Freelance Web Writer

Running a Shopify store is no small feat. You’ve got products to manage, orders to fulfill, and an online presence to maintain.

You know that SEO is the key to growing that presence organically. But let’s be real: keyword research can feel like navigating a minefield.

Which keywords should you target?

How do you balance search volume and competition?

And how can you avoid wasting time chasing phrases that just won’t convert?

Good news: with the right tools and a focused strategy, you can stop spinning your wheels and start driving real, targeted traffic to your Shopify store.

This guide will walk you through the best keyword research tools and show you exactly how to use them to rank higher for the keywords that matter.

Why Keywords Are Non-Negotiable for Shopify Success

Before we dive into the tools, let’s talk pain points. Most Shopify marketers struggle with:

• Low Visibility: Your amazing products won’t sell if no one can find them.
• Wrong Audience: Targeting the wrong keywords brings visitors who leave without buying.
• Competitor Overload: Bigger brands dominate the SERPs, leaving little room for small businesses.
• Time Drain: Without a clear process, keyword research eats up hours with little to show for it.

Here’s the kicker: all these problems can be solved with better keywords. The right tools make finding those keywords easier and faster, so you can focus on growing your business.

The 13 Best Keyword Tools for Shopify (and How to Use Them)

Here’s a curated list of the best keyword tools and exactly how to use them to solve your SEO headaches.

How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Shopify Store

With so many tools to choose from, here’s how to narrow it down:

1. Budget: Start with free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Keywords Everywhere if you’re on a tight budget.
2. Focus Area: Choose SEMrush or Ahrefs for competitive analysis, and Moz for simplicity.
3. Goal: Use Long Tail Pro for niche keywords and AnswerThePublic for content ideas.

1. Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner provides raw data directly from Google, including search volume, competition, and estimated cost-per-click (CPC). It’s a great starting point for both organic and paid keyword research.

How to Use It:

• Find Long-Tail Keywords: Enter your product name (e.g., “vegan leather bag”) to discover related phrases with lower competition.
• Validate Demand: Check search volume to ensure there’s enough interest before investing in content or ads.
• Ad Optimization: Identify high-CPC keywords for potential paid campaigns.

Pair Google Keyword Planner with a browser extension like Keywords Everywhere to cross-check data and spot overlooked opportunities.

2. SEMrush

SEMrush is a powerhouse for Shopify SEO. This tool does more than provide keyword suggestions because it gives you an insider’s view of your competitors.

How to Use It:

• Spy on Competitors: Enter a competitor’s domain to uncover their top-performing keywords.
• Content Gap Analysis: Identify keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t.
• Track Progress: Monitor your keyword rankings over time to measure the impact of your efforts.

In addition to research, SEMrush tracks your keyword performance over time, making it an all-in-one tool for both planning and monitoring your SEO campaigns.

For Shopify marketers, it’s perfect for finding high-intent keywords like “buy [product] online,” which target customers who are ready to purchase.

3. Ahrefs

Ahrefs combines keyword research with backlink insights, making it an essential tool for Shopify marketers focused on organic search domination.

How to Use It:

• Create Content Ideas: Check the “Questions” section to develop blog posts or FAQs that address customer pain points.
• Target Low-Difficulty Keywords: Focus on keywords with lower competition to gain traction faster.
• Explore Keyword Clusters: Use the “Also rank for” feature to uncover related keywords.

By pairing Ahrefs with a solid content strategy, you can boost rankings not just for individual products, but for entire product categories.

4. Ubersuggest

For those new to SEO or working with a tight budget, Ubersuggest offers a user-friendly and affordable solution. It simplifies the keyword research process while still providing valuable insights.

How to Use It:

• Generate Ideas: Input your niche to uncover untapped long-tail keywords.
• Optimize Existing Pages: Get keyword suggestions for product descriptions and blog posts.

If you’re a Shopify beginner, Ubersuggest is an excellent tool for generating content ideas and optimizing product descriptions without getting overwhelmed by advanced features.

5. Keywords Everywhere

Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that overlays keyword metrics directly onto platforms like Google and YouTube. This makes it a convenient, time-saving tool for real-time keyword analysis.

How to Use It:

• Get Real-Time Data: Check search volume, CPC, and competition as you browse.
• Discover Related Keywords: Use the “Related Keywords” section for new ideas.

For example, while searching for product inspiration or trending items, you can instantly view search volume, competition, and CPC data.

The “Related Keywords” section expands your research by suggesting new ideas, making it a must-have for Shopify marketers who want to keep things simple.

6. Moz Keyword Explorer

Moz Keyword Explorer is perfect for Shopify marketers who need actionable insights without getting bogged down in complexity. The tool prioritizes keywords based on a balance of search volume and difficulty, making it easy to find low-hanging fruit.

How to Use It:

• Find Easy Wins: Prioritize keywords with low difficulty and decent search volume.
• Analyze Search Intent: Review SERP features to understand what users are looking for.

With its SERP analysis feature, you can better understand search intent and see what types of results are dominating the page for a given keyword.

Use Moz’s keyword lists to organize and streamline your campaigns.

7. AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic is an excellent tool for Shopify marketers looking to create engaging content.

How to Use It:

• Brainstorm Blog Topics: Enter a product-related keyword to uncover content ideas (e.g., “how to clean running shoes”).
• Address Customer Pain Points: Use the data to create helpful, trust-building content.

By visualizing search queries into questions like “why,” “how,” and “what,” it helps you understand what your audience is really asking.

For example, if you sell running shoes, AnswerThePublic can generate blog ideas like “how to clean running shoes” or “best running shoes for marathon training.”

By addressing these pain points in your content, you can not only rank higher but also build trust with your audience.

8. Long Tail Pro

Long Tail Pro specializes in finding low-competition, long-tail keywords that are more likely to convert. For Shopify stores targeting niche products or audiences, this tool is a game-changer.

How to Use It:

• Filter by Intent: Discover keywords that match purchase-ready customers.
• Optimize for Voice Search: Target conversational phrases like “best [product] under $50.”

This tool is also ideal for optimizing for voice search, as it identifies conversational phrases like “best [product] under $50.”

9. KWFinder

KWFinder is another beginner-friendly tool that balances ease of use with powerful insights.

Its standout feature is the ability to find localized keywords, making it a top choice for Shopify stores targeting specific regions.

How to Use It:

• Go Local: Enter your location to find keywords with local intent (e.g., “best coffee shops in Austin”).
• Refine Your Niche: Filter results to uncover manageable targets.

10. Google Trends

Google Trends is a free tool that allows you to identify trending topics and seasonal search patterns.

How to Use It:

• Plan for Seasonality: Identify when demand for your products spikes.
• Spot Emerging Trends: Stay ahead by tracking rising searches in your niche.

For example, if you sell swimwear, you can use Google Trends to see when searches for “beachwear” start to spike and plan your marketing campaigns accordingly.

This tool is also great for tracking emerging keywords in your industry, helping you stay ahead of the competition.

How to Choose the Right Keyword Tool for Your Shopify Store

With so many options, here’s how to decide:

• If You’re on a Budget: Start with free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Keywords Everywhere.
• For Competitive Insights: Invest in SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze what’s working for your competitors.
• To Focus on Niche Markets: Use Long Tail Pro or KWFinder to find untapped opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and strategies, you can turn SEO into a powerful growth engine for your Shopify store.

Pick a tool that aligns with your goals, dive into the data, and start optimizing your content. Before you know it, you’ll be climbing the search rankings and driving the traffic you deserve.