put this ahead of every keyword-generator tool.

3. ads.google.com — best for validating demand

Google's own tool provides keyword ideas and monthly-search estimates, plus advertising competition/CPC information. Google Help

One caveat: Google currently requires you to complete Google Ads account setup, including billing information, to access the basic keyword-idea functionality. Google Help

It's not my favorite tool for discovering low-competition SEO terms, but it's excellent for checking whether your candidates have meaningful search demand.

4. Google autocomplete + related searches — surprisingly good and completely free

Don't overlook the source of the search itself.

Type:

best hiking shoes for

and examine Google's suggestions. Then try:

best hiking shoes for women with
best hiking shoes for women with wide
best hiking shoes for women with wide feet

You're essentially mining Google's query predictions for increasingly specific search intent.

This can uncover long-tail queries that conventional keyword tools don't prioritize.

5. LowFruits — my favorite paid upgrade for a new site

If you're willing to spend a little money, LowFruits is one I'd specifically investigate for a new/low-authority domain.

The reason isn't simply keyword volume. The interesting question is:

"Are weak websites already ranking for this query?"

That's much closer to what you actually need when your site has few backlinks and little authority.

Rather than chasing a keyword with 5,000 searches/month where the SERP is dominated by huge sites, you're looking for something like:

100 searches/month + several mediocre/low-authority sites ranking on page 1

That can be a far better opportunity.

6. Semrush — best if you want an all-in-one tool

Semrush is more useful once you're doing competitor research, keyword gaps, SERP analysis, content research, and broader SEO work rather than just hunting long tails.

I wouldn't pay for it solely to find your first 50 keywords, though.

The free stack I'd actually use

For a brand-new site, I'd use this combination:

Ahrefs Free → Google autocomplete → Google Keyword Planner → manual SERP analysis

The important part is that keyword difficulty scores alone shouldn't determine whether a keyword is easy.

For every promising keyword, Google it and inspect page 1.

You're looking for SERPs containing:

• Small niche sites
• Forums/Reddit
• Quora
• Old or thin articles
• Pages that don't directly answer the query
• Weak titles/meta descriptions
• Low-quality or outdated content
• Sites with relatively little topical authority

If you see several genuinely weak results, that's often a better opportunity than a keyword tool's "KD 10" score suggests.

A simple target for a new site

I'd rather have:

"best soil for indoor lemon tree in winter" — 50 searches/month, weak competition

than:

"indoor gardening" — 10,000 searches/month, impossible SERP

You can build dozens of those small wins into substantial traffic, and eventually use the authority you've accumulated to pursue bigger terms.

If you tell me your site's niche/topic, I can also show you a concrete free workflow for finding 20–50 long-tail keywords that a brand-new site has a realistic shot at ranking for.

For a brand-new site, I’d avoid relying on one tool. The sweet spot is a small free stack that gives you lots of ideas + some indication of difficulty + actual SERP validation.

My top picks

\*Google currently requires completing Google Ads account setup, including billing information, to access basic Keyword Planner functionality. support.google.com

Ahrefs is particularly good for a new site's brainstorming phase. Its free Keyword Generator can surface keyword ideas, questions, search suggestions, and related terms, with volume and difficulty information on relevant results. ahrefs.com

Semrush is probably the best free/freemium option for actually filtering toward low-competition opportunities. Its Keyword Magic Tool supports large numbers of related keywords and filters for volume, difficulty, questions, and related subtopics. www.semrush.com

The workflow I'd use

For a brand-new site, do this:

1. Start with 5–10 broad seed topics in Ahrefs.
2. Pull out questions and highly specific phrases.
   • Instead of camping gear
   • Look for best camping stove for windy conditions
   • how to keep food cold while camping without electricity
3. Put the promising terms into Semrush and filter toward lower keyword difficulty.
4. Check Google Keyword Planner for search-volume ranges and additional variants. Google lets you generate ideas from both keywords and websites. support.google.com
5. Manually inspect Google results for your final candidates. This is crucial: a low KD score doesn't automatically mean the SERP is easy.
6. Look for SERPs where you see:
   • small/new sites ranking
   • Reddit/forums
   • weak or outdated articles
   • pages that don't directly answer the query
   • thin affiliate pages
   • few strong backlinks
7. Once your site has traffic, use Search Console to find long-tail queries where you're getting impressions but ranking around positions 5–30. Those can be some of your easiest wins.

One important trick

Don't chase "low competition" alone. For a new site, I'd prioritize:

specific intent + reasonable demand + weak SERP competition

A keyword with 50 searches/month where you can realistically rank #1 can be much more valuable than a 5,000-search keyword dominated by huge sites.

If you tell me your site niche/topic, I can also show you a concrete free-tool workflow and the kinds of long-tail keywords I'd hunt for first.

For a new site, the best keyword research tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find:

1. Specific search phrases (long-tail)
2. Low organic competition
3. Clear search intent
4. Enough demand to justify creating content

A strong free/cheap stack looks like this: thestacc.com

seoinsidertips.com

My preferred workflow for a brand-new site (free)

Step 1: Generate hundreds of ideas

• Start with Google autocomplete:
  • “best ___ for”
  • “how to ___ without”
  • “___ for beginners”
  • “_ vs _”
  • “___ near me” (if local)
• Use AnswerThePublic or Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator to expand ideas. seoinsidertips.com

Example:
Seed: “gardening”

Instead of targeting:

• “gardening” (too broad)

Look for:

• “best vegetables to grow in clay soil”
• “how to start a balcony garden in an apartment”
• “low maintenance plants for north facing balcony”

Those are much easier targets.

Step 2: Check competition manually (often better than tool scores)

For each keyword, Google it and look at page one.

