Best Free SEO tools 2024

updated on
August 21, 2023
Terry Williams
Disclaimer: A few of the links you'll stumble upon here are my affiliate buddies. Meaning, if you decide to join their premium crew, I might get a little thank-you bonus – without any extra penny from your pocket! Just know, I only give shout-outs to tools and products I truly believe in and have used.

My Top Ranked Free SEO tools

#1Product Recommendation
Math Rank Logo

RankMath

A Powerful, All-In-One SEO Plugin for WordPress
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#2Product Recommendation
screaming frog logo

ScreamingFrog

The Must-Have SEO Tool For Any Website Analysis
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Features
Accuracy
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#3Product Recommendation
moz logo

MozBar

Convenient SEO Chrome Extension for On-the-Go Analysis
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Features
Accuracy
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#1Product Recommendation

Math Rank Logo

RankMath

Pricing
Features
Accuracy
Read Full Review

RankMath

RankMath is a powerful, all-in-one SEO plugin that makes search engine optimization simple for WordPress sites. It features a step-by-step setup wizard to perfectly configure SEO settings and provides built-in suggestions for optimizing content based on best practices.

RankMath is an SEO plugin designed specifically for WordPress that aims to make search engine optimization accessible for everyone. It has an easy-to-use setup wizard that verifies and recommends ideal SEO settings for your site. The wizard handles all the technical aspects like sitemaps, social media profiles, and search console integration so you can focus on creating content. RankMath analyzes your posts and pages, suggesting relevant keywords and providing actionable ways to optimize them for better rankings. It takes the guesswork out of SEO with its insights based on widely-accepted best practices.

Features

RankMath comes packed with a robust set of features to handle all aspects of SEO optimization. After installing the plugin, it runs an in-depth analysis of your site's content and settings, giving actionable suggestions to improve SEO. RankMath can optimize your titles and meta descriptions automatically or provide recommendations if you prefer to customize them yourself. It makes adding schema markup effortless so search engines better understand your content. Popular page builders like Elementor are supported through integrations that bring RankMath's optimization right into your editing workflow. The plugin connects your site with Google Search Console to monitor performance in rankings. Valuable data is also synced with Google Analytics to align your SEO and analytics efforts. To improve ranking potential, RankMath will optimize your images through automated actions like compression and alt text addition. One of its most useful features analyzes your internal linking structure and gives smart recommendations to improve it. Other technical aspects like sitemap generation and 404 monitoring are handled automatically by RankMath in the background.

Pros

  • Optimizes meta titles and descriptions automatically
  • Lets you add schema markup easily
  • Generates social media descriptions
  • Improves image SEO
  • Creates and submits XML sitemaps
  • Suggests better internal linking structure
  • Integrates with Google Search Console
  • Monitors and fixes 404 errors

Cons

  • Many features can feel overwhelming initially
  • Potential compatibility issues with some plugins
  • Full features require upgrade to paid plans

#2Product Recommendation

screaming frog logo

ScreamingFrog

Pricing
Features
Accuracy
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ScreamingFrog

ScreamingFrog is an on-site SEO auditing tool used by thousands of SEO professionals worldwide. It crawls through websites to identify technical SEO problems that may be hindering performance. The crawler simulates how search engines view and index your site. It then produces reports highlighting issues with broken links, duplicate pages, metadata, titles, and other vital elements. ScreamingFrog gives you the insights to diagnose and fix common SEO issues.

Features

ScreamingFrog helps optimize on-site SEO by crawling sites and reporting on technical issues. It audits for broken links so you can fix them and improve site navigation. Detailed metadata and title tag analysis enables optimizing pages for search visibility. ScreamingFrog also generates XML sitemaps quickly to aid indexing. Its crawl analysis lets you identify duplicate content on pages that may cause ranking issues. Optimization tips are provided within reports to prescribe solutions. Useful integrations with Google Search Console and Analytics give more context for recommendations. ScreamingFrog shines a light on technical problems that impact SEO.

Pros

  • Crawls sites to identify technical SEO issues
  • Analyzes page titles and metadata for optimization
  • Generates XML sitemaps to improve indexing
  • Finds duplicate content problems
  • Gives optimization tips based on audit findings
  • Integrates with Search Console and Analytics

Cons

  • Software-based so requires local install and memory usage
  • Can have steep learning curve for first-time users

#3Product Recommendation

moz logo

MozBar

Pricing
Features
Accuracy
Read the Moz Pro Review

MozBar

MozBar makes SEO analysis fast and easy directly within Chrome. As you search and browse sites, it displays key metrics like Domain Authority, Page Authority, and backlinks in real-time. With over 800,000 users, MozBar is a must-have extension for SEOs looking to stay on top of trends and monitor competitors. The toolbar adds an extra layer of information to any page you visit to help inform optimization opportunities. It's easy to use and gives instant access to link metrics, helping SEOs work smarter.

