A few years ago, I launched a small blog about homemade fitness routines. I poured in hours writing solid content, but barely anyone showed up. One day, I searched “home workouts for small spaces” on Google and found an article ranking at the top—with tips I had written months earlier. Only difference? They had used the exact phrase people were searching for. I hadn’t. That was my wake-up call.
If no one’s searching for what you’re writing about, you’re basically whispering into a void.
What Is Keyword Research, Really?
It’s not about stuffing your blog with random popular words. Keyword research is figuring out how real people search—what phrases they type, what questions they ask, and how often they do it. The goal? Write content that answers what they’re already looking for.
And the best part? You can do it without spending a rupee.
Free Keyword Research Tools That Actually Work
1. Google Search (Yes, Seriously)
Start typing your topic in Google. Pay attention to:
- Autocomplete suggestions as you type.
- “People also ask” questions mid-page.
- Searches related to… at the bottom.
These are all keywords people are already searching.
Example: Type “best yoga mat for” and see what Google fills in—like “bad knees” or “hot yoga.” Those are gold.
2. Google Trends
Visit trends.google.com and type in a topic. You’ll see:
- Interest over time (Is it rising or fading?)
- Regional popularity
- Related queries (often with rising searches)
Perfect to spot new opportunities or seasonal trends.
Plug in a keyword and get a visual map of questions people are asking:
- “What is the best time to exercise?”
- “Why is yoga good for flexibility?”
Limited free searches per day, so use it wisely. Focus on long-tail keywords (more specific, less competition).
4. Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)
Install it, search anything on Google, and it shows:
- Search volume right on the results page
- Related keywords and their volume
- Estimated traffic of top pages
Super handy when you’re browsing casually and want quick insights.
5. Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel)
The free version gives:
- Search volume
- SEO difficulty
- Related keyword ideas
- Content ideas
You’ll need to sign in to unlock daily limits, but it’s a powerful starting point.
How to Choose the Right Keywords
Focus on Intent, Not Just Volume
Don’t blindly chase high-volume keywords. Ask:
- Is this keyword relevant to what I offer?
- What’s the intent—informational, transactional, or navigational?
- Can I realistically compete for it?
Better to rank for “how to meal prep for one person” than to get buried under “meal prep”.
Look for Gaps
Search your keyword and read the top 5 articles. What’s missing?
- Can you add clarity?
- More recent data?
- A personal perspective?
Then write the content you wish had existed when you searched.
Build Your Keyword List
Keep it simple:
| Keyword | Volume | Intent | Difficulty |
| best yoga mat for beginners | 8,100 | Commercial | Medium |
| how to start yoga at home | 4,400 | Informational | Low |
| yoga poses for back pain | 6,600 | Informational | Medium |
Use Google Sheets or Notion. Organize by topic cluster. Add notes. Update as you learn.
Final Tip: Search Like a Human
You’re not gaming the system. You’re trying to understand what your readers really care about.
So search like them. Listen to the questions they ask. Then create content that actually helps.
That’s the kind of SEO that works—and feels good doing.
