How to Do Keyword Research for Free Using Google Trends and Ubersuggest

 

 

 

The Complete 2025 Guide for Beginners Who Want to Blog Smarter

Stop Writing in the Dark

Every new blogger begins with enthusiasm. You pour your energy into creating helpful posts, polish every sentence, hit publish, and wait for the traffic to roll in. But days later, there’s silence. No clicks. No comments. Just you, refreshing Analytics, wondering why isn’t anyone finding my content?

It’s not because your ideas are bad. It’s because the internet didn’t know you were answering a question people actually asked. That’s where keyword research steps in.

Keyword research is the art and science of understanding what your audience is typing into Google so you can create content that solves real problems, ranks higher, and earns more. You don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars for fancy SEO tools. With just Google Trends and Ubersuggest, you can uncover profitable keywords, predict trends, and plan a content strategy that attracts readers and advertisers alike.

Understand What a Keyword Really Represents

A keyword isn’t just a string of words. It’s a reflection of someone’s intent, desire, or pain point. When someone searches how to make passive income as a teacher, they’re not just curious, they’re probably tired of financial stress and looking for hope.

That emotional context matters. The deeper you understand the intent behind keywords, the more you’ll connect with your audience.

The 3 Types of Keywords

1. Short-tail keywords:

• 1–2 words e.g., blogging, fitness, money
•  High search volume but very competitive.

2. Long-tail keywords:

• 3–5+ words e.g., how to start a blog in Ghana
•  Lower competition but highly targeted.

3. LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords:

•  Related phrases that help Google understand your topic.
•   Example: for AI tools, LSI terms could be machine learning apps, content automation, or AI writing assistants.

For beginners, long-tail keywords are the goldmine. They’re easier to rank for, and readers searching for them usually have strong intent — meaning they’re more likely to click, subscribe, or buy.

Use Google Trends to Discover What People Care About Now

Google Trends is one of the simplest yet most powerful SEO tools — because it taps directly into what millions of people are searching every day.

How It Works

Google Trends analyzes global search data and shows:

• How interest in a topic rises or falls over time
• Which regions search for it most
• Related queries that are gaining momentum

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Google Trends 

2. Type in a topic like personal finance or AI tools.

3. Adjust settings:

•    Country: Choose your target region e.g., Ghana, USA.
•    Time Range: Start with Past 12 months, then try Past 5 years.
•    Category: Select one that matches your niche.

4. Analyze the chart:

•    Upward slope: The topic is growing — good sign.
•    Downward slope: Declining interest — avoid.
•    Seasonal spikes: Plan posts ahead of peak times.

 

Courtesy: Rank Math

Real Example:

Search for AI content writing tools.

You’ll see a steady rise since 2023 — meaning the world is becoming more interested in AI-assisted writing.

In Related queries, you might find:

• Best AI writing software 2025
• Free AI blog generator
• ChatGPT alternatives for bloggers

Each of these could become its own profitable blog post.

Use the Compare feature. Example, Compare AI tools for writing vs. AI tools for business. If one shows a faster upward trend, that’s your winner.

 

Validate Your Ideas Using Ubersuggest

Once you’ve spotted a promising keyword on Google Trends, your next step is to see if it’s actually worth targeting. That’s where Ubersuggest shines. Created by digital marketing expert Neil Patel, Ubersuggest is a freemium tool that helps you see exactly what people search, how hard it is to rank, and what competitors are doing — all in a beginner-friendly dashboard.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Ubersuggest.

2. Type in your keyword idea (e.g., side hustles for teachers.

3. Set your country to get region-specific results.

4. Review the data:

• Search Volume: Monthly searches — higher means more potential readers.
•  SEO Difficulty (SD): How hard it is to rank organically. A score below 40 is great for beginners.
•  Paid Difficulty (PD): Competition for paid ads (useful for monetization ideas).
•   CPC (Cost Per Click): What advertisers pay per click. High CPC = lucrative niche.

