KWFinder Review & Advanced Tutorial 2024 –  Features, Pros, Cons, Pricing And More

If you’re serious about building a strong online presence, you need a good keyword research tool.

But it can get tough.

You have a lot of options at your disposal.

From Google’s Keyword Planner to Ahrefs or SEMRush, the market is flooded with options.

The problem is that a lot of these SEO tools don’t fit.

Premium tool providers don’t understand what marketers really need. They’ll create a ton of metrics and unhelpful features that seem great, but don’t really help all that much.

And then people fall for it.

Especially when they’re just starting out and don’t have a good grasp on what they need.

About KWFinder

KWFinder is a popular tool developed by Mangools.

And it’s a good tool.

First, because it’s focused on simplicity. The user interface is seamless, features are intuitive and you’re not overcrowded with dashboards you’ll never use.

But it’s not just about innovative design.

KWFinder is actually good for keyword research. It can spew tons of keyword ideas, with monthly search numbers and a surprisingly accurate keyword difficulty score.

It’s also got advanced features for keyword research, like filtering results and analyzing the SERP.

However, it’s not a perfect tool for everyone.

So let’s take a closer look and see if KWFinder is worth your money.

How Well Does It Perform For Traditional Keyword Research

You type a seed keyword, find actual search terms your target audience is using and analyze these results to see which is the easiest to rank, and has the most potential traffic.

That’s traditional keyword research simplified.

And KWFinder is good at it. Most of the time.

To get started, you’ll need to plug a seed keyword and generate a list of related keyword suggestions.

You’ve got everything in front of you, from volume to keyword difficulty score, and even a SERP analyzer.

At a glance, it’s a good tool for traditional, long tail keyword research.

There are some limitations, like a cap on the results displayed:

And we’ll talk about them in a bit.

But overall, you’ll be able to do traditional keyword research on a whim.

How Well Does It Perform For Competitor Keyword Research

Competitor keyword research is when you let someone else test the water before you jump in.

Basically, it’s looking at what your competitors rank for. That way, you can target keywords that they’re seeing success with. Everything else being equal, you can produce better content and overtake them.

Competitor research can also work the other way around.

If you see a strong foothold on a topic, you can decide to target other keywords.

Does KWFinder help here?

Yes and no. You can browse keywords by domain, which is a great place to start:

And you’ll get the keywords they’re ranking for.

But it’s not the most complex system. You don’t get the deep analysis you’d get with Ahrefs for example, which even calculates keyword intersect and can pull up every possible keyword your competitors are ranking for.

And that’s another problem. You don’t get the full picture because your results are capped in KWFinder.

I did say it’s not a perfect tool.

KWFinder Review: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

That was KWFinder at a glance.

For the full picture, read on.

In this KWFinder review, we looked at everything, from features and interface to customer support.

Here’s our honest take on the tool.

First Impressions Of The User Interface

KWFinder uses a flat, user-friendly design. We value good design in any tool, but it’s especially refreshing to see this in a data-driven environment.

You can easily review every piece of data.

But it’s more than just a good color palette.

The dashboard is understandable. Tools like Ahrefs or Long Tail Pro will throw a bunch of data your way:

But with KWFinder, you only get the bare necessities.

That’s extremely important especially since this is a tool targeted to beginner bloggers. All of these design choices are not just aesthetic: they make for a decent learning curve.

If you’re just getting started, you’ll love KWFinder.

They don’t miss the trends either. You can toggle a dark mode too.

It’s not revolutionary by any means, but some people find value in “embracing their dark side”, so this shows Mangools is focused on great user experience.

Quickly Discover Keyword Competition Level

How you do keyword research doesn’t matter all that much.

The bottom line is this: You want to beat your competition and land a coveted 1st-page position.

So calculating a single keyword difficulty score is an important feature for all keyword tools.

This metric shows you how hard it’ll be to rank for a particular phrase. With KWFinder it’s not just an indicative number, it’s also packaged to put things in perspective:

The color-coding makes it easy to spot low-hanging fruit while skimming through a list, so you’ll find gems much quicker.

But there’s a caveat.

This metric is particular to KWFinder. If you plug the same keyword into other keywords tools, you might get different SEO difficulty scores.

Let’s look at a comparison:

Keyword	Long Tail Platinum Cloud	KWFinder	Ahrefs Keyword Explorer
Best camping equipment	36	45	22
Camping accessories	53	51	37
Camping backpacks	43	39	10
Biggest camping tent	29	16	3

These results show some correlation between keyword tools, but everyone uses a different algorithm so you can expect different numbers.

What’s important to remember is this: know your reference point and compare keywords according to that.

Now for the good news: KWFinder’s SEO difficulty score is pretty accurate. You should still do some manual review of the SERP, but you can count on that score. Especially when it comes to low-competition levels.

Easily Evaluate SERP Competition Strength

The SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is Google’s first page of results for a keyword. It’s important to get data on that if you want to rank, because there are things machines just can’t measure.

For example, brand recognition could count when measuring potential conversion rates for the top position.