Good signs:

• Forums appear (Reddit, Quora, niche forums)
• Thin articles rank
• Old content ranks
• Results don’t exactly answer the query
• Small sites appear in the top 10

Bad signs:

• Top results are dominated by major brands
• Every result has thousands of backlinks
• Search results are all comprehensive guides from authority sites

Step 3: Prioritize “low competition + buying intent”

For a new site, I would usually prefer:

Better

• “best hiking socks for sweaty feet”
• “how to clean a cast iron skillet without rust”
• “accounting software for freelance designers”

Worse

• “hiking”
• “cast iron”
• “software”

The longer phrases usually have fewer searches, but they often convert better.

Step 4: Track what Google starts showing you

Once you publish, Google Search Console becomes one of the most valuable free tools. Look for:

• Queries where you rank positions 8–30
• Pages getting impressions but few clicks
• Related phrases Google associates with your content

Those are often easier wins than finding brand-new keywords. seoinsidertips.com

If I had $0 and a new domain, I’d use:

1. Google autocomplete → idea generation
2. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator → difficulty filtering
3. Google Keyword Planner → demand check
4. Google Trends → sanity check
5. Search Console → ongoing optimization

If you can spend about $10–30/month, I’d consider adding a lightweight SEO tool with better keyword difficulty and SERP analysis rather than jumping straight to expensive enterprise suites. backlinko.com

A useful rule for new sites: target keywords where the top-ranking pages are weak, not just keywords with low search volume. A 50-search/month keyword you can win is often more valuable than a 5,000-search/month keyword you cannot.

For a new site, the best keyword tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find phrases with:

• clear search intent
• lower competition
• enough demand to matter
• weak SERPs (forums, outdated pages, small sites ranking)

A strong free/low-cost stack is usually better than relying on one tool. clickside.agency

Best free keyword research tools for long-tail, low-competition keywords

zapier.com

My recommended free workflow for a brand-new site

1. Start with autocomplete mining (best source of long tails)

Use Google search suggestions:

Example seed:

"best coffee grinder"

Look for expansions like:

• best coffee grinder for espresso under $200
• best quiet coffee grinder for apartment
• manual coffee grinder vs electric for travel

These are usually much easier than the head term.

Also check:

• Google "People Also Ask"
• Related Searches at the bottom of results

2. Validate with Google Keyword Planner

Take your long-tail ideas and check:

• monthly searches
• related variations
• commercial intent

Don't obsess over volume. A new site can win with keywords getting 20–200 searches/month if the intent is strong.

3. Check actual competition manually

Search the phrase in Google and look at page one.

Good signs:

✅ forums ranking
✅ Reddit/Quora results
✅ old articles
✅ thin affiliate sites
✅ pages that don't exactly match the query

Bad signs:

❌ major brands dominate
❌ every result has thousands of backlinks
❌ exact-match, excellent content everywhere

4. Use a difficulty tool only as a filter

Keyword difficulty scores are estimates. For a new site, I would generally prioritize:

• KD under ~20–30 (depending on niche)
• specific intent
• weak competitors

Tools like Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, and Semrush can help estimate this, but the SERP itself is usually the final judge. seoinsidertips.com

Best low-cost paid upgrades (if you outgrow free tools)

If you eventually spend money:

1. LowFruits — excellent for finding weak SERPs and low-competition keywords
2. Mangools KWFinder — simple interface, good for beginners
3. Ahrefs — best for serious SEO research
4. Semrush — best all-around marketing suite

A simple stack I’d use for a new niche site

$0/month:

• Google Autocomplete
• Google Keyword Planner
• Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
• Google Trends
• Search Console

Around $50/month or less:

• Add LowFruits or KWFinder for competition analysis

The biggest mistake new sites make is chasing big keywords. A better approach is to build topical authority by targeting dozens of very specific phrases first, then let those pages build authority for broader terms.

For a new site, the best keyword tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find phrases with:

• clear search intent
• lower competition
• enough demand to justify creating a page
• wording that real people actually use

A strong free/cheap stack is usually better than relying on one tool. clickside.agency

Best free and low-cost keyword research tools

thestacc.com

My preferred free workflow for a brand-new site

1. Start with autocomplete mining (find real phrases)

Use:

• Google autocomplete
• Keyword Tool
• AnswerThePublic

Example:

Seed: “home coffee grinder”

You might discover:

• “best coffee grinder for espresso under $200”
• “quiet coffee grinder for apartment”
• “manual coffee grinder vs electric for espresso”
• “coffee grinder that doesn’t make much noise”

Those longer phrases are often easier for new sites because they are more specific.

2. Validate demand

Run candidates through:

• Google Keyword Planner
• Ubersuggest
• Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator

Look for:

• some measurable searches (even 50–500/month can be useful)
• commercial or informational intent
• weak current results

Avoid obsessing over exact volume numbers; estimates vary widely between tools. www.pain-finder.com

3. Check competition manually (important)

Search the phrase in Google and look at the first page.

