5 SEO Tools for Content Writing That Help Me Rank High (+6 Extras)

If you’re searching for the best SEO tools for content writing, you’re in the right place. 

Over the past year, I’ve written more than 30 SEO-optimized articles for my client, TripleDart,  and over 70% of them now rank on the first page of Google for their target keywords.

I even managed to rank a keyword with 590+ monthly searches within just 24 hours of publishing.

These results weren’t random. They were the outcome of a well-defined content strategy, solid SEO knowledge, and most importantly using the right tools at each stage of the writing process.

Here, I’ll walk you through 5 SEO tools for content writing that I use regularly to:

• Identify high-intent, low-competition keywords
• Optimize my articles for search engines
• Ensure readability and engagement
• Track performance and update content effectively

Whether you’re a freelance writer, content marketer, or SEO specialist, these tools can help you create content that ranks and converts.

Let’s dive in:

A Quick Snapshot of My Favorite SEO Tools for Content Writing

Tool	Use Case
SEMrush	Finding high-traffic, low-competition keywords
ChatGPT	Understanding target audience & search intent
SurferSEO	On-page optimization for SEO content
Hemingway	Ensuring readability and clarity
GSC	Tracking and updating existing content

My List of 5 Best SEO Tools for Content Writing

Here’s a deeper look at the tools I rely on to produce high-performing SEO content from start to finish:

#1 SEMrush — Best for Keyword Research & Content Planning

SEMrush is my favorite SEO tool for content writing tool when I’m looking for high-volume, low-competition keywords or niches. These types of keywords are especially powerful because they don’t always require backlinks or high domain authority to rank. 

If you write high-quality, SEO-optimized content targeting these keywords, you can start attracting organic traffic within just a few week.

In fact, I was able to rank a keyword with over 590 monthly search volume on the first page of Google within 24 hours and that was on a relatively new website with low domain authority.

That’s the kind of result SEMrush helps me achieve consistently.

How I Use SEMrush for Keyword Research

The main feature I rely on is the Keyword Magic Tool, which helps me uncover untapped keyword opportunities and build a strategic content plan around them.

Here’s my step-by-step workflow:

1. Log in to SEMrush and go to the Keyword Magic Tool.

2. Enter a broad seed keyword relevant to your niche (e.g., “email marketing” or “freelance writing”).

3. Apply filters:
   • Keyword Difficulty (KD): I focus on scores under 30%.
   • Search Volume: I look for 100+ monthly searches.
   • Word Count: Target long-tail keywords (3+ words) for more precision.

4. Review the keyword list and add the most promising ones to a custom list.
5. Prioritize based on:
   • Low competition
   • Informational or buyer intent
   • Relevance to your audience
6. Write optimized content.

More SEMrush Features That Help With SEO Content Writing

SEMrush offers much more than keyword research. Here are other features that directly enhance SEO content creation:

Topic Research Tool

Discover trending headlines, subtopics, and related questions. This helps you structure blog posts that cover all angles and align with user interest.

SEO Content Template

Based on top-ranking competitors, it suggests:

• Related keywords
• Ideal word count
• Recommended readability
• Suggested backlink sources

Use this before writing to create a content brief that’s SEO-friendly from the start.

SEO Writing Assistant

A real-time content editor (available in Google Docs or WordPress) that checks:

• Readability
• Tone
• Keyword usage
• Plagiarism
• Overall SEO score

Competitor Keyword Analysis

Spy on what your competitors are ranking for, what’s driving their traffic, and which keywords you might be missing out on.

Position Tracking Tool

Track your content’s keyword rankings over time. This is essential for measuring progress and making informed content updates.

My Verdict

SEMrush is the most comprehensive SEO suite I’ve used, especially for content marketers. The combination of deep keyword insights, real-time writing optimization, and competitive intelligence makes it an essential tool in my content workflow.

If you’re serious about growing organic traffic through well-researched content, SEMrush is worth the investment.

