Free YouTube Keyword Research: IGoogle Alternative

Are you looking for a free and effective way to do keyword research for your YouTube videos? Back in the day, iGoogle was a popular option, but it's no longer around. But don't worry, guys! There are still plenty of awesome tools you can use to find the best keywords to boost your video's visibility. Let's dive into some fantastic alternatives and strategies to help you dominate YouTube search!

Why Keyword Research Matters for YouTube

Alright, let's get real for a second. Why should you even bother with keyword research? Well, think of it this way: YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world (right after Google, which owns it!). People are constantly searching for videos on every topic imaginable. If you want your videos to get noticed, you need to understand what people are searching for.

Keyword research helps you uncover the exact words and phrases your target audience is using. By optimizing your video titles, descriptions, and tags with these keywords, you're essentially telling YouTube's algorithm, "Hey, this video is exactly what people are looking for!" The algorithm then rewards you by ranking your video higher in search results and suggesting it to viewers who are interested in similar content.

Here’s a breakdown of why keyword research is crucial:

• Increased Visibility: Using the right keywords helps your videos rank higher in search results.
• Targeted Traffic: You attract viewers who are genuinely interested in your content.
• More Watch Time: When people find what they're looking for, they're more likely to watch the entire video.
• Subscriber Growth: Satisfied viewers are more likely to subscribe to your channel.
• Competitive Advantage: Understanding your competitors' keyword strategies helps you stay ahead of the game.

So, yeah, keyword research is kind of a big deal. It's the foundation of a successful YouTube strategy. Now that we've established why it's important, let's explore some awesome tools and techniques you can use to find those golden keywords.

Exploring Free Keyword Research Tools for YouTube

Since iGoogle is no longer an option, you might be wondering, "What now?" Fear not! The internet is brimming with fantastic free tools that can help you with your YouTube keyword research. Let's check out some of the best:

1. YouTube Suggest

Okay, this isn't exactly a tool in the traditional sense, but it's incredibly powerful and completely free. Simply start typing a topic into the YouTube search bar, and YouTube will automatically suggest related keywords and phrases. These suggestions are based on real searches that people are making on YouTube, so you know they're relevant.

How to use YouTube Suggest effectively:

• Start with a broad topic: Type in a general keyword related to your video's topic (e.g., "weight loss").
• Analyze the suggestions: Pay attention to the suggestions that appear. These are popular search terms related to your topic.
• Use modifiers: Add modifiers like "how to," "best," "for beginners," etc., to refine your search and uncover long-tail keywords (more specific phrases).
• Document your findings: Keep a list of the keywords and phrases you find. This will be your starting point for further research.

YouTube Suggest is a goldmine of keyword ideas, and it's right at your fingertips. Make sure to use it as a key part of your research process.

2. Google Keyword Planner

While primarily designed for Google Ads, the Google Keyword Planner can also be a valuable tool for YouTube keyword research. It allows you to discover new keywords, analyze search volume, and get insights into keyword competition.

How to use Google Keyword Planner for YouTube:

• Sign in to Google Ads: You'll need a Google account to access the Keyword Planner.
• Choose "Discover new keywords": Enter keywords related to your video's topic.
• Filter by location and language: Specify your target audience's location and language.
• Analyze the results: Pay attention to the average monthly searches, competition, and suggested bids (even though you're not running ads).
• Focus on low-competition keywords: Look for keywords with decent search volume but low competition. These will be easier to rank for.

Pro Tip: You can also use the Keyword Planner to analyze your competitors' keywords. Just enter their YouTube channel URL or a specific video URL to see what keywords they're targeting.

3. Keywords Everywhere

Keywords Everywhere is a free browser extension that shows you search volume, CPC, and competition data for keywords on Google, YouTube, and other websites. It's a super convenient way to get keyword insights without having to switch between different tools.

How to use Keywords Everywhere:

• Install the extension: Add Keywords Everywhere to your Chrome or Firefox browser.
• Search on YouTube: Simply search for a topic on YouTube, and Keywords Everywhere will display keyword data below the search bar and on the sidebar.
• Analyze the data: Pay attention to the search volume, CPC, and competition data for each keyword.
• Find related keywords: Keywords Everywhere also shows you related keywords and "people also search for" keywords, which can spark new ideas.

Keywords Everywhere is a great tool for getting quick keyword insights while you're browsing YouTube. It's like having a keyword research assistant right in your browser!

4. TubeBuddy

While TubeBuddy offers a range of paid features, its free version provides several useful tools for keyword research and video optimization. It can help you find keyword opportunities, analyze your competitors, and track your video rankings.

