answerthepublic vs google-keyword-planner
AnswerThePublic vs Google Keyword Planner — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
AnswerThePublic and Google Keyword Planner represent two fundamentally different approaches to keyword research. AnswerThePublic excels at discovering the actual questions people ask about your topic, while Google Keyword Planner focuses on search volume data and bid estimates for paid advertising. Most SEOs eventually use both, but for different purposes in their workflow.
The core difference lies in discovery versus validation. AnswerThePublic helps you uncover content angles and long-tail opportunities you'd never think to search for, while Google Keyword Planner validates whether keywords are worth targeting with concrete search volume numbers straight from Google's database.
Feature Comparison
AnswerThePublic's signature feature is its visual keyword maps that organize autocomplete suggestions into question categories (what, why, how, when, where), comparisons (vs, versus, or), and related searches. The tool pulls from Google, Bing, and YouTube autocomplete data to show you the exact phrases people type into search bars. Its "Data" export feature provides CSV files with all discovered keywords for further analysis. Google Keyword Planner gives you the official search volume ranges, competition levels, and suggested bid prices directly from Google Ads data. You can input seed keywords or your website URL to generate keyword ideas, filter by location and language, and see historical trends. The forecasting feature shows projected clicks and impressions for keyword lists, though search volume ranges (like "1K-10K") are less precise for non-advertisers. AnswerThePublic processes keywords faster and presents them in a more digestible visual format, but it doesn't provide search volume data. Google Keyword Planner has the most accurate search volume data available but requires more manual work to organize and analyze keyword lists.
Pricing Comparison
Google Keyword Planner is completely free with a Google Ads account, though you get more precise search volume data when actively running ad campaigns. AnswerThePublic offers 2 free searches per day, with paid plans starting at $5/month for 100 searches and unlimited exports. For occasional keyword research, Google's free tier provides better value since you get unlimited searches and official Google data. However, if you're doing content research regularly, AnswerThePublic's $5/month Individual plan pays for itself by saving hours of manual autocomplete digging.
Best For
AnswerThePublic is better for content creators, bloggers, and SEOs focused on discovering long-tail opportunities and question-based content angles. It's particularly valuable for FAQ sections, blog topic ideation, and understanding the language your audience actually uses when searching. Google Keyword Planner is better for PPC advertisers and SEOs who need to validate keyword difficulty and search volume before committing resources. It's essential for competitive analysis and determining which keywords have enough search volume to justify optimization efforts.
The Verdict
Use AnswerThePublic for keyword discovery and Google Keyword Planner for validation. AnswerThePublic uncovers content opportunities you'd miss with traditional keyword tools, while Google Keyword Planner confirms whether those opportunities are worth pursuing. Most effective keyword strategies start with AnswerThePublic's discovery phase, then validate findings through Google's volume data.