If you compare marketing strategies in the modern era, you will notice that digital marketing strategies have slowly conquered the promotion industry because of the advanced strategies it brings along. One such strategy is SEO. However, not everyone can learn SEO or has the budget to hire an SEO specialist. So what!
We have SEO tools!! SEO tools make digital marketing easier than it seems. This is a blog about the list of the best SEO tools and their purposes.
What is an SEO tool?
SEO tool is a software application that is designed in order to help us in analyzing, strategizing, and also optimizing our website for the Google search engines. These tools assist with tasks like:
- Keyword research: With this, we can find the right keywords to drive a lot of organic traffic to our website without any paid promotion.
- Rank tracking: This feature is used to monitor your site’s rankings in search engine results for the chosen keywords.
- Technical SEO: Your website needs to have high speed and mobile usability, and it must be properly crawled by search engine crawlers to have a boost in search rankings. Technical SEO serves this purpose.
- Competitor analysis: An accurate competitor analysis gives a precise idea about the current market trend and provides ways in which we can outshine the competitors.
- Content optimization: Your website’s content should always be in line with the user’s search intent, and optimizing content is the best method to increase site visibility.
What qualities should the best SEO tools have?
When choosing the best SEO tools, you must consider several factors. Some of the common imposing factors which can be noticed are:
- Accuracy: The information provided by the instrument needs to be exact and up to speed.
- Usability: The instrument should be simple enough for both a beginner and a professional to use effectively.
- Foolproof characteristics: A decent SEO utility should be capable of carrying out a wide array of SEO processes, which include keyword research, rank tracking, and competitor research.
- Integration: Coupling with other applications—for instance, Google Analytics or social media networks is imperative.
- Pricing: Return on investment or pricing is very critical, particularly for small enterprises and novice users.
- Automation with AI: Tools embedded with artificial intelligence can assist to perform SEO in a more effective way and also reduce redundancy of some tasks.
Best Free SEO tools
Free SEO tools can provide immense value, whether you want to track site performance, research keywords, or optimize some on-page content. If you are just starting out in SEO or working on a budget, free SEO tools, despite having some limitations as compared to paid tools, can provide you with effective results. A list of a few best free SEO tools are included here:
1. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is one of the primary and most familiar systems for monitoring and evaluating the organic traffic of the site.
Price: Free
Features:
- Gives necessary information concerning user characteristics, source of traffic, and performance of the website.
- In any case, it’s very important to see how the users engage with the site, what pages are the most visited, how effective the advertising campaigns are.
- Works seamlessly with Google Ads and other pay-per-click services, allowing granular monitoring of campaigns effectiveness.
Pros:
- No cost and accessible to everyone.
- Offers detailed analysis of volume and quality of website traffic.
- Integration with other services, such as Google Ads, is painless.
- Reports are customizable for monitoring relevant aspects.
Cons:
- Beginner technology is difficult to master because of the volume of data that is available.
- There are few SEO metrics on the tool, like backlinks or even keyword positions.
2. Google Search Console
Google Search Console helps website owners to analyze the performance of their websites and how they appear on the elements of Google search.
Price: Free
Features:
- Gives information on how well your website’s pages have been indexed.
- Gives information on ranking information, click-through rates, and impressions of the page.
- Very relevant factors that may affect your site’s performance in juice crawls, such as crawl errors, mobile usability issues, and site indexing issues.
Pros:
- Complimentary and uncomplicated to configure.
- It uses data from Google, hence very credible.
- Includes reports about keywords that have been searched, the number of times they were seen, and their search rates.
- Informs the users about the problems of the search performance i.e. why the site is not being indexed.
Cons:
- Localized optimization tools with limited research capabilities.
- Only focuses on the algorithm of Google Search Engine and gives poultry data.
- Does not provide other necessary tools such as competitive analysis, keyword research, and backlink building.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is an SEO keyword tool that provides recommendations from keyword searches all over the world for web pages or blog posts. It is most commonly used for generating ideas for blogs.
Price:
- Free to use (with restrictions on the number of searches)
- The basic paid version costs $99 per month.