Pricing

SEMrush offers three main plans:

• Pro: $139.95/month: Great for individuals or small teams.
• Guru: $249.95/month: Ideal for growing businesses with more projects.
• Business: $499.95/month: For agencies or enterprises needing advanced tools and reporting.

Tip: You can start with a free trial to explore the platform before committing.

#2 ChatGPT — Best for Audience & Intent Insights

Ranking for a keyword is only part of the equation. If your content doesn’t meet the user’s intent, it won’t perform even if you make it to the first page. That’s where ChatGPT comes in for me. 

It helps me go deeper than search volume and keyword difficulty by uncovering the “why” behind the search.

Before I start writing, I ask ChatGPT questions like:

• “Who is likely to be interested in this topic?”
• “Why would someone search for this keyword?”
• “What situation or pain point might lead someone to Google this?”

The responses shape how I:

• Craft the introduction to connect emotionally or contextually with the reader.
• Choose my angle, tone, or storytelling approach.
• Structure my content around what the reader really wants to know.

This way, I get to understand the motivations, frustrations, or goals behind a keyword which allows me write content that not only ranks but feels personal, and valuable to the person reading it.

How I Use ChatGPT to Refine Content Strategy

Let’s say I’m planning to write an article around the keyword: “how to start freelancing with no experience.”

Here’s my step-by-step process:

1. Start with the target keyword:
   “how to start freelancing with no experience”
2. Prompt ChatGPT with questions like:
   • “Who are the people likely to search for ‘how to start freelancing with no experience’?”
   • “What might have prompted them to search for this?”
   • “What are they trying to achieve or solve?”
3. Analyze the responses and extract:
   • User personas: Recent college grads, stay-at-home parents, 9–5 workers exploring side hustles, people who just lost a job.
   • Pain points: No portfolio, fear of rejection, uncertainty about where to start, overwhelmed by too many platforms or advice.
   • Intent: Strongly informational, with a hint of motivational — they’re not just looking for steps, they’re looking for reassurance and clarity.
4. Use those insights to shape the content:
   • Open the article with empathy: “Thinking about freelancing but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone.”
   • Speak directly to their fears and doubts throughout.
   • Provide clear, beginner-friendly steps with examples.
   • Offer emotional reassurance and small wins to keep the reader engaged.

More Ways I Use ChatGPT as an SEO Tool for Content Writing

Content Ideation

I use ChatGPT to brainstorm blog post titles, angles, or outlines that align with user intent and trending questions.

Sample Prompts: “Give me 10 blog post title ideas for a fitness blog targeting busy professionals who want to lose weight without going to the gym.”

Intro Paragraphs & Hook Optimization

If I’m stuck on how to open an article powerfully, I describe the topic and intent to ChatGPT, and it generates several intro ideas based on reader psychology.

Sample Prompt: “I’m writing a blog post titled ‘The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work Productivity.’ Suggest three different opening paragraphs, each using a different hook style (e.g., shocking stat, personal story, question).”

Content Structuring

After identifying search intent, I’ll have ChatGPT suggest logical subheadings or a content flow that mirrors how a real person might think or search through a topic.

Sample Prompt: “What would be a logical content structure for a blog post targeting the keyword ‘how to start a podcast’?”

My Verdict

ChatGPT has become a core part of my SEO writing workflow not just for generating text, but for helping me write content that connects. When I use it to understand audience intent and emotional context, my articles are more engaging, more helpful, and often outperform ones that are purely keyword-driven.

It’s like having a research assistant that thinks like your reader.

Pricing

ChatGPT is available under several pricing tiers:

• Free Plan: Includes access to GPT-4.0 (limited features).
• ChatGPT Plus: $20/month – Gives access to GPT-4.0 (plus more capable, better at reasoning, writing, and strategy).
• ChatGPT Pro: $200/month – Gives highest level of access.

Tip: Even on the free plan, you can use it effectively for basic audience insight prompts.

