How the YouTube Keyword Research tool works
YouTube's search box already tells you what viewers want - the autocomplete list is ranked by real search demand. This tool asks that box 37 questions for you and organises the answers.
- 1Type a broad seed topic - two or three words works best (e.g. 'retirement planning', 'signs he likes you').
- 2Press Research. The tool queries YouTube autocomplete for the seed, the seed plus every letter A-Z, and question prefixes like how, why, best and signs.
- 3Scan the Top suggestions and click any of them to drill one level deeper.
- 4Use the Question keywords list for titles - questions convert to clicks because they promise an answer.
- 5Copy all or export CSV, then group keywords into videos: one main keyword per title, 3-5 supporting phrases in the description.
Why autocomplete beats volume tools
Third-party keyword tools estimate YouTube volume from Google data and are often months old. Autocomplete is generated by YouTube from what people are typing now, ranked by popularity, and it changes with trends and seasons. For faceless channels that live on search and Suggested traffic, it is the most honest demand signal you can get for free.
Reading the score
Each phrase is scored by how many of the 37 live queries returned it and how high it ranked. A keyword that appears for the seed, for several letters and for a question prefix is something many people phrase in many ways - a strong video topic. Low-scoring phrases are long-tail: lower demand, but much easier to rank for with a new channel.
From keywords to a content plan
- 1Pick 10 keywords with a mix of high and low scores.
- 2Turn each question keyword into a title that answers it ("Why do older men go quiet?" -> "Why Older Men Go Quiet - 7 Psychology Reasons").
- 3Put the exact phrase in the first line of the description and say it in the first 15 seconds of the video.
- 4Check the Channel Analyzer on the top two results for each keyword - if small channels rank, the keyword is winnable.
Works for every niche and language
Suggestions are pulled for the US / English market by default because that is where RPM is highest, but any language seed returns results in that language. Try it for Facebook Reels hooks as well - the same phrases people search are the phrases that stop the scroll.
Frequently asked questions
Is this YouTube keyword tool really free?+
Yes, completely. It uses YouTube's public autocomplete, so there is no quota to pay for and no account needed.
Does it show search volume?+
Not an exact monthly number - YouTube does not publish one. The score reflects how often and how high a phrase appears across 37 live autocomplete queries, which tracks real demand closely.
How is it different from vidIQ or TubeBuddy?+
Those tools estimate volume from historical data and require a login. This tool reads today's autocomplete directly, expands it A-Z and by question words, and lets you export instantly.
Can I use it for YouTube Shorts and Facebook Reels?+
Yes. Short-form hooks work best when they mirror what people already search; the question keywords list is ideal for Shorts and Reels captions.
