Have you ever invested hours into what you believed were the perfect SEO keywords, only to see your efforts fall flat? The frustration of creating outstanding content that fails to rank due to poorly chosen keywords is common among affiliate marketers and content creators. In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best free keyword research Chrome extensions you should use, explain how each one works, what makes it worthwhile, and when you should use it.

Keyword research is the foundation of SEO. If you target the wrong keywords, even the best content will struggle to rank. The good news is you don’t always need expensive tools to find profitable keywords. Several free Chrome extensions can help you uncover search volume, keyword difficulty, user intent, and competitor data directly inside your browser. For example, imagine researching a keyword while watching a YouTube video. As you use the Keywords Everywhere extension, it displays relevant search terms and trends in real-time directly under the video, providing you with actionable insights on the spot. This convenience allows you to vet potential keywords without disrupting your workflow. We will also offer a straightforward, three-step workflow (discover, evaluate, implement) to help bloggers, content creators, and SEO beginners apply these tools effectively and improve their SEO workflow.

Chrome extensions are helpful because they work right where you make SEO decisions, such as Google search results, YouTube, Amazon, and competitor sites, providing real-time insights without switching between tools, which speeds up your workflow.

How to Choose the Right Keyword Research Chrome Extension

Not all keyword research extensions serve the same purpose. Some are better for keyword discovery, while others focus on competition analysis.

If you’re a beginner, start with Keyword Surfer or Ubersuggest. They provide precise data without overwhelming you, helping you feel confident in your first steps.

Using multiple extensions together often gives the best results. One tool may help you find keywords, while another enables you to judge competition, making you feel more capable of mastering SEO.

10 Best Free Keyword Research Chrome Extensions

1. Keywords Everywhere (Free Version)

Keywords Everywhere is one of the most popular keyword research Chrome extensions, and for good reason. It adds keyword data directly into Google search results, YouTube, Bing, and other platforms. To check if it’s installed, look for the blue ‘K’ icon next to your search query. This cue confirms you’re ready to start gathering keyword insights.

The free version no longer shows exact search volumes, but it helps you focus on trends and keyword variations rather than actual numbers. By looking at related keywords, ‘people also search for’ data, and long-tail suggestions, you get a better sense of how people search and which keyword variations you can use to make your content more relevant.

Another helpful feature is trend data. Keywords Everywhere shows whether interest in a keyword is rising or falling over time, helping you feel better prepared and more confident in your content choices.

Keywords Everywhere also highlights keywords on web pages. When you look at a competitor’s article, you can see which terms they are targeting. This makes it easier to figure out their content strategy without using paid SEO tools.

Best for bloggers and content creators who want quick keyword ideas without leaving Google.

2. Ubersuggest Chrome Extension

Ubersuggest’s Chrome extension is a solid free option backed by Neil Patel’s SEO platform. It works directly inside Google search results and displays proper keyword and domain data. Ubersuggest derives its search volume and CPC estimates by aggregating data from several sources, including Google Ads Keyword Planner. This transparency about data provenance enhances the tool’s reliability.

When you search for a keyword, the extension shows estimated search volume, CPC, and SEO difficulty. You also see domain metrics for the top-ranking pages, including traffic estimates and backlink counts.

One of its best features is competitor analysis. When you search for a keyword, Ubersuggest helps you quickly assess whether the top results are weak or strong. This is critical for choosing keywords you can realistically rank for.

The free version has usage limits, but it’s enough for basic keyword research. For beginners, the interface is simple and easy to understand, without overwhelming metrics.

Best for beginners who want both keyword data and competitor insights in one place.

3. Keyword Surfer

Keyword Surfer is a lightweight, fast Chrome extension focused on simplicity. It adds keyword data directly into Google search results without cluttering the screen.

The extension shows the estimated monthly search volume next to your search query. It also provides related keywords in a sidebar, including their search volumes. This makes it easy to discover long-tail keyword variations while browsing Google.