#3 SurferSEO — Best for On-Page SEO Optimization

Once you’ve found the right keyword and crafted content with user intent in mind, the next step is making sure your article is fully optimized for search engines without sacrificing readability. That’s exactly where SurferSEO shines.

I first used SurferSEO while working with a client (TripleDart) who required all SEO drafts to meet a specific optimization score before approval. At first, I was skeptical. But once I got into the Content Editor, I quickly saw how powerful and helpful it can be.

How SurferSEO Helps with On-Page Optimization

The Content Editor is Surfer’s flagship tool for writers. It analyzes the top-ranking pages for your keyword and generates real-time guidelines based on what Google is already rewarding.

Here’s what the Content Editor typically includes:

• Target keyword usage: How often to use your primary and secondary keywords.
• Word count recommendation: Based on averages from competing content.
• Heading structure (H1–H6): To guide your formatting and subtopics.
• NLP & semantic terms: Words and phrases commonly found in top-performing content.
• Content Score: A live optimization score from 0 to 100 that updates as you write.

How I Use SurferSEO (Real Workflow)

When writing for a client like TripleDart, I use SurferSEO this way:

1. Enter the target keyword in Content Editor.
2. It generates a blank writing interface with live guidelines based on SERP data.
3. As I write or paste in a draft, Surfer:

• Flags overused or underused terms.
• Suggests missing semantic phrases.
• Shows word count targets based on top-ranking articles.
• Updates the Content Score in real-time.

For TripleDart, the required content score was typically 70+. Hitting this score often meant fine-tuning headlines, adding semantic phrases, or expanding certain sections all of which helped boost SEO quality.

What I Learned About “Scoring vs Flow”

While SurferSEO is a fantastic tool, there’s a balance to maintain. Chasing a perfect score can sometimes hurt your content.

If you stuff keywords unnaturally or obsess over checklist completion, you risk making your content robotic or awkward. What I’ve learned is:

• Use the score as a guide, not a rule.
• Prioritize natural language, clarity, and reader experience even if that means stopping at a 75 instead of forcing a 90.
• Use Surfer to find gaps, not to game the algorithm.

When used strategically, Surfer helps you bridge the gap between SEO and great writing and that’s where the real power is.

Other SurferSEO Features Worth Noting

Audit Tool

Surfer’s Content Audit connects with Google Search Console to analyze the performance of your existing pages. It provides a table showing each URL’s content score, average position, impressions, clicks, and CTR. You can quickly identify which pages are underperforming and prioritize them for optimization or refreshing using Surfer’s Content Editor.

My Verdict

If you want a data-driven way to optimize your content for search engines, SurferSEO is hard to beat. Its Content Editor keeps your content aligned with what Google already favors without needing to overthink on-page SEO.

Just remember: Use the guidelines to enhance your article, not to rewrite it for a bot. The best-performing content is optimized and human.

Pricing

SurferSEO offers flexible plans based on usage:

• Essential – $79/month: For individual writers or freelancers.
• Scale – $175/month: For content teams or small agencies.
• Custom – $299/month: Includes advanced features, audits, and higher limits.

Tip: The Chrome extension lets you see keyword data directly in Google SERPs.

#4 Hemingway Editor — Best for Improving Readability

You can have the right keywords, the perfect structure, and full on-page optimization but if your writing is hard to read, people won’t stick around. That’s where Hemingway Editor comes in. It helps you turn clunky or overly complex content into clear, concise, and reader-friendly writing.

I use Hemingway toward the final stage of my content creation process. It’s like a readability filter that strips out the fluff, jargon, and confusion.

How Hemingway Editor Works

Hemingway is both a web-based tool and a desktop app. You paste your content in, and it instantly highlights:

• Hard-to-read sentences (yellow)
• Very hard-to-read sentences (red)
• Passive voice (green)
• Adverbs and weakening phrases (blue)
• Complex words with simpler alternatives (purple)

It also gives your content a Readability Grade Level, ideally aiming for Grade 6–8 which is optimal for online content.

