YouTube SEO tools help creators find topics, evaluate search interest, and check video performance. However, tools cannot guarantee views or rankings, and third-party search figures are not always derived from official YouTube raw data. Combine YouTube Studio Analytics, autocomplete, Google Trends, and additional trusted research tools as needed.
This article maintains a list of 12 tools, all eight images, video tutorials, and historical promotional links. Third-party features and packages are subject to change, so only services confirmed by official sources are listed as available in 2026; others should be double-checked before use.
Recommended free YouTube SEO tools for keyword research on YouTube. Especially for those of you who are developing a new channel. This is important to know, because keyword research is one of the things you need to do before creating a new video on YouTube, or when you want to optimize your existing videos.
Whether you’re an experienced YouTuber or a beginner, you can use this YouTube SEO tool. Of course, you can also use the free version to conduct keyword research on YouTube. Or, if you really need a paid version, try one of the ones recommended here.
You can use just one or several of the YouTube SEO tools below. Not all of them have the same features. Some even complement each other. So, it’s a good idea to use several of these free YouTube keyword research tools at once. Using several at once will certainly maximize your results.
Okay, let’s discuss them one by one on bloggerpi.com! Some of the tools below are frequently used by bloggerpi for keyword research purposes on the bloggerpi YouTube channel at bloggerpi.com/youtube here, and also the main travel-themed channel at Youtube.com/catperku. You can subscribe to both channels.
1. Keyword.io, Great for Long-Term Keyword Research
Keyword.io is an example of a third-party research tool from a historical list. Before relying on its scores or results in 2026, make sure the service and access policies are still in effect; not all numbers represent official YouTube data. Start with YouTube keyword research and video SEO optimization based on audience needs.
For those who don’t know, keyword.io is a YouTube SEO tool suitable for long-tail keyword research. It’s important to note that competing on these long-tail keywords is usually easier. For those who… Beginner YouTuber whose channel is still new, of course it will be easier to compete on long tail keywords or long tail keywords.
Using keyword.io is really easy. Simply enter one or two primary keywords, and keyword.io will generate a list of keywords. For example, in this example, I entered the primary keyword “touring.” Here, keyword.io will generate a list of ideas. long keywords or long tail keywords.
After that, simply select the keywords you want to use. The next step is to examine each of your chosen keywords individually. See which keywords have high search volume but low competition. To do this, you can use another YouTube SEO tool, which will be discussed below.
2. Keywords Everywhere, used to be free and powerful, but now if you want flexibility you have to pay.
Keywords Everywhere has a feature model that can change depending on the subscription. Don’t call it completely free without checking the latest package details. The extension’s concept needs to be aligned with the user experience. beginner YouTuber strategies and results YouTube Studio which actually comes from its own channel.
Previously, Keywords Everywhere was the best free YouTube SEO tool for keyword research on both YouTube and blogs. The data obtained from Keywords Everywhere was very comprehensive. In addition to search volume data, it also provided detailed CPC (Cost Per Click) and competition data for each keyword.
However, to get such comprehensive data, you now need to use the paid version of Keywords Everywhere. According to bloggerpi, one of Keywords Everywhere’s advantages is its payment system. “pay as you go”So, it’s useful for those of you who don’t search for keywords very often. It’s also quite suitable for beginner YouTubers, as they’re usually just starting to make videos.
The cheapest price for Keywords Everywhere is USD 10. At that price, you can use it to search for up to 100,000 keywords. That seems like quite a lot, right? One hundred thousand keywords can create hundreds of videos. It’s not too expensive, right? To use Keywords Everywhere, you just need to install a plugin/extension that integrates with browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox.
3. TubeBuddy, a very powerful YouTube SEO tool
TubeBuddy still publishes the official Keyword Explorer page as of 2026. The research feature helps find topic ideas and competition, but third-party scores are not a factor in the ranking algorithm. Compare this to YouTube Analytics as well as channel settings so that suggestions do not deviate from the original channel data.
If you really want to focus solely on video content on YouTube, you can use this YouTube SEO tool. It’s called TubeBuddy, a very useful tool for developing your YouTube channel. TubeBuddy isn’t just useful for keyword research.
It can also be used to optimize your YouTube channel in other areas. TubeBuddy also has a rank tracker feature, which you can use to track your videos’ rankings in YouTube search results.
For example, one of my favorite TubeBuddy features is… tag suggestion, or recommended tags to use for your videos. So you no longer have to worry about which tags are appropriate for your latest video.
What’s even more exciting is that this TubeBuddy feature is seamlessly integrated into your YouTube channel. Youtube StudioAll the features are seamlessly integrated into YouTube Studio and ready to use.
