AnswerThePublic Alternative: Free, Paid & Industry-Specific Tools

Finding the AnswerThePublic alternative is crucial for content creators and SEO professionals looking for better keyword research tools. While AnswerThePublic helps generate content ideas by pulling Google and Bing autocomplete suggestions, it has limitations.

It has restricted free searches, lack of search volume data, and missing competitive insights. This has led many users to explore the best free and paid alternatives that offer deeper SEO analysis, real-time trends, and keyword tracking.

According to You, Which Feature Matters Most in a Keyword Research Tool?

🔍 Search Volume & Competition Data

📈 Real-Time Trends & Updates

🎯 Competitor Keyword Tracking

🤖 AI-Powered Keyword Clustering

What is AnswerThePublic and Why do People Use it?

AnswerThePublic is a keyword research tool that helps you discover what people are searching for online. It collects autocomplete suggestions from search engines like Google and Bing and organizes them into easy-to-understand categories.

People use it to:

Find content ideas: It reveals what people actually ask online, helping writers create valuable content.
Improve SEO strategy: Helps identify long-tail keywords and user intent for better search rankings.
Save time: Instead of manually researching search trends, AnswerThePublic presents organized insights in seconds.
Understand audience pain points: By analyzing search behavior, businesses can address real user concerns.

Quick Fact: Approximately 75.5% of marketers utilize keyword research when creating content for consumers and businesses, highlighting the importance of these tools in digital marketing strategies.

Why Look for an AnswerThePublic Alternative?

AnswerThePublic is a great tool for finding content ideas, but it has some limitations that make users look for better alternatives.

While it helps generate keyword ideas and common search queries, it lacks detailed SEO insights that content creators and marketers need to rank higher in search results.

Here are some common reasons why people search for an AnswerThePublic alternative:

❌Limited Free Searches: The free plan allows only a few searches per day, forcing frequent users to upgrade.
❌No Search Volume or Competition Data: It suggests keywords but doesn’t show search volume or ranking difficulty, making SEO planning harder.
❌Lacks Advanced SEO Metrics: No keyword difficulty, CPC, or backlink insights, limiting its use for in-depth analysis.
❌No Real-Time Trends: Relies on autocomplete data, missing the latest search trends that impact rankings.
❌No Competitor Keyword Tracking: Doesn’t show competitor rankings or keyword strategies, which are crucial for SEO success.
❌Overwhelming Visual Format: The keyword wheel can be cluttered, making it hard to analyze large data sets efficiently.

Important Fact: 81% of consumers research online before purchasing online or in-store., emphasizing the need for accurate keyword data to capture potential customers.

5 Free AnswerThePublic Alternatives for Keyword Research

Not everyone wants to pay for keyword research tools, and luckily, there are free alternatives that can help you find search queries and content ideas. These tools provide useful insights without the cost, making them great for beginners, bloggers, and small businesses.

The table below compares their features to help you choose the best one for your needs:

Feature	Google Autocomplete & Related Searches	AlsoAsked	Keyword Sheeter	Answer Socrates	Ubersuggest (Free Version)
Type	Search engine feature	PAA question research	Bulk keyword generator	Question-based keyword tool	SEO & keyword research tool
Data Source	Google Autocomplete & Related Searches	Google PAA	Google Autocomplete	Google Autocomplete	Google Keyword Database
Search Volume	❌ Not Provided	❌ Not Provided	❌ Not Provided	❌ Not Provided	✅ Yes, in free searches
Keyword Difficulty	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes (limited in free version)
Keyword Suggestions	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Competitor Analysis	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Export Data	❌ No (manual copying only)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Question-Based Keywords	✅ Yes (limited)	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Bulk Keyword Extraction	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes (limited)
Real-Time Data	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No (updates periodically)
Pricing	✅ Free	✅ Free (limited)	✅ Free (unlimited)	✅ Free	✅ Free (limited daily searches)

Here is a detailed overview of each of these tools:

1. Google Autocomplete & Related Searches

Google itself is one of the best free keyword research tools. When you start typing in the search bar, it suggests popular searches based on real user queries. This method is simple but effective for finding trending topics.