How to use TubeBuddy for keyword research:

• Install the extension: Add TubeBuddy to your Chrome browser.
• Use the Keyword Explorer: TubeBuddy's Keyword Explorer helps you analyze the search volume, competition, and overall keyword score for different keywords.
• Explore related keywords: TubeBuddy suggests related keywords and long-tail keywords that you might not have thought of.
• Analyze your competitors: See what keywords your competitors are using and how their videos are performing.

TubeBuddy's free version is a great starting point for YouTube keyword research. It provides valuable insights and helps you optimize your videos for better visibility.

5. VidIQ

Similar to TubeBuddy, VidIQ is another popular YouTube optimization tool that offers both free and paid features. Its free version provides keyword research tools, competitor analysis, and video analytics.

How to use VidIQ for keyword research:

• Install the extension: Add VidIQ to your Chrome browser.
• Use the Keyword Research tool: VidIQ's Keyword Research tool helps you find keywords with high search volume and low competition.
• Analyze trending videos: See what keywords are trending in your niche and create videos around those topics.
• Track your video rankings: Monitor how your videos are performing in search results.

VidIQ's free version is a powerful tool for YouTube keyword research and video optimization. It can help you identify keyword opportunities and improve your video's visibility.

Advanced Keyword Research Strategies

Okay, now that you've got some killer tools under your belt, let's talk about some advanced strategies to take your keyword research to the next level:

1. Analyze Your Competitors

One of the best ways to find profitable keywords is to see what's working for your competitors. Identify successful channels in your niche and analyze their top-performing videos. Pay attention to their video titles, descriptions, tags, and the keywords they're targeting.

Here's how to analyze your competitors:

• Identify your top competitors: Find channels that are creating similar content to yours and have a large subscriber base.
• Analyze their top videos: Look at their most popular videos and see what keywords they're using.
• Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ: These tools can help you see the tags and keywords your competitors are using.
• Identify keyword gaps: Look for keywords that your competitors are not targeting but that are relevant to your audience.

By analyzing your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into what's working in your niche and identify new keyword opportunities.

2. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people use when they're searching for something very specific. For example, instead of "weight loss," a long-tail keyword might be "how to lose weight fast for women over 50."

Why focus on long-tail keywords?

• Lower competition: Long-tail keywords typically have lower competition than shorter, more general keywords.
• Higher conversion rates: People who search for long-tail keywords are usually further along in the buying process and are more likely to take action.
• More targeted traffic: Long-tail keywords attract viewers who are specifically interested in your content.

To find long-tail keywords, use the tools and techniques we discussed earlier, and try to think like your target audience. What specific questions are they asking? What problems are they trying to solve?

3. Use Keyword Modifiers

Keyword modifiers are words or phrases that you add to your primary keyword to make it more specific. Examples of keyword modifiers include:

• "How to"
• "Best"
• "Review"
• "Tutorial"
• "For beginners"

By adding keyword modifiers to your primary keyword, you can create long-tail keywords that are more targeted and have lower competition.

4. Track Your Results

Keyword research is an ongoing process. It's not enough to just find some keywords and optimize your videos. You need to track your results and see what's working and what's not.

Here's how to track your results:

• Use YouTube Analytics: YouTube Analytics provides valuable data about your video's performance, including views, watch time, and traffic sources.
• Monitor your keyword rankings: Track where your videos are ranking for your target keywords.
• Adjust your strategy: If you're not seeing the results you want, experiment with different keywords and optimization techniques.

By tracking your results, you can refine your keyword strategy and continuously improve your video's visibility.

Optimizing Your Videos with Keywords

Finding the right keywords is only half the battle. You also need to optimize your videos with those keywords to tell YouTube's algorithm what your video is about.

Here's how to optimize your videos with keywords:

• Video Title: Include your primary keyword in your video title. Make sure your title is also engaging and click-worthy.
• Video Description: Write a detailed description that includes your primary keyword and related keywords. The description should be at least 200 words long and provide a clear overview of your video's content.
• Video Tags: Add relevant tags to your video, including your primary keyword, related keywords, and long-tail keywords.
• Video Thumbnail: Create a custom thumbnail that is visually appealing and accurately represents your video's content.
• Closed Captions: Add closed captions to your video. This not only makes your video accessible to a wider audience but also provides another opportunity to include your keywords.

By optimizing your videos with keywords, you can increase their visibility in search results and attract more viewers.

Conclusion

Okay, guys, that's a wrap! While iGoogle might be gone, the world of free YouTube keyword research tools is alive and well. By using the tools and strategies we've discussed, you can find the best keywords to boost your video's visibility and grow your YouTube channel. Remember to focus on providing valuable content, optimizing your videos with keywords, and tracking your results. Now get out there and start creating awesome videos that people will love!