Keyword research has always been the backbone of SEO, and in 2016, marketers had more free tools available than ever before to uncover profitable keywords. The best free keyword research tool 2016 was not just about generating ideas—it was about understanding user intent, competition, and business growth potential.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into what the best free keyword research tool 2016 was, why it mattered, how to use it, examples from real businesses, and timeless lessons you can still apply to your SEO strategy today.
Introduction
If you were doing SEO in 2016, you already know how critical keyword research was. The difference between ranking on the first page of Google or being buried on page ten often came down to picking the right keywords. The best free keyword research tool 2016 gave digital marketers, bloggers, and small businesses the chance to compete with larger brands without huge budgets.
But what exactly was considered the “best” tool at the time, and why did it matter so much? Let’s break it down.
What Is the Best Free Keyword Research Tool 2016?
The best free keyword research tool 2016 was Google Keyword Planner.
Why? Because in 2016:
- It was free with a Google Ads account.
- It provided accurate keyword volume data straight from Google.
- It suggested related keywords based on user searches.
- It gave competition levels (low, medium, high).
Other contenders included Ubersuggest, KeywordTool.io, and SEMrush’s free version. But for many SEOs, Google Keyword Planner was the go-to free keyword tool in 2016.
Why It Mattered in 2016
Keyword research tools weren’t just about finding words. In 2016, they mattered because:
- Content Marketing Boom – Blogs, e-commerce stores, and businesses were publishing content at scale, making keyword research essential for visibility.
- Google Algorithm Updates – Hummingbird (2013) and RankBrain (2015) had shifted search toward user intent, forcing SEOs to think beyond keywords.
- Small Businesses Competing – Free tools allowed small brands to find low-competition keywords and compete with bigger players.
- Rise of Long-Tail Keywords – 2016 saw a rise in long-tail keyword strategies, as searchers became more conversational.
Step-by-Step Guide: How Keyword Research Worked in 2016
Here’s how digital marketers typically used the best free keyword research tool 2016:
Step 1: Set up Google Ads account
You needed a Google Ads account to access Keyword Planner.
Step 2: Enter seed keywords
Marketers typed in broad terms like “digital marketing,” “yoga mats,” or “email software.”
Step 3: Analyze search volume & competition
Google Keyword Planner showed average monthly searches and competition levels.
Step 4: Export keyword lists
SEO professionals exported results into Excel/CSV for filtering.
Step 5: Pick the winners
They selected keywords with:
- Medium-to-high search volume
- Low-to-medium competition
- Relevance to business goals
Step 6: Apply to SEO strategy
Keywords were applied in:
- Blog posts
- Meta tags
- Product descriptions
- Landing pages
Technical Details & Reporting
In 2016, reporting keyword research meant:
- Keyword grouping – Clustering similar phrases for better content targeting.
- Tracking rank changes – Using tools like SERPWatcher or manual checks.
- CTR analysis – Matching keywords with click-through performance.
- Cost-per-click insights – Even for organic SEO, CPC values indicated commercial intent.
Impact on Business Growth
Businesses that used the best free keyword research tool 2016 reported:
- Higher traffic – Targeting the right terms brought in qualified visitors.
- Increased sales – SEO-driven content converted because it matched user intent.
- Better ROI – Free tools cut costs compared to premium keyword platforms.
- Competitive advantage – Early adopters of long-tail keyword strategies dominated niches.
Examples & Mini Case Studies
Case Study 1: A Small E-commerce Store
A yoga mat store in 2016 used Google Keyword Planner to discover “eco-friendly yoga mats” (low competition, medium volume). Ranking for this phrase doubled their sales within six months.
Case Study 2: A Digital Marketing Blogger
A blogger used long-tail keywords like “best email marketing tools for small business 2016.” Within three months, their blog ranked #1, bringing in affiliate revenue.
Case Study 3: Local Business SEO
A café in New York optimized for “best coffee shop Brooklyn 2016” after keyword research. They appeared in Google Maps and saw a 25% increase in foot traffic.
Industry-Specific Practices
- E-commerce – Focus on transactional keywords (“buy shoes online 2016”).
- Bloggers – Targeted long-tail informational keywords.
- Local businesses – Used geo-specific keywords (“plumber in Chicago 2016”).
- B2B companies – Leveraged research-based queries (“CRM software comparison 2016”).
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
- Chasing only high-volume keywords – Too competitive. Solution: Focus on long-tail.
- Ignoring user intent – Ranking but not converting. Solution: Align keywords with goals.
- Keyword stuffing – Hurt rankings. Solution: Use natural placements.
- Not updating keyword lists – Missed trends. Solution: Regular updates.
Best Practices & Strategies
- Use a mix of short-tail and long-tail keywords.
- Map keywords to the buyer’s journey.
- Regularly audit and update keyword lists.
- Leverage Google Trends for seasonality.
- Combine free tools for better results.
Tools, Software & Resources of 2016
Apart from Google Keyword Planner, the best free keyword research tools 2016 included:
- Ubersuggest – Free keyword ideas & competition analysis.
- KeywordTool.io – Pulled data from Google Autocomplete.
- AnswerThePublic – Visualized questions around keywords.
- Moz Keyword Explorer (limited free) – Gave difficulty scores.
- Soovle – Multi-search engine keyword suggestions.
FAQs
Q1: What was the best free keyword research tool 2016?
Google Keyword Planner was widely considered the best free keyword research tool in 2016.
Q2: Could small businesses benefit from free tools in 2016?
Absolutely. Many small businesses built SEO success using only free tools.
Q3: How accurate was Google Keyword Planner in 2016?
It was reliable, though data ranges were broad unless you ran active ad campaigns.
Q4: Were there alternatives to Google Keyword Planner?
Yes—Ubersuggest, KeywordTool.io, AnswerThePublic, and others.
Q5: Do these tools still work today?
Yes, but with changes. Keyword Planner now hides some data unless you spend on ads.
Conclusion
The best free keyword research tool 2016 may seem outdated today, but the lessons it taught remain timeless: keyword research is about understanding people, not just search engines.
If you want to grow your website today, don’t just chase trends—apply the same strategic thinking from 2016. Start with free tools, validate with data, and align keywords with business goals
