Keyword Research with dataforseo-cli

LLM-friendly keyword research CLI. Wraps the DataForSEO API and outputs TSV by default — compact, structured, and optimized for agent context windows.

npm: https://www.npmjs.com/package/dataforseo-cli
GitHub: https://github.com/alexgusevski/dataforseo-cli

Setup

1. Install from npm

CODEBLOCK0

2. Check credentials

CODEBLOCK1

If credentials are already configured, you're good to go. If not, authenticate:

CODEBLOCK2

Credentials are stored in ~/.config/dataforseo-cli/config.json. The locations and languages commands work without credentials (local data).

Commands

status — Check credentials

Check if API credentials are configured without making any API calls.

CODEBLOCK3

Exits 0 if configured, exits 1 if not. Shows login username (not password).

volume — Keyword metrics

Get search volume, CPC, keyword difficulty (0–100), competition level, and 12-month search trend.

CODEBLOCK4

Arguments:

• - <keywords...> — One or more keywords (required). Batch multiple keywords in one call to save API requests.

Options:

• - -l, --location <code> — Location code (default: 2840 = US)
• INLINECODE8 — Language code (default: en)
• INLINECODE10 — Output as JSON array
• INLINECODE11 / --human — Output as human-readable table

Example:
CODEBLOCK5

Output (TSV):
CODEBLOCK6

• - difficulty — 0–100 scale (0-30 easy, 31-60 medium, 61-100 hard)
• INLINECODE14 — Cost per click in USD
• INLINECODE15 — LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH
• INLINECODE16 — 12 monthly search volumes, newest first

related — Keyword suggestions

Find related keyword ideas from a seed keyword.

CODEBLOCK7

Arguments:

• - <seed> — Seed keyword (required, single keyword)

Options:

• - -l, --location <code> — Location code (default: 2840 = US)
• INLINECODE21 — Language code (default: en)
• INLINECODE23 — Max results (default: 50)
• INLINECODE25 — Output as JSON array
• INLINECODE26 / --human — Output as human-readable table

Example:
CODEBLOCK8

Output (TSV):
CODEBLOCK9

competitor — Domain keyword analysis

See what keywords a domain currently ranks for.

CODEBLOCK10

Arguments:

• - <domain> — Target domain (required, e.g. ahrefs.com)

Options:

• - -l, --location <code> — Location code (default: 2840 = US)
• INLINECODE33 — Language code (default: en)
• INLINECODE35 — Max results (default: 50)
• INLINECODE37 — Output as JSON array
• INLINECODE38 / --human — Output as human-readable table

Example:
CODEBLOCK11

Output (TSV):
CODEBLOCK12

locations — Look up location codes

List all available location codes, or filter by name. Works offline — no API credentials needed.

CODEBLOCK13

Arguments:

• - [search] — Optional filter by name (e.g. sweden, new york)

Without search — lists all locations:
CODEBLOCK14

With search — filters by name:
CODEBLOCK15

Output (TSV):
CODEBLOCK16

languages — Look up language codes

List all available language codes, or filter by name. Works offline — no API credentials needed.

CODEBLOCK17

Without search — lists all languages:
CODEBLOCK18

With search — filters by name:
CODEBLOCK19

Output (TSV):
CODEBLOCK20

Output Formats

All data commands default to TSV (tab-separated values) — the most token-efficient structured format for LLMs.

Caching

Results are cached in ~/.config/dataforseo-cli/cache/ to avoid duplicate API calls and save costs. Same query + location + language = cache hit.

CODEBLOCK21

Workflow: SEO Article Research

1. 1. Start with seed keyword: INLINECODE49
2. Expand: INLINECODE50
3. Filter: Pick keywords with volume > 100, difficulty < 60
4. Check competitors: INLINECODE51
5. Write article targeting the best keyword cluster

Tips

• - Batch keywords in volume — DataForSEO charges per API request, not per keyword
• Default location is USA (2840). Always set --location for local/international SEO
• Use locations and languages without arguments to see all available options
• Difficulty scale: 0-30 easy, 31-60 medium, 61-100 hard