SEO has been a buzzword in digital marketing for quite some time now. And unless you have been living under a rock, you know why you need SEO to rank high on search engine results pages and attract more organic (free) traffic to your website. But, maybe you think that to track all those complicated SEO strategies, you need to invest a lot of money? Think again!
There are many free SEO tools to choose from, making your task easier. Here’s a full suite of SEO tools you can use to boost your digital marketing strategy, without wasting much time or energy. Moreover, I have categorised them according to their features to make things simpler. So, let’s dig in.
Why You Don’t Need to Pay for SEO Tools
Paying for tools isn’t the only way to grow your traffic. Many small businesses, bloggers, and early-stage marketers use free SEO tools to build fundamental, working strategies with no credit card needed.
Let’s start with the basics. Google Search Console shows you exactly how your site performs in search. You’ll see the keywords people use to find your pages, how often they click, and which URLs are getting ignored. Combine that with Google Analytics, and you’ve already got enough insights on your traffic.
If you need keyword ideas, Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic both give you real keyword data, search intent, and content ideas based on what people actually search for.
Trying to clean up technical issues? The free version of Screaming Frog lets you audit up to 500 pages, flag broken links, and fix duplicate titles, all without needing a developer.
And when you’re ready to build links, tools like Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker and Moz Link Explorer help you reverse-engineer where your competitors are getting mentioned.
Yes, paid tools offer more features. But if you know what you’re looking for, the free best SEO tools above and below can do the bulk of the job, especially when you’re just getting started.
Top Free SEO Keyword Tools
Keywords hold a lot of importance in the world of SEO. And so, it becomes important to target the right keywords at the right time. Here are some free keyword research tools to help with this task.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google’s own keyword tool, the Keyword Planner, is ideally built for Google Ads. But that does not mean that it works any less for keyword research. It uses Google’s data for SEO related information and also has a country-wise filter option available. It does have a few limitations, especially with metrics like competition and volume, but it serves as a great keyword tool in finding ideas that other traditional tools might overlook.
2. Answer The Public
As the name suggests, Answer The Public is a tool that provides valuable data regarding the questions people ask online. You just need to enter a keyword, and the tool with pull up questions and phrases people use while searching about the keyword. So, if you are looking to generate a list of questions from a keyword, this is the tool for you.
Similar Options: Keywordtool.io,Keyword Sheeter
3. Keyword Explorer
Moz’s Keyword Explorer is one of the best SEO tools that not only gives you thousands of keyword suggestions, but also keyword difficulty score, SERP analysis, and Click-Through-Rate (CTR) data. The free version of this tool allows 10 queries per month, which means you can get up to 1,000 keyword suggestions with SERP analysis.
4. Google Trends
This keyword tool won’t actually help you find new keywords, but it will help you understand their popularity over time. As the name suggests, it’s about trending keywords and knowing when they were popular. This tool is important for capitalising on trending topics and avoiding investing time and money in keywords that are already waning.
5. Keyworddit
Keyworditt is similar to Google Keyword Planner, but for Reddit. It will extract the information, like a list of keywords and monthly search volumes, when you enter any subreddit. The best thing about using this keyword tool is that it offers a list of topics that your audience is interested in, but you may not have considered until now.
Best Free On-Page SEO Tools
Just keywords won’t do all the magic. You also need to implement them well in your on-page SEO along with other SEO strategies. Here is a list of on-page and free SEO tools to optimise your webpages to rank higher on search engines.
1. Yoast SEO
This is the best SEO plugin tool available for WordPress websites. It helps with both on-page and technical SEO. Some of the things Yoast SEO will take care of are:
- Adding titles, OG tags, meta tags, and meta descriptions for posts and webpages
- Redirecting URLs
- Adding data markup for snippets
- Finding and fixing the error pages on your website
Similar Options: All in One SEO Pack, Rank Math, The SEO Framework
2. Rich Result Test
Google’s Rich Result Test is an ideal tool for checking if your markup is valid and getting a pass. It, of course, doesn’t mean that your page will be higher on the SERPs, but it will improve the chances.