Good signs:

• forums ranking
• Reddit pages ranking
• old articles
• thin affiliate sites
• pages that don't exactly answer the query

Bad signs:

• all results are major brands
• every result has thousands of backlinks
• results are extremely authoritative sites

4. Use “low competition modifiers”

New sites often do better with phrases containing:

Audience

• for beginners
• for seniors
• for small businesses
• for renters

Problem

• without X
• vs Y
• troubleshooting
• alternatives
• mistakes

Location

• near me
• in [city]
• local terms

Specific constraints

• under $100
• lightweight
• beginner-friendly
• open source
• no experience

If I had $0/month, I’d use this stack

1. Google autocomplete → discover ideas
2. AnswerThePublic → find questions
3. Google Keyword Planner → check demand
4. Google search results → judge competition
5. Google Search Console → improve existing winners

If I could spend ~$10–30/month

I’d consider adding:

• a low-cost SEO suite for keyword difficulty tracking
• a browser extension for faster SERP analysis
• occasional paid credits rather than a full $100+/month SEO subscription

For most new niche sites, the bottleneck is usually finding underserved topics, not having access to a giant keyword database. A spreadsheet of 100 carefully chosen low-competition phrases will usually outperform 10,000 random keyword suggestions. absolutecluster.com

For a brand-new site, I’d prioritize tools that help you discover specific queries and judge whether the current SERP is realistically beatable—not just tools that give you huge keyword lists.

Best free / low-cost options

1. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator — my first choice

Ahrefs' free generator can produce keyword ideas from several reports, including questions, autocomplete suggestions, phrase matches, and terms that top-ranking pages also rank for. It also exposes search-volume estimates and Keyword Difficulty, and lets you filter by things like word count. ahrefs.com

For a new site, that's particularly useful because you can look for combinations such as:

10–30 words/characters longer + low KD + specific intent

Rather than chasing a broad term like "home gym", you'd investigate variations such as:

"best home gym for apartment upstairs"
"home gym equipment for low ceilings"
"quiet home gym setup for neighbors"

The exact numbers will depend heavily on the niche.

2. Google Keyword Planner — best free validation tool

Google's own tool provides keyword ideas, monthly-search estimates, trends, and competition/bid information. You can also feed it a website URL, which is useful for finding terms Google associates with a particular niche or competitor. business.google.com

The catch: it's primarily an advertising tool, so its "competition" metric isn't the same thing as organic SEO difficulty. I wouldn't use its competition score alone to decide whether a keyword is easy to rank for.

3. Google autocomplete + People Also Ask — underrated and completely free

Start typing your seed topic into Google and collect the suggested completions. Then search the promising phrase and examine:

• People Also Ask questions
• related searches
• autocomplete variations
• titles of the pages ranking on page one

This is particularly good for long-tail intent because you're seeing language derived from actual searches rather than just relying on a keyword database.

4. Keywords Everywhere's free SEO tools

Keywords Everywhere currently offers a large collection of free SEO tools without signup, while its paid API-based functionality provides expanded keyword data. Its keyword metrics draw search-volume, CPC, competition and trend data from Google's Keyword Planner. keywordseverywhere.com

It's useful if you want keyword information while browsing search results, rather than constantly switching between separate research tools.

What I'd actually use for a new site

$0 workflow:

1. Brainstorm 5–10 broad seed topics.
2. Run each through Ahrefs Keyword Generator.
3. Pull out long, specific questions and phrases.
4. Validate promising ones in Google Keyword Planner.
5. Google the actual phrase.
6. Look at the first 10 results.
7. Prioritize queries where the SERP contains several weak/relevant-but-not-perfect results, rather than simply trusting a numerical difficulty score.

Ahrefs also has a free account with permanent limited access to some of its SEO tools, although its full Keywords Explorer is part of its paid offerings. ahrefs.com

If you're starting from zero, I'd spend $0 initially. The combination of Ahrefs Free + Google Keyword Planner + Google itself is enough to build your first several dozen genuinely promising long-tail topics.

The important part is SERP analysis: a keyword showing "low competition" in a tool can still be difficult if the first page is dominated by strong, highly relevant sites. Conversely, a keyword with modest search volume can be an excellent opportunity if the existing results don't satisfy the query well.

For a new site with little/no authority, I’d prioritize tools that help you find specific queries + weak SERPs, rather than chasing high-volume keywords.

My favorite low-cost/free stack

If I were starting a brand-new site

I'd use this workflow:

1. Start with a broad seed.
Say your site is about backyard gardening. Start with tomato plants, not best tomato fertilizer for raised beds in Florida.

2. Generate long-tail variations with Ahrefs/Semrush.
Look especially for phrases containing words such as:

• how
• why
• best
• for
• without
• vs
• near
• under
• beginner
• small
• cheap
• in [specific location]

3. Don't blindly trust a "low KD" number.
This is probably the most important point. A keyword can have a low numerical difficulty score and still be difficult for a brand-new domain.

Actually inspect the Google results.

A great beginner keyword often looks like:

20–200 searches/month + highly specific intent + several weak/out-of-date results + forums/Reddit/Quora/small sites in the SERP + relatively few authoritative pages

I'd generally prefer that over a 5,000-search keyword where every result is from a major authority.

4. Look for "question clusters."
For example:

tomato plants

→ tomato plants in pots

→ best pot size for tomato plants

→ how often to water tomato plants in pots

→ how often to fertilize tomato plants in containers

Those individual queries may be small, but collectively they can make an excellent topical cluster.

5. Once you have traffic, Search Console becomes one of your best tools.

Search Console tells you what Google is actually associating your pages with. Look for queries where you have, say, hundreds of impressions but relatively few clicks or where you're sitting around positions 8–30. Those can be much easier wins than starting from scratch. Google specifically recommends using query data to identify opportunities and improve pages. support.google.com

My ranking for a $0 budget

🥇 Ahrefs Free — best overall starting point
🥈 Google Search Console — best once your site has impressions
🥉 Semrush Free — excellent for expanding seed keywords
4. Google Keyword Planner — best for validating demand
5. Google Trends — best supporting tool
6. Keyword Tool — useful for harvesting autocomplete variations

One caveat: "free" often means limited. For example, Semrush currently limits free Keyword Magic Tool usage, while Ahrefs offers standalone free keyword tools with limited results. www.semrush.com

If your site is brand new, I wouldn't pay for Ahrefs/Semrush yet. I'd squeeze as much as possible from the free stack, manually inspect the SERPs, and only upgrade once you're doing enough research that the limits are genuinely costing you time.