How It Works

Go to Google Search and start typing your keyword.
Observe the autocomplete suggestions that appear below the search bar.
Scroll to the bottom of the search results page to find Related Searches for additional keyword ideas.
Note down or copy the keywords for further research.

What’s Different About It

Provides real-time search suggestions directly from Google.
Helps discover long-tail keywords naturally searched by users.
No need for extra tools; accessible to everyone, anytime.

Best For

Bloggers and content creators looking for quick topic ideas.
SEO beginners who want free keyword inspiration.
Those who want fresh and trending search queries.

✅Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need quick keyword ideas without using any tool.	You want search volume, competition, or SEO difficulty data.
You prefer free, unlimited keyword research.	You need structured keyword lists in bulk.

2. AlsoAsked

AlsoAsked helps you find People Also Ask (PAA) questions from Google, showing related searches in a structured format. It’s useful for understanding what questions people have around a topic, making it great for blog posts and FAQ sections.

How It Works

Visit AlsoAsked.com and enter a keyword or phrase.
Click Search to generate a tree-like map of related People Also Ask (PAA) questions.
Click on any question to explore more in-depth related queries.
Export the results for content planning.

What’s Different About It

Extracts real user questions from Google’s PAA section.
Organizes queries into a structured visual format.
Helps structure blog content and FAQs based on actual search intent.

Best For

Content creators focusing on informational and question-based content.
SEO professionals looking to optimize for Google’s PAA section.
Marketers wanting content ideas directly aligned with user intent.

✅Use If	❌ Avoid If
You want to create content based on real user questions.	You need search volume and ranking difficulty data.
You need a structured way to cover related subtopics.	You want unlimited searches (free version has limits).

3. Keyword Sheeter

This tool scrapes thousands of Google autocomplete suggestions quickly. It’s helpful for brainstorming keyword ideas but does not provide search volume or ranking difficulty. If you need a large number of keyword ideas fast, Keyword Sheeter is a good option.

How It Works

Go to KeywordSheeter.com and enter a keyword.
Click “Sheet Keywords” to start generating thousands of Google autocomplete suggestions.
Copy or export the list for further analysis.

What’s Different About It

Generates bulk keyword ideas instantly.
Exports large keyword lists for free.
No sign-up or login required.

Best For

Users who need large volumes of keyword ideas fast.
Content creators looking for brainstorming inspiration.
SEO professionals who filter keywords using other tools.

✅Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need bulk keyword ideas quickly.	You need SEO metrics like search volume or CPC.
You want a simple tool with no sign-up required.	You prefer a structured or filtered keyword list.

4. Answer Socrates

Similar to AnswerThePublic, Answer Socrates generates keyword suggestions based on Google’s autocomplete feature. It provides question-based queries that can be used to create engaging content. It’s free to use, making it a solid alternative for those looking for a simple research tool.

How It Works

Visit AnswerSocrates.com and type in a keyword.
Click Search to generate question-based keyword suggestions.
Browse the results, categorized under What, How, Why, etc.
Copy, save, or export the results for content creation.

What’s Different About It

Question-focused keyword research similar to AnswerThePublic.
Supports multiple languages and countries.
Free to use with no login required.

Best For

Writers and bloggers creating FAQ-style content.
Marketers looking for engagement-driven content.
Anyone who wants a free alternative to AnswerThePublic.

✅Use If	❌ Avoid If
You want an alternative to AnswerThePublic.	You need detailed keyword competition insights.
You need question-focused content ideas.	You want access to search volume or trends.

5. Ubersuggest (Free Version)

Ubersuggest offers a limited number of free keyword searches per day, providing search volume, CPC, and SEO difficulty scores. While the free version has restrictions, it still gives valuable keyword data for small-scale research.

How It Works

Visit Ubersuggest.com and enter a keyword.
Click Search to get keyword suggestions along with search volume and CPC data.
Browse keyword difficulty and trend analysis.
Use the free daily searches before reaching the limit.

What’s Different About It

Provides search volume, CPC, and SEO difficulty for keywords.
Limited free searches per day with detailed insights.
Includes domain overview & backlink analysis (limited for free users).

