Top 23 Recommended SEO Tools

Which SEO tools are actually being used by professional SEO specialists in the industry?

This guide covers tools used across various settings, from in-house SEO teams to specialized SEO agencies.

The SEO toolkit includes comprehensive all-in-one platforms like SEMRush, Ahrefs, Conductor, and UberSuggest, as well as specialized tools for specific functions.

Drawing from my eight years of experience as an SEO professional working with companies and managing personal websites, I've ranked these tools based on their effectiveness and impact.

1. Google Spreadsheet with Google Analytics Plugin

While there's a learning curve, mastering this combination dramatically improves workflow efficiency.

I discovered this approach while working on a keyword research project at HubSpot, a globally recognized content marketing leader.

Impressed by HubSpot's methodology, I thoroughly studied these techniques and incorporated them into my professional toolkit.

Though Google Data Studio is popular for reporting, this combination offers simpler operation and faster processing speeds.

2. SEMRush

This comprehensive SEO platform holds the largest market share among global SEO tools.

Its site audit (technical SEO diagnostics) and rank tracking features are particularly outstanding.

While its keyword research and competitor analysis may not match Ahrefs, the integration of advertising analysis and social media marketing functions makes it ideal for corporate digital marketing departments.

Pricing ranges from approximately $100-$200 per month, with a free version allowing up to 10 uses daily.

3. Ahrefs

This tool has gained strong support among SEO professionals and is particularly popular in the Japanese affiliate marketing community.

By analyzing competitors' keyword rankings and high-performing pages in detail, you can understand successful strategies and develop plans to rank for key terms.

The user-friendly interface, fast processing speed, and Japanese language support make it especially attractive.

It excels in backlink analysis accuracy and keyword research functionality.

In my opinion, it's the most valuable tool worth implementing.

4. ScreamingFrog SEO Spider

This is an essential tool for technical SEO specialists.

It comprehensively detects technical issues including broken links, unoptimized images, and pages missing meta descriptions.

However, its interface isn't particularly intuitive, resulting in a steeper learning curve for beginners.

5. Conductor Searchlight

This tool has seen increasing adoption in recent years, particularly among SEO teams at multinational companies.

I've personally used it at my last two employers.

Once you start using it, the richness of its features is impressive.

It particularly excels in reporting, keyword research, and content SEO functionalities.

6. Google Search Console

Rather than just a recommendation, this is a tool that every SEO professional uses without exception.

I've ranked it modestly due to its widespread recognition, but it's undoubtedly among the most frequently used tools.

It's fundamentally essential for search query (keyword) analysis.

You can identify which keywords drive traffic to your site and monitor rankings for specific terms.

7. Google Analytics

Widely recognized as the standard web analytics tool, it's commonly referred to as GA by industry professionals.

8. Ubersuggest

I began using this as an alternative when Google Keyword Planner effectively became monetized.

Developed by renowned digital marketing expert Neil Patel, it offers features comparable to Google Keyword Planner.

Recently, they've introduced a paid plan with additional functionalities like site diagnostics and competitor analysis.

Its affordable pricing is particularly attractive, and there's promising potential for future feature expansions.

9. GRC

This specialized tool for tracking keyword search rankings has gained significant popularity among Japanese users.

It offers excellent value compared to similar tools and is widely adopted by individual bloggers and affiliate marketers.

10. Meta Title and Description Extraction Tool

I discovered this free service by chance - it instantly extracts meta titles and descriptions from any URL you enter.

Reference

10. Racco Headline (h Tag) Extraction Tool

This tool offers exceptional features that are impressive for a free service.

When I introduced it to my international colleagues, they were extremely impressed.

It's an incredibly practical tool for everyday SEO work.

11. Related Keyword Acquisition Tool (Beta Version)

A simple yet highly effective domestic tool that I use regularly.

It efficiently extracts Google Suggest results and related keywords.

With the challenges in search volume prediction accuracy for Japanese SEO, tools like this are becoming increasingly valuable.

12. Moz Pro

Formerly known as Open Site Explorer, this tool has recently undergone rebranding.

Similar to Ahrefs, it specializes in analyzing competitors' backlinks and offers limited free usage (up to three times daily).

SEO professionals should consider Moz Academy, an online course that systematically explains SEO strategies using Moz Pro.

It's particularly valuable for those seeking to build a structured foundation of SEO knowledge.

13. Majestic SEO

As a backlink analysis tool, it stands among the top three services alongside the two mentioned previously.

It provides unique metrics such as Trust Flow (TF) and Citation Flow (CF), making it especially useful for evaluating websites against Google's E-A-T criteria.

14. Google Data Studio

Though relatively new, having been released just a few years ago, it excels at creating customized reports from data sources like Google Analytics.

Recent streamlining of its functionality allows for quick creation of sophisticated reports with minimal effort.

15. Google Keyword Planner

This remains an extremely valuable tool for researching keyword search volumes and discovering related keyword opportunities.

For several years now, accurate search volume data has been restricted unless you're running Google Ads campaigns, but it continues to serve as a fundamental resource for keyword research.

Summary

While numerous SEO tools are available, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

We recommend experimenting with several tools to find what works best for your workflow.

If you know of excellent tools not mentioned here, we'd appreciate your recommendations.