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How to Choose Blog Topics with a Free Keyword Research Tool

Published 2026-10-16

Choosing what to write about is easier when you research first. This guide shows how to choose blog topics by starting with questions people already ask, checking what already exists, and scoring each idea, with a free keyword research tool to support you along the way.

The hardest part of blogging often isn't the writing. It's deciding what to write. When you guess, you end up with posts nobody asked for, or posts you can't finish because you didn't know enough going in.

A simple research process fixes most of that. It isn't fancy. You need a notebook or a spreadsheet and an hour or two. Below is a step-by-step way to pick topics, with common mistakes to watch for so you can skip them. It works for any kind of seo blog writing.

What you need

• A notebook, a notes app, or a basic spreadsheet (a spreadsheet is handy for sorting, but paper works fine)
• Access to your blog comments, emails, or messages from readers
• A search engine and about an hour of quiet time
• A simple way to track sources, even just a second tab or page labeled "Sources"
• A calendar, printed or digital

That's it. No paid tools are needed to get started. Some keyword research tools, such as Ubersuggest, can be handy later, and a ppc keyword research tool like Semrush can show you what advertisers care about, but I'd hold off until you've done this process by hand a few times. You learn more that way.

Step 1: How to choose blog topics to research starts with questions people already ask

Open a blank page and title it "Questions." Now go hunting. Read through your blog comments, your email replies, and any messages you've gotten. Write down every question, word for word if you can.

Don't have readers yet? That's okay. Think about what friends ask you about your topic. Think about the questions you had when you were starting out. Those count too, and honestly they're often the best ones, because you remember exactly where you got stuck.

Each question is a possible post. "How do I know if a product is worth reviewing?" is a post. "Should I write long posts or short ones?" is a post. Even small questions can grow into something useful.

Tip: Keep the reader's exact wording. If someone writes "how do I stop staring at a blank screen," that phrasing is gold. It tells you how real people describe the problem, which is usually different from how experts describe it.

Step 2: Look at what already exists

Pick one question from your list and search for it. Open the first several results and skim them. You're not copying anything. You're looking for gaps.

As you read, ask yourself a few things:

• Are the steps clear, or do they skip parts a beginner would need?
• Is anything out of date?
• Does every post say the same thing in slightly different words?
• Is anyone being honest about the downsides?

Then ask the big one: what can I add? Maybe it's clearer steps. Maybe it's a checklist. Maybe it's an honest comparison where you actually say which option you'd skip. A lot of posts out there are polite to a fault. Readers notice when you're willing to say "this one wasn't worth it for me."

Tip: If every result is excellent and you truly can't add anything, move on. It is easy to spend a week on a post that ends up being a weaker version of three good ones already out there. Nobody needed it, including me.

Step 3: Score each topic with a free keyword research tool

This is the step that changed things for me. Before, I picked topics based on mood. Now I give each one a quick score.

For every topic on your list, rate it from one to five on these:

1. Reader interest. How often does this question come up? Did several people ask it, or just one?
2. Your knowledge. How much do you actually know about this? Have you done it yourself?
3. Effort. How much work will it take? Here a five means "easy" and a one means "this will eat my whole month."

Add the numbers up. Topics with high interest and manageable effort float to the top. Those are your first posts.

You don't have to follow the scores like a robot. Sometimes a low-scoring topic is one you really want to write, and that enthusiasm shows in the post. That's fine. The scores are there to stop you from picking a hard, low-interest topic by accident, which I did more than once.

Tip: Score in one sitting, quickly. If you overthink each number, you'll spend more time scoring than writing. Gut feelings are good enough here.

If you'd like more help planning, I've put together a free 7-Day Social Media Post Ideas and Weekly Content Planner that you can get by joining the email list.

Step 4: Check your sources as you go in your SEO blog writing

Once you've picked a topic, you'll start reading and gathering facts. This is where a lot of bloggers get sloppy, and I was one of them. You might find a great detail, use it, and three months later have no clue where it came from.

Fix this with a simple log. Every time you use something from another place, write down three things:

• The source (the name of the site, book, or person)
• What you used from it
• The date you checked it

That date matters more than you'd think. Product details, features, and policies change. When you update a post later, the log tells you exactly what to recheck.

Stick to trustworthy sources. For anything about a product, the seller's own page is usually the best place to confirm what's included. For health, money, or legal topics, I'd keep your post general and point readers to a qualified professional instead of acting like one.

Tip: Check facts one more time right before you hit publish. It takes five minutes and has saved me from at least two embarrassing mistakes.

Step 5: Outline before you write

It can feel tedious. Outlines feel like homework. It is tempting to skip them because they seem to slow you down. They don't. They make writing faster, because you never stop mid-post wondering what comes next.

Here's a simple outline you can use:

1. A working title
2. A short introduction, just two or three sentences on what the post covers
3. About five headings for the main sections
4. A closing with one clear next step for the reader

Under each heading, jot a couple of bullet notes. Which fact goes here? Which story? Which source from your log? When you sit down to write, you're just filling in blanks.