Best For

Users needing basic SEO data for free.
Small businesses and bloggers with low research needs.
Those who don’t mind daily search limits.

✅Use If	❌ Avoid If
You want search volume and SEO difficulty data for free.	You need unlimited keyword research.
You’re okay with limited searches per day.	You need in-depth competitor analysis.

6 Paid & Advanced AnswerThePublic Alternatives

While free keyword tools offer basic insights, paid alternatives provide detailed SEO metrics, keyword competition analysis, search volume, and competitor tracking.

These tools are essential for SEO professionals, businesses, and marketers looking for in-depth data to optimize content and improve rankings.

Here’s a comparison of the paid alternatives to AnswerThePublic:

Feature	KIVA	Semrush Keyword Magic Tool	Ahrefs Keyword Explorer	Moz Pro	Keywords Everywhere	Conductor
Data Source	GSC + DataForSEO + AI Clustering	Google Keyword Database	Ahrefs Proprietary Database	Moz Proprietary Database	Google Search API	Custom Data + AI Insights
Unique Feature	AI-powered keyword clustering with multi-platform SEO	Largest keyword database (20B+ keywords)	Predicts CTR & organic traffic potential	Tracks Domain Authority (DA) & Spam Score	Budget-friendly browser extension	AI-powered search intent & customer journey mapping
Keyword Clustering	✅ AI-driven segmentation (Intent-Based)	✅ Filters by search intent	✅ Topic-based clusters	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Enterprise-grade topic mapping
Search Volume Accuracy	✅ Real-time from GSC + DataForSEO	✅ Large database, frequent updates	✅ More accurate for long-tail	✅ Accurate but limited dataset	✅ Real-time from Google API	✅ Enterprise-level trend analysis
Competitor Insights	✅ Detects ranking gaps & SERP changes	✅ Tracks keyword position changes	✅ Backlink & keyword tracking	✅ Tracks competitors’ DA & links	❌ No	✅ AI-driven competitor tracking
AI Content Optimization	✅ Automated SEO-friendly outlines	✅ Basic content recommendations	✅ On-page content optimization	✅ On-page SEO suggestions	❌ No	✅ Enterprise-level content recommendations
Multi-Platform SEO	✅ Google, Bing, AI search engines	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Optimizes across multiple channels

Now let’s see the details of these tools, including their features, proper usage steps, and key advantages.

1. KIVA

KIVA

KIVA is an AI-driven SEO platform that combines Google Search Console (GSC) data with third-party keyword insights to provide deep keyword segmentation.

Unlike traditional keyword tools, KIVA clusters keywords based on search intent, making it easier to optimize content for both search engines and AI-driven platforms.

How It Works

Connect Google Search Console to analyze real-time keyword data.
Enter a seed keyword, and KIVA will generate keyword clusters based on AI-driven segmentation.
Get segmented keyword lists under categories like untapped opportunities, near-miss keywords, emerging trends, and local keyword segmentation.
Explore Chat-GPT optimized queries.
Analyze user search intent.
Generate AI-assisted content outlines that include structured data, LSIs, and People Also Ask (PAA) insights.

What’s Different About It

AI-powered keyword segmentation & clustering.
Multi-platform optimization (Google, Bing, AI search engines).
Google Search Console & DataForSEO integration.
ChatGPT-based query and pattern analysis.
Automated content strategy & outline generation.
SERP visibility & keyword tracking insights.

Pricing

Plan	Price (Monthly)
Starter	$19.99
Pro	$49.99
Enterprise	$249.99

*Allows free usage for upto 10 keywords.

Best For

SEO professionals and agencies managing multi-platform search optimization.
Content strategists looking for AI-powered keyword clustering.
Businesses wanting automated keyword segmentation & trend tracking.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need AI-driven keyword segmentation.	You prefer free and basic keyword tools.
You manage SEO across multiple search platforms.	You don’t want data-driven insights.
You want automated content outlines based on search intent.	–

2. Semrush Keyword Magic Tool

semrush

Semrush is a comprehensive SEO platform that offers keyword research, competitive analysis, PPC insights, and SERP tracking. The Keyword Magic Tool allows users to filter long-tail, commercial, and question-based keywords based on search intent.

