Best YouTube Keyword Tools in 2025

Despite continuous rumors regarding a (potential) downfall, YouTube remains the leading video channel in the world, boasting no less than 2.7 billion users. As a business, you should see this as an amazing opportunity to get your message out there -- and YouTube SEO is one of the best ways to do this.

Of course, if you want to do YouTube SEO properly, you can't ignore the importance of keywords. In fact, optimizing your video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords can greatly increase your chances of ranking higher in search results and getting more views.

But how do you find the best YouTube keywords for your videos? Here are some of the top keyword tools that can help you achieve your YouTube SEO goals in 2025 (we've got it straight from the best YouTube SEO agencies in the world.)

What is YouTube keyword research?

YouTube keyword research is the process of identifying and analyzing search terms that users enter on YouTube to find videos. It helps content creators understand what their audience is looking for and provides valuable insights into trending topics and popular searches. By using keyword research, creators can optimize their videos for discovery, ensuring their content stands out in a competitive platform.

Why is keyword research important for YouTube channels?

Keyword research is crucial for improving a video’s visibility on YouTube. It allows creators to align their content with the terms and phrases that potential viewers are actively searching for. Videos optimized with the right keywords are more likely to rank higher in search results, attract more views, and boost engagement.

Furthermore, keyword research helps creators generate ideas for future content and target a specific niche audience, ultimately leading to an increase in subscribers and overall channel growth.

Criteria for choosing YouTube keyword tools

These days, there's a pretty wide range of keyword research tools for YouTube available out there -- so choosing one can sometimes feel like a maze. To make your life easier (and decide on a tool that's actually good for you), it's important to consider the following criteria:

Ease of use

The tool should be intuitive and easy to navigate, even for beginners. A user-friendly interface saves time and ensures you can focus on the research rather than struggling to understand how the tool works.

Accuracy of data

Reliable data is critical for making informed decisions. The tool should provide accurate insights, such as search volume, competition levels, and keyword trends, helping you target the right opportunities effectively.

Advanced features

Look for tools that go beyond the basics. Features like competitor analysis, keyword suggestions, and in-depth analytics can give you a competitive edge and provide actionable insights to refine your strategy.

Cost

Ensure the tool aligns with your budget while delivering good value for the features it offers. Compare pricing plans and consider whether the investment is worth the potential return.

Integration options

Choose tools that integrate seamlessly with platforms like YouTube, Google, or popular web browsers. This can simplify your workflow and make the research process more efficient.

Top 10 YouTube Keyword Tools in 2025

To stay ahead in the competitive YouTube landscape, using the right tools is essential. Here are the top 11 YouTube keyword tools you should consider in 2025:

1. Google Trends



Google Trends provides valuable insights into the popularity of search terms over time. It allows you to analyze global search interest and compare multiple keywords to determine which topics are trending. This tool helps creators spot seasonal trends and create timely, relevant content.

The best part? It is free to use. It may not give you as much information as specialized keyword research tools, but it absolutely is a great tool for getting a proverbial kickstart to your in-depth work.

2. YouTube’s search predictions



YouTube’s search predictions are a built-in feature that suggests terms as you type in the search bar. These autocomplete suggestions are based on popular searches, making them a quick and easy way to identify trending keywords relevant to your niche.

Same as Google Trends, this is not a tool designed specifically for keyword research, but it can be used to get a general idea of what people are searching for on YouTube. Also, free.

3. The trending page on YouTube



The trending page on YouTube showcases the most popular videos at a given moment. By analyzing the trending content, creators can identify themes, hashtags, and keywords driving engagement, helping inspire their own video ideas.

While the "trending page" is not a tool per se, it can still give you relevant insights into popular topics and keywords on YouTube. And, as you might have guessed, it's free.

4. Rank Tracker for YouTube



Rank Tracker is a powerful tool in the Semrush stack, that helps monitor your video rankings for specific keywords. It provides performance insights over time, enabling creators to adjust their strategies to maintain or improve video visibility.

Pricing for Semrush starts at $139.5/ month and can go up to $499.5/ month (but keep in mind that whatever plan you choose, you will get a lot more tools than just the Rank Tracker for YouTube.)

5. VidIQ



VidIQ is a popular YouTube growth tool, offering features like keyword recommendations, SEO scores, and competitor analysis. Its Chrome extension provides real-time insights during the video upload process, making it indispensable for creators aiming to boost their success.

You can try VidIQ for free, or choose from one of the two paid plans they offer: Boost ($16.58/ month) or Coaching ($99/ month.)

6. TubeBuddy



TubeBuddy is another highly-regarded tool designed for YouTube SEO and channel growth. It works as a Chrome extension and provides keyword research, tag suggestions, and analytics to make video optimization easier. TubeBuddy’s robust feature set is perfect for creators of all sizes.

TubeBuddy offers two main pricing plans for creators. The Pro plan, at $4.99 per month, is ideal for beginners starting their YouTube journey who want access to essential tools for growth. Meanwhile, the Legend plan, priced at $31.50 per month, is tailored for advanced creators seeking a competitive edge with data-driven insights and strategies to maximize their channel’s reach.