Courtesy: Mariah Magazine

Example Analysis

Keyword: AI blog writing tools

• Search Volume: 8,100/month
• SEO Difficulty: 28 (easy-medium)
• CPC: $2.30

High interest, low competition, solid earnings potential — a perfect beginner keyword.

Scroll further down to find Keyword Ideas.

These are long-tail variations you can target in your blog posts, such as:

• Best AI writing tools for bloggers
• Free AI tools for students
• AI blog generator for beginners

Each of these can be a standalone post or subheading in a pillar article.

 

Combine Data from Both Tools

Google Trends shows what’s hot.

Ubersuggest shows how achievable that keyword is.

When you use both, you uncover keywords that are:

• Rising in popularity
• Not too competitive
• Aligned with audience intent

That’s the sweet spot for new bloggers.

Example Workflow:

1. Google Trends: You find budgeting for students is trending upward.

2. Ubersuggest: You check it — 6,600 searches/month, SEO difficulty 31.

3. Perfect keyword for a new finance blog.

4. You write posts like:

•    How to Budget as a University Student
•    Free Budgeting Apps for Students in 2025

Now you’re not guessing, you’re building based on data and empathy.

 

Master Long-Tail Keyword Strategy

Most beginners waste time trying to rank for huge keywords like fitness, money, or travel. But the truth? Those are dominated by giant sites.

Long-tail keywords are where you can win. These are detailed, specific phrases that show stronger intent — the searcher is closer to action.

Example:

• Short-tail: make money online (too broad)
• Long-tail: ways to make money online as a teacher in Ghana (specific, low competition, high intent)

Ubersuggest’s keyword suggestions and Google Trends’ Related Queries are perfect for discovering these.

Why Long-Tail Works:

• Easier to rank for
• Attracts your ideal readers
• Builds your authority faster
• Converts better (visitors are more serious)

Identify Search Intent Before Writing

Every keyword hides a motive your content must match it.

The 3 Intents

1. Informational: The reader wants to learn e.g., how to use Ubersuggest.

2. Navigational: They’re looking for a specific site e.g., Google Trends login.

3. Transactional: They’re ready to compare or buy e.g., best AI writing tools for 2025.

If your post doesn’t satisfy the right intent, it won’t rank even with perfect keywords. For blogs aiming at AdSense and affiliate income, focus on informational and transactional intent. Those bring both trust and monetization.

Build Keyword Clusters (the Secret to Authority)

Instead of writing random topics, build clusters a group of interlinked posts around one main idea.

Example Cluster:

Main topic: AI Blogging Tools

Subtopics:

•   How to Use ChatGPT for Blog Writing
•   Best Free AI Tools for Bloggers
•   Can AI Replace Human Writers?

When all these posts link to each other, Google sees your blog as a trusted authority in that niche.

Readers stay longer on your site increasing your engagement metrics and AdSense value.

 

Track Results and Improve Consistently

Keyword research is not a one-time task, it’s a cycle.

After publishing, use Google Search Console to see:

• What keywords your posts actually rank for
• Which pages get the most impressions and clicks
• Where your position improves or drops

 

Then, every 3–6 months:

• Update your articles with fresh data
• Add FAQs and internal links
• Strengthen meta titles and images

SEO isn’t magic. It’s consistency plus refinement.

Focus on People, Not Just Algorithms

Many bloggers fall into the trap of keyword stuffing — cramming phrases until the article feels robotic.

But the most successful bloggers write for humans first.

Behind every keyword is a story someone searching for clarity, direction, or relief. Write as if you’re sitting beside them, explaining in plain language.

Use your experiences, your empathy, your tone. That human warmth is what builds loyalty and authenticity outranks automation.

Turn Curiosity Into Strategy

Keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about being curious, paying attention, and using the right free tools intelligently.

With Google Trends and Ubersuggest, you can:

• Discover real-time trends
• Validate search potential
• Uncover profitable long-tail opportunities
• Plan content strategically
• Grow traffic without spending a cent

So, start today. Open Google Trends, explore your niche, and let data guide your creativity. You don’t need luck to go viral, you just need strategy, empathy, and consistency.