3. Schema Markup Generator
Just bookmark this page. Merkle’s Schema Markup Generator will create a structured data markup for your page. Just select the type of markup you want to generate, such as FAQ, product, or local business, and then fill in the available form. And finally, copy and paste the markup generated on your site. Tada! You are done.
4. SERPSim
This SEO tool will show you how the webpage will look on Google’s search results page. You just need to enter the page title, URL, and meta description of your proposed page. SERSim is also helpful in determining if your meta description and page title are too long for search engines to display. This way, you can fix them ahead of time.
Similar Options: Portent’s SERP Preview Tool
5. Structured Data Testing Tool
Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool is yet another option for checking and troubleshooting your structured data format. Moreover, this tool also comes in handy while performing analysis on your competitor’s structured data.
Free SEO Analytics Tools to Track Performance
Keeping an eye on how your SEO strategy is performing is essential in content marketing. These free analytics tools will help you monitor and analyse your performance on the search engine as well as your competitors.
1. Google Analytics
This tool is literally the most widely used analytics tool on the planet. And why not – it’s free and handy when used with other Google products like Search Console, Optimize, Data Studio, etc. Google Analytics gives you a complete range of data to improve your marketing strategies.
Similar Options: Clicky, Open Web Analytics, Bing Webmaster, Yandex.Webmaster
2. Google Data Studio
This tool lets you create a dashboard for all your SEO tasks. So, if you’re looking for a free SEO tool to merge data from different sources, such as Google Analytics and Search Console, to merge and share it, then Google Data Studio is your best bet.
3. Google’s Search Console
Previously known as Google Webmaster Tool, this tool comes in handy for monitoring and troubleshooting the website’s appearance on the search engine page. You can use this tool to fix technical errors, check structured issues, submit sitemaps, etc. In short, Google’s Search Console is probably the most reliable location for gaining information on how Google will crawl and rank your website.
4. Mozcast
Mozcast is your go-to tracker whenever Google drops a big update bomb. This tool tracks all big and small changes to Google’s algorithm. Along with keeping you updated with the latest algorithm changes, this tool is also helpful in monitoring features of SERP like knowledge panels and ads.
Similar Options: Algoroo, Rank Risk Index, Ayima Pulse
5. Keyword Hero
This tool solves the problem of missing keyword data by combining advanced mathematics with machine learning. Although not a perfect tool, Keyword Hero is a lifesaver for those who struggle to match keywords with conversions. Moreover, you can get around 2000 sessions per month on the free account.
Free Link Building Tools to Boost Your SEO
Backlinking is a crucial aspect of achieving high SEO rankings. These are a few free link-building tools that will help you find, evaluate, and optimise the backlinking opportunities.
1. Link Explorer
This tool is ideally the largest and accurate link index and backlink checker. The tool boasts around 35 trillion links in the SEO world. When you opt for the free account, you can access 10 queries and around 50 rows of data for each query monthly. Plus, it also adds the basic link metrics like the domain authority of the link for further data analysis.
2. Link Miner
This tool is an extension that helps in checking if any URL has broken links. Along with this, Link Miner also helps check the basic metrics of links, including social and search data.
3. Disavow Tool
This tool is more of a ‘getting rid of toxic backlinks’ than ‘creating a new opportunity’. The Disavow Tool will help you disown links to fight off negative SEO and penalties. So, bookmark this tool and keep it for safe use in the future.
4. Backlink Checker
Ahrefs’ Backlink Checker is a pretty useful tool for knowing about all the data about a particular link. It gives information regarding the URL and domain rating, the number of backlinks, domain position, and Ahrefs Rank. Although your search will be limited to 100 links, it’s a handy option for those on a tight budget.
5. Detailed
This tool will help you check and detect the links that drive the most traffic and rankings in each category. Detailed is a unique tool that focuses on the factors that drive the links to a particular niche. Use this tool to reverse engineer the process and get backlinks to your website, too.