Another helpful feature is on-page keyword analysis. Keyword Surfer shows how often a keyword appears on ranking pages. This helps you understand content length and keyword usage without manual analysis.

While Keyword Surfer doesn’t show keyword difficulty, it works well with manual SERP analysis. You can quickly judge competition by looking at the top results.

Best for writers who want fast keyword ideas without complex SEO metrics.

4. SEO Minion

SEO Minion is more than a keyword research extension, but its keyword features are handy. It helps you analyze on-page SEO, SERP previews, and keyword placement.

One of its standout features is SERP analysis. SEO Minion highlights ranking URLs, shows meta titles and descriptions, and lets you export SERP data. This is valuable when evaluating keyword competition. After exporting SERP data, consider pasting it into a spreadsheet, content brief, or keyword map to organize better and analyze the information. This clarifies the following steps and streamlines your workflow.

The extension also helps with keyword usage analysis. You can check how a keyword is used across a page, including headings, meta tags, and body content. This makes it easier to optimize your content.

SEO Minion is instrumental when paired with Google search. You can analyze multiple keywords quickly without opening other tools.

Best for SEO professionals who want deeper SERP and on-page keyword insights.

5. Detailed SEO Extension

The Detailed SEO Extension is designed for quick, no-nonsense SEO checks. While it doesn’t provide keyword suggestions, it helps you analyze competitors for keyword research.

When you open a webpage, the extension shows title tags, meta descriptions, headings, canonical URLs, and indexability status. This lets you see precisely how competitors optimize for their target keywords.

You can quickly identify patterns in ranking pages. For competitive scans, consider creating a checklist. For example, ask: “Do they focus on long-tail keywords? (yes/no)”, “Is there an exact match title? (yes/no)”, or “Do they rely on brand authority? (yes/no)”. This information can help you choose better keywords and content angles.

The extension is clean, fast, and doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary data.

Best for content creators who want to reverse-engineer top-ranking pages.

6. Ahrefs SEO Toolbar (Free Version)

Ahrefs is known for its premium SEO tools, but its free Chrome extension still provides valid keyword data. It provides on-page SEO analysis and SERP metrics directly in your browser.

With the free version, you can see domain rating, URL rating, and backlink counts for ranking pages. However, it does not show search volume, which requires a paid account. Setting this expectation early helps prevent frustration and builds trust for users exploring the extension.

You can also analyze keyword usage in headings and meta tags. This helps with content optimization and keyword placement.

Best for users who want authority and backlink insights while researching keywords.

7. MozBar

MozBar is a classic SEO Chrome extension that remains relevant today. It focuses on domain authority and page authority, which are essential for keyword research. When you search for a keyword, MozBar shows DA and PA scores for each ranking page. This makes it easier to estimate how difficult it will be to outrank competitors.

MozBar also lets you analyze on-page elements like title tags, headings, and schema markup. This helps you understand how top-ranking pages use keywords.

Although MozBar doesn’t provide keyword suggestions, it’s effective for manually evaluating keyword difficulty.

Best for SEO strategists who rely on authority metrics for keyword selection.

8. GrowthBar (Free Version

GrowthBar is a modern Chrome extension designed for content marketers and bloggers. Its free version includes limited keyword research features, but they’re still valuable.

When you search for a keyword, GrowthBar displays keyword difficulty, estimated traffic, and word count. This helps you plan content length and understand ranking requirements. GrowthBar also provides keyword suggestions and questions related to your search. These allow you build content outlines and FAQs.

The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, making it easy to use even if you’re new to SEO.

Best for bloggers who want content-focused keyword insights.

9. SERP Keyword Scraper

SERP Keyword Scraper is a simple but powerful extension that extracts keywords directly from Google search results. It pulls data from People Also Ask, autocomplete, and related searches.

This extension is excellent for finding long-tail keywords and variations in user intent. You can quickly export keyword lists and use them in your content planning.

While it doesn’t show search volume or difficulty, it helps discover real search queries people use. SERP Keyword Scraper works well with other tools that provide volume and competition data.

