What Are Low Competition Keywords?
Low competition keywords are search terms that are easier to rank for because fewer strong websites are targeting them. These keywords give smaller or newer websites a realistic chance to appear in search results without competing against high-authority domains.
Lower Keyword Difficulty (KD)
Keyword Difficulty (KD) is a metric used in SEO tools to estimate how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. Low competition keywords usually have a lower KD score, which means fewer strong pages are optimized for that term. When the difficulty is low, your content has a better chance of ranking with proper on-page SEO and quality writing.
Fewer Strong Competitors
For low competition keywords, the websites ranking on the first page are often smaller blogs, niche sites, or less optimized pages. You are not competing directly with large, authoritative websites that dominate highly competitive keywords. This makes it easier to outrank them with well-structured and helpful content.
Less Backlink Competition
Backlinks play an important role in SEO. High competition keywords usually require many strong backlinks to rank. However, low competition keywords often rank with fewer backlinks because other pages targeting them do not have strong link profiles. This reduces the overall effort needed to compete.
Realistic Ranking Opportunities
The biggest advantage of low competition keywords is that they provide achievable ranking opportunities. Instead of targeting broad keywords that are difficult to rank for, you focus on specific search terms where your website has a practical chance to appear on the first page and attract targeted traffic.In simple words, low competition keywords are strategic opportunities that allow websites to grow traffic steadily without fighting against major industry leaders.
Why Low Competition Keywords Are Important
Targeting high-volume keywords may seem attractive because they promise large amounts of traffic. However, these keywords are usually dominated by strong, established websites with high authority and thousands of backlinks. For a new or growing website, ranking for such competitive terms can be extremely difficult and time-consuming.
Low competition keywords provide a smarter and more strategic approach to SEO growth. Instead of trying to compete with industry giants, you focus on achievable opportunities that allow steady progress.
Rank Faster
Because fewer websites are targeting low competition keywords, search engines face less difficulty in ranking new content for those terms. With well-optimized, high-quality content, you can start seeing results much faster compared to highly competitive keywords.
Compete with Smaller WebsitesLow competition keywords usually have weaker competitors ranking on the first page. Instead of competing against major brands, you are often competing with smaller blogs, niche websites, or less optimized pages. This increases your chances of outranking them.
Build Domain Authority GraduallyWhen your website consistently ranks for low competition keywords, it gains credibility and trust in search engines like Google. Over time, this improves your domain authority, making it easier to rank for more competitive keywords in the future.
Gain Consistent Organic TrafficEven if each keyword has lower search volume, targeting multiple low competition keywords can bring steady and reliable organic traffic. This approach creates long-term growth rather than relying on one highly competitive keyword.
Increase ConversionsLow competition keywords are often more specific and targeted. This means the people searching for them usually have clear intent. As a result, the traffic you receive is more likely to convert into leads, subscribers, or customers.
Improve Topical Authority
When you target many related low competition keywords within a niche, you build strong topical relevance. Search engines start recognizing your website as a reliable source on that subject, which improves your overall SEO performance.
In simple terms, low competition keywords are important because they provide realistic growth opportunities, especially for new or small websites aiming to build authority and long-term traffic.
How to Find Low Competition Keywords
Finding low competition keywords is one of the smartest SEO strategies, especially if your website is new or has low authority. Instead of competing with large, established websites for highly competitive keywords, you focus on search terms that are easier to rank for but still bring targeted traffic. This approach helps you grow faster and build steady organic visibility.
Below is a structured guide with headings, paragraphs, and clear points to help you understand the complete process.
Understanding What Low Competition Keywords Are
Low competition keywords are search terms that have fewer strong websites competing for them. These keywords may not always have high search volume, but they are easier to rank for and often bring highly targeted visitors.
These keywords usually:
- Have lower SEO difficulty scores
- Are more specific (long-tail phrases)
- Target a clear user intent
- Have weaker competition on the first page
Instead of targeting a broad keyword like “SEO,” you should focus on something more specific like “SEO tips for small business websites.” Specific keywords reduce competition and increase your chances of ranking.
Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer and more detailed phrases, usually containing three to six words. They are less competitive because they target a specific problem or audience.
For example, instead of targeting “keyword research,” you can target “how to do keyword research for beginners.”
Long-tail keywords:
- Have lower competition
- Attract highly targeted traffic
- Convert better
- Are easier for new websites to rank
When users search with longer phrases, they usually know exactly what they want. This makes it easier for your content to match their intent.
Use Keyword Research ToolsKeyword research tools help you find keyword ideas and analyze competition levels. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic provide data such as search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty.