If you tell me your site/topic, I can also show you a concrete process for finding 20–50 realistic low-competition keywords for it.

For a new website, the best keyword research tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find specific phrases with clear intent and weak competition. A good free/low-cost stack usually combines several tools rather than relying on one. blog.contentforce.ai

Best free tools for long-tail, low-competition keywords

My recommended $0 workflow for a brand-new site

1. Start with seed topics
   • Pick 5–10 broad topics.
   • Example: “backyard gardening”

2. Expand into long-tail phrases
   • Use Google autocomplete:
     • “backyard gardening for…”
     • “backyard gardening without…”
     • “best plants for…”
     • “how to…”

3. Check demand
   • Put candidates into Google Keyword Planner.
   • Don’t obsess over high volume; new sites often win with smaller queries. www.pain-finder.com

4. Check competition manually

Search the phrase in Google and look for:

• Weak results from forums, Pinterest, small blogs, or outdated pages
• Few exact-match titles
• Low-quality content ranking

5. Prioritize “low-hanging fruit”

Good early targets often look like:

• 3–8 word phrases
• Clear problem/question intent
• Specific audience or situation

Examples:

• Harder: “coffee grinder”
• Easier: “best coffee grinder for espresso under $100”
• Harder: “hiking boots”
• Easier: “waterproof hiking boots for wide feet beginners”

If I were starting a new site today with no budget

I’d use:

1. Google Autocomplete → generate ideas
2. Google Keyword Planner → confirm search demand
3. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator or Ubersuggest → get difficulty signals
4. Google search results → manually judge competition
5. Google Search Console → later find content expansion opportunities

That combination can get surprisingly close to what paid suites do for early-stage niche sites without the monthly cost. blog.contentforce.aithestacc.com

For a brand-new site, I would usually ignore keywords with huge volume and hunt for 10–100 searches/month phrases where the current results are weak. Those are often the easiest pages to get traction from.

For a new site, the best keyword tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you uncover specific search intent + low competition, because broad keywords are usually dominated by established sites.

Here are the strongest free or low-cost options:

www.techradar.com

My preferred stack for a brand-new site (almost free)

1. Generate ideas

• Google autocomplete:
  • "best ___ for"
  • "_ vs _"
  • "how to ___ without"
  • "___ for beginners"
• AnswerThePublic
• Reddit/forums/customer questions

2. Validate demand
Use:

• Google Keyword Planner
• Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
• Google Trends

3. Check competition manually
A keyword tool's difficulty score is only a hint. Search the phrase and look for:

Good signs:

• Results from weak sites
• Old articles ranking
• Forums ranking on page one
• Thin content that doesn't fully answer the query
• Few exact-match titles

Bad signs:

• Top results dominated by major brands
• Very comprehensive guides from authoritative sites
• Strong backlinks on every result

Long-tail patterns that often work for new sites

Instead of:

"coffee grinder"

Try:

"best coffee grinder for espresso under $200"

Instead of:

"hiking boots"

Try:

"waterproof hiking boots for wide feet women"

Instead of:

"email marketing"

Try:

"email marketing software for small nonprofits"

The longer phrases often have fewer searches, but they tend to have clearer intent and less competition.

A simple free workflow

1. Pick a broad topic.
2. Enter it into Google.
3. Copy autocomplete suggestions.
4. Put those into Keyword Planner/Ahrefs.
5. Keep phrases with:
   • clear intent
   • realistic competition
   • enough search interest to justify an article
6. Check the current page-one results manually.

For a new domain, I would usually prioritize 50–500 monthly searches with weak competition over chasing 10,000+ search volume terms. The smaller wins build topical authority.

If you are starting from zero, a particularly effective approach is finding "low-competition informational keywords" first, then expanding into harder commercial keywords after the site gains authority. seoinsidertips.com

For a new site, the best keyword research tools are not necessarily the ones with the biggest databases. You want tools that help you find:

• specific search queries (4–8+ words)
• clear search intent
• weak competition (few strong pages ranking)
• topics where a newer domain can realistically compete

A strong free/low-cost stack is:

backlinko.com

My favorite free workflow for a brand-new site

1. Generate ideas

Start with:

• Google autocomplete
• AnswerThePublic
• Keyword Tool.io
• Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator

Example seed:

“backyard chickens”

You might uncover:

• “best chicken breeds for cold climates”
• “how many chickens can you keep in a small backyard”
• “chicken coop ideas for 4 hens”

Those are much easier targets than “chickens.”

2. Filter for low competition manually

Search the phrase in Google and check:

Good signs:

• forums ranking
• Reddit threads ranking
• small blogs ranking
• outdated articles
• thin content
• no big brands dominating

Bad signs:

• every result is from major publishers
• government sites dominate
• huge ecommerce brands occupy page one

3. Look for “low-volume gold”

New sites often win with keywords like:

• “best X for Y”
• “X vs Y for Z”
• “how to X without Y”
• “X checklist”
• “X problems and solutions”
• “X alternatives”

Example:

Hard:

“email marketing”

Easier:

“email marketing tools for nonprofit newsletters”

4. Use a cheap paid upgrade only when needed

If you eventually spend money, I’d prioritize:

1. LowFruits — built specifically around finding weak SERPs and low-competition keywords
2. Mangools KWFinder — simple interface, good for small sites
3. Ahrefs or Semrush — when you need competitor analysis

If I were launching a new niche site with $0

I would use:

1. Google autocomplete → collect 100 ideas
2. Keyword Tool.io → expand variations
3. Google Keyword Planner → confirm demand
4. Google search results → manually judge competition
5. Google Trends → check whether interest is stable/growing

The biggest mistake new sites make is chasing keywords with the highest volume. A page getting 50 highly targeted visitors/month from an easy keyword can be far more valuable than a page stuck on page 5 for a 20,000-search/month term.