How I Use Hemingway to Polish SEO Content

Once I’ve finished writing and optimizing an article, I run the full piece through Hemingway to do a final polish. Here’s what I focus on:

1. Simplify long or complicated sentences: If a sentence is highlighted red or yellow, I rework it for clarity often by breaking it into two.
2. Replace weak adverbs and passive voice: Instead of “The post was quickly written,” I might rewrite it as “I wrote the post in 30 minutes.” More active, more direct.
3. Trim filler words: Hemingway is great for spotting those sneaky phrases that dilute your message like “really,” “very,” or “a bit.”
4. Aim for a Grade 6–8 score: I don’t obsess over it, but if something is Grade 12+, I know it needs simplifying especially for blog readers who skim.

Why Readability Matters for SEO

Search engines consider user experience metrics like:

• Time on page
• Bounce rate
• Engagement

If your writing is dense or hard to follow, readers bounce. But if it’s simple and skimmable, they stay longer and that’s a positive signal for SEO.

My Verdict

Hemingway Editor helps me write like I speak which is critical for engaging real readers online. I don’t always agree with every highlight it gives me, but it sharpens my writing and makes my content more readable, digestible, and effective.

If you want people to actually finish reading your SEO content, Hemingway can make the difference.

Pricing

• Free (Web Version)
• Individual 5K Plan – $8.33
• Individual 10K Plan – $12.50
• Team 10K Plan – $12.50

#5 Google Search Console — Best for Updating & Expanding Existing Content

While keyword tools and SEO softwares are great for planning new content, Google Search Console is unbeatable when it comes to improving existing content. It shows you how your pages are actually performing in Google. What keywords they’re ranking for, where they’re falling short, and what potential opportunities are already within reach.

I use Google Search Console regularly when working with Embarque, an SEO agency. Sometimes I’m assigned to update an existing article for one of their clients. In those cases, GSC becomes my best friend.

How I Use Google Search Console to Expand Content

Here’s a practical workflow I follow:

1. Open GSC and go to the client’s property.
2. Navigate to performance and click on pages

3. Find the article URL I’ve been asked to update.
4. Click the URL to view detailed performance data including:

• Total clicks and impressions
• Average position
• List of queries the article is ranking for

5. Sort the queries by impressions to find keywords with:

• Top queries
• Lower average positions (e.g. 10–30)
• Not yet covered or fully addressed in the article

6. Select one or two promising keywords that the article already ranks for but not well.
7. Add a new section or subheading to the article targeting that keyword.
8. Write fresh content around it, naturally weaving it into the flow while:
   • Addressing search intent
   • Using the keyword in headings and within the text
   • Internally linking where appropriate

Why This Matters

This GSC method helps you:

• Win more traffic without writing a brand new post
• Leverage existing authority of an already indexed page
• Target long-tail or under-served keywords with minimal effort
• Keep content fresh, which Google loves

It’s also an easy win for SEO clients who want to see measurable gains with fast turnaround.

My Verdict

Google Search Console isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in your SEO stack especially for content writers. It shows you what Google already associates your content with, so you’re not guessing. You’re building on real data. Its essential for updating articles, expanding reach, and making smart SEO decisions.

6 Other SEO Tools for Content Writing Content Marketers Use

So that this doesn’t end up being just a “me” list, I wanted to include tools that are highly recommended by fellow content writers, marketers, and SEO professionals I’ve worked with or learned from.

These six tools might not be part of my personal daily stack, but they’re trusted by many in the industry for writing content that ranks, converts, and supports broader SEO strategies.

Here they are:

#1 Clearscope

A lot of SEO content writers and editors I know seem to love Clearscope. It’s widely praised for its clean interface, ease of use, and especially for its Content Grade scoring system that helps you optimize articles without overwhelming you with technical SEO jargon.