Tip: Your title can change later. Don't get stuck on it. Some of my best titles came after the post was done, once I knew what it was really about.

Step 6: Be open about your links

If a post has affiliate links or paid links, tell readers clearly. Put a short note near the top, in plain words. Something like "This post has affiliate links, which means I may earn a small amount if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you."

Some people worry this scares readers off. It often does the opposite. People can usually tell when something feels like a hidden sales pitch. Being upfront makes them more likely to trust your other opinions too.

Rules about disclosure can vary depending on where you live and which programs you join, so check the terms of each program you're part of. If you're unsure, asking a professional is a smart move.

Tip: Only recommend things you'd tell a friend about. If you wouldn't mention it over dinner, it probably doesn't belong in your post.

Step 7: Plan a realistic blog content calendar

Now take your top-scoring topics and put them on a calendar, whether it lives in a tool like Trello, in your blog content management system, or on paper. The key word here is realistic.

New bloggers often plan three posts a week. That pace is hard to sustain for long. Then I felt guilty, skipped a week, and almost quit. A slower rhythm you can actually keep beats a fast one you abandon.

Try one post every two weeks to begin with. Fill in about twelve weeks ahead. That's six posts, which feels doable for most people with a job and a life.

Leave a few flexible slots open. Something will come up. A reader will ask a great question, or a product you use will change, or you'll just have a busy week. Flexible slots let you handle that without wrecking your whole plan.

Tip: Put your easiest topic first. Getting one post out the door builds momentum, and momentum is what keeps you going on the harder ones.

Want it ready to print?

If you'd rather not build all this from scratch, the blog topic research and content planner on our Shop page has a topic scorecard, an outline template, and a twelve-week calendar. You can absolutely do it all in a free notebook, so don't feel you need it. Check the seller's page for the current price and what's included before you decide.

Troubleshooting

"I can't think of any questions."

Go back to when you were new to your topic. What confused you? What did you search for at midnight? Write those down. You can also read forum threads or comment sections on other blogs in your area and note the questions people keep repeating.

"Every topic scores about the same."

That usually means you're being too careful with the numbers. Force yourself to use the full range, ones and fives included. Or just pick the topic you're most excited about. Excitement is a fine tiebreaker.

"I start researching and never stop."

Oh, I've been here. Research can feel productive while you're avoiding the actual writing. Set a timer for an hour. When it goes off, move to your outline, even if you feel you need "just one more" source.

"I fell behind on my calendar."

Don't try to catch up by cramming. Just shift everything forward and keep going. A late post is better than a rushed one, and nobody is watching the calendar as closely as you are.

Tools that can help with topic research

You can do all of this with a notebook, but a few tools make parts of the process easier once you're comfortable. Here are some well-known options to look at.

Google Search Console

Suits bloggers who already have a site and want to see which searches bring readers to it. Check that you have enough traffic for the data to say anything useful.

AnswerThePublic

Suits anyone who wants to see questions people type around a subject. Check how many searches the free tier allows before you rely on it.

Ubersuggest

A keyword research tool that suits beginners who want ideas and basic search data in one place. Check what the free version includes and treat any numbers as rough guides.

Semrush

Suits bloggers who want deeper keyword and competitor research, including advertiser-focused data. Check whether the plan you need is worth it for a small blog, since it is built with larger teams in mind.

Ahrefs

Suits people who want to study what other sites rank for and find gaps. Check the plan limits and whether you will actually use the advanced features.

Notion

Suits anyone who wants one place for a question list, source log, and outlines. Check that you like its layout before moving all your notes over.

Trello

Suits visual planners who like moving topic cards across a simple content calendar. Check whether a basic board is enough for you or a spreadsheet works better.

Check current plans and prices on each brand's own site before you decide.

FAQ

How many topics should I have on my list?

Aim for at least fifteen or twenty before you start scoring. That gives you enough to pick from without feeling stuck. You'll keep adding to it as new questions come in.

Do I need keyword research tools to choose topics?

Not to start. Reader questions and a regular search engine will take you a long way, and free SEO research tools are there when you want more. Once you're comfortable with the process, the best free keyword research tool you can find may help, but it won't replace knowing what your readers actually want.

What if someone already wrote about my topic?

Almost every topic has been covered somewhere. What matters is whether you can add something, like clearer steps, a real opinion, or your own experience. If you can, go for it.

How often should I update my source log?

Add to it every time you use a new fact. Then glance at it whenever you update an older post. The dates you wrote down will tell you what might need a fresh check.

If you want an easy first step, grab the free 7-Day Social Media Post Ideas and Weekly Content Planner by joining the email list. It's a simple way to get a week of ideas down on paper. After that, if you'd like the full printable version of this process, take a look at the topic research planner on our Shop page. And either way, go write down three reader questions today. That's how every good topic list starts.

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