That’s why KWFinder’s SERP Checker preview is a great tool.

And it’s pretty helpful.

You get basic details like the number of backlinks, domain authority and page authority.

But the best thing is the LPS (Link Profile Strength).

This is a metric developed by Mangools to measure how good a competitor is in terms of backlinks.

The higher the number, the harder it’ll be to overtake them.

If you want a closer look at the SERP for important search results, you can open the full SERP Checker app, which runs independently of KWFinder:

This dashboard is where you’ll need to get your hands dirty. If you want a specific set of data displayed, you can press the “Manage Metrics” button:

You can use this to customize your data columns, which is fundamental for manually reviewing the competition for a keyword.

But the system can be improved. Customizing data columns inside KWFinder’s SERP overview would improve the workflow a lot. As it is right now, if you want to access the powerful features of the SERP Checker, your process is broken up.

The Joys Of Multiple Research Options

If you’re struggling to find worthwhile keywords, you’ll love KWFinder’s multiple research options.

Here’s how it works:

You plug a seed keyword in, you get the other basic stuff people search for. If you click on either Autocomplete or Questions, you’ll get access to already filtered results based on the type of content you want to create.

So let’s break down what these options are and how they work:

Related Keywords is the basic list you get from all keyword research tools.

Autocomplete pulls in data by using Google’s autosuggest feature. That’s when Google tries to guess what you want to search:

UberSuggest does this too, but they pull a much larger data set.

That’s why you could stick to other software for autocomplete keywords, and then import the terms to get metrics such as keyword difficulty.

Just make sure you don’t fill up too many spreadsheets because KWFInder has a limit on imports (more about that in a bit).

The Questions tab will pull up data by adding prefixes to your keyword, like:

• How…
• What
• Where…
• When…
• Which…
• Whose…

But again, other tools like Answer The Public do it better. At least when it comes to the number of suggestions.

Get The Full Story With Data Aggregation

Google has over 300 ranking factors.

That’s why data aggregation is so important.

You need accurate assessments of the viability of your keywords, so you want all the data in one place.

And here’s another reason KWFinder is a good keywords tool. It packages all that data in one place:

You get a complete link profile, social reach, and all the authority measurements you could want.

Yeah, a lot of tools offer that.

But KWFinder does it all in one screen, and it somehow manages to keep a decluttered interface.

Not to mention: if you ever need more insights, you can always open the full SERP Checker application.

Get A Handle On Your Results With Easy Filtering

KWFinder lets you filter results based on a few metrics:

This is by no means revolutionary. Most tools will feature a filtering tab.

But it is smartly built. All of your filters are saved, and even if they’re deactivated for follow-up searches, you can turn them back on with the flick of a button.

If you don’t see the value in these filters, don’t worry. We’ll show you how to use them in the tutorials section down below.

A Helping Hand With Live Chat Support

While we generally expect great support for online tools, it’s not always a given.

KWFinder doesn’t disappoint here.

They have a comprehensive, well-written knowledge hub, and the live chat is a gem.

We tested it on two different occasions, and we received lightning-fast, helpful responses:

This shouldn’t be the most important criteria when choosing a keyword research tool.

But it’s helpful knowing you can always reach out for help one way or another.

Request Limitations: Are They A Problem

KWFinder uses a request limitations system to cap the number of data requests anyone can make.

In principle, that’s not a problem. Requesting data puts a strain on Mangools’ resources, which increases costs.

So you can’t blame them for it.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it into account.

You need to understand how these limitations can affect your research process, so let’s dig deeper.

This is how KWFinder limits your data requests:

But what do these numbers even mean?

For example, the keyword lookups refer to the number of detailed breakdowns for each keyword. Basically, the number of keywords you can see the aggregated dashboard for.

We signed up for the basic package which gives you 100 keyword lookups every 24 hours.

While testing the tool, the limitations didn’t prove to be a problem.

So if you’re careful about the keywords you’re researching in detail, the 100 lookups per day are more than enough.

To do that, just request data for the SEO difficulty scores that match your ability and resources.

However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a problem. If you’re just getting started, you might be tempted to learn as much as you can.

And in that case, KWFinder might be limiting.

Capped Keyword Results

The biggest drawback of KWFinder is the fact that you can’t see all related keywords.

Depending on your plan, you’re capped at either 200 or 700 results for each search.

Which can become frustrating if you want to research low competition searches.

To add insult to injury, market competitors offer way more results for the same searches.

Ahrefs Keyword Explorer returned over 40.000 search terms.

This gets particularly annoying when you try to filter results.

On top, the restriction applies when trying to import your own keywords, which does seem a tad bit strict.

The workaround is to upload files in batches of 200 entries.

So it’s not a huge problem if you’re just getting started, but experienced webmasters might feel restricted.

Is KWFinder Right For You

KWFinder is one of the best search engine optimization tools for beginners. The interface, the accuracy, the data aggregation, they all make for an outstanding piece of software.

But it’s not the best for everyone. A tool like Ahrefs can offer the same data, and way more on top.

