I tested all the popular SEO tools so that you don't have to! Here is my take
What is the simplest SEO tool you recommend?
Free SEO tools that are actually good (no affiliate links, I promise)
Which free SEO tool do you actually trust the most?
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There are so many SEO tools out there that it’s honestly overwhelming. Most of them promise to do everything- from keyword research and backlinks to audits and rank tracking- but half the time I just want something simple that helps me understand what’s working and what’s not.
So curious, what is the simplest SEO tool you recommend? I dont mind paying more for something that saves me mindless hours!
I'm tired of those "top 50 SEO tools" listicles that are just affiliate link spam. Here are tools I actually use every week that don't cost anything:
Google Search Console - Obviously. If you're not checking this weekly, you're flying blind. Shows exactly what you're ranking for.
Answer The Public - Free searches are limited but great for finding question-based keywords people actually ask.
Ubersuggest - Neil Patel's tool. Free tier is surprisingly generous for keyword research.
PageSpeed Insights - Google's own tool. Tells you exactly why your site is slow.
Screaming Frog (free up to 500 URLs) - Best for technical audits. Finds broken links, duplicate content, missing metas.
Also Asked - Shows "People Also Ask" questions. Gold for content ideas.
The ones I DON'T recommend:
Those "instant SEO audit" tools that give you a score - usually garbage
Any tool that promises to "check your ranking" for free - they're harvesting data
Anything that spams you immediately after signing up
Paid tools worth it if you're serious:
Ahrefs (pricey but incredible)
Semrush (overwhelming but comprehensive)
Surfer SEO (for content optimization)
What am I missing? Drop your favorite free tools below.
I have used tools like Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, and a few Chrome extensions, but I’m never sure how reliable the data is. Curious to know which free SEO tools you all actually trust for real insights.