Features:
- Graphically illustrates the set of data to show what people are searching for as far as questions or phrases including a given keyword in search engines.
- Fully usable by content marketers and SEO specialists to understand what topics people are searching for and also how to target long-tail keywords.
Pros:
- Free to use with limited searches.
- Generates valuable content ideas based on real user search queries.
- User-friendly with a good graphic interface.
- Explains the relevance of long-tail keywords and question-based searches.
Cons:
- The basic package allows only few searches per day.
- The range of data is less comprehensive as compared to high end SEO tools.
4. Moz
Moz is a free browsing tool that offers information on optimizing any web page that the user is currently viewing.
Price: Free
Features:
- Displays important metrics like domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), spam score, and backlink data. This makes it easier to judge a website’s SEO strength.
- Highlights on-page elements such as meta tags, headings, and keywords to identify SEO opportunities.
Pros:
- Free to use and easy to install as a browser extension.
- Provides quick access to important SEO metrics.
- Allows users to analyze on-page SEO elements directly from the browser.
- Great for assessing competitor websites and their SEO performance.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to Moz’s paid tools.
- Data can be delayed or less detailed than premium SEO tools.
5. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, offers a free version with limited but useful SEO capabilities.
Price:
- Free version available
- Paid plans start at $12/month
Features:
- Provides keyword suggestions, search volume data, and competition insights for SEO and PPC campaigns.
- Features a site audit tool, backlink analysis, and content ideas. This tool is a good choice for people who need basic SEO data without the complexity of advanced tools.
Pros:
- Free version includes useful features for keyword research and content ideas.
- User-friendly interface, great for beginners.
- Provides search volume, CPC, and keyword difficulty data.
- Includes basic backlink analysis and site audit features.
Cons:
- Free version has limited functionality compared to premium tools.
- Data accuracy may not be as robust as other leading SEO tools.
6. Google PageSpeed Insights
Google PageSpeed Insights is a free tool that analyzes your website’s speed and performance on both mobile and desktop devices.
Price: Free
Features:
- Delivers extensive analysis on the speed of the website including recommendations on the way improvements could be implemented in the future.
- This presents aspects which require further work towards enhancement for instance.
- Enhances the interface of the website with the clients.
- It is in line with the Core Web Vitals set up by Google with regard to Search Engine Optimization.
Pros:
- Installation and usage is free and connects to live Google data.
- Informs vividly on how well and fast a website performs.
- Takes more practical steps on what can be done when there are problems with the loading times.
- Includes performance metrics for both mobile devices and desktop computers.
Cons:
- Provides page speed optimization mostly; other SEO capabilities are absent.
- Some may be difficult to carry out because of the associated skill.
7. Screaming Frog SEO Spider (Free Version)
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a popular search engine spider to perform deep SEO audit of the website.
Price:
- Free version available ( restrictions upto 500 URLs )
- Moderate paying version cost GBP 149 yearly
Features:
- In the free version, users can crawl a maximum of up to 500 URLs.
- Discover things like broken links, duplicate content, and missing meta tags.
- Technical SEO enthusiasts use this tool to diagnose and resolve SEO issues.
Pros:
- Free version offers powerful website crawling capabilities.
- Identifies technical SEO issues quickly and efficiently.
- Provides detailed reports on on-page SEO elements.
- Excellent for diagnosing broken links and site structure issues.
Cons:
- Crawls in the free version are capped at 500 URLs.
- Does not have more extensive SEO capabilities, such as keyword research or rank tracking.
8. Yoast SEO (Free Version)
Yoast SEO (Free Version) This plugin helps to design SEO content even within the WordPress webpage editor.
Price:
- Free
- Premium version starts at $99 a year.
Features:
- The free version provides basic functions such as keyword suggestions, readability checks, and creating an XML sitemap.
- Provides content writing tips which is useful for on-page SEO purposes as it helps to write focused content.
Pros:
- It is free and has so many features.
- Integrates smoothly with WordPress.
- Gives instant content optimization tips.
- Covers simple SEO tasks such as generation of sitemaps and inserting of meta widgets.
Cons:
- This is used for WordPress only.
