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Which keyword research tools do you use? Depending on what you’re doing keyword research for, i.e. SEO vs. PPC, different tools have different strengths and drawbacks. When used in combination, they can actually complement each other.

However, whatever tool you use, the most important tool is the one you have between your ears - your BRAIN. This is especially true for PPC marketers as you have to try to put yourself in the shoes of a person who is doing the search.

When you’ve hit a wall, keywords tools are always a good way to brainstorm and branch out.

Here are a list of ones that I have personally tested:

1. KeywordSpy - great tool which lets you see what the competition is bidding on and also their organic keywords

2. NicheBot - this tool is always evolving and being improved upon. There is also a lot of training material available.

3. SpyFu - I’m not a big fan of this one.

4. KeyCompete - has decent results but I’m not sure if it’s being updated. My emails to them went unanswered when I tried to cancel the service. Terrible customer support.

5. WordTracker - this is a classic tool. Great for lateral searches when you are trying to expand your keyword lists.

6. Market Samurai - fairly new but seems to have promising features lacking in other tools.

7. Keyword Elite - this one can dig up a lot of keywords but you’ll have to sort through them and throw out irrelevant ones.

8. Keywords Analyzer - I haven’t used this for some time.

9. Instant Keyword Research - this one is no longer on the market but has a ton of keywords.

Here are a few others I have not tried:

1. Keyword Country - this one seems to be geared more to AdSense publishers.

2. WordZe

3. Word Butler - looks interesting

4. Keyword Discovery - I think this one would be the next on my list to try out.

These are always free (but don’t underestimate their effectiveness):

1. Google Search Insights

2. Google External Keyword Tool

3. Google Trends

Keyword research is both a skill and an art. You’ll get better with experience.

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