Useful Tools
Overture Keyword Selector Tool
This tool displays the number of times that a keyphrase was searched by a Yahoo user during the previous month. (Yahoo accounts for about one-fourth of all internet searches.)
http://inventory.overture.com
SEO Book Keyword Tool
This website uses the data from the Overture tool to simultaneously estimate traffic data for Google and MSN.
http://tools.seobook.com/general/keyword
Google Keyword Tool
Use this tool to view seasonal search data, identify related keyphrases, and generate a list of potential negative keywords.
http://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
Keyword Discovery
This free-trial version of this tool is not that useful. However, the fee-based subscription version offers several insights that can be worth paying for, including deep coverage of: related keywords, industry keywords, similar misspellings, keyword volume versus competitiveness (known as KEI Analysis), keyword density analysis, and keyword-rich domain name availability.
http://keyworddiscovery.com/keyword-directory.htm
Google Trends
Easily generate charts that show traffic volume, regional popularity, and common languages for any given keyphrase with this website.
http://google.com/trends
Google Sets
Type in a couple of your keyphrases and this Google tool will reward you with a "set" of related terms.
http://labs.google.com/sets
Word Tracker
This subscription-based website provides more in-depth keyphrase help. Use it to identify additional keyphrases, track plural or misspelled words, and get information about your competitors.
http://wordtracker.com
Thesauri
A basic thesaurus can help you discover keyphrases that relate to your organization.
http://thesaurus.reference.com
Lexical FreeNet offers a more advanced thesaurus that allows users to view word subsets, connections between words, and other helpful information.
http://lexfn.com
Google also offers a thesaurus-like feature called Google Suggest. Enter any keyphrase and related words will appear as you type.
http://google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en
Google Analytics
This free web tool allows you to view information from your website's log file in an easy-to-understand format. Use it to determine which keyphrases are currently successful.
http://analytics.google.com
Good Keywords Software
This free, downloadable software is a time-saver. It extracts and combines data from the Overture Keyword Selector Tool, search engines (including Google and Yahoo), and Alexa. Other features include: a keyword phrase builder, a misspelled word generator, a keyword density analyzer as well as popularity meters.
http://goodkeywords.com
Free Keyword List Generator
Enter in several terms and this web-based program will generate a lengthy list of keyphrases based on permutations of the words you supplied.
http://tools.seobook.com/keyword-list
News Sites
News aggregators such as Google News and Yahoo News allow you to search news stories and press releases for documents related to your cause. Use them to keep track of the keyphrases that related sites and competitors are using.
http://news.google.com
http://news.yahoo.com
