What Is the Best Tool for Local Keyword Research?

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If you want to dominate local search results, the first step is understanding what your audience is actually searching for. That’s where local keyword research tools come in—they help you discover what people in your area are typing into Google when they’re ready to buy.

But with so many tools out there, you might be asking: What is the best tool for local keyword research?

In this post, we’ll break down the top tools, what they do best, and how to use them to grow your local SEO rankings and sales.

🔍 Why Local Keyword Research Matters

Local keyword research helps you:
    Find geo-targeted search terms like “buy organic coffee in Austin”
    Understand regional demand for your products or services
    Optimize your content for “near me” and city-specific searches
    Create local landing pages that rank higher

Whether you’re a national eCommerce brand offering local delivery or a regional online store, local keywords are essential for visibility and conversions.

Best Tools for Local Keyword Research (Ranked)

1. Google Keyword Planner – Best Free Tool for Beginners

Why it’s great:
    Direct from Google, so the data is reliable
    Lets you filter by location, language, and search network
    Generates keyword ideas from URLs or seed terms

Best for: Basic research, PPC campaigns, early-stage planning

Limitations:
    Only shows broad search volume ranges
    Doesn’t reveal competitor rankings

Pro Tip: Use the “location” filter to narrow keyword results to your city, region, or service area.

2. Ubersuggest by Neil Patel – Best Budget-Friendly Option

Why it’s great:
    Shows local search volume and keyword difficulty
    Includes content ideas and top-ranking pages
    Great for finding long-tail, location-based keywords

Best for: Small businesses and eCommerce stores targeting specific cities
Bonus: You can enter a competitor’s domain to see their top keywords!

3. Semrush – Best All-in-One SEO Suite

Why it’s great:
    Offers position tracking by specific cities or zip codes
    Suggests keyword gaps between you and local competitors
    Includes a local SEO toolkit with citation and listing tracking
Best for: Agencies, multi-location brands, and advanced SEO campaigns
Features to try:
    Keyword Magic Tool
    Organic Research Tool
    Local Keyword Tracking

Pro Tip: Use Semrush’s “Local Pack” filters to identify keywords that trigger map results.

4. Ahrefs – Best for Competitor-Based Research

Why it’s great:
    Discover which local keywords competitors rank for
    Analyze traffic from specific pages targeting local intent
    Powerful Content Explorer and backlink tracking
Best for: Competitive local markets, high-competition industries

Example use case: Plug in a competing business URL like examplecompetitor.com/dallas-shoes to see all the keywords it ranks for in that city.

5. BrightLocal – Best for Local SEO Campaigns

Why it’s great:
    Built specifically for local SEO
    Tracks rankings by city, zip, or service area
    Includes tools for citation tracking, reputation management, and Google Business Profile audits

Best for: Local service providers, regional eCommerce brands, agencies managing multiple locations

6. Google Trends – Best for Seasonal and Regional Interest

Why it’s great:
    Shows how keyword interest changes by region and over time
    Great for finding seasonal trends or comparing search terms
    100% free

Example: Compare “Christmas gifts in Chicago” vs. “holiday sales in Chicago” to see which gets more interest in Q4.

7. AnswerThePublic – Best for Local Question-Based Keywords

Why it’s great:
    Shows real user questions and long-tail queries
    Visual keyword maps grouped by:
        Who, what, where, when, why, how
Best for: Creating local blog content and FAQ pages

Pro Tip: Add your city name to the seed keyword (e.g., “gardening tips Austin”) to discover local-specific questions.

How to Choose the Best Tool for You

Final Thoughts

The best tool for local keyword research depends on your budget, goals, and how deep you want to go. For most eCommerce websites, a combination of tools works best:
    Use Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest for quick ideas
    Use Semrush or Ahrefs to uncover competitor keywords
    Use BrightLocal to track real-world local rankings
    Use Google Trends and AnswerThePublic for content inspiration
With the right tools, you can uncover high-intent local keywords that bring your products in front of nearby shoppers—right when they’re ready to buy.