For a new site with little or no authority, I’d prioritize tools that help you discover specific search queries and then manually verify whether the SERP is actually weak—not just tools that give you a low “competition” number.

My top picks

1. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator is probably my favorite starting point for a brand-new site. It gives keyword ideas, related questions, search volume and KD for some terms. Ahrefs also lets you feed narrower suggestions back into the generator, which is particularly useful for turning something broad like running shoes → running shoes for flat feet → best running shoes for flat feet women. ahrefs.com

Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator

2. Google Search Console becomes extremely valuable once your site has impressions. Instead of guessing what people search for, you can see the actual queries Google is showing your pages for. Look especially for queries where you're getting impressions but ranking around positions 8–30—these can become relatively easy optimization opportunities. keywordtool.nettheseocompany.com.au

Google Search Console

3. Google Keyword Planner is useful for expanding your seed terms and getting Google's search-demand estimates. Just remember that its “competition” metric is primarily an advertising/PPC metric, so don't interpret low PPC competition as automatically meaning easy organic ranking. keywordtool.nettheseocompany.com.au

Google Keyword Planner

4. Semrush's free keyword tool is worth trying when you want keyword suggestions accompanied by volume, difficulty, intent and CPC. Its free interface specifically exposes long-tail opportunities. www.semrush.com

Semrush Keyword Tool

5. LowFruits is the one I'd consider paying for if your primary objective is finding low-competition keywords, rather than getting an enormous keyword database. It's designed around identifying weaker-ranking results and opportunities that larger competitors may overlook. Community SEO discussions also frequently recommend it specifically for budget-conscious low-competition research. www.reddit.com

The important trick: don't trust KD blindly

A keyword showing KD 5 isn't automatically easy, and a keyword showing KD 20 isn't necessarily impossible.

For a new site, I'd search the keyword manually and look for SERPs containing:

• Small/niche sites rather than huge authorities
• Forums such as Reddit or Quora
• Thin or outdated articles
• Pages that don't directly answer the query
• Poorly optimized titles
• Individual pages ranking despite having few backlinks
• Search results dominated by loosely relevant pages

Ahrefs itself notes that its KD metric is primarily based on backlinks and doesn't capture every factor affecting ranking difficulty. ahrefs.com

If I were starting a site today

I'd use this $0 workflow:

Seed idea → Ahrefs → Google autocomplete → People Also Ask → Keyword Planner → Google SERP inspection → Search Console

For example, instead of targeting:

coffee grinder

I'd expand it into things like:

best coffee grinder for aeropress under $100
quiet coffee grinder for apartment
coffee grinder for pour over beginners
hand grinder vs electric for pour over

Then I'd inspect the actual SERPs and choose the queries where search intent is very specific + the current results look beatable.

Once the site starts receiving impressions, Search Console becomes the most important free tool, because you're no longer working entirely from third-party estimates. keywordtool.nettheseocompany.com.au

My short recommendation:

• $0 budget: Ahrefs Free + Search Console + Keyword Planner + Google SERPs
• ~$10–30/month budget: add a low-cost specialist such as LowFruits or Keywords Everywhere
• Serious SEO/content operation: Semrush or Ahrefs paid

If you tell me your site niche/topic, I can also show you a concrete workflow for finding 20–50 long-tail keywords with realistic ranking potential for that niche.

For a new site with little/no domain authority, I’d avoid obsessing over the “perfect” keyword difficulty score. The best approach is to combine free idea generation + Google data + manual SERP competition checks.

My favorite low-cost stack

Current comparisons generally agree on this division of labor: Search Console is strongest for queries your site already ranks for, Keyword Planner for Google's volume/forecast data, and autocomplete-based tools for generating long-tail ideas. keywordtool.netzapier.com

If I were starting a brand-new site

I'd use this 5-step workflow:

1. Start with a broad seed

Suppose your site is about home coffee:

coffee grinder

Don't try to rank for that immediately.

2. Expand it aggressively

Use Google Autocomplete, Keyword Planner, Ahrefs' free generator, and AnswerThePublic to find things such as:

best coffee grinder for pour over under $100
coffee grinder for coarse grind french press
quiet coffee grinder for apartment
how fine should coffee be ground for moka pot

The longer, more specific phrases are often much more realistic targets for a new site.

3. Check actual Google results

This is the step I'd trust more than any keyword-tool difficulty score.

Search the phrase in Google and ask:

• Are the top results huge authoritative sites?
• Are there forums/Reddit/Quora results?
• Are there small niche sites?
• Are the results actually answering the query?
• Do the top pages have dedicated content for that exact intent?
• Are there weak/outdated pages?

If page 1 contains several relatively small sites with mediocre content, that's a much better opportunity signal than simply seeing “KD 18” in a tool.

4. Validate demand

Put promising terms into Keyword Planner and Trends. Keyword Planner is free and provides volume ranges, competition information and related keyword ideas. keywordtool.netzapier.com

Don't automatically reject a keyword because the volume is tiny. For a new site, I'd rather have:

50–200 searches/month + very specific intent + weak competition

than:

20,000 searches/month + impossible SERP

5. Build clusters instead of one-keyword articles

For example:

Primary: quiet coffee grinder for apartment

Supporting questions:

• quietest type of coffee grinder
• how loud are burr grinders
• best quiet grinder for early morning coffee
• manual vs electric grinder noise
• coffee grinder under $150

One genuinely comprehensive page can potentially rank for the entire cluster.

