
When it comes to Keyword Research Software Tools, the tech geeks over in Russia have created one of the finest!
Product: Key Collector (v. 3.4.1 of 8/15/15)
Website: www.key-collector.com
Contact/Developers: Alexander Lyustik & the Key Collector Team
Subscription Package Pricing: $29/year per machine
Let it be said here and now, we may not always see eye to eye with our Russian counter-parts, but they do keyword research just like we do, maybe even better!
Recently I came across a software package, somewhat by accident like I usually do, that caught me a bit off-guard. It’s developed in the former Soviet Union, somewhere behind an iron curtain I suppose, but technically advanced in some ways that put a few of our American-made keyword research tools to shame.
It was obvious when I started reading their website that I was up against a slight language barrier, mostly because I don’t know a lick of Russian. The broken English on the page made we wonder if I was going to be able to use this tool at all, for the simple fact it was so technologically advanced, I was surely going to need to read through some kind of user’s manual to get the most out of this software. I also noticed while I was there that the price (at $29.00/year) was more than reasonable, then my eye caught an opportunity to review the product and get myself a free license in the process! You folks all know how I feel about a good review (and free software!), so this was a no-brainer for me to pursue. So glad that I did!
“Alexander the Great”
I followed through with an inquiry to the developers. Alexander Lyustik responded to my request to review their product in just a matter of a day or so. He granted me a 14 day license which allowed me ample time to put together a overview video and fundamental written review. He made it perfectly clear how I would have to install the software, provided resource links to hidden treasures and was all around a pleasure to work with. It’s been a week or so since I first opened the software and honestly, I’m still fascinated by how elaborate this program really is. I’ve plugged away on computer builds, software installs and a wee bit of programming in my day and there’s more bells and whistles on this baby than I’ll probably ever use in a lifetime of keyword research. But that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned, it shows that they dedicate serious effort to their product.
The “Meat and Potatoes”
When you get right down to it, most keyword research tools aren’t really that difficult to learn once you understand the process. In this case, however, it’s more about how to get it all setup in order to utilize it’s incredible features. This may cause some of the more technically challenged to stray away from this one.
For the SEO experts out there, or those folks that want to become one, I don’t think there’s a tool out there that could compete with the raw complexity of this one. In all truth, I’ve curated a good portion of information from highlights on their website (www.key-collector.com). I figure what you need to know is covered pretty well there, I felt no need to re-create the wheel here. While at the same time, this was by no means intended to be a complete technical review of all Key Collector’s features. I’ll be sure to consider revisiting that idea once I become more familiar with the product I’ve been handed.
For the time being, let’s dig in with a knife and fork and have a look at what we have here.
Collecting the Data
With Key Collector’s in-depth interface you’re going to have the ability to gain insight and gather new ideas from:
- Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool
- Search Suggestions (Google, Yahoo, Bing)
- Related Search Queries (Google)
- Google Analytics
- SEMRush.com (some of methods are available)
Key Collector’s development teams is always ready and willing to receive feedback and add new resource data to their software!
Analyzing the Data
As for any of the imported or collected data, all the information within the software can be analyzed by setting additional criteria filters and parsing processes. Some of the systems primary metrics are obtained through:
- Google Adwords: CPC, competition level, search volume (average volume or detailed report by months, chart or table data)
- Google Analytics: visits number, refuse rate, target page URL
- KEI: found documents number, TOP 10/30/50 results analyzing: titles, snippets, URLs (it also count the number of main pages and source phrase occurrences)
- Google SERP: website positions (with the ability to watch the history on a chart or a table), website relevant pages for specified keywords
Another powerful tool is it’s filter system. With its help you can easily filter and find only the keywords that you really need at that moment. You no longer need to load and learn heavy-hitter spreadsheet editors like Excel just to get your info sorted out in the way you want to see it.
And as for phrase filtering a stop words tool is also included. This tool allows you to filter out the “good” and “bad” phrases based on your stop words list.
