Feeling stuck in a rut with Google Keyword Planner? If your keyword research routine is starting to feel a bit monotonous, it might be time to shake things up and explore some Google Keyword Planner alternatives.
Don’t get me wrong, Google’s tool is fantastic for the basics, but sometimes you need a little more oomph to really dig deep, uncover richer insights, and find features that align perfectly with your business goals.
There are other tools out there that can take your keyword research to the next level by going beyond the surface-level data.
Stick around! We are about to walk you through the 10 best Google Keyword Planner alternatives that’ll help you make smarter and data-driven decisions. 🤓
What Are Google Keyword Planner Alternatives?
Google Keyword Planner alternatives can offer more than GKP, which is focused mainly on Google Ads and paid search.
While it’s great for PPC, it doesn’t provide the organic search insights you need for SEO strategies. If you’re aiming to improve your organic rankings, other tools can give you deeper, more relevant data.
What Should You Look for Google Keyword Planner Alternatives?
Google Keyword Planner lacks detailed competitor keyword analysis, keyword difficulty scores, and search intent categorization.
If you want deeper insights to sharpen your SEO strategy, look for alternatives that offer these features, like comprehensive PPC research tools. 🔍
Another issue is GKP’s broad keyword volume estimates, which can be too general, especially for niche markets. Alternatives should provide more accurate, specific data for better targeting.
Lastly, choose a tool that can automate your campaigns to save time and money. Automation ensures more efficient keyword research, and it lets you optimize your strategy without the hassle.
10 Google Keyword Planner Alternatives to Boost Campaign Efficiency
Next, we’ll list 10 Google Keyword Planner alternatives that automate your campaigns while offering more in-depth insights into keyword data.
1. OTTO Google Ads by Search Atlas
OTTO Google Ads is Search Atlas’s smart solution for effortlessly running high-performing Google Ads campaigns. Gone are the days of manually choosing keywords, writing ad copy, and setting up campaigns. OTTO Google Ads automates everything using AI.
Just connect your website and Google Ads account, and OTTO does the heavy lifting, analyzing your site, picking the best keywords, and crafting ads that align with your business goals.
It’s designed to save time and boost your return on ad spend (ROAS), all without needing to be a PPC pro.
Popular features
- Smart Keyword Targeting: Automatically targets the most relevant keywords for better ad performance.
- AI-Optimized Ad Copy: Generates ad copy tailored to your goals for more clicks and conversions.
- Automated Campaign Structuring: Effortlessly organizes ad groups for improved ad spend and performance.
- White-Label for Agencies: Agencies can white-label OTTO Google Ads to manage PPC for clients seamlessly.
- Scalable for All Businesses: From startups to enterprises, OTTO adapts to your needs and maximizes ROI.
- Time-Saving Automation: AI handles campaign creation, optimization, and management, saving you tons of time.
- Custom and Automated Reports: Get detailed competitor and campaign performance reports to tweak your strategy.
- All-in-One Marketing Suite: Combines PPC, SEO, and outreach tools, so your digital marketing stays streamlined.
Limitations
- As the first of its kind, OTTO Google Ads can be confusing for beginners, but onboarding helps.
- Some features are still in development as Search Atlas continually improves, adding new ones based on user feedback.
Pricing
| Starter plan | Growth plan | Pro plan | |
| Price | $99/month | $199/month | $399/month |
| Free OTTO SEO Activation | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| User Seats | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| GSC Site Projects | 5 | 15 | Unlimited |
| AI Quota | 100 | 250 | 99999 |
Search Atlas reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (91)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (63)
2. PPC Research Tools by Search Atlas
A solid keyword research tool is your best friend when it comes to finding the right keywords. It gives you crucial details like cost-per-click (CPC), search volume, trending keywords, competition, and even user intent.
This makes it easier to spot trends, discover related keywords, and see the questions people are asking. With this info, you can target more effectively, saving both time and money.
The Keyword Magic Tool takes the guesswork out of keyword selection. It reveals long-tail keywords with their CPC, so you can focus on cost-effective, high-intent terms that attract the right audience and boost campaign success.