When using these tools, focus on:
- Keywords with low difficulty score
- Moderate or low competition
- Search volume between 50–1000 (good for beginners)
- Clear user intent
Do not only chase high-volume keywords. A keyword with 200 monthly searches and low competition can be more valuable than one with 10,000 searches and high competition.
Analyze Google Search Results Manually
Tools give you data, but manual research helps you understand real competition. After selecting a keyword, search it on Google and analyze the first page results.
Look carefully at:
- Are big authority websites ranking?
- Are the articles outdated or thin?
- Are forums or small blogs ranking?
- Is the content poorly structured?
If you see small websites, weak content, or outdated articles ranking on the first page, it usually indicates lower competition. That means you can create better content and outrank them.
Use Google Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google itself provides powerful keyword ideas. When you type a phrase into the search bar, Google suggests related searches based on real user queries.
You can also check:
- People Also Ask section
- Related searches at the bottom of the page
These sections help you discover:
Question-based keywords
Long-tail variations
Content ideas with lower competition
Understanding What Keyword Competition Means
Keyword competition refers to how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword on search engines. When many strong and authoritative websites are targeting the same keyword, the competition becomes high. This usually happens with short and broad keywords that have high search volume. On the other hand, low competition keywords are often more specific and target a narrow audience. Understanding this difference helps you avoid wasting time on keywords that are too difficult to rank for, especially if your website is new or still growing.
Analyzing the First Page of Google
After checking keyword difficulty in a tool, the next step is manual analysis. Search your target keyword on Google and carefully review the first page results. Look at the type of websites ranking and the quality of their content. If large authority websites dominate the results, competition is likely high. However, if you see smaller blogs, forums, or outdated articles ranking, it may indicate lower competition.
Manual checking helps you understand the real situation instead of depending only on numbers. Sometimes a keyword appears competitive in tools but is actually easier to rank for when you examine the search results closely.
Evaluating Domain Authority of Ranking Websites
Domain authority plays a major role in keyword competition. If the top-ranking pages belong to high-authority websites with strong backlink profiles, it becomes harder to compete. You can use tools such as Moz or Ahrefs to check the authority of ranking domains.
If several results on the first page have low or moderate authority, that is usually a good sign. It means Google is not only favoring big brands, and you may have a realistic chance of ranking with high-quality content.
How to Check Keyword Competition
Understanding What Keyword Competition Means
Keyword competition refers to how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword on search engines. When many strong and authoritative websites are targeting the same keyword, the competition becomes high. This usually happens with short and broad keywords that have high search volume. On the other hand, low competition keywords are often more specific and target a narrow audience. Understanding this difference helps you avoid wasting time on keywords that are too difficult to rank for, especially if your website is new or still growing.
Using SEO Tools to Measure Keyword Difficulty
One of the easiest ways to check keyword competition is by using SEO tools. Platforms like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs provide a keyword difficulty (KD) score. This score estimates how hard it is to rank for a keyword based on factors like backlinks, domain strength, and competition level.
While these tools give a helpful starting point, you should not rely only on the difficulty score. A keyword with moderate difficulty may still be achievable if the search intent is clear and the existing content is weak. Tools provide data, but smart analysis makes the real difference.
Analyzing the First Page of Google
After checking keyword difficulty in a tool, the next step is manual analysis. Search your target keyword on Google and carefully review the first page results. Look at the type of websites ranking and the quality of their content. If large authority websites dominate the results, competition is likely high. However, if you see smaller blogs, forums, or outdated articles ranking, it may indicate lower competition.
Manual checking helps you understand the real situation instead of depending only on numbers. Sometimes a keyword appears competitive in tools but is actually easier to rank for when you examine the search results closely.
Evaluating Domain Authority of Ranking Websites
Domain authority plays a major role in keyword competition. If the top-ranking pages belong to high-authority websites with strong backlink profiles, it becomes harder to compete. You can use tools such as Moz or Ahrefs to check the authority of ranking domains.
If several results on the first page have low or moderate authority, that is usually a good sign. It means Google is not only favoring big brands, and you may have a realistic chance of ranking with high-quality content.
Checking Backlinks of Top-Ranking Pages
Backlinks are one of the strongest ranking factors in SEO. When analyzing keyword competition, check how many backlinks the top pages have. Pages with hundreds of strong backlinks are difficult to outrank. However, if top-ranking pages have very few referring domains, the competition may not be as strong as it seems.
By analyzing backlink profiles, you can better understand the level of effort required to compete for that keyword.
