How to Find the Right Keywords That Drive Results

Hello, I'm Maneshwar. I'm working on FreeDevTools online currently building *one place for all dev tools, cheat codes, and TLDRs* — a free, open-source hub where developers can quickly find and use tools without any hassle of searching all over the internet.

When most people think about keyword research, they picture hunting for the most popular search terms.

But real SEO success isn’t about chasing big numbers — it’s about understanding your audience, matching their intent, and choosing keywords that bring in the right traffic.

Let’s walk through how to approach keyword research strategically, what search volume really means, and which tools can help you uncover hidden opportunities.

Where to Start With Keyword Ideas

Instead of opening a keyword tool right away, begin by listening to your audience.

Think about the problems they’re trying to solve and the questions they ask.

Great sources for inspiration include:

• Google’s “Related Searches” and “People Also Ask” sections
• Reddit threads and niche forums
• YouTube search suggestions
• Social media groups where your audience hangs out

Once you have a list of seed ideas, it’s time to back them up with data using keyword research tools.

Key Metrics to Look At

When you type a keyword into a tool like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner, you’ll see a set of numbers.

Here’s what matters most:

• Search volume: average monthly searches for a keyword
• Keyword difficulty (KD): how competitive the term is
• CPC (cost per click): how much advertisers are paying (an indirect sign of commercial value)
• Trends: whether interest is rising, falling, or seasonal

High search volume is tempting, but it’s not the whole picture.

A keyword might bring thousands of visitors but none of them convert if the intent doesn’t match your business.

Search Intent: The Hidden Side of Keywords

Behind every query is intent — the “why” behind the search. Broadly, there are four types:

1. Informational – learning something (“how to make cold brew”)
2. Commercial – comparing options before buying (“best budget laptop”)
3. Navigational – looking for a brand/site (“Facebook login”)
4. Transactional – ready to buy (“book hotel in Paris”)

Google uses intent heavily in ranking.

If you target an informational keyword with a product page, you’ll struggle to rank.

Matching your content to intent is just as important as choosing the keyword itself.

How Much Search Volume Is “Good”?

This is where context matters.

• In broad industries like tech, a keyword with 500 monthly searches may be too small to bother with.
• In hyper-niche markets, that same 500 could be a goldmine.

Always weigh volume against competition and relevance.

Sometimes, lower-volume long-tail keywords like “best email marketing tool for small ecommerce stores” outperform generic ones like “email marketing.”

Factors That Influence Search Volume

Not all keyword numbers stay steady. Some things to keep in mind:

• Seasonality – “gift ideas” spikes every December
• Trends – new tech or cultural shifts create fresh queries
• Industry growth – expanding sectors see more searches year over year
• Local intent – adding a city or region can dramatically change search volume

Why Search Volume Still Matters

Done right, keyword research can help you:

• Spot high-traffic opportunities – pages that bring consistent visitors
• Catch rising trends early – before competitors notice
• Write content people actually want – instead of guessing
• Find “hidden gems” – low-volume but high-conversion terms

A keyword with only 100 monthly searches might still be better than one with 10,000 — if those 100 people are ready to buy.

Practical Ways to Use Keyword Volume in Strategy

Here are three tactics to put into practice:

1. Check Competitors’ Weak Spots Look for terms where your competitors rank on page 2 or near the bottom of page 1. These are proof the keyword has value but aren’t fully captured yet.
2. Mix in Long-Tail Keywords Don’t just aim for “best coffee maker.” Try “best small coffee maker” or “best mini coffee maker.” Easier to rank, and often closer to purchase intent.
3. Track and Adjust Use tools like Semrush or Google Search Console to see how your keywords perform over time. If traffic dips, look for newer alternatives your audience is searching for.

Tools Worth Trying

Not every keyword tool is created equal. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Google Keyword Planner – Free with Ads account, excellent for PPC campaigns
• Moz – Has a “Priority” score that balances volume, difficulty, and CTR
• Ahrefs – Great difficulty analysis and cross-platform data (Google, YouTube, Amazon)
• Serpstat – Good regional data across 230+ locations
• Sistrix – Fast, lightweight, and no login required for quick checks
• Mangools – User-friendly, includes trend data with free daily searches

Common Keyword Research Pitfalls

Even with the best tools, you’ll run into challenges:

• Mismatch in numbers across tools → Use one main tool + validate with Google Trends
• Too much competition → Add modifiers (“best,” “vs,” “how to”) or target questions
• Traffic without conversions → Re-check intent, and prioritize buyer-focused terms

Final Thoughts

Keyword research isn’t about chasing the biggest numbers.

It’s about aligning what people search with what your business offers — and creating content that satisfies both the algorithm and the reader.

If you remember just one thing, make it this:
The right keywords don’t just bring visitors. They bring customers.

I’ve been building for FreeDevTools.

A collection of UI/UX-focused tools crafted to simplify workflows, save time, and reduce friction in searching tools/materials.

Any feedback or contributors are welcome!

It’s online, open-source, and ready for anyone to use.

👉 Check it out: FreeDevTools
⭐ Star it on GitHub: freedevtools