Popular benefits and features
- PPC Keyword Research: See which keywords competitors are bidding on and their full ad copy.
- PPC Comparison: Compare your PPC spend to top competitors and gain valuable insights.
- AI Ad Copy Creation: Let AI create ad copy that improves Quality Scores and clicks.
- Keyword Explorer: Quickly analyze billions of keywords for search volume, CPC, and difficulty.
- Smart Keyword Research: Start with one keyword and discover related terms and opportunities.
- Competitor Keyword Insights: Spot gaps in your rankings, find untapped opportunities, and stay ahead of competitors.
- Content Planner: Turn keywords into complete content plans with automated clustering and suggestions.
Limitations
- Third-party integrations are limited, but Search Atlas provides most essential features within its own platform.
- Keyword recommendations alone may lead to wasted ad spend, so it’s best to combine the tools with OTTO Google Ads.
Pricing
| Starter plan | Growth plan | Pro plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price: | $99 monthly | $199 monthly | $399 monthly |
| Free OTTO SEO Activation | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| User Seats | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| GSC Projects | 5 | 15 | 100 |
| Keywords per Site | Top 10K | Top 100K | Top 1M |
| Content Assistant Keywords | 120 | 300 | 600 |
| Keyword Rank Tracking Projects | 20 | 50 | 1000 |
| Keywords Tracking | 1000 | 2500 | 5000 |
Search Atlas reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (91)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (63)
3. SuiteJar
SuiteJar is a strong alternative to Google Keyword Planner, providing valuable insights for PPC keyword research.
With a broad dataset from over 100 countries, it offers detailed metrics like keyword volume, SEO difficulty, CPC, and paid difficulty. By simply entering a targeted keyword and selecting a location, you can easily access these insights.
The tool also tracks keyword trends, helping you spot valuable opportunities in real time. Additionally, SuiteJar’s keyword planner offers suggestions tailored to your search, making it easier to refine your campaign strategy.
Popular benefits and features
- First Page Ranker: Helps identify web pages with the potential to rank on Google’s first page, optimizing SEO efforts.
- Easy Web Analytics: Integrates with GA4 data to streamline web analytics, providing all key insights in one place.
- Outdated Pages: Detects outdated content on your website, allowing you to update or remove it to maintain relevance.
- URL Shortener: Lets you create branded short URLs for easier sharing and tracking.
- Integrations and Plugins: Connects with various platforms, enhancing organization and focus for seamless workflow management.
- Growth Marketing Community: A space to engage with like-minded individuals for collaboration on topics like guest blogging, backlinks, and other off-page SEO.
Limitations
- Some reviews say SuiteJar lacks more advanced automation tools for site monitoring and maintenance.
- A few users think SuiteJar is still new and requires more reliability and support for confidence.
Cost
- Lite: $49/month – 1 website, Content Optimizer, 100 pages insights, Keyword insights, Keyword recommendations, Content Calendar, 50 Topics, 5 Pillar keywords, AI Competitor analysis, AI Keyword research, AI Keyword clustering, AI ICP analysis, AI product analysis.
- Plus: $79/month – 2 websites, Content Optimizer, 250 pages insights, Keyword insights, Keyword recommendations, Content Calendar, 100 Topics, 10 Pillar keywords, AI Competitor analysis, AI Keyword research, AI Keyword clustering, AI ICP analysis, AI product analysis.
SuiteJar reviews
- G2: 3.0/5 (1)
- Capterra: No reviews.
4. KeySearch
KeySearch is a budget-friendly keyword research tool ideal for bloggers and businesses aiming to enhance their SEO efforts.
It stands out by offering a wide range of features, including keyword data and long-tail keyword suggestions, which are essential for building effective PPC campaigns. It also provides insights into competitors, helping users understand what’s working for others and how to target more effectively.
KeySearch lets users track rankings and even research YouTube keywords, making it a versatile choice for anyone focused on increasing web traffic.
Popular benefits and features
- Broad Keyword Research: Discover up to 700 related keywords from a single seed keyword for more targeted PPC campaigns.