Here’s a screenshot from LinkedIn showing a few marketing heads mentioning Clearscope as one of their favorite SEO tool for content writing:

Key Features of Clearscope for SEO Content Writing

• Content Reports: Analyze a target keyword and get a report of related terms, top-performing content, and readability level.
• Real-Time Scoring: The Content Editor grades your draft based on how well it matches keyword recommendations.
• Search Intent Matching: Helps you align content with what searchers are actually looking for.
• Competitor Analysis: See how top-ranking pages are using keywords and structure.
• Google Docs & WordPress integrations for easier workflow.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly interface
• Focuses on content quality, not just keyword stuffing
• Trusted by top brands and agencies
• Helps meet editorial SEO guidelines fast

Cons

• Pricing can be steep for freelancers or small teams
• Lacks the depth of AI-generated outlines or creative ideation tools

Pricing

• Starts at $189/month (for the Essentials plan)
• $399/month (for the Business plan)
• Custom pricing available for larger teams 

#2 MarketMuse

Writers who use MarketMuse often say it feels like having a research assistant that lays out what to cover, what competitors are missing, and how to structure content in a way that satisfies both users and search engines. It’s especially popular for content audits, brief creation, and in-depth topical maps.

Here’s a snapshot of what a few content marketers have shared on LinkedIn about using MarketMuse. 

Key Features of MarketMuse for SEO Content Writing

• Content Briefs: Detailed outlines generated with relevant subtopics, questions, and suggested word count.
• Topic Modeling: See which related terms and concepts your content should include to cover the topic fully.
• Page-Level Content Scores: Grade your existing or drafted content based on depth and topical authority.
• Inventory & Audit Tools: Evaluate your entire content library to find gaps, overlaps, or under-optimized pages.
• Competitive Gap Analysis: Compare your coverage with competitors to find what they’re missing.

Pros

• Excellent for deep content strategy and topic authority
• Helpful for building content clusters or hub-and-spoke models
• Can audit and improve existing content at scale
• Offers AI-backed insights, not just surface-level keyword data

Cons

• Best suited for larger content operations or SEO-focused businesses
• Pricing is not freelancer-friendly

Pricing

#3 Frase

Many writers appreciate how Frase helps them go from a blank page to a publish-ready draft much faster. It’s especially useful for generating outlines, answering user questions, and making sure your article addresses the right topics for search intent. 

Here are screenshot of content leads having Frase at the top of their favorite SEO tools for content writing;

Key Features of Frase for SEO Content Writing

• AI-Generated Outlines: Enter a keyword and Frase will suggest a content structure based on top SERP results.
• Content Optimization Tool: Grade your draft based on topic coverage and keyword use.
• “Questions People Ask” Section: Pulls real questions from search data to answer in your content.
• SERP Analyzer: Breaks down what competitors are covering and helps you find gaps.
• AI Writing Assistant: Offers sentence completions, rewording, and intro writing help.

Pros

• Fast content ideation with SERP-based outlines
• Budget-friendly compared to enterprise tools
• Great for freelancers and small agencies
• Frequent updates and new features

Cons

• AI-generated content can be hit or miss. Always needs editing
• Less robust topic modeling than MarketMuse
• Interface can feel cluttered at times

Pricing

• Starts at $45/month (Basic)
• Team subscription start at $115/month

#4 AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic is a long-standing favorite among content marketers who want to tap directly into what people are searching for especially in the early stages of content planning. It turns autocomplete data from Google (and Bing) into visual clusters of questions, comparisons, prepositions, and more, all centered around your keyword.

Writers love it because it helps uncover long-tail keyword opportunities, understand user search behavior, and craft content that directly addresses questions users are actually asking.

Key Features of AnswerThePublic for SEO Content Writing

• Visual Keyword Maps: Organizes keyword suggestions into categories like “how,” “what,” “can,” “versus,” etc.
• Content Ideation: Provides hundreds of real search queries around your keyword.
• Search Listening Alerts: Track new or rising searches over time.
• Language & Region Filters: Tailor results to your audience location and language.

