Initially part of the broader Topical Map, but with a slightly different focus. While Topical Map is all about building a full content strategy around your domain, Topic Research is where you go to discover fresh, data-backed ideas fast, and Google Search Console connection is optional. 
Topic Research lets you explore a topic (or keyword) and uncover clusters of related ideas. Think of it as a brainstorming assistant backed by real SEO data.
Topic Research helps you generate a list of high-potential keyword ideas based on a seed keyword.
You give it a keyword like “freelance writing” or “AI tools for marketing,” and in return, you get a bunch of tightly connected clusters. Each cluster is a group of related subtopics or article ideas you can turn into content, perfect for filling up your editorial calendar or planning pillar pages.
Not just random keywords, but ones that are:
Frequently searched
Semantically related
Valuable for building topical authority
The goal is to help you cover your niche completely, so search engines like Google see you as a go-to source for that topic. 
Enter a topic or seed keyword
Start with something broad, like "budget travel" or "vegan recipes."
Topic Research analyzes the SERPs
Surfer checks what’s already ranking in your selected country and language, finds related terms, and groups them based on similarity.
You get smart keyword clusters
These aren’t just lists—they're organized groups of keywords grouped by similarity and search intent that make sense to cover together, whether as standalone blog posts or sections of larger guides.
Choose what fits your content plan
Pick the clusters that align with your goals, then either send them directly to the Content Editor or build out a full Topical Map for long-term strategy.
Topic Research and Topical Map both help you plan content, but they cover different areas of planning:
Topic Research is best for quickly generating keyword clusters and article ideas. It helps you discover what to write about and identify content opportunities without building a full site structure.
Use Topic Research when you want to:
Generate ideas quickly
Create individual articles
Explore new niches or content angles
Identify content opportunities without planning your entire site
Topical Map is designed for structured, long-term content planning. It organizes topics into a complete site architecture, grouping them by search intent and content type while mapping internal linking relationships.
Topical Map:
Structures topics into a clear hierarchy
Groups keywords by intent and classification
Helps prevent cannibalization
Connects to Google Search Console for in-depth analysis
Refreshes regularly to stay current
Supports full-site content planning
Unlike Topic Research, which focuses on idea generation, Topical Map helps you decide how all your content should work together across your site.
Do you still need help? You can reach us at [email protected] or by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom-right corner. We're here 24/5! 