The free stack I'd personally choose

If you want to spend $0, I'd use:

Google Autocomplete → Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator → Keyword Planner → Google Trends → Google SERP

That's enough to do surprisingly sophisticated keyword research. Ahrefs itself notes that its free account provides useful site-audit/backlink functionality, while its more extensive keyword-explorer and competitor research capabilities are paid. ahrefs.com

If you're willing to spend ~$10–30/month, I'd first pay for a tool that gives you keyword difficulty + SERP analysis + competitor keywords, rather than buying an expensive all-in-one SEO suite immediately.

One important caveat: don't treat “low competition” in Google Keyword Planner as equivalent to “easy to rank organically.” Its competition metric is primarily designed around advertising. keywordtool.netzapier.com

Best overall recommendation for a new site: use tools to generate candidates, but use the actual Google SERP to decide whether they're realistically rankable. That's the part that most automated keyword scores can't replace.

For a new site, the best keyword research tools are the ones that help you find specific, lower-volume phrases with clear intent rather than chasing big keywords dominated by established sites. Most premium SEO tools are expensive, but you can get surprisingly far with free or cheap options.

Best free / low-cost keyword research tools for long-tail, low-competition keywords

My top picks by situation

1. Brand-new site with zero authority

Use:

1. LowFruits
2. Google Keyword Planner
3. AnswerThePublic

Look for:

• 3–8 word phrases
• Specific problems
• "Best X for Y" searches
• "How to X without Y"
• "X alternatives"
• "X vs Y"
• Location + service terms

Examples:

• Too competitive: "running shoes"
• Better: "best running shoes for flat feet beginners"
• Better: "trail running shoes for wide feet under $100"

2. If you want free-only research

A strong workflow:

Step 1: Start with Google autocomplete
Search:

• "best ___ for"
• "how to ___"
• "___ alternatives"
• "___ vs"
• "___ for beginners"

Autocomplete suggestions are often long-tail queries.

Step 2: Check SERPs manually
A keyword is promising if page-one results include:

• Reddit threads
• Forums
• Small blogs
• Thin articles
• Pages that don't directly answer the query

Step 3: Validate
Use:

• Google Keyword Planner for approximate volume
• Google Trends for demand direction
• Search Console after publishing

3. Best "cheap stack" (my recommended setup)

For a new content site:

• Keyword discovery: LowFruits or AnswerThePublic
• Volume checking: Google Keyword Planner
• Competitor research: Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
• Trend checking: Google Trends

You can build a solid keyword list without paying $100+/month.

A simple filter for finding good new-site keywords

Prioritize keywords where:

✅ Search intent is obvious
✅ The query is specific (usually 4+ words)
✅ Top results have weak competitors
✅ You can create a better answer than what exists
✅ The searcher is close to taking action

Avoid early on:

❌ Single-word keywords
❌ Huge informational terms ("fitness," "marketing," "recipes")
❌ Keywords where every result is a major brand

If you tell me the site niche (e.g., SaaS, affiliate, local business, blog, ecommerce), I can suggest a keyword research workflow and filters tailored to that type of site.

For a new site, the best keyword research tools are usually not the ones with the biggest databases — they’re the ones that help you uncover specific search intent + weak competition. Many premium tools are overkill early on.

Here are the strongest free or low-cost options:

My recommended stack for a brand-new site

1. Start with Google autocomplete (free)

Search your topic and collect phrases like:

• "best ___ for beginners"
• "how to _ without _"
• "_ vs _ for ___"
• "___ checklist"
• "___ alternatives"
• "___ near me"
• "_ under $_"

Autocomplete often surfaces real long-tail searches.

2. Expand with a suggestion tool

Use:

• Keyword Tool
• AnswerThePublic
• Ubersuggest

Look for phrases that are:

• 4+ words long
• Specific problem/solution searches
• Clearly written by someone who wants something

Example:

Hard:

"running shoes"

Better:

"best running shoes for flat feet beginners women"

Even better:

"best lightweight running shoes for flat feet under $100"

3. Check competition manually

For new sites, keyword difficulty scores can be misleading. Search the phrase and look for:

Good signs:

• Forums ranking (Reddit, Quora, niche communities)
• Small blogs on page 1
• Thin articles
• Outdated content
• Search results without exact-match titles

Bad signs:

• Major brands dominate
• Government/education sites dominate
• Every result has thousands of backlinks

4. Use Google Search Console after publishing

Once you have traffic, GSC becomes one of the best free keyword tools:

Look for queries where you rank:

• Position 8–30 → update and improve the page
• High impressions + low clicks → improve title/meta
• Unexpected queries → create new articles

A simple low-budget workflow

Free version:

1. Google autocomplete → ideas
2. Google Keyword Planner → demand check
3. Google search → competition check
4. Search Console → improve winners

Under ~$50/month:

1. LowFruits → find weak SERPs
2. Semrush or Ahrefs → analyze competitors
3. Google tools → validate

For a new site, I would prioritize low-competition informational long-tails first, especially keywords where the searcher has a clear problem to solve. They usually convert better and are much easier to rank for than broad "head" keywords.

For a new website, the best keyword tools are usually the ones that combine keyword ideas with real search results. No free tool perfectly measures "keyword difficulty," so it's best to compare data from several sources.

Here's a practical stack that works well without spending much.