So there’s no need to open another website just to… optimize your YouTube channelTo use it, simply install the TubeBuddy Google Chrome extension.
Available TubeBuddy paid version with more complete features and no limitations hereHowever, for beginner YouTubers, you can also use the free version of TubeBuddy first. I also used the free version to develop my bloggerpi.com channel.
4. Ubersuggest, can be used for Youtube and Blog at the same time!
Ubersuggest can be useful for web research, but Google Search numbers don’t automatically equate to YouTube viewer behavior. Test the relevance of ideas through strategy to increase organic views and evaluation subscriber growth more comprehensively.
![Cara Riset Kata Kunci Youtube Agar Video Banyak Yang Nonton Dengan Ubersuggest! [ Tutorial Youtube ]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jd3V04TJ1pQ/0.jpg)
The combination of blog content and YouTube can generate a lot of organic traffic. That’s why I like embedding videos in blog posts. The reason is, besides getting blog traffic from Google Search, my YouTube videos can also get a lot of views. One of the free YouTube SEO tools I use for keyword research on YouTube and my blog is UberSuggest.
This tool is free and can be used by anyone. You can even use it without registering. However, if you don’t register, there’s a limit to the number of searches you can do. To get a larger keyword research quota and use UberSuggest’s more comprehensive features, it’s best to register.
You only need a Google account to register here. The registration process is quite easy, and doesn’t require much data entry. To learn how to use UberSuggest for keyword research, you can see the YouTube video above.
5. KeywordTool.io, Best for Finding Keyword Ideas
KeywordTool.io is another research service with different options depending on the package. Determine keywords that address real-world problems, then create a playlist and end screen when relevant so viewers have follow-up content.
KeywordTool.io is a very useful YouTube SEO tool for finding keyword ideas for your videos. The data displayed by KeywordTool.io is actually data from YouTube’s autosuggest. However, KeywordTool.io has made it more organized.
The free version of KeywordTool.io only allows you to see a list of keyword ideas you can use. However, you can’t see search volume data, keyword trends over the past 12 months, CPC, and competition for each keyword.
If you want to see all of this data, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version. However, for initial keyword ideas, the free version is more than sufficient.
You can use KeywordTool.io for both short-tail and long-tail keyword research. I typically use this when I want to gather as many keyword ideas as possible, which I can then process with other tools.
6. Google Trends, a Free YouTube SEO Tool from Google to See Trending Searches
Google Trends can help you compare topics by region and time period, including the search types available in the dropdown. If you’re using Google Keyword Planner for advertising, differentiate between Search and YouTube volumes. Use search intent to avoid trends that aren’t relevant to your audience.
I usually use Google Trends to see if a YouTube trend is rising or falling. If a topic is trending or starting to rise on YouTube, it’s a good idea to make a video about it. However, if the trend for a topic is declining, it’s better to create a video about a different topic.
Yes, Google Trends is a free YouTube SEO tool that’s very useful for identifying and determining when to create a video on a specific topic. It’s certainly a good idea to create a video on a topic that’s currently popular. This way, you won’t waste time creating a video on a topic that isn’t widely searched for.
Of course, Google Trends doesn’t just provide data on currently popular topics. You can also find out the ups and downs of a keyword’s trend. For example, I used the keyword “Touring.” The screenshot shows the ups and downs of the keyword.
You can use this data to decide whether to create a video or not. Google Trends can display data from the last few hours to the last few years. So, this is a suitable tool for keyword research on YouTube.
7. Rapidtags.io, Automatically Create Tags on YouTube
Rapidtags was once popular as a tag generator. Its availability, quality of results, and features in 2026 need to be verified directly; Don’t copy automatic tags to all videos. Plan your content titles and angles using content planner, prioritizing problem-solving.
Rapidtags.io is a very useful YouTube SEO tool. Rapidtags.io automatically generates tags relevant to your YouTube video content.
You already know that YouTube tags are one of the factors that can help your video content rank well in YouTube search results.
In fact, setting tags correctly is one way to increase your YouTube channel’s viewership. Using Rapidtags.io is easy.
You simply enter the main keyword for your YouTube video, or you can even enter the title of your latest video in the location shown in the screenshot above.
After that, Rapidtags.io will automatically generate tags using its tag generator feature. After that, all you have to do is use the tags in your latest YouTube videos. It’s that easy, right? By using the right tags, your potential for getting more views on YouTube will increase.
8. VidIQ, an Alternative to Using TubeBuddy
vidIQ still provides keyword research in 2026 and documents its research workflow on its official website. Third-party search volume and competition figures are indicators, not guarantees of ranking. Also, consider the different needs of digital creators by format and niche.