7. Keywords Everywhere



Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that displays keyword data directly within search results. It provides metrics like search volume, competition, and CPC for keywords, making it a convenient option for creators researching both YouTube and Google keywords.

Keywords Everywhere offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs:

• Bronze ($27 annually): Includes 100,000 credits per year, 1 user seat, and data for the top 1,000 keywords and backlinks per website.
• Silver ($72 annually): Provides 400,000 credits per year, 5 user seats, access to SEO Minion, premium ChatGPT prompts, and data for the top 2,000 keywords and backlinks per website.
• Gold ($300 annually): Offers 2 million credits per year, 20 user seats, access to SEO Minion, premium ChatGPT prompts, data for the top 5,000 keywords and backlinks per website, and all courses from RapidLevelUp.com (valued at $995).
• Platinum ($960 annually): Includes 8 million credits per year, 100 user seats, access to SEO Minion, premium ChatGPT prompts, priority email support, data for the top 10,000 keywords and backlinks per website, and all RapidLevelUp.com courses (valued at $995).

It is worth noting that one keyword search will use one credit -- so if you think you will run extensive keyword research, going for a higher-priced plan might be a better idea.

8. Keywordtool.io



Keywordtool.io generates hundreds of keyword suggestions from YouTube’s autocomplete feature (but it can be used for keyword research for pretty much every popular search platform there is.) This tool is helpful because offers insights on long-tail keywords to help creators target specific niches, making it a great tool for brainstorming content ideas.

Keywordtool.io offers three main subscription plans suited for different needs:

1. Pro Basic - Priced at $89/month, this plan provides essential features such as search volume data, more keyword suggestions, and bulk search volume analysis. It includes access for 1 user and is ideal for individuals or small-scale users.
2. Pro Plus - At $99/month, this popular plan includes all Pro Basic features along with additional insights like cost-per-click data and competition data. It supports up to 5 user accounts, making it a great choice for small teams.
3. Pro Business - The most extensive plan at $199/month, Pro Business includes everything from the previous plans plus 50 API requests per day and support for up to 10 user accounts. It is designed for larger businesses or organizations with advanced needs.

9. Ahref’s YouTube Keyword Tool



Ahref’s YouTube Keyword Tool excels in providing extensive data on search metrics and competition. It is an excellent resource for competitive analysis, helping creators outperform rivals by targeting high-potential keywords.

Ahrefs offers three tiers of plans tailored to different needs:

• Lite ($129/month): Ideal for small businesses and personal projects, this plan includes features like 5 projects, 6 months of historical data, 750 tracked keywords, 100,000 crawl credits, and 500 account credits for 1 user. Up to 2 additional users can be added for $40/month each.
• Standard ($249/month): Best suited for freelance SEOs and marketing consultants, this plan supports 20 projects, provides 2 years of historical data, 2,000 tracked keywords, 500,000 crawl credits, and unlimited account credits for 1 user. Up to 5 additional users can be added for $60/month each.
• Advanced ($449/month): Designed for lean in-house marketing teams, this comprehensive plan includes 50 projects, 5 years of historical data, 5,000 tracked keywords, 1,500,000 crawl credits, and unlimited account credits for 1 user. Up to 10 additional users can be added for $80/month each.

10. Keyword Tool Dominator



Keyword Tool Dominator is a unique tool that ranks keywords by popularity and provides autocomplete suggestions for YouTube (as well as other popular search engines, by the way.) Its simplicity and targeted focus make it an ideal choice for those looking to improve their keyword selection process.

Keyword Tool Dominator offers three flexible pricing plans that cater to different needs and budgets, each providing 90 days of access with a one-time payment:

• Plus Plan ($18 USD): Ideal for individuals looking to start optimizing their audience engagement, this plan allows you to select one keyword tool and includes features like 50 keyword searches per day, 25,000 keyword suggestions daily, 10 keyword lists, 10,000 keyword storage, and export options in CSV or Excel. It also provides insights such as autocomplete position rank and keyword popularity score.
• Pro Plan ($28 USD): Perfect for growing businesses, the Pro Plan expands access to up to five keyword tools. It offers 100 keyword searches per day, 50,000 keyword suggestions daily, 25 keyword lists, 25,000 keyword storage, and access to advanced research tools such as deep keyword search, question keywords, and product keywords.
• Max Plan ($38 USD): Designed for scaling online presence, the Max Plan offers unlimited access to all keyword tools and research capabilities. Features include unlimited keyword searches, unlimited keyword suggestions, 50 keyword lists, 100,000 keyword storage, and all utilities like keyword density checker and sentence/paragraph counter.

Time to roll up your sleeves!

No matter your goals or the size of your business, there's a tool tailored to help you succeed. With flexible options and comprehensive tools, you can optimize your keyword strategy and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. A combination of free (like Google Trends) and paid tools can help you stay ahead of the game, and meet your viewers where they are.

...And if you're looking for help, contact Mayple. We have the best YouTube channel managers and SEO agencies in the world, ready to take over your challenge, make life easier for you, and free up time you can use to create better, more engaging content. Get in touch with us and we'll match you with the best one(s) for your business!

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