Finding the best keyword research tool 2015 was one of the most important steps for digital marketers, bloggers, and SEO professionals. At a time when SEO was rapidly evolving, keyword research shaped content strategies, organic rankings, and long-term success. In this guide, we’ll revisit 2015, analyze the tools that defined that year, explain why they mattered, and share lessons that still apply today.
Introduction
The world of SEO has changed drastically since 2015, but that year remains a milestone in keyword research history. Back then, marketers were shifting from exact-match keywords toward a more semantic search approach, thanks to Google’s Hummingbird update (2013) and the rise of mobile search.
Having the best keyword research tool 2015 wasn’t just about finding search volume numbers; it was about understanding user intent. This article dives deep into the tools that defined that year, why they mattered, and what lessons modern SEOs can still learn from them.
What Is the Best Keyword Research Tool 2015?
The best keyword research tool 2015 was subjective—different marketers swore by different platforms. But most professionals relied on:
- Google Keyword Planner – The free go-to tool for volume estimates.
- SEMrush – Leading in competitive analysis and organic keyword tracking.
- Ahrefs (early stages) – Gaining traction for backlink and keyword insights.
- Moz Keyword Explorer (beta in 2015) – Introduced fresh usability.
- Long Tail Pro – Popular for niche marketers focusing on long-tail terms.
Each tool had pros and cons, but together, they shaped SEO campaigns in 2015.
Why Keyword Research Tools Mattered in 2015
In 2015, keyword research was crucial for:
- Content Creation – Blogs, guides, and landing pages needed targeted terms.
- Traffic Growth – Ranking for the right keywords meant visibility.
- Competitive Insights – Marketers could spy on competitors’ winning terms.
- Ad Campaigns – PPC relied heavily on Keyword Planner data.
- ROI Reporting – Tools helped agencies show measurable SEO results.
Without the best keyword research tool 2015, SEO strategies often relied on guesswork.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using 2015 Keyword Tools
Here’s how marketers used the best keyword research tool 2015 effectively:
Step 1 – Start with Google Keyword Planner
- Enter a seed keyword.
- Collect search volume and CPC data.
- Export CSV for analysis.
Step 2 – Expand with SEMrush
- Identify competitors ranking for target terms.
- Analyze keyword gaps.
- Create a priority keyword list.
Step 3 – Validate with Long Tail Pro
- Focus on less competitive, long-tail terms.
- Check keyword competitiveness score.
Step 4 – Report & Track
- Monitor progress in SEMrush.
- Adjust based on keyword performance.
This combination allowed businesses in 2015 to cover discovery, competition, and execution.
Technical & Reporting Aspects
Marketers using the best keyword research tool 2015 had to generate clear reports for clients and internal teams. Reporting often included:
- Search volume trends (month-over-month).
- Keyword difficulty scores (emerging in SEMrush & Moz).
- Traffic share by keyword.
- Cost-per-click estimates (for PPC synergy).
These reports were critical for agency-client communication.
Impact on Businesses in 2015
Businesses that mastered keyword research in 2015 gained:
- Higher rankings for both long-tail and competitive keywords.
- Cost savings in PPC campaigns by targeting profitable terms.
- Authority building through consistent organic traffic.
- Faster growth for niche sites leveraging Long Tail Pro.
Example: An e-commerce startup in 2015 used SEMrush to find competitor gaps, targeted those terms, and within six months saw a 220% increase in organic traffic.
Detailed Examples & Mini-Case Studies
- Bloggers: Many lifestyle bloggers used Long Tail Pro to find easy-to-rank terms like “best healthy smoothie recipes 2015,” driving traffic without big budgets.
- Agencies: SEO agencies in New York relied heavily on SEMrush for competitor tracking, pitching insights to clients as a value-add.
- E-commerce Stores: Keyword Planner’s CPC data helped stores set competitive Google Ads campaigns while targeting organic rankings simultaneously.
Industry-Specific Keyword Practices in 2015
- Healthcare SEO: Focused on symptom-based long-tail queries.
- Real Estate SEO: Local keyword research was critical (e.g., “homes for sale in Denver 2015”).
- Finance Blogs: Relied on CPC-heavy terms like “best credit cards 2015.”
- Education Sites: Long-tail informational keywords like “best online MBA 2015.”
Common Mistakes Marketers Made in 2015
- Over-reliance on search volume only instead of user intent.
- Ignoring long-tail keywords due to low volume.
- Misinterpreting Google Keyword Planner’s grouped data.
- Over-optimizing with exact match keywords.
- Not diversifying between SEO and PPC research.
Best Practices & Strategies From 2015
- Mix Keyword Planner + SEMrush + Long Tail Pro for a complete view.
- Always cross-check keyword difficulty.
- Focus on intent-driven content rather than exact-match stuffing.
- Build topic clusters around primary keywords.
- Track performance monthly and refine strategies.
Top Tools, Software & Resources of 2015
- Google Keyword Planner (free, baseline data).
- SEMrush (comprehensive competitor analysis).
- Ahrefs (growing rapidly in keyword tracking).
- Moz Keyword Explorer (introduced in beta, user-friendly).
- Long Tail Pro (best for niche and affiliate marketers).
Supporting resources included Google Trends, Ubersuggest (early version), and Market Samurai.
FAQs on the Best Keyword Research Tool 2015
Q1: What was considered the best keyword research tool 2015?
A: Most professionals relied on Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Long Tail Pro, depending on budget and needs.
Q2: Why was Google Keyword Planner so popular in 2015?
A: It was free, directly linked to AdWords, and provided search volume data, making it the default tool.
Q3: Was Ahrefs already good in 2015?
A: Yes, though still growing, Ahrefs was gaining traction for backlink insights and keyword tracking.
Q4: How did Long Tail Pro help niche marketers?
A: It allowed them to discover low-competition long-tail keywords that were easier to rank for.
Q5: What was the biggest mistake SEOs made in 2015?
A: Over-relying on search volume without considering search intent.
Q6: Can 2015 keyword strategies still work today?
A: Yes, especially the focus on long-tail keywords and intent-based research.
Conclusion
The best keyword research tool 2015 wasn’t about one single platform—it was about combining tools strategically. Google Keyword Planner gave volume insights, SEMrush offered competitive analysis, and Long Tail Pro helped niche marketers dominate.