VidIQ is a YouTube SEO tool that functions somewhat similarly to TubeBuddy. You can find search data, keyword competition, and many other features related to YouTube SEO using VidIQ.
So, you could say this is another option you should try besides TubeBuddy, as its features are very similar to TubeBuddy’s.
9. YouTube Search Box, The Easiest Free YouTube SEO Tool for Beginners
YouTube autocomplete is a simple source of search query ideas, but the results can be personalized. Test keywords on appropriate profiles and devices, then understand the video upload process and how to prepare an honest title.
Without using any YouTube SEO tools, you can actually find keyword ideas for your latest videos on your YouTube channel. You can use the YouTube search box to find these keyword ideas.
For example, when I type “touring,” YouTube will recommend many other derivative keywords, as shown in the screenshot above.
So you can choose one of the many keyword ideas recommended by YouTube. However, the downside is that you can’t see search volume data, CPC, and other important data related to YouTube SEO.
You can use a Google Chrome extension like Keywords Everywhere for more comprehensive data results if you use the YouTube search box feature.
10. Google Ads Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is primarily designed for Google Ads; don’t treat the Competition metric as a YouTube difficulty ranking. Note the definition of impression when comparing advertising tools with YouTube Analytics.
Google Ads Keyword Planner is another useful tool from Google for keyword research. It provides a list of keywords relevant to your chosen topic, complete with data on search volume and competition levels. With this information, you can choose the keywords with the highest potential to use in your YouTube content, making it easier for your videos to be discovered by the right audience.
11. Rival IQ
Rival IQ focuses on competitor evaluation and social media benchmarking based on vendor features. Don’t take competitor traffic estimates as internal data. Use CTR along with retention and traffic sources as your own channel metrics.
Rival IQ is a tool that allows you to analyze competitors on YouTube. With this tool, you can gain insights into competitor growth, the tags they use, and how they succeed in their SEO strategies. This is an effective way to identify opportunities and strategies you can use to compete and even outperform competitors on the YouTube platform.
12. Rank Tracker
The term “Rank Tracker” can refer to more than one product. Before installing the software, ensure the vendor name, access policy, privacy policy, and version are correct. Avoid tools that ask for YouTube account passwords outside of the official login mechanism. Unauthorized applications are not recommended solely for gaining popular tags.
Rank Tracker is a very useful tool for keyword research on YouTube. This tool provides keyword recommendations based on search volume and competition level. With Rank Tracker, you can find the best keywords to use in your content, helping your videos be more easily discovered by your target audience.
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So, what do you think? Hopefully, the YouTube SEO tool recommendations above are helpful, especially for beginner YouTubers who are just starting to develop their YouTube channel. If you find this article useful, please share it with your friends.
Comparison of how to use YouTube research tools
| Needs | Tools to check | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of your own videos | YouTube Studio Analytics | Channel data, retention and traffic sources |
| Search phrase ideas | YouTube autocomplete | Changes over time and personalization |
| Interest in topics across time | Google Trends | Relative data, not absolute search volume |
| Scores and third-party research third | TubeBuddy, vidIQ and alternatives | Check packages, permissions, and methodology |
| Google Ads Performance | Google Keyword Planner | Not the same as YouTube search volume |
If there are affiliate links or commercial promotions, make sure the relationship is clearly disclosed. Avoid extensions that require a master password or install software from unofficial download pages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do YouTube SEO tools have to be paid?
No. YouTube Studio and autocomplete are available without purchasing a third-party package, although other service features may be paid.
Can keyword tools guarantee video ranking?
No. Relevance, viewer satisfaction, and many other factors still influence the results.
What are the first tools for beginner YouTubers?
Start with YouTube Studio Analytics and the YouTube search box.
What is the function of TubeBuddy Keyword Explorer?
It helps explore keyword ideas and competition based on the tool’s methods.
Does vidIQ still have keyword research?
Yes, the vidIQ 2026 documentation still provides a Keyword Research menu.
Is Google Keyword Planner specific to YouTube?
No. The tool is primarily used for planning Google Ads campaigns.
Is Rapidtags always accurate?
It cannot be assumed; check the service and the relevance of the tags to the video content.
What is the difference between Google and YouTube keywords?
Users can have different needs on web search engines and video platforms.
Do tags automatically increase views?
There is no guarantee; Title, content, and audience needs are more important.
What to check before installing an extension?
Official developer, app permissions, privacy, updates, and whether it asks for unnecessary credentials.
External References
- TubeBuddy — Keyword Explorer
- vidIQ — Keyword Research
- YouTube Help — Analytics
- Google Ads — Keyword Planner