Features

MozBar provides instant Domain Authority, Page Authority, and backlink numbers for sites you visit without needing to run manual reports. You can dig into specific page elements to analyze links, highlight internal vs. external links, and view meta tag data. It allows custom searches tailored to specific engines, countries, regions or cities. MozBar also enables running unlimited page optimization reports with a Moz Pro subscription. The toolbar gives SEOs quick access to critical link metrics on the go to help drive better results.

Pros

  • Instantly shows Domain Authority and Page Authority
  • Displays backlink data on-the-fly
  • Lets you analyze specific page elements
  • Enables custom searching by engine, country, etc.
  • Unlimited page optimization reports with Moz Pro
  • Easy to use with insightful metrics

Cons

  • User experience not very intuitive
  • Lacks more advanced technical SEO tools

Other tools we found useful

Google Search Console

Google Search Console

Free Platform to Monitor and Optimize SEO
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Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner

Free Tool for SEO Keyword Research
Read More
Yoast Seo Logo

Yoast SEO

Popular WordPress Plugin for SEO Optimization
Read More
answer-the-public

Answer the Public

Uncover Content Ideas from Search Queries
Read More
Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest

Powerful Keyword Research and SEO Tool
Read More
Google Search Console

Google Search Console

Free Platform to Monitor and Optimize SEO

Features

Google Search Console comes equipped with an array of tools and reports to provide website owners with valuable insights into their site's performance in Google Search. You can analyze your overall search traffic and metrics like impressions, clicks, and click-through rate using the detailed performance reports. Search analytics give you visibility into the specific queries that are driving visitors to your site from Google. Index coverage tools help ensure Google has a fresh view of your site by identifying any crawling gaps that may exist. Sitemaps can be submitted directly to Google through Search Console, aiding in discovery and indexing of new content. The URL inspection capability offers page-level crawl stats and insights pulled directly from Google's index. Any crawler errors negatively impacting indexation can be identified and fixed right within the platform. Site owners can also leverage Search Console's enhanced page experience checks and recommendations to optimize pages for a better ranking boost. The ability to do manual page rendering and inspection shows you exactly how Google sees and processes your pages.

Pros

  • In-depth search performance and traffic insights
  • Helps diagnose and fix critical SEO issues
  • Improves Google's ability to crawl your site
  • Free and easy to use for all site owners
  • Valuable data direct from Google

Cons

  • Data can sometimes be outdated
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner

Free Tool for SEO Keyword Research

Features

Google Keyword Planner equips users with an array of capabilities to aid in the keyword research and selection process. You can generate numerous keyword ideas by entering in words, phrases, websites, or categories relevant to your content. The tool provides visibility into search volume trends and historical data, giving perspective on seasonality and competition for keywords over time. Traffic and cost forecasts can be viewed based on hypothetical budgets and bid prices to model potential performance. For geo-targeting, keywords can be filtered by location, language, and specific date ranges allowing you to hone in on local demand. Search patterns and metrics for your existing keywords can be analyzed to optimize utilization further. The tool enables researching competitors' keywords to inspire new ideas and reveal gaps to target. Most importantly, Keyword Planner helps reveal customer search intent driving volume so you can create content that matches those needs.

Pros

  • Keyword data direct from Google
  • Ideal for local SEO with geographic targeting
  • Analyze historical trends up to 4 years
  • Discover many keyword suggestions

Cons

  • Search volume estimates lack precision
  • Keyword suggestions are more limited
Yoast Seo Logo

Yoast SEO

Popular WordPress Plugin for SEO Optimization

Features

Yoast SEO provides a wide array of optimization features to improve site visibility. Upon installation, it handles all the technical SEO aspects like properly structuring meta tags, generating XML sitemaps, and creating canonical URLs. For on-page optimization, Yoast supplies an SEO checklist covering key elements to optimize each post or page. A useful snippet preview feature lets you customize how pages appear in search results. To help create compelling content, Yoast analyzes readability based on factors like paragraph length and overuses of adverbs or transition words. Detailed keyword targeting and traffic analysis tools enable you to identify and focus on high-value terms. The plugin supplies ongoing feedback on content through SEO scores and actionable tips for improving the text. Throughout, Yoast aims to keep the focus on crafting content that engages visitors and creates a positive user experience. The combination of automated setup, customization, and optimization makes Yoast SEO a go-to plugin.

