How do I do effective ecommerce keyword research in 2025?

What’s the best tool for eCommerce keyword research in 2025?

There’s no one-size-fits-all tool — the best choice depends on your goals, marketplace, and stage of growth. In 2025, high-performing ecommerce teams often use a stack of tools that work together to cover four critical areas: intent discovery, competitor intelligence, marketplace compliance, and semantic coverage.

Popular Tools by Use Case:

Helium 10 / Jungle Scout (for Amazon) – Powerful for marketplace-specific keyword tracking, backend keyword suggestions, and competitive gap analysis.
Semrush / Ahrefs – Ideal for broader search engine insights, tracking long-tail keywords, and understanding branded vs non-branded traffic for your DTC site.
Perplexity / AlsoAsked / AnswerThePublic – Help surface natural language questions and AI-informed queries, especially useful post-Rufus/SGE.
Genrise.ai – (if applicable to your brand) for AI-powered keyword assignment across titles, bullets, backend fields, and compliance for marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

Pro Tip:

In 2025, the smartest brands don’t just look for “volume.” They prioritize buyer intent, search behavior across channels, and AI-friendly phrasing that aligns with how tools like Amazon Rufus or Walmart Sparky interpret product pages. Choose tools that help you optimize for discovery + conversion, not just traffic.

What’s the best tool for eCommerce keyword research in 2025?

There’s no single “best” tool, but rather a toolkit that serves different stages of keyword research. For Amazon and Walmart sellers, platforms like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, and DataHawk provide marketplace-specific search volumes, backend keyword tracking, and competitive analysis. For broader SEO insights (especially DTC brands), Semrush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest remain powerful for uncovering search intent and long-tail variations.

Emerging tools like Perplexity and AnswerThePublic also help uncover AI-generated questions that reflect modern search behavior. The most effective brands in 2025 combine tools — using one for technical depth and another for discovering trends, buyer language, and AI-friendly phrasing.

How can I use competitor analysis for eCommerce keyword research?

Competitor analysis helps you uncover what’s already working in your niche — and where you can gain an edge. Start by identifying top-ranking competitors on search engines or marketplaces for your key products. Use tools like Helium 10, Semrush, or Ahrefs to extract the keywords they rank for, including backend terms, long-tail phrases, and top-converting queries.

Look beyond titles — study their bullet points, FAQs, reviews, and even customer questions to find hidden keyword opportunities. Pay attention to gaps: keywords your competitors missed, underserved search intents, or categories where your product offers something unique. Competitor keyword data is most valuable when you layer it with your own product’s positioning — to build content that’s not just similar, but better aligned with buyer intent.

How do I find long-tail keywords for my eCommerce store?

Start by thinking like your customer — long-tail keywords often reflect real, specific questions or needs. Use tools like Google Search Console, Amazon’s autocomplete, AnswerThePublic, and Perplexity to discover how people naturally search for your products. Also explore “People Also Ask” sections and competitor listings to identify recurring phrases.

Focus on queries that include details like use case, material, audience, or problem solved — for example, “gluten-free snacks for toddlers” or “non-stick cookware for induction stoves.” These phrases usually have lower competition and higher conversion intent, especially on niche or new product listings.

Should I prioritize buyer intent keywords over search volume?

Yes — in most ecommerce cases, buyer intent matters more than just high volume. A keyword like “best protein bars for weight loss” may have lower volume than “protein bars,” but it reflects a ready-to-purchase mindset. These intent-driven keywords attract qualified traffic that’s more likely to convert.

Search volume still matters, especially for driving awareness or top-funnel traffic, but if your goal is sales or marketplace ranking, prioritize keywords that signal action — like “buy,” “for,” “best,” “vs,” or specific product attributes. In 2025, AI-driven search engines are also favoring semantic relevance and context, making intent alignment even more critical than raw volume.