Search Listening Tools that rock!
While the term “search listening” may not ring a bell, chances are you’ve used a search listening tool before. Search listening tools are popular with content creators who are constantly cranking out new value-driven content that’s applicable to their audience. These tools can be a big help for those influencers as well as for any company that isn’t sure what their ideal consumer needs help with.
Search listening for SEO
Many blogs use SEO and other methods to attract the attention of consumers. However, what happens once the gaze of the ideal customer is set on the blog? Then, it’s the writer’s job to keep the attention by addressing the exact problems the reader is experiencing and providing a solution, often in the form of a product recommendation.
Furthermore, sometimes it’s challenging to find the right keywords to use. Some search listening tools offer features that find the best and most frequently searched terms related to a person’s niche or business. By using these tools, users are able to drive more traffic to their website, as well as create relevant content.
Google Search Console — a free tool from Google
Google Search Console is a free service that helps analyze the SEO of an individual’s website. It also provides individuals with the most common search terms bringing people to their website, alerts them about any kind of errors or issues, and provides feedback on how to optimize and rank higher in the search results.
How does it work?
There are many different search listening tools available for use online. Some of these are free, and others require a small fee in order to take advantage of the services.
To use one of the tools, you must first put in a keyword. This keyword may be related to a general topic or category that your business falls under or the niche your social media is in. The tool then crawls through various pages on the internet, looking for the keyword you’ve put in. It comes back with a set of keywords, phrases, questions, and more that are used in conjunction with that keyword you entered.
The results are then presented with the most commonly used terms associated with a specific keyword listed in order of the frequency they’re used. The most relevant search results are presented first so that you are able to understand how you can meet your ideal customer’s needs best.
Free tools often only allow you to do a specific number of searches either per day or week, while premium paid options allow you endless searches. The premium options often also offer you the option to set alerts on certain search terms so you can be alerted when trends change.
What are the top tools that use search listening?
While it may be tempting to simply utilize the first search listening tool listed on Google that doesn’t charge anything, it’s good to know your options before making a final decision.
Here are some of the top tools that use search listening:
Answer the Public is possibly the most popular and well-known search listening tool being used today. It compiles all of the data in form of the most commonly asked questions relating to a search term in a very easily viewable format. While free searches are limited, a pro account includes search listening alerts and monitoring that allow the user to know when trends change (which they often do in the blink of an eye).
2. Outranking.io
The outranking.io platform compiles all of the data in the form of questions being asked that are related to your keyword. This can be exceptionally helpful for those who are looking to write a popular blog or social media posts that help the target audience solve a problem.
3. BiQ’s Keyword Intelligence & BiQ’s Rank Intelligence
BiQ prides itself in having an AI-powered SEO suite that does keyword research, competitive research, rank tracking, and analyzes content. This is a great tool for those who are looking to strategize and rank higher in search engines but aren’t necessarily looking for support in content creation ideas.
4. SEMrush
SEMrush isn’t just a search listening tool, but has a range of tools that are useful to a wide variety of businesses. The platform focuses on offering social media strategy, advertising, market research, and content research ideas. Most of these are available via paid subscription.
5. Ubbersuggest
Ubbersuggest is a search listening tool that offers features such as backlink data, content ideas, keyword suggestions, top SEO pages, and more. It’s easy to see how a tool that suggests content ideas could be beneficial for bloggers and content creators to use.
Final Thoughts
Search listening tools are a great resource to include in an individual’s SEO strategy and content creation. Tools like Answer the Public make it easier to reach the right audience and communicate with them effectively, answering questions that they’re dying to know and, therefore, building trust, credibility, and rapport.
Answer the Public is probably the most comprehensive and popular search listening tool of the ones mentioned above and offers a great service for those just getting started as well as those with SEO experience. In this fight for who is the most relevant, search listening tools will continue to be an integral part of any company’s and brand’s marketing plan.