Top 5 Free Social Media Listening Tools Every Brand Should Use

Top 5 Free-to-Use Social Media Listening Tools

Google Alerts: Best for tracking updates on specific topics
Talkwalker: Best for analyzing social media at scale
Twitter Advanced Search: Best for precise searches on X (Twitter)
Boardreader: Best for monitoring forums and communities
AnswerThePublic: Best for finding keyword ideas and search intent

Google Alerts

Google Alerts screenshot - Free social media listening tools Pin
Google Alerts, main screen

Best for: Tracking updates on specific topics
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Accessible via web browsers on all devices

Why choose Google Alerts?

Google Alerts competitor search - Free social media listening tools Pin
Google Alerts, searching for a competitor
Google Alerts booktok search - Free social media listening tools Pin
Google Alerts, a #booktok search

Pros

Offers completely free use with no hidden fees
Simplifies setup without lengthy tutorials
Offers high flexibility with unlimited keyword monitoring and customizable alerts

Cons:

Limits monitoring by excluding social media mentions, which creates a significant blind spot
Lacks reporting and data visualization features
Provides results only from indexed pages

Talkwaker main screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwaker, main screen

Best for: Analyzing social media at scale
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Major social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Reddit, and Pinterest, as well as news sites, blogs, and forums

Why choose Talkwalker?

Talkwalker key metrics screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, key metrics
Talkwalker related topics screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, related topics
Talkwalker specific hashtag results - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, specific hashtag results
Talkwalker search for top emojis - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, search for top emojis
Talkwalker influencers search screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, influencers search
Talkwalker demographics search - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, demographics search
Talkwaker single result screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Talkwalker, single result

Pros

Uses filters and Boolean operators for advanced searches
Provides real-time conversations in your preferred language
Offers precise calculations of social sentiment

Cons:

Requires a subscription for Advanced Social Listening
Requires familiarity with Boolean operators
Excludes Facebook and Instagram from media types, while the discontinued Google+ is still included
Twitter/X advanced search screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
Twitter/X advanced search
Best for: Finding specific X posts
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Accessible via X website on desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile devices
Twitter/X advanced search language section screen  - Free social media listening tools Pin
Twitter/X advanced search, language section
Top Posts on Twitter/X Found Using Advanced Search  - Free social media listening tools Pin
Top posts on Twitter/X Found using advanced search
Twitter/X Advanced Search with retweets and favorites filter screen  - Free social media listening tools Pin
Twitter/X Advanced Search with retweets and favorites filter

Let’s open one:

Example tweet about BookTok with thousands of favorites and comments screen  - Free social media listening tools Pin
Example tweet about BookTok with thousands of favorites and comments

Pros

Boosts user experience with its intuitive interface
Improves search accuracy with various filters
Offers insights for real-time trend analysis and audience engagement tracking

Cons

Restricts social listening to X
Limits search functionality due to X’s algorithm
Requires manual data collection for detailed analysis

Boardreader

BoardReader search page screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
BoardReader search page
Best for: Monitoring forums and communities
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Web-based platforms accessible on any device with Internet access

Why choose BoardReader?

BoardReader search output for BookTok screenshot - Free social media listening tools Pin
BoardReader search output for booktok
BoardReader search for BookTok: threads, last 3 months, French, sorted by freshness - Free social media listening tools Pin
BoardReader search for booktok: threads, last 3 months, French, sorted by freshness

Pros

Boosts user experience with its intuitive interface
Improves search accuracy with various filters
Offers insights for real-time trend analysis and audience engagement tracking

Cons

Finds niche discussions and communities that mainstream search engines often overlook
Provides raw, unfiltered opinions from real users
Effectively gauges public sentiment

AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic home screen - Free social media listening tools Pin
AnswerThePublic home screen
Best for: Finding fresh ideas and insights into what people ask online
Pricing: Limited free version
Supported platforms: Desktop and mobile platforms running major browsers

Why choose AnswerThePublic?

AnswerThePublic search results for booktok - Free social media listening tools Pin
AnswerThePublic search results for booktok
AnswerThePublic question results with filters like why, who., etc. - Free social media listening tools Pin
AnswerThePublic question results with filters for questions
AnswerThePublic Instagram search results screenshot Pin
AnswerThePublic Instagram search results
AnswerThePublic Instagram results showing users engaging with the hashtag screenshot Pin
AnswerThePublic Instagram results showing users engaging with the hashtag

Pros

Effortlessly discovers keywords for content ideas
Uncovers hidden niches for a competitive edge
Streamlines content production, saving time on keyword research

Cons

Limits performance analysis to basic insights
Works best as a complementary tool with other SEO software
Requires payment for full access to features

Social listening vs. social monitoring: key differences

Grimace shake trend on TikTok - McDonald's Pin
Grimace shake trend on TikTok – McDonald’s
100 Thieves mentions Crocs on X without tagging them Pin
100 Thieves mentions Crocs on X without tagging them

AspectSocial listeningSocial monitoringSignificance
Micro vs. MacroAnalyzes overall sentiments and trends regarding the brandFocuses on specific brand mentionsProvides context for shaping strategies and messaging
Reactive vs. ProactiveProactively identifies trends for strategic planningReacts to immediate mentions and tagsHelps address issues early and optimize offers
Tactical vs. AnalyticalOffers deep insights into engagement patternsCentralizes mentions for direct responsesInforms decision-making and goal-setting

Maximize the value of free social media listening tools

Data volume: Many free versions limit the amount of data tracked, resulting in an incomplete view of trends and audience behaviors.
Limited features: The absence of advanced functionalities, such as detailed analytics or sentiment analysis, prevents users from understanding the nuances of their data. This can lead to missed opportunities for engagement or strategic improvement.
Use multiple tools: Relying on one tool can create gaps in coverage. Integrating several platforms provides a more complete data overview. Combine two to three of the free tools listed above based on their strengths to get a well-rounded picture of what your audience is saying.
Set up alerts purposefully: Be intentional with keyword selection. Broad or generic keywords can generate irrelevant notifications, reducing the value of insights. Be specific at times, but also experiment with random phrases to uncover unexpected trends.
Engage with your audience: Actively respond to audience interactions instead of just tracking metrics. Timely engagement builds community and trust, turning data insights into actionable outcomes that drive success.

Ethical considerations and best practices in social listening

Practice transparency and accountability

Protect vulnerable groups

Make the most of social listening

FAQ

About the author

  • Geri Mileva blends the precise thinking of her engineering background with the storytelling skills of an experienced writer. Based in Prague, she writes everything from engaging copy to in-depth journalistic pieces. Geri also focuses on content strategy and has a keen interest in understanding how people interact with what they read and see, using insights from consumer behavior analytics to make her work resonate more deeply.

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