How It Works

Enter a seed keyword into the Keyword Magic Tool.
Filter keywords by search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, and user intent.
Analyze competitors’ keyword rankings using the Domain Overview tool.
Export keyword lists for SEO and paid search campaigns.

What’s Different About It

Largest keyword database with 20+ billion keywords.
Search intent filtering for better targeting.
Competitor analysis to see what keywords they rank for.
SERP tracking & backlink analysis.
PPC insights for paid campaigns.

Pricing

Plan	Price (Monthly)
Pro	$129.95
Guru	$249.95
Business	$499.95

*Offers a free trial for a limited period (few keywords), requiring a subscription afterward.

Best For

SEO experts managing large-scale campaigns.
Marketers running SEO and PPC campaigns simultaneously.
Agencies handling competitor keyword tracking and backlink audits.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need search volume, CPC & competitive data.	You want a budget-friendly keyword tool.
You run SEO and PPC campaigns.	You prefer simpler, AI-driven keyword research.
You need SERP tracking and competitor insights.	You only need basic keyword suggestions.

3. Ahrefs Keyword Explorer

Ahrefs is known for its backlink and keyword research capabilities. The Keyword Explorer provides search volume, click-through rates (CTR), and keyword difficulty scores to help businesses find low-competition keywords with high traffic potential.

How It Works

Enter a keyword in Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.
View keyword difficulty, search volume, and estimated CTR.
Analyze SERP insights to determine ranking potential.
Export keyword reports for content planning.

What’s Different About It

Keyword difficulty scoring based on backlink competition.
Click-through rate (CTR) insights for organic traffic predictions.
SERP & backlink analysis to track ranking trends.
Keyword discovery across multiple search engines.

Pricing

Plan	Price (Monthly)
Lite	$99
Standard	$199
Advanced	$399

*Does not offer a free trial, but provides free keyword tools with limited data.

Best For

SEO professionals focused on backlink-driven rankings.
Content marketers needing search volume and CTR predictions.
Businesses optimizing for competitive search terms.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need backlink analysis & competitor tracking.	You only need question-based keyword ideas.
You want CTR insights & keyword difficulty scores.	You need low-cost SEO solutions.
You run SEO for competitive industries.	You’re looking for a beginner-friendly tool.

4. Moz Pro

moz-pro

Moz Pro is a comprehensive SEO tool designed to help businesses improve their search rankings. It provides keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and rank tracking to optimize search performance.

The tool is widely used for domain authority tracking and keyword difficulty analysis, helping users identify the best keywords to target.

How It Works

Enter a keyword in the Keyword Explorer to see search volume, difficulty, and organic CTR.
Run a site crawl to detect technical SEO issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and missing tags.
Monitor keyword rankings over time and compare against competitors.
Analyze backlinks using the Link Explorer to track domain authority and referral sites.

What’s Different About It

Keyword Explorer with search volume, keyword difficulty, and organic CTR insights.
Site Crawl for detecting and fixing technical SEO issues.
Rank Tracking to monitor keyword positions across search engines.
Link Explorer for backlink analysis and domain authority insights.
On-Page SEO Suggestions to improve website rankings.

Pricing

Plan	Price (Monthly)
Standard	$99
Medium	$179
Large	$299
Premium	$599

*Offers a 30-day free trial with access to Keyword Explorer.

Best For

SEO professionals needing keyword difficulty and domain authority analysis.
Digital marketers looking for rank tracking and backlink insights.
Businesses managing multiple websites and SEO campaigns.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need detailed domain authority tracking.	You’re looking for a budget-friendly SEO tool.
You require accurate keyword difficulty analysis.	You need real-time AI-powered keyword insights.
You want comprehensive rank tracking and backlink monitoring.	You prefer a simpler, all-in-one SEO tool.

5. Keywords Everywhere

Keywords Everywhere is a lightweight browser extension that displays search volume, CPC, and competition metrics directly on Google, YouTube, Amazon, and other search platforms.