Pros

  • Easy to use with intuitive interface
  • Comprehensive SEO checklist to optimize pages
  • Free version suitable for many small sites
  • Snippet preview to see search appearance
  • Optimizes content with actionable feedback

Cons

  • Free version has limited capabilities
  • Can be overwhelming for SEO beginners
  • May impact site speed if not configured properly
answer-the-public

Answer the Public

Uncover Content Ideas from Search Queries

Features

Answer the Public offers a range of useful capabilities to uncover content ideas and optimization opportunities. Its main feature is generating hundreds of questions related to an entered keyword by analyzing search autocomplete data. This enables you to see the types of questions your audience has in mind when searching about a topic. It also identifies comparisons and prepositions people use around keywords, revealing semantic connections and expansion ideas. All the generated data can be visualized to spot trends, patterns, and opportunities more easily. By comparing results over time, you can see how questions and searches change to always stay relevant. To aid further analysis, the tool allows exporting results data in both CSV and visually appealing image formats. A key advantage of Answer the Public is that registration is not required and the core functionality is available in the free version without needing to attach payment details.

Pros

  • Great for discovering relevant content ideas
  • Identifies long-tail keywords based on interest
  • Easy to use without signup required
  • Compares data over time to find new topics
  • Exports for analyzing data further

Cons

  • Free version limited to 3 searches daily
  • Less comprehensive than some paid tools
Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest

Powerful Keyword Research and SEO Tool

Features

Ubersuggest packs a wide range of capabilities to provide actionable SEO insights. For content optimization, it offers expansive keyword research to reveal high-potential terms based on search volume, competition, and seasonal trends. You can research competitors' strategies around SEO, content marketing, and social media to gain inspiration on what works in your market. Ubersuggest audits your website to identify technical issues, like site speed or metadata problems, that may be hindering performance. Useful backlink analysis provides data on impactful linking opportunities to improve rankings. Built-in rank tracking enables monitoring website positions daily to spot trends and measure improvements. The tool generates customizable reports to analyze how metrics for your site and competitors change over time. A customizable dashboard allows tracking key SEO data like rankings, backlinks, and site issues. The combination of research, tracking, auditing, and reporting provides comprehensive intelligence to execute high-impact SEO.

Pros

  • Reveals profitable keyword opportunities
  • Competitor research for strategy inspiration
  • Identifies technical SEO problems hurting performance
  • Tracks rankings daily to spot trends
  • Easy to use reports and dashboard

Cons

  • Mobile use isn't as seamless as desktop
  • Limitations with basic free plan
  • No mobile app available currently

Frequently Asked Questions

How can free SEO tools help improve my website?

Free SEO tools can help improve your website by providing insights into technical issues that may be hurting your rankings. Tools like Google Search Console and Screaming Frog identify problems with site crawlability, speed, and metadata to improve optimization.

What free tools can I use for competitor analysis?

Ubersuggest and MozBar are two great free tools for analyzing competitors. Ubersuggest provides insights into competitors' keywords, backlinks, and content strategies. MozBar shows Domain Authority, Page Authority, and backlink data for any site you visit.

Are there free SEO browser extensions I should use?

Yes, browser extensions like MozBar and Google Search Console make SEO analysis quick and easy directly within your browser. They provide key data like rankings and site issues on any site you visit. You can read our article on the best chrome extensions for SEO here.

How can I use free SEO tools for content creation?

Tools like Answer the Public, Ubersuggest, and Google Keyword Planner can give you ideas for resonant topics and long-tail keywords to cover. With these tools your content targets high-value terms people are searching for. You can read our article on AI content creation here.

What are the limitations of free SEO tools?

Free SEO tools often have usage limits, less robust features, or lack real-time data compared to paid solutions. However, they still provide tremendous value for SEO basics like keyword research, technical audits, and competitor analysis.

Conclusion

SEO doesn't have to be complicated or expensive thanks to the range of free tools available today. While paid solutions exist, free options from leaders like Google and Moz provide ample data to optimize your website and content. Keyword research tools like Google's Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest reveal the terms your audience cares about most. Browser extensions like MozBar make competitor analysis seamless. Screaming Frog, Google Search Console, and Yoast SEO diagnose technical issues hindering performance. Answer the Public provides creative inspiration tailored to search queries.

The capabilities of these free tools allow anyone to start improving their SEO regardless of budget. Their data empowers you to create content that matches audience intent, fix crawl errors, target high-value keywords, and learn from top-ranking sites in your space. While limitations exist compared to paid plans, the basics for DIY SEO success are covered through free offerings. With the insights provided by these tools, you can work to boost your site's visibility and traffic from organic search. Using even a handful of these free SEO tools can help unlock tremendous growth potential.

#1 Product Recommendation: RankMath

A Powerful, All-In-One SEO Plugin for WordPress
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RankMath

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From The Author

Terry Williams

With over 10 years optimizing sites, I've boosted search visibility for brands through customized strategies. Currently, I develop effective SEO solutions for a top agency, immersed in the latest trends and innovations. Read my full bio.

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