Best free workflow

Instead of relying on one tool:

1. Start with Google autocomplete.
2. Check the "People Also Ask" questions.
3. Look at related searches at the bottom of the results page.
4. Search the keyword manually.
5. Ask:
   • Are the top results from huge brands?
   • Are there forums like Reddit or Quora ranking?
   • Are there older or thin articles?
   • Does the search intent seem underserved?

If you see weaker content ranking, that's often a better opportunity than simply chasing a low difficulty score.

My favorite low-cost options

If you're willing to spend a little:

1. LowFruits (best value)

• Excellent at finding keywords where smaller websites already rank.
• Uses a credit system, so you don't need an ongoing subscription.
• Great for sites with low domain authority.

2. KeySearch

• Around the price of a streaming subscription.
• Includes keyword difficulty, competitor analysis, and rank tracking.
• Easier to use than enterprise SEO tools.

Extra free sources people overlook

• Reddit search for questions people repeatedly ask.
• YouTube autocomplete.
• Amazon autocomplete (for product niches).
• Google Trends to confirm seasonality.
• Competitor FAQs and category pages.

What counts as a good long-tail keyword?

Instead of targeting:

hiking boots

Try:

• best waterproof hiking boots for wide feet
• lightweight hiking boots for rocky trails
• hiking boots under $150 for beginners
• women's hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

These typically have:

• clearer search intent,
• lower competition,
• higher conversion potential.

Recommendation for a brand-new site

If your budget is under $50/month:

• Use Google Search + Google Keyword Planner for ideas.
• Add Keyword Surfer for quick volume checks.
• Spend a small amount on LowFruits every few months to uncover low-competition opportunities.
• Validate every keyword by manually reviewing the first page of Google rather than relying only on a difficulty score.

That combination usually provides enough data to build a content strategy without paying for an expensive enterprise SEO platform.

For a new website, the goal isn't just finding keywords with low reported difficulty—it's finding topics where the current search results are weak. A keyword with a "KD 5" score can still be difficult if the top results are dominated by strong brands.

Here are the best free and affordable tools for uncovering long-tail, low-competition opportunities.

Best free workflow

If you're spending $0:

1. Start with Google Autocomplete.
   • Type your main keyword.
   • Add letters (a, b, c...) after it.
   • Note longer, more specific phrases.

Example:

• best camping stove for backpacking
• best camping stove under $100
• best camping stove for winter

These are often easier to rank for than "best camping stove."

2. Check the "People Also Ask" section.

This reveals related questions you can answer in one article, helping you rank for multiple searches.

3. Look at the "Related Searches" at the bottom of Google.

Many of these become future article ideas.

4. Use Ahrefs' free keyword generator.

Look for:

• KD under 10
• Search volume of 50–500/month
• Clear search intent

Ignore volume if the keyword matches your audience perfectly.

Best low-cost tool: LowFruits

For brand-new websites, many SEO professionals consider LowFruits one of the highest-value tools because it focuses on SERP weakness rather than just keyword metrics.

It identifies searches where the top results include:

• Reddit threads
• Small blogs
• Forums
• Quora
• Niche sites
• Low-authority websites

Those are often much easier to compete against than keywords dominated by major publishers.

Best budget all-around tool: KeySearch

KeySearch includes:

• keyword difficulty
• competitor analysis
• backlink checks
• rank tracking
• content gap analysis

It's significantly less expensive than enterprise SEO platforms while covering most needs for small sites.

Use Reddit for content ideas

Search:

site:reddit.com your topic

Or browse relevant communities and look for:

• repeated beginner questions
• buying advice
• troubleshooting
• comparisons
• "best X for Y"

If dozens of people ask the same question, there's often search demand.

Look for these signs of easy keywords

Instead of trusting a difficulty score alone, examine the search results.

Good signs:

• Forums ranking
• Reddit posts ranking
• Quora ranking
• Small blogs in the top 10
• Thin articles
• Outdated content
• Results that don't fully answer the query

Hard signs:

• Government sites
• Wikipedia
• Large media publishers
• Major ecommerce brands
• Established niche authority sites

A simple keyword formula

Aim for keywords with:

• 4–8 words
• Clear intent
• Specific audience
• Some monthly searches (even 20–200 can be worthwhile)
• Search results that include smaller websites

For example, instead of targeting:

coffee grinder

Target:

• best coffee grinder under 100
• quiet coffee grinder for apartments
• burr grinder for espresso beginners
• coffee grinder for French press under 50

These longer, more specific phrases are often easier to rank for and tend to attract visitors who are closer to taking action.

If you're willing to spend under $50/month, a practical combination is:

• LowFruits for finding easy opportunities,
• KeySearch or Mangools KWFinder for ongoing keyword research and tracking,
• Google Search Console (once your site is live) to discover new long-tail queries you're already starting to rank for.

If you're launching a new website, the best strategy is usually to combine several free tools rather than relying on a single SEO suite. Each one reveals a different piece of the puzzle: search demand, question-based keywords, competitor rankings, or ranking difficulty.

Here's a combination that works well without spending much.

My top free workflow

1. Start with Google Autocomplete.
   • Type your seed keyword.
   • Add letters (a–z) after it.
   • Note the autocomplete suggestions.

2. Expand with AnswerThePublic.
   • Collect "how," "best," "vs," and "why" searches.
   • These often have lower competition.

3. Check search volume.
   • Use Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator.
   • Ignore tiny differences in volume—focus on intent.

4. Examine the search results.

Search your keyword in Google and ask:

• Are Reddit or forum posts ranking?
• Are Quora pages ranking?
• Are small niche blogs ranking?
• Are there outdated articles?

If yes, there's often an opportunity.

5. Check competitor keywords.

Enter a similar site's domain into Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (for your own verified site) or use free competitor features where available to identify topics they're getting traffic from.

