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Ubersuggest

Generates keyword ideas and competitor insights from a seed term, helping you spot content and backlink gaps without a large budget.

If you have ever chosen a keyword based on Ubersuggest's difficulty score and still failed to rank, you already know the number is not the whole story.

Key points

  • Use the Chrome extension to pull keyword data from any SERP without leaving the page – a quick way to do keyword research on the fly.
  • Set the correct country and language before exporting keyword lists to avoid skewed volume.
  • Treat volume and keyword difficulty as directional estimates, not facts, for research and prioritisation.
  • Validate top content ideas with a manual SERP review before writing to confirm intent and format.
  • Run a site audit monthly to catch technical issues that block rankings, then fix by impact.
  • Cross-check backlink data with a second tool for critical link building decisions.

The same keyword, three different scores

A small e-commerce site used Ubersuggest to find a keyword with 800 monthly searches and a difficulty score of 22. They wrote a 1,500-word guide and ranked #6 after three months. The same keyword in Ahrefs showed difficulty 45, and SEMrush showed 38. The tool's estimate was optimistic, but the page still earned traffic because the content matched intent.

Four ways Ubersuggest differs from paid tools

  • Freemium access You get keyword research, site audits, and backlink data without a subscription, though daily limits apply on the web app. The Chrome extension remains free.
  • Simpler interface The dashboard shows key metrics like volume, CPC, and difficulty in a single view, reducing the learning curve for beginners compared to suites like SEMrush.
  • Content ideas built in Instead of a separate module, Ubersuggest shows top-ranking pages for a keyword and suggests angles, headlines, and word counts you can adapt.
  • Built-in rank tracking You can track your keyword positions over time directly in the dashboard without a separate tool, though it's simpler than dedicated rank tracking software.

Four mistakes that waste your keyword research time

  • Ignoring country targeting Keyword research data defaults to the US. If your audience is in the UK or Australia, volume and keyword difficulty can be wildly off, leading to poor prioritisation.
  • Chasing only high volume A keyword with 10,000 searches may have a keyword difficulty of 80. You will spend months competing against established domains when a 500-search term with difficulty 15 could rank faster.
  • Skipping manual SERP review Ubersuggest's content ideas show what ranks, but not why. You need to check if the top results are listicles, guides, or product pages to match the format.
  • Treating backlink data as complete The tool's backlink index is smaller than Ahrefs or Majestic. For link building, use it as a starting point, then verify with a second source.

Four checks before you act on its data

  • Check the date of the data Keyword volume and difficulty are estimates based on models that update periodically. If a keyword shows a spike, confirm it is not seasonal or a data glitch.
  • Verify with Search Console Compare Ubersuggest's volume against your own impressions and clicks in Google Search Console. If your page already ranks but gets no clicks, the intent may be wrong.
  • Audit your own site first Before chasing new keywords, run a site audit in Ubersuggest to fix technical issues. A page with broken links or slow load times will not rank even for easy terms.
  • Cross-check with rank tracking Use a daily SEO rank tracking tool to see if your actual positions match Ubersuggest's difficulty estimate. If you rank lower than expected, the keyword may be harder than the tool suggests.

Common questions

How do I use the Ubersuggest Chrome extension?

Install it from the Chrome Web Store, then click the icon on any search results page to see keyword volume, CPC, and competition data for the query.

What are the best free website audit tools?

Ubersuggest's site audit is free with limits. Other free options include Google Search Console, Screaming Frog (limited), and Lighthouse for performance.

Is Ubersuggest free?

The Chrome extension is free, and the web app has a free tier with daily limits. Paid plans start at $12 per month for more usage.

Sources

  1. Neil Patel - Ubersuggest Free Keyword Research Tool Official product page with feature overview and pricing.
  2. Ubersuggest Help Center - Complete Guide to All Ubersuggest Features Detailed documentation of every tool and setting.
  3. Ubersuggest Chrome Web Store listing Extension details, permissions, and user reviews.
  4. Google Search Central Official guidance for interpreting SEO recommendations.
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