Free YouTube Keyword Research Tools: Boost Your Views!

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Free YouTube Keyword Research Tools: Boost Your Views!

Alright guys, let's dive into the exciting world of YouTube keyword research! If you're trying to grow your channel and get more views, understanding what people are searching for is absolutely crucial. And guess what? You don't always need to break the bank to do it. There are some fantastic free tools out there that can seriously up your YouTube game. Let's explore some of the best options and how to use them to find those golden keywords.

Why Keyword Research Matters for YouTube

Before we jump into the tools, let's quickly cover why keyword research is so important for YouTube. Think of it this way: YouTube is essentially a search engine, just like Google, but specifically for videos. People go there to find answers, entertainment, and solutions to their problems. If you want your videos to show up when people search for these things, you need to optimize them with the right keywords.

Keywords are the terms people use when searching for videos. When you use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags, you're telling YouTube's algorithm what your video is about. This helps YouTube understand who to show your video to. Without proper keyword research, your videos might get lost in the vast sea of content, no matter how amazing they are. So, putting in the effort to find the right keywords is an investment in the visibility and success of your channel. By understanding the language your target audience uses, you bridge the gap between your content and their needs, ensuring that your videos reach the people who are most likely to watch and engage with them.

Good keyword research helps you understand:

  • What your audience is searching for: What questions are they asking? What topics are they interested in?
  • The competition: How many other videos are targeting the same keywords? Are you going after keywords that are too competitive?
  • New content ideas: Keyword research can spark new ideas for videos you might not have thought of otherwise.

Basically, keyword research is your roadmap to YouTube success. It guides your content creation strategy and helps you get your videos in front of the right audience. So, let's get started with the tools!

Free Google Keyword Research Tools for YouTube

1. Google Keyword Planner

While primarily designed for Google Ads, the Google Keyword Planner can still be a valuable asset for YouTube keyword research. It's a free tool, but you'll need a Google account to use it. The Keyword Planner helps you discover new keywords related to your business, analyze their search volume, and estimate the cost of running ads for those keywords. Even if you're not planning on running ads, the search volume data can be super useful for understanding the popularity of different keywords related to your video topics.

How to Use It for YouTube:

  1. Sign in to Google Ads: Go to the Google Ads website and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one.
  2. Go to Keyword Planner: Once you're in Google Ads, click on the "Tools & Settings" icon in the top menu, then select "Keyword Planner."
  3. Discover New Keywords: Click on "Discover new keywords" and enter some general terms related to your video topic. For example, if you're making a video about "how to bake a cake," you might enter keywords like "cake recipe," "baking tips," or "easy cake."
  4. Filter by YouTube: Here's a crucial step for YouTube research. After you get your initial keyword suggestions, look for the "Refine keywords" option on the left-hand side. You may find categories to narrow your search. Look for options related to "brand" or "Non-brand". This helps you find keywords that are more specific and relevant to your needs.
  5. Analyze the Results: The Keyword Planner will show you a list of related keywords, along with their average monthly searches, competition level, and other metrics. Pay attention to the search volume, as this indicates how popular the keyword is. Also, consider the competition level. If a keyword has high search volume but also high competition, it might be harder to rank for it.
  6. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people use when searching for something very specific. For example, instead of "cake recipe," a long-tail keyword might be "easy chocolate cake recipe for beginners." Long-tail keywords usually have lower search volume but also lower competition, making them easier to rank for. Plus, they often attract a more targeted audience, which can lead to higher engagement.

By using the Google Keyword Planner strategically, you can uncover valuable insights into what people are searching for on YouTube and optimize your videos accordingly.

2. YouTube Autocomplete (YouTube Suggest)

Okay, this one's super simple but incredibly powerful. Have you ever noticed how YouTube suggests search terms as you start typing in the search bar? That's YouTube Autocomplete, also known as YouTube Suggest, and it's a goldmine of keyword ideas. YouTube Autocomplete is a feature that predicts search queries as you type in the search bar. It is a fantastic tool for understanding trending topics and the specific language your audience uses.

How to Use It:

  1. Start Typing: Go to YouTube and start typing in a general keyword related to your video topic. For example, if you're making a video about gaming, start typing "gaming."
  2. See the Suggestions: As you type, YouTube will display a list of suggested search terms. These are the actual phrases that people are searching for on YouTube.
  3. Gather Keyword Ideas: Take note of the suggestions that are most relevant to your video. These are potential keywords that you can use in your title, description, and tags.
  4. Try Different Variations: Experiment with different variations of your initial keyword to uncover even more suggestions. For example, try typing "gaming tips," "gaming setup," or "gaming for beginners."
  5. Use Modifiers: Add modifiers like "how to," "best," "review," or "tutorial" to see what kind of long-tail keywords people are searching for. For example, try typing "how to game," "best gaming mouse," or "gaming tutorial."