Best for quickly finding content ideas and long-tail keywords.

10. Keyword Tool Dominator (Free Version)

Keyword Tool Dominator focuses on platform-specific keyword research. It works with Google, YouTube, Amazon, Etsy, and more. The free version allows limited searches per day, but it’s still effective. It generates keyword suggestions based on autocomplete data, reflecting real user searches.

This is especially useful for YouTube SEO, Amazon product research, and niche websites. You can uncover buyer-intent keywords that traditional SEO tools may miss.

While the free version doesn’t provide search volume, the keyword ideas are often highly targeted and valuable.

Best for platform-specific keyword research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best free keyword research Chrome extension?

There is no single “best” extension for everyone. For beginners, Keyword Surfer and Ubersuggest are excellent because they show search volume and competition directly in Google. For content writers, GrowthBar and SERP Keyword Scraper work well for finding topic ideas. Advanced users often combine tools like Ahrefs SEO Toolbar, MozBar, and SEO Minion for deeper analysis.

2. Are free keyword research Chrome extensions accurate?

Free keyword research Chrome extensions provide estimated data, not exact numbers. While they may not be as precise as paid SEO tools, they are accurate enough for finding keyword ideas, judging competition, and understanding search intent. When used together, multiple extensions can give a reliable overall picture.

3. Can Chrome extensions replace paid keyword research tools?

Chrome extensions cannot fully replace paid SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. However, they are more than enough for basic keyword research, content planning, and competitor analysis. Many bloggers and niche site owners rely only on free extensions when starting.

4. Which Chrome extension is best for long-tail keyword research?

For long-tail keywords, Keyword Tool Dominator, SERP Keyword Scraper, and Keywords Everywhere are excellent options. These tools pull data from autocomplete, “People Also Ask,” and related searches, which reflect real user queries and search intent.

5. Do keyword research, Chrome extensions work for YouTube and Amazon?

Yes, several Chrome extensions support platform-specific keyword research. Keyword Tool Dominator works well for YouTube and Amazon. Keywords Everywhere also shows keyword data on YouTube, while other tools help analyze competitor listings and video titles.

6. Are keyword research Chrome extensions safe to use?

Most popular keyword research Chrome extensions are safe if downloaded from the official Chrome Web Store. Always check reviews, permissions, and the developer’s website before installing. Avoid extensions that request unnecessary access or lack clear documentation.

7. How many keyword research extensions should I use at once?

You don’t need many. Using two to three extensions is usually enough. For example, one tool for keyword ideas, one for search volume, and one for competition analysis. Too many extensions can slow down your browser and clutter search results.

8. Can beginners use keyword research Chrome extensions easily?

Yes. Many extensions, such as Ubersuggest, Keyword Surfer, and GrowthBar, are designed for beginners. They present data in a simple format and don’t require technical SEO knowledge. Beginners can start with these tools and gradually explore more advanced options.

9. Do free Chrome extensions show keyword difficulty?

Some free extensions show keyword difficulty estimates, such as Ubersuggest, GrowthBar, and Serpstat. Others don’t provide difficulty scores but help you manually evaluate competition through SERP analysis, backlink analysis, and domain authority metrics.

10. What is the best way to use free keyword research Chrome extensions?

The best approach is to use them together. Start by finding keyword ideas, then check search volume, analyze the SERP, and review competitor strength. This layered method helps you choose keywords that are both searchable and realistic to rank for.

Final Thoughts

Free keyword research Chrome extensions won’t replace premium SEO tools, but they can still deliver powerful insights when used correctly. They save time, streamline research, and help you make smarter SEO decisions in your browser. Now, you can choose from these 10 best free keyword research Chrome extensions.

Whether you’re building a blog, running affiliate sites, or managing client SEO, these extensions can improve your workflow. The key is understanding what each tool does best and using it strategically.

If you’re serious about SEO, start with a few of these extensions today. Over time, you’ll develop a faster, more intuitive keyword research process that leads to better rankings and more traffic.