- Difficulty Score: Evaluate how competitive each keyword is, helping you prioritize easier targets for your PPC strategy.
- Search Volume Data: Access monthly search volume data, providing insight into the popularity of keywords for effective targeting.
- SERP Analysis: Analyze trends on the search engine results page (SERP) to understand keyword performance and refine your PPC approach.
- Keyword Suggestions: Receive lists of relevant keyword variations to find more targeted keywords for your PPC campaigns.
- Competition Analysis: Assess competitors’ keywords, allowing for better-informed decisions on which keywords to target in your PPC ads.
Limitations
- A few users think that the keyword database is not as expansive as more premium SEO tools.
- Some commented that the backlink data is limited when compared to more robust tools like Ahrefs.
Cost
- Starter Plan: $24/month – 200 keyword searches per day, 80 tracked keywords per month, 2K audited pages per month, 5K AI credits per month, doesn’t include Foresight.
- Pro Plan: $48/month – Includes Foresight, 500 keyword searches per day, 200 tracked keywords per month, 5K audited pages per month, 15K AI credits per month.
Keysearch reviews
- G2:No reviews
- Capterra: No reviews
5. Long Tail Pro
Long Tail Pro is a keyword research tool designed to help marketers focus on long-tail keywords, specific, less competitive phrases that often yield higher conversion rates.
It stands out with its KC score, a unique feature that assesses keyword difficulty, helping users determine which keywords are worth targeting.
The tool also includes a Rank Tracker that monitors keyword performance over time, providing insights into how well your campaigns are doing.
Popular benefits and features
- Long-Tail Keyword Discovery: Specializes in identifying specific long-tail keywords that are often more relevant for conversion-focused campaigns.
- Search Volume and Competition Analysis Tools: Provides insights into search volume and competition levels to help optimize keyword targeting.
- Competitor Keyword Analysis: Allows for examining competitors’ keyword strategies to uncover gaps and opportunities for your campaigns.
- Keyword Ranking Tracker: Tracks the rankings of selected keywords, providing insights into their performance in SERPs over time.
- PPC Campaign Performance Monitoring: Enables you to track how well your PPC keywords are performing, helping you adjust strategies effectively.
- Cost-Effective Targeting: Identifies long-tail keywords with lower competition and cost, ensuring more affordable and impactful PPC campaigns.
Limitations
- Reviews indicate that the keyword filtering features are limited, making it harder to refine results.
- Some say the UI is cluttered and could be more user-friendly for smoother navigation.
Cost
Long Tail Pro starting price is $37 per month and per user.
Long Tail Pro reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (10)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (2)
6. Keyword Insights
Keyword Insights is an AI-powered content marketing platform designed to streamline keyword research and content creation. It allows users to discover relevant keywords related to their seed terms.
The Keyword Clustering feature groups similar keywords using smart algorithms and local search data for better targeting.
It also works with content brief software, giving users a clear view of search results to make content creation faster and easier.
Its user-friendly interface makes it easier for marketers to plan and optimize their SEO efforts. The tool also has expert customer support so users can maximize the tool’s potential.
Popular benefits and features
- Keyword Analysis: Examines search phrases that bring visitors, both through organic and paid search channels.
- Competitor Analysis: Finds the keywords your competitors use, showing how they rank and perform in SEO.
- Search Volume Tracking: Tracks the monthly search volume of keywords to assess their popularity and potential impact.
- Keyword Suggestions: Generates new keyword ideas related to products or services, expanding the scope of keyword research.
- SERP Analysis: Analyzes search engine results pages to determine ranking factors and content formats that perform well.
- Performance Reporting: Monitors keyword performance, including clicks, impressions, click-through rates, and conversions.
Limitations
- Observations show the lack of individual keyword clusters makes it harder to manage large lists.
- Feedback shows that drilling down by difficulty and volume is necessary to avoid overly broad results.
Cost
- Basic: $58/month – 10,000 Credits, Clustering: 1 credit/keyword, Content Briefs: 100 credits/brief, AI Writing Assistant: 200 credits/article, 1 user seat, Email support.