- Advanced features such as keyword synonyms and internal linking suggestion require a premium membership.
Best SEO tool for Keyword Research: Google Keyword Planner
Keyword Planner is intended for advertisers and it is a powerful free tool, but it is also a must have for SEO experts.
Price: Free
Features:
- Enables to find keyword ideas based on a seed keyword or URL
- Provides search volume estimates
- Shows how competitive a keyword is for paid ads
- Discovers high-volume keywords and shapes your content around them.
Pros:
- It is free and open to everyone.
- The insights are straight from Google making the data precise.
- Enables the user to sort out and rank listing keywords by geography and language.
- Offers insight on keywords as per actual search patterns.
Cons:
- Its features are primarily offered for Google Ads; therefore, some limitations on SEO-specific features apply.
- It shows no organic competition metrics.
- One has to create a Google Ads account to access it.
Alternatives:
- Ubersuggest
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs Keyword Explorer
Best SEO tool for rank tracking: SEMrush
SEMrush is one of the leading SEO tools with an excellent rank-tracking feature.
Price: Subscription plans begin at $119.95/month
Features:
- Enables the users to perform tracking of keywords on various engines and countries.
- It comes with extra features such as rival’s positions in rankings, presence of featured snippets in the results, and historical databases.
Pros:
- All-in-one solutions for keyword rankings research.
- Square competitor analysis capability.
- Information related to both organic and paid searches.
- Tailored analysis within the Custom report section.
Cons:
- Expensive particularly for a small business or if you are just a startup in that field.
- Extra cost on some SEO applications for example the one for backlinks analysis.
Alternatives:
- SERPWatcher by Mangools
- Moz Pro
- AccuRanker
Best SEO tool for AI integration: Frase.io
Frase.io is content optimization software that uses artificial intelligence.
Price: Begins at $14.99/month
Features:
- Evaluation of competitor sites targeting a certain keyword.
- Helps users produce quality SEO content.
- Explains how to present the material, what keywords to use, and what questions to answer to fully cover the topic in accordance with user’s search intent.
Pros:
- Extraordinary content optimization by AI.
- Affordable for small businesses and beginners.
- Structure content based on the quotations of popular pages.
- Easy interface for creating stunning content.
Cons:
- Limited features for improving SEO beyond content optimization.
- Advanced features are included only in high-priced packages.
Alternatives:
- SurferSEO
- Clearscope
- MarketMuse
Best SEO tool for SEO Audit: Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a popular all-in-one SEO tool, and its Site Audit feature is one of the most comprehensive.
Price: Starts at $99/month
Features:
- Identifies technical issues such as broken links, slow page load, and duplicate content.
- Suggests how to revise technical issues.
- Provides actionable insights for improving overall technical health.
Pros:
- Comprehensive SEO audit with actionable insights.
- Visuals that are intelligible enough for a complete newcomer.
- Shows internal linking opportunities.
- Extensive database for backlink and keyword analysis.
Cons:
- High prices may be prohibitive for beginners.
- Steeper learning curve due to an abundance of features.
Alternatives:
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Moz Pro
- SEMrush Site Audit
Best SEO tool for Competitor Research: SpyFu
SpyFu specializes in competitor research, offering detailed insights into your competitors’ SEO and PPC strategies.
Price: Starts at $39/month
Features:
- Highlights top keywords and backlinks and points out historical ranking trends.
- Provides valuable insights into their paid search campaigns for mastering reverse-engineer successful strategies.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing compared to similar tools.
- Excellent insights into competitors’ top keywords and ads.
- Includes a backlink tracker to identify competitors’ linking strategies.
- Historical data on competitors’ performance.
Cons:
- Some reports may be less comprehensive than higher-end tools.
- The interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
Alternatives:
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Moz Pro
Best SEO tool for Content Optimizing: Clearscope
Clearscope is a content optimization tool that fine-tunes any content based on the ranking for specific keywords.
Price: Starts at $170/month
Features:
- Analyzes top-ranking pages
- Provides keyword suggestions
- Optimize content for SEO purposes.