Examining Content Quality and Search Intent
keyword competition is not only about authority and backlinks; content quality and search intent also matter. Study the top-ranking pages and evaluate how well they answer the search query. If the content is thin, outdated, or poorly structured, you have an opportunity to create something better and more comprehensive.
You should also identify the type of content Google prefers for that keyword. Whether it is blog posts, product pages, guides, or videos, aligning your content with user intent increases your chances of ranking—even in moderately competitive niches.
Balancing Search Volume and Competition
High search volume often means high competition, but not always. Some keywords have moderate search volume with manageable competition, making them ideal targets. Instead of chasing large traffic numbers, focus on keywords that are realistic for your website’s authority level.
Checking Backlinks of Top-Ranking Pages
Backlinks are one of the strongest ranking factors in SEO. When analyzing keyword competition, check how many backlinks the top pages have. Pages with hundreds of strong backlinks are difficult to outrank. However, if top-ranking pages have very few referring domains, the competition may not be as strong as it seems.
By analyzing backlink profiles, you can better understand the level of effort required to compete for that keyword.
Examining Content Quality and Search Intent
keyword competition is not only about authority and backlinks; content quality and search intent also matter. Study the top-ranking pages and evaluate how well they answer the search query. If the content is thin, outdated, or poorly structured, you have an opportunity to create something better and more comprehensive.
You should also identify the type of content Google prefers for that keyword. Whether it is blog posts, product pages, guides, or videos, aligning your content with user intent increases your chances of ranking—even in moderately competitive niches.
Balancing Search Volume and Competition
High search volume often means high competition, but not always. Some keywords have moderate search volume with manageable competition, making them ideal targets. Instead of chasing large traffic numbers, focus on keywords that are realistic for your website’s authority level.
Types of Low Competition Keywords
Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific search phrases. Because they target a narrow topic, fewer websites compete for them. These keywords usually have lower search volume but higher intent, which makes them easier to rank for and better for conversions.
Question-Based Keywords
Question keywords start with words like how, what, why, or when. They are often low competition because they focus on specific user queries. Creating clear and direct answers to these questions increases your chances of ranking and even appearing in featured snippets.
Local Keywords
Local keywords include a specific city or region in the search term. Since they target a smaller audience, competition is usually lower than global keywords. These are especially useful for businesses offering services in a particular area.
Low Search Volume Keywords
Keywords with lower monthly searches are often ignored by large websites. However, they usually have less competition and strong user intent. Ranking for multiple low-volume keywords can bring steady and targeted traffic over time.
Niche-Specific Keywords
Niche keywords focus on a very specific industry or audience. Because the topic is narrow, fewer competitors are targeting it. This makes it easier to build authority and rank faster within that niche.
Comparison Keywords
Comparison keywords include words like “best,” “top,” or “vs.” While some can be competitive, many niche comparisons have lower competition. These keywords work well because users are close to making a decision.
Problem-Solving Keywords
Problem-solving keywords focus on specific issues users want to fix. They usually have clear intent and are less competitive than broad keywords. Providing detailed solutions helps improve rankings and user trust.
Content Strategy for Low Competition Keywords
To build traffic consistently with low competition keywords, you need a clear plan instead of random posting. A structured approach helps you grow steadily and build authority in your niche.
Create Topic Clusters
Start by choosing one main topic related to your niche. This will act as your pillar topic. Then create multiple low competition articles around smaller, related keywords. This method strengthens your website structure and improves topical authority.
For example, if your main topic is Keyword Research, you can create supporting articles like:
- How to find low competition keywords
- Best free keyword research tools
- Keyword research mistakes beginners make
- Long-tail keywords explained
By linking all these articles together, you build a strong internal linking structure. Search engines understand that your website covers the topic in depth, which increases your chances of ranking for multiple related keywords.
Publish Consistently
Consistency is more powerful than chasing difficult keywords. Instead of trying to rank one big article, focus on publishing useful content regularly around low competition terms.
Ranking improves when you:
Post new content consistently
Update old articles with fresh information
Improve on-page SEO elements
Strengthen internal linking between posts
When you publish regularly, search engines crawl your site more often. Over time, small ranking gains combine into steady traffic growth. In SEO, consistency truly beats competition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a good strategy, certain mistakes can slow your growth. Avoid targeting only high-volume keywords, especially if your website is new. These keywords are usually very competitive and difficult to rank for.Do not ignore search intent. If your content does not match what users are looking for, rankings will suffer. Always check the search results manually to understand what type of content is ranking.