Pros

• Excellent for brainstorming article topics and FAQ content
• Helps uncover long-tail and question-based keywords
• No login required for basic use
• Useful visual presentation of data

Cons

• Limited free searches per day
• Doesn’t offer content scoring or optimization features
• Can get overwhelming without clear focus

Pricing

• Free version available (limited daily searches)
• Pro plans start at $5/month (billed annually)

#5 Grammarly

While not an SEO tool in the traditional sense, Grammarly is essential for SEO writers who want their content to be clear, credible, and polished. It’s more than a grammar checker. It helps you ensure your tone, flow, and sentence construction support user trust and engagement, which ultimately improves dwell time and reduces bounce rate.

Key Features of Grammarly for SEO Content Writing

• Real-Time Grammar & Spell Check: Fixes typos and awkward phrasing as you write.
• Tone Suggestions: Helps ensure your writing sounds confident, clear, or friendly, depending on your goal.
• Clarity Improvements: Suggests better sentence structures for readability.
• Browser Extension & Google Docs Integration: Seamless editing across platforms.

Pros

• Improves writing quality without affecting your style
• Helps ensure your SEO content is credible and error-free
• Great for teams and individual writers alike

Cons

• Doesn’t help with SEO structure, keywords, or optimization
• Suggestions aren’t always context-aware (still needs human review)

Pricing

• Free version available
• Premium plan starts at $12/month
• Enterp plans available for teams

#6 NeuronWriter

NeuronWriter is gaining serious attention as a smart, cost-effective SEO content tool that leverages Google NLP, competitor analysis, and AI to help you write content that ranks. 

Think of it as a hybrid between SurferSEO and Frase but at a more affordable price point, and packed with SERP-focused insights.

Key Features of NeuronWriter for SEO Content Writing

• Content Editor with NLP Scoring: Optimize content based on SERP keyword usage and semantic relevance.
• SERP Competitor Analysis: View how competitors structure content and what keywords they’re using.
• AI Writing Assistant: Drafts content based on target keywords and tone.
• Content Planning Dashboard: Organize articles, keywords, and optimization tasks in one place.

Pros

• Robust SEO optimization features at an affordable price
• Good balance between AI assistance and SERP-based strategy
• Supports multiple languages and regions
• Active development and frequent feature updates

Cons

• Not as widely supported or documented as more established tools
• AI writing still needs a careful human touch

Pricing

• Starts at €19/month (approx. $20 USD)
• Higher-tier plans available with more content credits and AI usage

Which SEO Tool Should You Choose for Content Writing?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to SEO tools. The best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and content goals.

• If you’re just getting started and want high-ranking keywords with minimal competition, start with SEMrush.
• Need help writing with purpose and understanding your audience? Pair those keywords with ChatGPT to shape content around real user intent.
• Want to optimize your content to compete with top-ranking pages? Use tools like SurferSEO, Frase, or Clearscope.
• If your focus is long-form authority content, MarketMuse and NeuronWriter offer powerful topic modeling and coverage insights.
• For clarity and polish, nothing beats the combo of Hemingway Editor and Grammarly.
• And when it’s time to update or expand existing content, don’t forget about Google Search Console — a goldmine for real keyword data you’re already ranking for.

In the end, the best tool is the one that fits into your content writing process without slowing you down and helps you consistently create content that ranks, engages, and converts.

SEO Success Starts With Strategy, Not Just Tools

These tools for SEO content writing I’ve shared aren’t just “nice-to-haves.” They’re the exact stack I rely on to create content that ranks, converts, and drives long-term traffic.

But here’s the reality:

SEO tools don’t create winning content. Strategy does.

These tools provide valuable data, insights, and structure. But it’s how you interpret and apply that information that determines whether your content performs.

As an SEO content writer, I focus on creating high value content that serves real reader intent and supports organic growth. I find keywords with strong ranking potential, align content with user needs, and write in a way that resonates with both people and search engines. These tools help me enhance my work, not define it.

If you’re looking for content that delivers results, not just clicks, let’s talk.