With a major SEO shift towards content marketing following the changes of Panda, developing linkable assets is a top priority for any company trying to rank. Generating a constant stream of content for a range of clients is a daunting task for many SEOs, as it is time-consuming and can cause a serious case of creative block. To solve this problem, many of the same tools we use for keyword research and link building tactics, in addition to a few new sources, can be used to brainstorm campaigns or uncover awesome ideas.
Let’s take a look at how to use these 15 tools to generate linkable and shareable content in a pinch.
- Google Adwords Keyword Research Tool
The search marketing community relies heavily on this free Keyword Tool is part of Google Adwords for keyword research in both paid and organic mediums. The tool focuses primarily at a macro level, but can be drilled down to take a look at niches and provide some valuable content ideas.
2. Topsy
Topsy provides both paid and free versions to provide “instant social analysis and real time search” to uncover trending topics and shareable ideas.
3. Followerwonk
Followerwonk is one of my favorite tools online. Not only is it a great resource for finding valuable content ideas, but also key influencers within your social sphere. Followerwonk offers an easy to use interface and is now included in your SEOMOZ subscription.
4. Quora
Quora is the crown jewel of content generation tools. Similar to other question and answer sites, users can submit questions that can be invaluable in one’s quest for killer content. Users also have the opportunity to answer questions and provide valuable perspective or potential resources for the article.
5. Google Suggest & Related Searches
Google’s predictive search feature (Google Suggest) offers a quick glimpse and related keywords and search queries. This can be a very quick and easy way to get some niche content ideas closely related to specific keywords.
6. Soovle
Similar to Google Suggest, Soovle offers a much broader view of potential long tail keywords from other sites beyond Google. In comparison to Google Suggest, Soovle returns significantly more data to review and analyze.
7. Google Webmaster Tools
Google Analytics used to provide great organic keyword data that would help determine what phrases brought you to the site. Thanks to Google’s “not provided,” Webmaster Tools has quickly became the best tool to see what phrases are bringing your site into the SERPS. There are a ton of potential queries and Webmaster Tools can provide some killer long tail keyword and content ideas.
8. Google Adwords Search Queries
Its amazing how many SEOs underutilize the data obtained through a well-run PPC campaign. Search queries (and click data) provide additional information on relevant content initiatives as well as long tail keywords that can be used to refine your SEO strategy. So pull in your PPC manager and make your content strategy a full team effort.
9. Google News
Looking for news in your field? Google News offers targeted news listings related to your field. A controversial or groundbreaking news article offer a great push to develop a content strategy around follow ups, secondary opinions as well as further changes in the industry.
10. Reddit
11. Facebook Insights
Facebook Insights is a great analytics tool to discover patterns of interaction on your Facebook Fan Page. You can easily discover which type of content performs best in your community, not to mention the time and day to maximize your posts’ reach.
12. Linked in groups
LinkedIn Groups are notorious for lead generation, and can also be used to monitor content. These groups reveal what industry peers are finding useful and valuable, which can be used to better reach this audience.
13. Google Insights
Google Insights (now incorporated with Google Trends) is a powerful tool for both search and content strategy, offering many ways to analyze and improve content – like comparing brands/search terms, and uncovering patterns in search behaviors.
14. Wordtracker’s Keyword Questions Tool
Wordtracker’s Keywords Question Tool helps direct and source content ideas based on your or your client’s keywords. Best part is this one is free!
15. UberSuggest.org
UberSuggest.org is another content and keyword-generating tool, great for brainstorming new themes related to your search terms.
So there you have it, 15 tools to keep you fresh with ideas and topics to incorporate into content strategy and planning. What tools do use you keep relevant content on hand?
Oliver Feakins
Latest posts by Oliver Feakins (see all)
- 15 Tools For Generating Killer Content - March 14, 2013
Amazing tools collection, I really liked the soovle where you can get all the instant search keywords across all the search networks.
Most of them provides good features when you opt for the paid versions.
Topsy: A great search engine to hunt for anything on social platforms.
UberSuggest:- Awesome appliation where you can copy the keywords to adwords and get the best out of it.
Great resource. Thanks for putting all that together.
Great list of tools these Oliver! Socialmention.com, topix.com, spezify.com etc will be of great help to generate content ideas!
Thanks for the comments guys! Please feel free to add any other tools you are using.
Great collection of tools, Quora and Soovle are good website to generating great content. Thank you Oliver Feakins for this list.
Thank you, its wonderful list.
For content Generation, i mostly prefer to go through readers comments, or emails which i receive. Writing what you readers are looking for is a great way for content generation and it results in good engagement and better readership.
Thanks for this post – full of useful info. I must admit I tend to have a constant mental block when thinking of content and I believe that anything trending or up-to-date is the way to go. I shall bookmark this article for reference.
Nice post man! Writing killer content is must for our blog. Anyways I like Google News a lot for the trending news.
Good list of tools! I use most of them quiet regualrly for my own content research. Never heard of Soovle actually!
Great lists. I just started a blog about 45 days ago and have been looking for ways to get better with my writing. This is great information. Thank you for sharing.
I think this is great information, never heard of some of the sites. This will help with writers block, when you know what people are looking for or talking about. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Thanks for the information.
Great post. Another important point for content generation is remember to look beyond the marketing team and tap into the ideas and thought leadership that your colleagues across your company can offer.