Introduction

Google Keyword Planner has been a go-to tool for marketers, bloggers, and small business owners wanting to find the best keywords for SEO and Google Ads. Its data gives a clear look at how people search online, making it a favorite for both beginners and experts.

You might be wondering if Google still lets users access Keyword Planner for free in 2025. The short answer is yes, but there are a few catches worth knowing. Let us find what’s changed, how you can use the tool without paying, and what to expect if you’re new to keyword research.

What is Google Keyword Planner, and Who Uses It?

Google Keyword Planner is a free keyword research tool that helps you find the right words and phrases for your SEO and Google Ads campaigns. Built directly into Google Ads, this tool shows you how people search on Google and what terms they use most. If you want insights into what your audience is searching for, Keyword Planner is a great place to start.

What Does Google Keyword Planner Do?

Google Keyword Planner does more than just give you a list of keyword ideas. Here are its main features:

• Find keyword ideas: Enter words or phrases related to your business to see new keyword suggestions.

• See search volumes: Find out how many people search for a specific keyword each month.

• Get forecasts: View clicks, impressions, and potential ad spend estimates for each keyword.

• Check competition: See how many advertisers are bidding on each keyword.

• Plan campaigns: Use the data to organize keywords and build ad groups for Google Ads.

Is Google Keyword Planner Free to Use in 2025?

If you’re planning your SEO or paid ads strategy in 2025, you might want to know what’s free in Google Keyword Planner and what’s behind a paywall. The basics of the tool haven’t changed much, but there are a few things you need to know so you don’t run into any surprises while doing keyword research this year.

Requirements for Accessing Keyword Planner

You still need a Google Ads account to use Keyword Planner in 2025. If you don’t have one yet, it’s free to sign up with your Gmail address. Here’s the latest on how access works:

• No active ad spend is required: You can use Keyword Planner without running or paying for campaigns.

• The setup process is simple: Google may guide you through creating a “dummy” campaign to finish the setup. 

• Anyone can access it: Whether you’re an individual blogger or part of a team, if you have a Google Ads account.

Tip: Google might push users to start a campaign during sign-up, but you can skip it or pause any new campaign right away. This keeps the tool completely free for research.

Limitations for Free Users in 2025

Using Keyword Planner without an active ad campaign does come with some restrictions, especially if you’re not spending money:

• Search volume data is less detailed: Free users often see ranges like “1K–10K searches” instead of exact numbers. Paid users or those with some ad spend usually get more precise data.

• Limited keyword suggestions: If your account rarely spends on ads, Google may give you fewer keyword ideas compared to accounts with regular budgets.

• Feature access can vary: Some advanced tools, like detailed forecasts, competition breakdowns, or historical trend analysis, may offer less granularity if you aren’t running paid ads.

• No priority support: Support options from Google are focused on advertising customers, so don’t expect high-touch help as a free user.

Here’s a quick look at the main feature differences:

• Broad ranges for search volumes, not exact counts

• Potentially fewer keyword ideas returned

• Forecasts and trends may lack detail

• Full access to keyword grouping and organization tools

Bottom line: You can still plan your content or ad strategies for free using Keyword Planner, but if you need very specific data, consider running even a small ad campaign to unlock extra details. Curious if the free version is enough for your needs? Most new users start for free, test the features, and upgrade only if they hit a wall with the limits. This makes Keyword Planner a safe (and still free) starting point for anyone serious about keyword research.

How to Access and Use Google Keyword Planner for Free

Getting started with Google Keyword Planner in 2025 is quick, easy, and doesn't cost a penny if you know how to go about it. Whether you're a small business owner, content writer, or just curious about what people are searching for, these steps will walk you through everything needed to start, without handing over your credit card. Let's look closer at how to create your account and make the most of Keyword Planner's free core features.

Step-by-Step Account Creation in 2025

Most first-timers hit a small roadblock: Google insists on taking you through an ad campaign setup before you can access Keyword Planner. But you don’t need to spend a dime. Here’s how to breeze through account creation and reach the good stuff:

1. Visit the Google Ads website. Start at ads.google.com and click "Start now."

2. Sign in or create a Google account. Use your Gmail or any existing Google account.

3. Choose “Switch to Expert Mode.” Look for a link toward the bottom that says something like “Switch to Expert Mode.” This skips the guided setup.