How It Works

Install the Keywords Everywhere extension for Chrome or Firefox.
Search for a keyword on Google or YouTube to see real-time search volume and CPC data.
Use related keywords and trend data to refine SEO strategy.
Export keyword lists for further analysis.

What’s Different About It

Real-time keyword search volume and CPC insights.
Works with Google, YouTube, Amazon, and more.
Affordable credit-based pricing model.
Related keyword suggestions & trending search data.

Pricing

Plan	Price (One-Time Credit-Based)
100,000 Credits	$10
500,000 Credits	$50
1,000,000 Credits	$100

*Offers a free browser extension; advanced data requires paid credits.

Best For

Freelancers and small businesses looking for an affordable keyword research tool.
Marketers needing quick keyword data for PPC and SEO.
Users preferring a browser extension instead of a full SEO suite.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You need quick keyword data while browsing.	You require competitor keyword analysis.
You prefer a low-cost, credit-based pricing model.	You want in-depth SEO tracking and automation.
You want search volume and CPC data on Google, YouTube, and Amazon.	You need AI-driven keyword clustering.

6. Conductor

Conductor is an enterprise-level SEO platform that provides keyword research, audience insights, and content recommendations. It focuses on customer journey mapping to align content with search intent.

How It Works

Enter a keyword to analyze search volume, competition, and search intent.
Track customer journeys to optimize content for user engagement.
Monitor search performance across different content types and platforms.
Use AI-driven insights to align SEO strategy with business goals.

What’s Different About It

Enterprise-level keyword tracking and search intent analysis.
AI-driven content recommendations based on audience behavior.
SEO workflow automation and reporting.
Integration with Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other tools.

Pricing

Plan	Price (Monthly)
Custom Plan	–

*No free version or public trial; contact sales for demo options.

Best For

Enterprise businesses managing large-scale SEO strategies.
Marketing teams optimizing content for customer journeys.
Companies needing AI-powered audience insights.

✅ Use If	❌ Avoid If
You manage large-scale SEO projects.	You need a low-cost SEO tool.
You want AI-powered search intent analysis.	You prefer a simple keyword research tool.
You need SEO workflow automation & reporting.	You don’t require enterprise-level SEO tracking.

Industry-Specific AnswerThePublic Alternatives

While AnswerThePublic and its alternatives work well for general keyword discovery, industry-specific tools provide more targeted insights tailored to niche markets. Below is a comparison table showcasing the best keyword research tools for different industries.

Industry	Tool	Focus	Why Use It?	Example
E-commerce & Amazon SEO	JungleScout, Helium 10	Amazon search trends, product keywords, competitive analysis	General keyword tools focus on Google searches, but JungleScout & Helium 10 analyze Amazon buyer intent and search volume.	Instead of just “best protein powder”, these tools reveal high-converting keywords like “organic whey protein powder unflavored 5lb.”
Local SEO & Service-Based Businesses	BrightLocal, Whitespark	Geo-targeted search queries, local citations, Google My Business (GMB) optimization	AnswerThePublic doesn’t provide local search trends, but BrightLocal and Whitespark help businesses rank in local search results.	A plumber targeting “emergency plumbing services in Dallas” will find local keyword variations and Google Map Pack ranking opportunities.
Video & YouTube SEO	TubeBuddy, VidIQ	YouTube keyword research, video optimization, trending topics	Unlike traditional keyword tools, TubeBuddy & VidIQ analyze YouTube search trends to improve video visibility.	Instead of “best smartphones 2024”, these tools recommend tags, trending hashtags, and title optimization strategies to rank on YouTube.

How to Choose the Right Alternative for Your Needs

With so many keyword research tools available, picking the right one depends on your goals, budget, and level of SEO expertise. Some tools focus on competitor analysis, while others are great for keyword clustering, PPC insights, or content optimization.