If you’re an agency, there are better alternatives. If you’re an experienced SEO, you’ll get more out of other tools.

But that doesn’t mean you should immediately steer clear of KWFinder.

So let’s break it down.

Beginner Bloggers

If you’re starting out, KWFinder is a dream come true.

When you put it all on paper:

• Ease of use
• Beautiful Interface
• Color Coding
• Helpful Data
• Intuitive Dashboard

KWFinder was made for beginners.

Considering the lack of advanced metrics, it’s also clear that this tool was made to appeal to entry-level marketers.

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid this tool thinking that “I’ll get better so I want to learn how to use a powerful tool from the get-go”.

You’re just shooting yourself in the foot at that point.

It’s enough to assess three SERPs wrong, and that can mean as much as an entire month lost producing content for a search term that is way too competitive.

Budget Bloggers

If you’re bootstrapping, look no further. KWFinder has a very competitive price.

If you pay for KWFinder each month, you’ll be spending between $29.90 and $79.90.

Notice that even their most expensive plan is considerably cheaper than Ahrefs’ cheapest plan.

Pay for a whole year and you could be saving hundreds of bucks, as much as 40%.

Even without that discount, KWFinder’s pricing is competitive:

Tool	Price
	from $29 per month
	from $99 per month
	from $40 per month
	from $99.95 per month
	$149 one-time fee

Is $29.90 still too much for you?

You could always just sign up for a month and use it like crazy every day. One month is enough to get a huge spreadsheet of keyword data.

Just don’t forget to download everything before your membership expires.

High-Level Marketers

KWFinder can feel limiting if you run an agency, or you’re an experienced webmaster looking for the gimmick in all search results.

That’s not to say it’s not worth a shot.

A simple interface is great for everyone, regardless of skill level.

But for competitor analysis, advanced data aggregation and (true) bulk imports, you’ll need to corroborate information with a tool like SEMRush.

That’s a bummer, and it will definitely break your workflow.

Not to mention, there are alternatives. Ahrefs can do everything KWFinder does, and way more.

Make sure you read our Ahrefs review if that sounds good.

So the bottom line is: You could give it a shot if you’re an experienced marketer.

It’s not one of the best SEO tools you’d want to use for advanced research, but it can prove helpful for the odd data request here and there.

How To Use KWFinder

The basic stuff is quite intuitive.

You won’t need help to plug a seed keyword in and get some data.

However, there are a few tricks we can show you.

So let’s review some KWFinder best practices.

Finding Informational Keywords with KWFinder

Informational keywords are phrases people use to ask questions (or at the very least, try to gain some knowledge).

It’s the type of search term that you’ll write educational pieces for, as opposed to commercial keywords, where you’ll try to sell something.

Remember, you’re not trying to sell here. Not directly.

Your aim is to educate your audience so you can build a rapport. The selling part will come later.

Say I have a blog on interior design. Plugging home decoration into KWFinder will bring up a ton of related searches.

I could write a piece on Home Decoration in general, but it’s obviously way too competitive of a term.

Instead, I’ll scroll down and I’ll find:

Rustic home decor has a much smaller search volume. But it’s less competitive, so I stand a better chance of getting on the 1st page of Google.

If you want to take this a step further, you can go for the “Questions” research option.

Using the same keyword, we found more search terms that we can use. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s still a good starting place.

The good thing about question search terms is that they’re generally less competitive, so they’re better suited for a new site.

But you shouldn’t stop researching once you’ve checked both screens.

I suggest you go for a hybrid approach, checking both research options, and using them as inspiration to gather data from other free software like Answer The Public.

Or do it the other way around, and you’ll also get accurate measurements.

Finding Commercial Keywords With KWFinder

Commercial terms show buyer intent. We’re talking about phrases that include the words: “buy” or “price”.

Obviously, the goal with commercial keywords is to make a sale.

To find this type of search terms, you’ll start the same way. Use your niche as a seed keyword, and then filter the results with modifiers.

The problem is, you won’t find keywords all the time. This is because your data requests are capped, so you won’t find a lot of search terms with specific buyer intent out of 200 or 700 keywords.

You’ll just need to play around with your search term suggestions until you eventually strike gold. What you can do to work around this issue is include the buyer intent modifiers in the seed keyword.

With that, you have a higher chance of finding low-competition keywords that have a decent monthly search volume.

For example, I found “modern chairs for sale” which doesn’t have a huge search volume (just 350 searches a month) but has considerably less competition than the other keyword suggestions.

And that’s in a highly competitive niche.

Conclusion

KWFinder may have a few drawbacks here and there.

Even for this review, it wasn’t tough to hit a roadblock. The most notable problem is the keywords cap, which can hinder your progress as you look deeper into search volume and keyword difficulty.

And that’s especially a problem when filtering your results.

But by and large, KWFinder does its job.

It’s a good keyword research tool, you can easily find long tail keyword suggestions.

Plus, you’ve got everything laid out beautifully in a seamless interface.

Not to mention: KWFinder is the best keyword research tool for beginners.

There’s just no beating its ease of use.