4. Click “Create an account without a campaign.” Google tries to push you toward creating your first ad. Click the subtle link to skip.

5. Confirm your business info. Enter your country, time zone, and currency. Don’t worry, none of this commits you to spend money.

6. Submit and access your Google Ads dashboard. That’s it. You now have full access to your account.

7. Find Keyword Planner. Look for the menu icon in the top right (“Tools & Settings” or a wrench icon), select “Planning,” then click “Keyword Planner.”

You’re now inside, and it didn’t cost a thing! Bookmark the dashboard to return easily later. If Google prompts you to add billing, just click away; no payment is needed for basic use.

Navigating and Using Core Features Without Spending Money

Google Keyword Planner serves up plenty of useful data for free, if you know what to expect and how to use it. Here’s how to get value without a paid account:

• Start your keyword research: Choose “Discover new keywords” in Keyword Planner. Enter your topics, web address, or product. Hit “Get results.”

• Analyze keyword suggestions: Browse lists of keywords, related ideas, and search volume ranges (like “1K-10K” searches/month).

• Filter your results: Use built-in filters to focus on keywords by average monthly searches, competition, or keyword text.

• Organize by theme: Click on group tabs to see how ideas cluster around broader categories.

• Download your results: Export keyword lists to CSV or Google Sheets for easy sorting and future planning.

• Compare data and trends: Use the “Get search volume and forecasts” tool to see how keywords might perform together.

• No card required, no hidden fees: You never need to run a real ad, even when Google asks you. Just skip, exit, or ignore those prompts.

• Keep expectations realistic: Free accounts see broad volume ranges, not exact numbers. For detailed data (like exact search counts), you’d need a live campaign, but for many people, the free data is enough to plan SEO or brainstorm content.

Alternatives to Google Keyword Planner in 2025

While Google Keyword Planner remains a solid choice, especially for those using Google Ads, some users may want more flexibility, better search volume accuracy, or features tailored specifically for SEO. Whether you're looking to cross-check data or expand your keyword research toolkit, here are a few popular alternatives in 2025:

1. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, is a freemium tool offering keyword suggestions, search volume estimates, competition scores, and even content ideas. It’s user-friendly and especially helpful for beginners who want actionable insights without needing to pay upfront. You get a few free searches per day, with the option to upgrade for unlimited access.

2. SEMrush

SEMrush is a premium SEO platform that goes beyond keyword research. It offers site audits, backlink analysis, rank tracking, and detailed keyword analytics. It’s ideal for serious marketers and agencies who need advanced data and competitive research features. There's a free trial, but full access requires a paid plan.

3. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Ahrefs offers one of the most accurate and detailed keyword databases in the SEO world. Its Keywords Explorer shows keyword difficulty, search volume by country, and related terms based on actual click data. Like SEMrush, Ahrefs is a paid tool, but well worth the investment for in-depth SEO work.

4. Moz Keyword Explorer

Moz’s tool is beginner-friendly and great for understanding keyword difficulty, search potential, and SERP analysis. Free accounts get limited queries each month, which can be useful for light research or testing before committing to a subscription.

5. AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic is perfect for content creators and SEO professionals who want to visualize keyword and question data. It pulls autocomplete queries from Google and displays them in a mind-map style format. The free version has daily limits, but it's a great starting point for blog ideas.

Final Thoughts: Is It Still Worth Using Google Keyword Planner in 2025?

Yes, Google Keyword Planner is still very much worth using in 2025, especially if you're just starting or looking for reliable keyword research without spending money. It offers essential insights straight from Google’s search engine, making it a trusted source for both paid ads and organic SEO strategies.

Although free users face some limitations, like broad search volume ranges and fewer keyword suggestions, the tool still delivers enough useful data to plan smart, effective campaigns. Whether you’re blogging, building a small business website, or launching an ad campaign, Keyword Planner remains a valuable piece of your toolkit.

Need help turning keyword data into high-converting content? At SiteSEO Copywriting, we specialise in premium SEO content writing that boosts your website’s visibility, attracts targeted traffic, and drives real business results. Whether you're in tech, health, finance, or e-commerce, our expert writers craft content that ranks and converts. 

Contact us today to supercharge your content strategy with words that work.