That tool alone could help you to manage one or several stop word lists and search them among the phrases in data tables in different search modes with only a few clicks. In unison with the filter system it give you the liberty to produce just about any kind of sorting, filtering and organizing of all of your most important keywords, phrases and keyword lists.
Organizing the Data
Key Collector’s ability to organize data internally is paramount to its uniqueness.
Some of it’s key sorting features, a couple of which I have already mentioned, are:
- Custom User Keyword Groups (with hierarchical structure support)
- Automatic Keyword Analyser Tools (for keyword grouping, finding explicit duplicates, etc.)
- Color markers (manual mode and intelligent Magic Color Tool)
- Advanced Filter System
- Stop Words Tool
- Exporting data
What really makes the analyzing process even more valuable – it’s the hierarchical keyword groups support. You can split keywords into separate groups and order them in your own way: create a tree or keep a plain structure; set names and color markers for groups; sort groups by name or color; copy, cut, move and order groups.
To make that process comfortable Key Collector is capable of analyzing and grouping keywords automatically. That tool supports 4 modes: single words, by whole phrases, by SERP data and both phrases and SERP mode. This means you can create 10’s if not 1000’s of user groups for your keywords, without any special effort or rigorous routine.
Russia Goes and Drops Da’ Bomb
Here’s where everything just exploded for me! Probably most exciting about this software is the price point. A one-year subscription to Key Collector costs ONLY $29! For that price you get a license for one (1) PC (you can’t use it on two or more computers at the same time, but up to 2 times in a month you can renew the license in case your computer’s configuration changes). The software relies on a hardware key, similar to what is used in many high-end CADD applications. This allows strict control by the software developers as to how their program is utilized in the marketplace. Basically, it helps to avoid people pirating hack copies over to unauthorized users.
The subscription fee provides access to the support ticket system, where you can ask your questions, get technical support and suggest new features.
The Final (Key)Word
It’s obvious that this keyword tool isn’t for everyone, certainly not the faint at heart and the not-so-technically inclined. But for those willing to deal with a slight language barrier and work with the developers on creating more accessible content features for those of us over on this side of the pond, Key Collector is a real winner. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this one right away!
Alexander, it’s been a pleasure working with you! I’ll be sure to keep in touch as I continue to use and give recommendations to your awesome keyword research tool!
Огромное спасибо! (Thank You Very Much!)
Leland,
This keyword tool is rather intriguing. How in the world did you happen to come across a Russian keyword tool? haha..
As far as complexity, key-collector looks pretty comprehensive. The price of $29 per year seems generous considering all that you can do with this tool. Keyword tools vary drastically when it comes to quality and price.
Thanks for the info, very helpful.
Bryan-
Bryan, for some strange reason I have the tendency to come across some pretty crazy things on the internet! I don’t know if it’s just the way I use my search terms or because I’m rather tenacious when it comes to getting the answers I’m looking for! Either way, I was really glad I came across this tool…I plan on working hand-in-hand with the developer to get a few tweaks incorporated to make this an attractive tool for the US market also.
Currently, even though it is tied to Google and Bing, some of the features are tied to Yandex which is a European based search engine…but this one has big potential to be one of my more widely used tools!
Great info. I’ve never heard of the Key Collector. Very interesting tool and it looks like it’s very advanced one that provides a lot of very helpful and important data on keyword research. The price is amazing to say the least. I think I will give it a shot. BTW, are you using it and are you happy with it? Any bugs?
I tend to use each and every tool I get my hands on in one way or another, but honestly as of late I haven’t had my fingers on the controls of Key Collector for awhile, or as much as I should perhaps. What I do know is that the develop team over at Key Collector is always working to fervently address any issues that might arise, but to date I haven’t seen an bugs with the system. It’s not one for you’re everyday user for sure, it’s a very technical tool with a pretty substantial learning curve…one I’ll admit I haven’t mastered yet!
I would still recommend it on price point alone when you consider how much other tools on the market are going for nowadays.
Thanks for the great questions. I hope I addressed your concerns. Any others, be sure to shout out!