Online Free SEO Tools for Crawling and Indexing
An indexed website that is easy to crawl is what a search engine looks for. These free crawling and indexing tools will help you ensure that your website is optimized for search engines.
1. Beam Us Up
If you’re looking for a free desktop crawler tool, Beam Us Up is for you. It does not have as many features as others, but some like ‘filtering by error type’ and ‘export result’ options make up for it. Plus, it is absolutely free.
2. Redirect Path
This tool helps show the redirecting path and header information for all URLs. It can easily flag 301, 302, 404, and 500 status codes. You can get all this data with just a click of a button. What’s more? You can copy all the data to your clipboard for sharing or future technical audits.
3. Link Redirect Trace
It is a free Chrome extension that serves the needs of all redirect path analysers. It provides information about headers, robots.txt, rel-canonicals, and other basic link metrics. The Link Redirect Trace ideally helps you to make sure that all the links are actually directing crawlers as well as people to the link you want them to go.
4. Screaming Frog
Being the most popular desktop crawler available, Screaming Frog does not disappoint with its free account. It allows up to 500 URLs to be crawled, which makes it great, especially if you have a small website. It provides details such as HTTP header errors, crawl mistakes, JavaScript rendering issues, duplicate content, excess HTML, and more.
5. SEOlyzer
This is a log analysis tool with amazing features like page categorization and real-time analysis. This tool helps in checking and confirming the URLs that are crawled, as well as studying the data from search engine bots.
Other Must-Have Free SEO Tools
Apart from the categories mentioned above, there are some practical SEO tools worth considering before deciding on the ones best suited for your website and brand.
1. Google PageSpeed Insights
Your website’s speed is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to SEO. It not only affects your page ranking but also user experience. You can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your PageSpeed score and ways to improve it. The tool also offers suggestions to fine-tune the website and its performance.
2. SEMrush
This tool can tackle technical matters related to your SEO. SEMrush is like a single tool for many purposes. You can do everything with it, right from keyword research to crawling webpages, domain analytics, and technical auditing of your website. In short, you can literally manage the entire project with the free version of this tool.
3. Google My Business
If you own a business with a physical store or office, Google My Business is a necessity, especially if you have a local customer base. This tool will help you to appear in local SERPs when someone searches for something related to your business. But just creating a GMB profile isn’t enough; you also need to optimise it for better rankings.
Also Read: Frequently Asked Questions About Google My Business Posts
4. HARO
This tool again helps in building authoritative backlinks from blogs and publications. It actually works as a community. Once you sign in, you will start receiving emails from reporters all around the globe looking for sources to elaborate on their stories. And this is your chance to build high-quality backlinks quickly.
5. SimilarWeb
Though this tool is not for your SEO, it can help you spy on your competitors’ strategies. SimilarWeb is ideally a competitor research and analysis tool. By checking their SEO and content strategies, you can explore new opportunities in the market or understand user behavior. Using this data, you can frame your SEO and marketing strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free SEO tools online for beginners?
Stick to tools that cover the fundamentals. Google Search Console for performance tracking, Ubersuggest for keyword research, and Screaming Frog (free version) for technical audits. You’ll learn a lot just by using them weekly.
Can I build a full SEO strategy using only free SEO tools?
Yes. It takes more effort and time, but it’s possible. Many content marketers use online free SEO tools to track rankings, optimize blogs, fix site issues, and build links. You’ll just need to combine tools smartly.
Which free SEO tools help with link building?
Start with Ahrefs Backlink Checker and Moz Link Explorer. They help you see where your competitors get backlinks. From there, you can build a list of outreach targets or create better content to earn similar mentions.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Free SEO Tools Online
I hope this list of SEO tools will help your workflow (without making a dent in your pocket). I have curated this list specifically for SMEs or beginners who are dealing with SEO strategies. There is no end to the list of amazing tools and plugins in the industry. But I have tried my best to summarize all the tools that cover your SEO needs. However, if I have missed your favourite SEO tool, let me know by leaving a comment below.