- Has a feature called “Content Grade” to show how well your content aligns with search intent.
Pros:
- Real-time content optimization based on competitive data.
- Easy-to-understand scoring system to guide content improvements.
- Comprehensive keyword suggestions for each piece of content.
- Simple interface for users of all levels.
Cons:
- Expensive for individual users or small businesses.
- Focuses mainly on content and lacks broader SEO features.
Alternatives:
- SurferSEO
- Frase.io
- Yoast SEO
Best YouTube SEO tool: TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is the ultimate SEO tool for YouTubers, offering features like keyword research, video optimization, and analytics.
Price:
- Free basic plan
- Pro plan starts at $9/month
Features:
- Integrates directly into YouTube.
- Provides insights to optimize your titles, tags, descriptions, and more.
- Offers a browser extension for users to optimize their video content within YouTube’s interface.
Pros:
- Quite an affordable price with a free plan available.
- Provides video SEO insights directly inside YouTube.
- Excellent keyword research and tag suggestions.
- Helps track video performance and optimization.
Cons:
- Free version has limited features.
- Primarily focuses on YouTube, lacking broader SEO capabilities.
Alternatives:
- vidIQ
- Morningfame
- VidlQ Boost
Best Onpage SEO tool: Rank Math
Rank Math is a powerful WordPress plugin that offers robust on-page SEO features.
Price:
- Free version
- Pro plan starts at $59/year
Features:
- Analyze your posts and pages.
- Offers real-time feedback on how well-optimized your posts or pages are for specific keywords.
- Handles tasks like schema markup, meta tags, and XML sitemaps. This makes it an all-in-one solution for on-page SEO.
Pros:
- Feature-rich free version.
- Seamless WordPress integration.
- Provides real-time SEO suggestions while writing content.
- Affordable Pro version with advanced features.
Cons:
- Available only for WordPress users.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
Alternatives:
- Yoast SEO
- SEOPress
- All in One SEO Pack
Best SEO Tools for Content Research: BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is designed for content research and discovery, helping you find trending topics and analyze how well specific content is performing.
Price: Starts at $99/month
Features:
- Offers analysis of article reach and content focus of influencers and investigates the news.
- Conducts competition analysis to assess how well your rivals’ content performs.
Pros:
- Perfect for finding out what’s hot or going viral right now.
- Monitors social media clicks and interactions.
- Discovers important people related to your niche.
- Straightforward, easy-to-use design.
Cons:
- Limited capabilities when it comes to SEO tools other than content research.
- Not suitable for novices considering its pricing.
Alternatives:
- AnswerThePublic
- Ubersuggest
- SEMrush Content Analyzer
Best SEO tools for beginners
These tools come in handy when it comes to performing SEO for the very first time. There are user-friendly SEO tools designed for beginners that allow smooth operations without compromising on the essential SEO functions. Below are some of the best SEO tools that are a great starting point for beginners who are venturing into SEO.
- Google keyword planner for keyword research.
- Answer the public for content optimization.
- Google Search Console for site monitoring.
- Google Analytics for site audit.
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider for site audit.
But as mentioned earlier, Search Console, Analytics, and Screaming Frog SEO Spider have user-friendly interfaces, so they are widely used both by beginners and industry veterans.
Google SEO tools
Google also offers its own set of SEO tools for webmasters to optimize their sites according to the Google search engine. These SEO tools are very reliable. They are :
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics
- Google Keyword Planner
- Google PageSpeed Insights
What is the best when it comes to SEO?
It is obvious that the best SEO tools can impressively improve a website’s performance within a significant amount of time. This task requires a lot of effort, especially when various tools are employed, much data analyzed, and SEO trends followed. It is not surprising that the non-professionals cannot manage it on their own without external assistance. This is where digital marketing agencies like Bleap Digital become relevant.
Bleap Digital offers comprehensive SEO services for search engine optimization to suit each client’s business needs. SEO needs a blend of advanced tools, strategies, and experience to deliver better results than relying solely on DIY tools.
So why settle with just one tool when you can have the option to utilize them all effectively? You should choose a reliable partner to establish the strongest online presence ever.