Keyword research can feel like one of the hardest parts of SEO. You know you need to find what people are searching for, but professional tools can be expensive and complex, which is a major hurdle for a new blogger or small business owner.
What if I told you that you can find dozens of valuable, untapped keywords using a free tool you probably already use? This is a simple tactic that’s part of a much larger strategy. For the complete approach, and to download your free copy of The Strategic AI Keyword Blueprint 2.0, make sure you read my main guide on how AI is revolutionizing keyword research.
For now, let’s focus on this one powerful, practical workflow.
What Are “Untapped” Long-Tail Keywords?
First, a quick definition. Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases. Because they are so specific, they usually have lower search volume, but they also have much less competition and a higher conversion rate.
I like to think of it this way:
- A short keyword like “coffee beans” is like shouting in a crowded stadium.
- A long-tail keyword like “best coffee beans for a cold brew beginner” is like having a specific, direct conversation with your ideal customer.
We’re going to find those conversations.
My 3-Step Process to Find Keywords with ChatGPT
This process is all about shifting your mindset. We’re not going to ask for keywords first. We’re going to start by understanding our audience’s problems.
Step 1: Start with Your Audience’s Problems
Before you can know what people search for, you have to know what they care about. ChatGPT for SEO is an amazing tool for brainstorming these customer pain points.
Your Action: Open ChatGPT and use a prompt like this.
“Act as a marketing strategist for a [your business type, e.g., ‘small business that sells indoor plants online’]. What are 10 common problems, fears, or questions my target customer has?”
This will give you a list of real-world problems (e.g., “fear of killing their first plant,” “not knowing which plants are safe for pets,” “how to deal with common pests like gnats”). These are your content goldmines.
Step 2: Turn Problems into Keyword Questions
Now that you have a list of real problems, you can use them to generate hundreds of long-tail keywords. Pick one of the problems from the list you just generated.
Your Action: Use that problem in a new prompt. This is where you’ll find your untapped keywords guide.
“Take the customer problem “[Problem from Step 1, e.g., ‘not knowing which plants are safe for pets’]”. Generate 15 long-tail, question-based keywords that a person with this problem would type into Google.”
ChatGPT will now give you a fantastic list of specific keywords like:
- “are monstera plants toxic to cats”
- “best pet-friendly indoor plants for low light”
- “non-toxic houseplants safe for dogs and toddlers”
These are keywords you can realistically rank for. Repeat this for every problem you brainstormed in Step 1.
Step 3: Dig Deeper with “Hidden Gem” Prompts
Once you have your main list, you can use a few more creative ChatGPT prompts for keyword research to find unique angles.
Your Action: Try these prompts with your general topic.
“What are some common ‘vs’ comparisons people search for related to [my topic, e.g., ‘snake plants’]?”
(Result: “snake plant vs zz plant”, “snake plant vs spider plant”)
“What are some common mistakes people make when it comes to [my topic, e.g., ‘watering houseplants’]?”
(Result: “mistakes to avoid when watering succulents”, “signs of overwatering indoor plants”)
What to Do With Your New Keyword List
You should now have a rich list of specific, long-tail keywords. The next step is to organize them into topic clusters and begin creating helpful content that answers these exact questions. This list is the foundation of your entire content strategy.
Conclusion
You do not need expensive tools to start a smart keyword strategy. By using free keyword research chatgpt with the right prompts, you can create a powerful list of untapped keywords today. The most important step isn’t having the most advanced software; it’s understanding your customer’s problems. Start there, and you’ll never run out of valuable content ideas.
About Me
I’m Sanwal Zia, a certified SEO strategist and the founder of Optimize with Sanwal. With expertise recognized by prestigious organizations, I focus on building effective search strategies that drive growth. You can connect with me directly on my Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.