Best low-cost tool

If you're willing to spend around $20–30 occasionally rather than paying a monthly subscription, LowFruits is hard to beat.

It identifies keywords where the first page includes weaker websites, forums, or niche blogs instead of only major brands. That makes it especially useful for new websites with limited authority.

What makes a great keyword for a new site?

Look for keywords that have:

• 4–8 words
• Clear search intent
• Moderate search volume (even 50–300 monthly searches can be worthwhile)
• Existing results from smaller websites
• Low topical authority required

Examples:

• "best trail camera for cold weather"
• "how to clean solar panels safely"
• "budget espresso grinder under 200"
• "wordpress seo checklist for beginners"

These are often much easier to rank for than broad terms like "trail camera" or "SEO."

One overlooked technique

Search:

site:reddit.com your topic

or browse relevant communities on Reddit to find recurring questions. If the same question appears repeatedly, it's often a strong candidate for a long-tail article—especially if existing search results don't answer it well.

If you have a small budget

A cost-effective setup is:

• Free: Google Keyword Planner
• Free: Google Search Console
• Free: Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
• Occasional purchase: LowFruits credits

That combination covers keyword discovery, search volume estimation, competitor analysis, and identifying lower-competition opportunities without committing to an expensive monthly SEO subscription.

If you're launching a new website, the goal isn't just to find low search volume keywords—it's to find specific topics with clear intent and relatively weak competition. A combination of free tools usually works better than relying on one platform.

Here's a stack that gives the best value:

My favorite workflow for new sites

1. Start with Google Autocomplete
   • Type your seed keyword.
   • Add letters (a, b, c...) after it.
   • Try prefixes like:
     • best
     • how to
     • for beginners
     • vs
     • near me
     • without
     • under

This often reveals phrases with much lower competition than broad keywords. Experienced SEO practitioners frequently recommend this manual approach because it reflects real searches. www.reddit.com

2. Validate with Keyword Planner

Check:

• monthly search volume
• commercial intent (CPC)
• related keyword ideas

Even if the volume is shown as a range, it's a good reality check. www.techradar.com

3. Look at the actual Google results

A keyword can have a "low" difficulty score in a tool but still be hard to rank for.

Ask:

• Are Reddit or forum threads ranking?
• Are small blogs on page one?
• Are the top results old or thin?
• Are there obvious gaps you can improve?

If the first page is dominated by major brands with comprehensive content, it may be harder than the tool suggests.

4. Expand into question keywords

Good examples:

• how to...
• why does...
• can you...
• what is...
• when should...
• is it worth...

These often convert well because they match specific search intent.

Affordable paid options

If your budget is around $20–50/month, these tend to offer the best value:

• LowFruits — Excellent for identifying keywords where weaker sites already rank.
• KeySearch — Strong balance of keyword research, SERP analysis, and rank tracking.
• Ubersuggest — Easy to use, though its free searches are limited.
• Mangools KWFinder — User-friendly with useful keyword difficulty metrics.

A practical target for new websites

Rather than chasing keywords with thousands of monthly searches, focus on phrases that are:

• 4–8 words long
• Answer one specific question
• Have clear search intent
• Show smaller sites or forums ranking on page one
• Fit naturally into a topical cluster on your site

For example, instead of targeting "running shoes", a new site might target:

• "best running shoes for flat feet beginners"
• "running shoes for marathon training under $150"
• "how often should running shoes be replaced"

Those longer phrases are typically more attainable and can collectively drive meaningful traffic.

If you tell me your niche (for example, home improvement, finance, SaaS, travel, pets, or fitness), I can suggest a keyword research workflow and tools tailored to that market.

For new sites, the best keyword research tools are usually the ones that help you find specific search intent + weak competition, not just high-volume keywords. Many premium tools are overkill early on. These free or low-cost options work well:

My preferred low-budget stack for a brand-new site

$0 setup

1. Google Keyword Planner → generate seed ideas
2. Google autocomplete → find longer phrases
3. AnswerThePublic → discover questions
4. Google search results → manually check competition
5. Google Trends → confirm the topic is stable or growing

Under ~$50/month

A strong beginner stack:

• LowFruits → find low-competition opportunities
• Ahrefs Webmaster Tools → track SEO health/backlinks
• KeywordTool.io or Semrush free tier → expand ideas

How to find true long-tail opportunities

Avoid chasing keywords like:

• “running shoes”
• “best laptops”
• “digital marketing”

New sites usually do better with phrases like:

• “best running shoes for flat feet under $100”
• “quiet mechanical keyboard for office use”
• “digital marketing checklist for local dentists”

Look for:

1. Question modifiers

Examples:

• “how to…”
• “best … for…”
• “can …”
• “is … worth it”
• “vs”
• “alternative to”

2. Specific audiences

Add:

• beginners
• small business owners
• freelancers
• seniors
• students
• specific industries

3. Specific problems

Instead of:

“email marketing”

Try:

“email marketing tools for a one-person consulting business”

Quick competition check (free)

Search the keyword in Google and look for:

✅ Good signs:

• Forums ranking (Reddit, Quora, niche communities)
• Thin affiliate articles
• Old content
• Few exact-match titles
• Small websites on page one

❌ Hard signs:

• Major brands dominate
• Government/education sites dominate
• Search results have detailed guides from authoritative domains

For a new site, I’d generally target keywords with:

• 10–1,000 monthly searches
• clear buyer/problem intent
• weak page-one competition
• ability to create a better, more specific answer

If you’re starting from zero, LowFruits + Google autocomplete + Search Console (once indexed) is one of the most practical combinations for finding realistic early wins.