Here’s how to decide which one works best for you:

1. Identify Your Primary Goal

Need AI-powered keyword clustering and deep segmentation? → Go for KIVA.
Want to analyze competitors and run PPC campaigns? → Semrush is the best choice.
Looking for backlink insights and organic traffic predictions? → Ahrefs is ideal.
Focusing on domain authority and keyword difficulty? → Use Moz Pro.
Want a budget-friendly tool for quick keyword insights? → Try Keywords Everywhere.
Need an enterprise-grade SEO platform for large businesses? → Conductor is your solution.
Industry-specific keyword research? → Use tools tailored for e-commerce (JungleScout, Helium 10), local SEO (BrightLocal, Whitespark), YouTube SEO (TubeBuddy, VidIQ), or AI content optimization (SurferSEO).

2. Consider Your Budget

Free but limited searches → Google Autocomplete, AlsoAsked, Keyword Sheeter, Answer Socrates, Ubersuggest (Free Version).
Affordable paid tools → Keywords Everywhere ($10 one-time credits), Moz Pro ($99/month), KIVA ($99/month), Ahrefs ($99/month).
High-end SEO tools → Semrush ($129.95/month), Conductor (custom pricing for enterprises).

If you’re just starting, Keywords Everywhere or Ubersuggest can help you with basic keyword insights. If you need deep analysis and competitor tracking, Semrush, Ahrefs, and KIVA are worth the investment.

3. Choose Between AI and Traditional Keyword Research

AI-driven keyword segmentation and automation → KIVA, Conductor.
Manual keyword research with strong filtering → Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz Pro.
Basic keyword research with browser-based insights → Keywords Everywhere.

If you prefer automation and AI-powered recommendations, go for KIVA or Conductor. If you want complete control over keyword filtering, Semrush or Ahrefs will be a better fit.

4. Determine If You Need Competitor Insights

Want to track competitor rankings and backlinks? → Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz Pro.
Need keyword research but don’t care about competitors? → KIVA, Keywords Everywhere.
E-commerce competitor tracking? → JungleScout, Helium 10.
Local competitor tracking? → BrightLocal, Whitespark.

Competitor research is essential for SEO and PPC strategies, so if you’re serious about ranking higher, Semrush and Ahrefs are great choices. You can also benefit from a free seo competitor analysis tool to compare your site’s performance against rivals without spending a dime.

5. Think About Content Optimization Needs

Need AI-generated content outlines and recommendations? → KIVA, Conductor.
Want basic keyword suggestions for content? → Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz Pro.
Just need keyword volume and trends? → Keywords Everywhere.
Optimizing YouTube content? → TubeBuddy, VidIQ.
Amazon product listings and SEO? → JungleScout, Helium 10.
AI-driven content strategies? → KIVA.

If you’re focused on writing SEO-friendly content, KIVA and Conductor provide AI-powered content recommendations, while Semrush and Moz Pro offer manual optimization suggestions.

Explore Other Guides

Keyword Rankings: Neutral, fast keyword ranking checks for any website.
Google EEAT: Boost credibility, experience, expertise, and trust in content.
Social Signals vs. Links: Compare SEO impact of social vs. links.
Local SEO vs. Traditional SEO: Understand local vs. broad SEO strategies.
Book Title Generator Using Keywords: Create catchy book titles effortlessly.

FAQs – AnswerThePublic Alternative

Is there a free version of AnswerThePublic?

How can I find a reliable and effective alternative to AnswerThePublic?

Is there another site like AnswerThePublic?

Final Thoughts

While AnswerThePublic is a useful tool for discovering content ideas, it has several limitations. On the other hand, AnswerThePublic alternatives offer more comprehensive keyword insights.

Free tools like AlsoAsked and Answer Socrates help with question-based research, while paid options like KIVA, Semrush, and Ahrefs provide in-depth SEO metrics, competitive analysis, and search intent clustering.

Choosing the right alternative depends on your specific needs, whether it’s local SEO, e-commerce, content optimization, or video marketing.

Was this article helpful?

YesNo

AnswerThePublic Alternative: Free, Paid & Industry-Specific Tools

Personal Quote

Highlights

Personal Quote

Highlights

What is AnswerThePublic and Why do People Use it?

Why Look for an AnswerThePublic Alternative?

5 Free AnswerThePublic Alternatives for Keyword Research