- Professional: $99/month – 20,000 Credits, Clustering: 1 credit/keyword, Content Briefs: 100 credits/brief, AI Writing Assistant: 200 credits/article, 3 user seats, Live chat support, Team sharing.
- Premium: $299/month – 50,000 Credits, Clustering: 1 credit/keyword, Content Briefs: 100 credits/brief, AI Writing Assistant: 200 credits/article, 5 user seats, Team reports, Public API, Customer success.
Keyword Insights reviews
- G2: 4.9/5 (11)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3)
7. WordStream
WordStream is a keyword research tool designed for both SEO and PPC optimization, offering an easy way for digital marketers to discover and analyze keywords.
It helps with grouping keywords, identifying long-tail variations, and pinpointing negative keywords. This makes it ideal for refining PPC campaigns.
Users enter a search term, select their industry, and optionally set a location. The tool then gives them keyword suggestions that are tailored to their needs.
Also, WordStream pulls data from both Google and Bing platforms, displaying search volume, competition levels, and cost-per-click metrics.
Its focus on industry-specific data, combined with the ability to filter by location, makes it a practical tool for businesses running targeted online campaigns.
Popular benefits and features
- Comprehensive Keyword Suggestions: Provides a wide range of keyword suggestions based on your input or URL.
- Industry-Specific Data: Offers competitive keyword insights tailored to your specific business sector.
- CSV Download: Allows easy export of keyword lists in CSV format for seamless uploading to ad platforms.
- Google Ads Keywords: Helps discover high-volume, low-competition keywords for Google Ads campaigns.
- Keyword Phrases: Reveals real user search phrases to address their specific needs, improving targeting accuracy.
- Long-Tail Keywords: Identifies long-tail keywords that are more affordable for PPC and easier to rank for organically.
Limitations
- Some reviews say the platform lacks advanced customization options for more detailed keyword analysis.
- A few users have highlighted that there are no significant differences compared to other available keyword research tools.
Pricing
- Contact WordStream sales team for pricing information.
WordStream reviews
- G2: No reviews.
- Capterra: No reviews.
8. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a well-rounded SEO tool that also supports PPC campaign optimization with its robust keyword research and competitor analysis features.
While it’s best known for its SEO capabilities, it helps marketers dive into the PPC side by providing valuable insights into paid search. Users can research keywords for PPC campaigns, track competition, and analyze trends in keyword performance.
Ahrefs offers detailed data that extends beyond basic keyword suggestions, enabling users to view historical performance and competitive keyword landscapes. Its interface is straightforward, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced marketers.
Popular benefits and features
- Keywords Explorer: Find competitive keywords for PPC campaigns, with CPC data to assess keyword potential.
- Paid Search Report: Gain insights into competitors’ paid search activities, including their ad copy and landing pages.
- AI-powered Keyword Suggestions: Use AI to generate new keyword ideas and identify long-tail keyword opportunities.
- Keyword Difficulty: View difficulty scores to understand which keywords are more feasible to target for PPC.
- PPC Spying: Analyze competitors’ PPC campaigns to identify their best-performing keywords and ad strategies.
- Ads History Report: Review competitors’ ad copy to optimize your own PPC campaigns and improve performance.
Limitations
- Many agree that the PPC results are outdated, not reflecting real-time keyword data, which could be improved.
- Users report that Ahrefs has limited PPC keyword research and the pricing may be steep for beginners.
Cost
- Lite: $129/month – 5 projects, 6 months of historical data, 750 tracked keywords, 100,000 crawl credits, 500 credits per user, 1 user included.
- Standard: $249/month – 20 projects, 2 years of historical data, 2,000 tracked keywords, 500,000 crawl credits, unlimited credits per user, 1 user included.
- Advanced: $449/month – 50 projects, 5 years of historical data, 5,000 tracked keywords, 1,500,000 crawl credits, unlimited credits per user, 1 user included.
Ahrefs reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (552)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (575)
9. Advertising Research and PPC Tools by Semrush
Semrush Advertising Research is designed to help you optimize your PPC campaigns by offering detailed insights into competitors’ strategies.