YouTube Autocomplete is great because it gives you real-time insights into what people are actively searching for on the platform. It's also a quick and easy way to generate a ton of keyword ideas. Plus, it's completely free!

3. Google Trends

Google Trends is another fantastic free tool from Google that can help you understand the popularity of different keywords and topics over time. It's not specifically designed for YouTube, but it can still provide valuable insights for your video strategy. Google Trends allows you to analyze the popularity of search terms over time, identify trending topics, and compare the relative popularity of different keywords. This information can help you create timely and relevant content that resonates with your audience.

How to Use It for YouTube:

  1. Go to Google Trends: Head over to the Google Trends website.
  2. Enter Your Keyword: Type in a keyword related to your video topic in the search bar.
  3. Filter by YouTube Search: This is important! By default, Google Trends shows data for web searches. To see data specifically for YouTube searches, click on the "Web Search" dropdown menu and select "YouTube Search."
  4. Analyze the Trend: Google Trends will show you a graph of the keyword's popularity over time. You can see if the keyword is trending upwards, downwards, or staying relatively stable. This can help you determine if the topic is still relevant and worth creating a video about.
  5. Explore Related Queries: Scroll down to the "Related queries" section to see a list of related keywords that people are also searching for. This can give you even more ideas for your video content.
  6. Compare Keywords: Use the "Compare" feature to compare the popularity of different keywords. This can help you decide which keywords to focus on in your videos.
  7. Identify Seasonal Trends: Google Trends can also help you identify seasonal trends. For example, if you're making videos about holiday recipes, you can use Google Trends to see when people start searching for those recipes.

By using Google Trends, you can stay on top of trending topics and create videos that are timely and relevant to your audience. This can help you attract more views and subscribers to your channel.

Other Free Keyword Research Tools

While the Google tools are super useful, there are other free options out there that can also help you with your YouTube keyword research.

1. TubeBuddy

TubeBuddy is a popular YouTube management tool that offers a free version with some handy keyword research features. While the paid version unlocks even more powerful tools, the free version can still be a great starting point. TubeBuddy provides tools for keyword research, video SEO, and channel management. The free version offers features like keyword explorer, tag suggestions, and basic analytics.

Key Features of the Free Version:

  • Keyword Explorer: Helps you find relevant keywords for your videos.
  • Tag Suggestions: Suggests tags to use in your video to improve its visibility.
  • SEO Score: Gives your videos an SEO score to help you optimize them.
  • Best Practice Audits: Audits your videos to ensure they follow YouTube's best practices.

To use TubeBuddy, you'll need to install their browser extension. Once installed, you'll see TubeBuddy's tools directly within YouTube, making it easy to research keywords and optimize your videos.

2. VidIQ

VidIQ is another excellent YouTube tool that offers a free version with keyword research capabilities. Similar to TubeBuddy, VidIQ provides a range of tools for video SEO, analytics, and competitor analysis. The free version offers features like keyword research, competitor analysis, and trending video alerts.

Key Features of the Free Version:

  • Keyword Research: Helps you find high-potential keywords for your videos.
  • Competitor Analysis: Allows you to see what keywords your competitors are using.
  • Trending Video Alerts: Alerts you to trending videos in your niche.
  • Channel Audit: Audits your channel to identify areas for improvement.

VidIQ also offers a browser extension that integrates directly with YouTube, giving you access to their tools while you browse the platform.

Tips for Using Keywords Effectively

Okay, so you've found some great keywords. Now what? Here are some tips for using them effectively in your videos:

  • Use Keywords Naturally: Don't stuff your titles and descriptions with keywords. Use them naturally in your writing so that it sounds like you're talking to a human, not a robot.
  • Focus on the Title: Your title is the first thing people see, so make sure it's engaging and includes your primary keyword.
  • Write a Detailed Description: Your video description is your chance to tell YouTube and your viewers what your video is all about. Use your keywords throughout the description, but also provide valuable information about your video.
  • Use Tags: Tags are keywords that you add to your video to help YouTube understand what it's about. Use a mix of broad and specific keywords in your tags.
  • Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and questions, and encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel. This helps build a community around your content and can improve your video's ranking.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research is an ongoing process. Don't just do it once and forget about it. Keep experimenting with different keywords and tracking your results to see what works best for your channel. And remember, the goal is to create valuable content that your audience loves. If you do that, the views and subscribers will follow!