The Best Free Keyword Tools for China in 2025
How to do serious SEO research in China — without paying a cent
Why China Needs a Separate Keyword Research Process
Since Baidu is China’s top search engine, most global tools fall short when it comes to Baidu SEO and keyword research for the Chinese market. To uncover real user demand, you need a different approach.
Google Keyword Planner? Doesn’t work.
Ahrefs, SEMrush? Barely cover Baidu.
Ubersuggest? All based on Google data.
If you’re targeting China, you need China-native data sources.
1. Best Free Baidu Keyword Tools (5118, 百度指数, Rednote)
| Tool | URL | What It’s Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 5118.com | 5118.com | Discovering long-tail keywords on Baidu |
| Baidu Index | index.baidu.com | Visualizing keyword trends |
| Zhihu Search | zhihu.com | Seeing what questions real users ask |
| Rednote (小红书) | App only | Spotting brand & product keyword demand |
| Baidu Zhanzhang | ziyuan.baidu.com | Seeing what keywords your site is ranking for |
2. Workflow: How to Use Them Together
- Start with 5118: Type a seed word like “护肤” or “留学申请”，get long-tail + related searches.
- Use Baidu Index: Plug your top 3 terms into the trend graph. Eliminate anything in decline.
- Cross-check with Zhihu & Rednote: Look for natural-language phrasing from real users (especially question-based phrasing like “有哪些推荐…”).
- Use Baidu Zhanzhang later: Once your site is live and indexed, check what keywords are actually driving traffic.
3. Bonus: What to Look for in a “Good” Keyword
Search volume isn’t everything — look for:
- Commercial intent (“推荐”, “怎么选”)
- Informational phrasing (“有哪些”, “区别”, “注意事项”)
- Rednote usage clues (hashtags, descriptions)
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Google tools for Chinese SEO
- Not checking whether Baidu actually shows results for your term
- Relying solely on machine translations of keywords
- Ignoring content tone — keywords ≠ content intent
Looking for 中文关键词工具推荐 like 百度指数 or 5118？These free Baidu keyword tools will help you uncover real user demand and shape content that works in China.
Summary
In Chinese SEO, the tools are different — and so is the mindset. Don’t force Google habits into Baidu strategies. Use China-native tools to identify real-world demand — and let that shape your content. That’s how effective Baidu SEO starts — grounded in native tools, local platforms, and user-first intent.
By The Olivia
Content & SEO Strategist for China Market.
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