The tool allows you to analyze competitors’ ad copy, landing pages, and keyword usage, giving you a clearer understanding of how they’re spending on paid search and what’s working for them.
The platform highlights trends in PPC spend, helping you stay competitive by targeting keywords that are both relevant and cost-effective. This competitive intelligence helps you refine your paid search approach, so your campaigns are more informed and strategic.
Popular benefits and features
- Budget and Traffic Estimates: Analyze competitors’ advertising spend and resulting traffic to understand their PPC investment.
- Historical Data: Review past advertising strategies and trends to evaluate changes and performance over time.
- Ad Copy Analysis: Examine competitors’ ad messaging and structure to identify strategies that resonate with audiences.
- Keyword Analysis: Discover the keywords competitors target and assess their effectiveness in driving relevant traffic.
- Export and Integration: Export keyword data to CSV, XLSX, or integrate with Keyword Strategy Builder for streamlined processes.
- Advanced Filtering: Use detailed filters to sort keywords by volume, CPC, and competitive density for precise targeting.
Limitations
- Some feedback says the platform can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a steep learning curve.
- Observations suggest the pricing can be high for smaller businesses, limiting accessibility to its tools.
Cost
- Pro: $139.95/month – 5 projects, 500 keywords to track, 10,000 results per report, Competitor analysis, keyword research, website audit, backlink analysis, advertising tools, and more.
- Guru: $249.95/month – 15 projects, 1,500 keywords to track, 30,000 results per report, All Pro features plus Content Marketing Toolkit, historical data, multi-location and device tracking, Looker Studio integration, and more.
- Business: $499.95/month – 40 projects, 5,000 keywords to track, 50,000 results per report, All Guru features plus Share of Voice, extended limits, API access, PLA analytics, free migration from third-party tools, and more.
Semrush reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (2,487)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (2,279)
10. Keywords Everywhere
Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that shows keyword data directly within search engine results. It’s useful for marketers and content creators, as it provides instant access to key metrics like search volume, cost-per-click (CPC), and competition for keywords.
The tool allows users to seamlessly integrate keyword research into their browsing experience without leaving search results. You can toggle the extension on or off, depending on whether you’re actively researching keywords.
Popular benefits and features
- SEO Reports: Provides insights into user keyword intent, content types, keyword clustering, and anchor text suggestions.
- Top Keywords in SERP: Displays the top 10 keywords driving traffic to ranking pages for optimization focus.
- Topical Keywords: Offers keyword suggestions from Google’s search bar, helping target specific topics for SEO.
- Prompt Templates: Includes over 200 templates optimized for AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
- Search Volume Data: Shows accurate monthly search volume, CPC, and competition metrics for effective keyword analysis.
- Traffic Metrics: Provides monthly traffic estimates and insights for top-ranking terms.
Limitations
- Certain reviews say it lacks advanced features like backlink analysis, limiting its usefulness for deeper SEO work.
- Some note that excessive in-app advertising for premium plans can be distracting and frustrating.
Cost
- Free: Limited features.
- Bronze Plan: $2.25/month – 100,000 credits/year.
- Silver Plan: $6/month – 400,000 credits/year.
- Gold Plan: $25/month – 2 million credits/year.
- Platinum Plan: $80/month – 8 million credits/year.
Keywords Everywhere reviews
- G2: No reviews.
- Capterra: No reviews.
How the Best Keyword Planner Alternatives Give You the Edge
Every Google Keyword Planner alternative has its strengths, weaknesses, and intended use cases.
While some can fill in the gaps, there’s only so much you can do manually. To truly scale your PPC campaigns and get better results with a smaller team, automation is key.
Many tools still require too much manual input or fail to use AI effectively. You might end up with the same results as if you did everything yourself.
That’s where OTTO Google Ads changes the game. 🎮
Instead of just assisting with decisions, OTTO actively optimizes for the best strategy to maximize ROAS, sometimes prioritizing lower positions over costly top spots, ensuring efficient spending and strong performance.
Try it for FREE now with your free trial! No commitment, cancel anytime!
