Short answer: To find low competition keywords, focus on long-tail phrases with lower search volume and clear search intent. Use keyword research tools that measure difficulty, analyze competitor gaps, and look for topics where authoritative sites have weak content or no dedicated page.
Key takeaways
- Low competition keywords have lower search volume but higher conversion potential.
- Focus on long-tail phrases with specific intent.
- Analyze keyword difficulty scores from reliable tools.
- Look for content gaps in competitor and SERP analysis.
- Target questions and informational queries for quick wins.
- Use keyword clustering to build topical authority.
What you will find here
If you want to drive traffic and grow your site, focusing on low competition keywords is one of the smartest moves you can make. These are the terms that don’t have dozens of high-authority domains competing for the top spot. You can rank for them faster and more predictably, and they often bring in highly targeted visitors who are ready to engage. Here’s how to find them consistently.
What Makes a Keyword Low Competition?
A keyword is low competition when the search results are dominated by weaker pages: think thin content, outdated information, or sites with low authority. The opposite is a high-competition keyword where giant publishers and established brands have optimized, link-rich pages. Low competition keywords usually have lower search volume, but they’re not always tiny. Sometimes a moderately searched term is low competition because no one has addressed it well.
Key characteristics include: the top-ranking pages have low domain authority, few backlinks, or content that doesn’t fully answer the query. They may also be missing key elements like structured data, videos, or comprehensive coverage. If you can create a clearly better page, you stand a good chance of ranking.
Another important signal is the age of the top-ranking pages. If the top results are old and haven’t been updated in years, that’s often a sign of low competition. Sites with outdated statistics, broken links, or obsolete information are easy to beat with fresh content. Also look at whether the top pages are thin: maybe they’re just 300 words with a single image. You can easily outrank them with 1500 words and multiple media types.
Tools to Identify Keyword Difficulty
You need data to separate low competition from high competition. Most SEO tools offer a keyword difficulty score. Typically, a score under 20 is low competition, 20–40 is moderate, and over 40 is high. But don’t rely solely on a single number. Look at the actual search results and assess the top five pages.
Using Free and Paid Tools
Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz give you difficulty metrics and also show you the backlink profiles of ranking pages. Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic are more budget-friendly. For each keyword you consider, check: how many backlinks do the top 3 results have? Are they from authoritative sites? Do the pages look like they were built for SEO or for users?
A low difficulty score combined with weak competition in the SERPs is your sweet spot. For example, a keyword with difficulty 15 but a top result from a small blog with minimal content is a clear opportunity. Don’t forget to use Google’s own data: search for the keyword and look at the “People also ask” box. If there are multiple questions, it indicates the topic has depth, and you can create content that answers those questions more thoroughly than the current results.
When using free tools, one tactic is to combine Google Autocomplete with a tool like Keyword Surfer (a browser extension). Type a seed keyword into Google and note the autocomplete suggestions. Then use the extension to see the search volume and approximate competition for each. It’s not as precise as paid tools, but it’s a solid starting point when you’re on a budget.
Long Tail Keywords Are Your Best Friend
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases with lower search volume. They’re easier to rank for and often convert better because the searcher knows exactly what they want. For instance, “buy organic coffee beans” is a long tail keyword, while “coffee” is a head term.
To find long tail variations, use the “related searches” at the bottom of Google’s results page, or type your main keyword into Google and look at the autocomplete suggestions. You can also plug a seed keyword into a tool like Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool and filter by low difficulty and long tail (3+ words).
Another technique is to use the “questions” filter in keyword research tools. For example, search for “how to” or “what is” plus your niche. These question-based keywords are almost always long tail and often have low competition because many content creators skip them. For each question you find, think about whether you can create a short, focused answer that directly satisfies the query. That’s often enough to rank.
Analyzing Competitor Gaps
One of the best ways to find low competition keywords is to see what your competitors are ranking for that you aren’t. Use a competitor analysis tool to identify keywords where they rank in positions 10–30. Those are terms they’re on the cusp of but haven’t fully won. You might be able to create a better piece of content and overtake them.
Another gap: keywords that are highly relevant to your niche but don’t have a dedicated page in the top results. For example, if every result is a blog post that briefly mentions a subtopic, you can create a comprehensive guide on that subtopic and rank easily. Our guide on how to do a competitor analysis for SEO covers this process in detail.
When doing competitor gap analysis, pay attention to the URLs your competitors have created. If they have multiple pages targeting variations of a topic, but you only have one, that’s a gap. Also look for keywords where competitors have multiple pages ranking—for instance, a competitor might rank with both a blog post and a video. That signals high competition, so avoid those. Instead, look for keywords where only one or two competitors have presence, and even they don’t have fully optimized pages.
Search Intent: The Missing Piece
Low competition doesn’t mean low quality. You still need to match search intent. If someone searches for “how to bake a cake,” they want a recipe, not a history of baking. Always check the current top results to see what format they use: listicle, tutorial, product page, etc. If the top results are all listicles but you can create a better video guide, that could be your angle. But make sure your format aligns with what searchers expect.
Intent can also help you find easy keywords. Queries with transactional intent (e.g., “buy,” “price,” “review”) often have lower competition because they’re more specific. Informational queries with modifiers like “what is,” “how to,” and “guide” also tend to be less competitive.
One common mistake is ignoring the subtle differences in intent between similar keywords. For example, “best running shoes” and “running shoes for flat feet” have different intents. The first is commercial investigation—people want a list. The second is problem-specific—people want a solution tailored to their condition. The latter often has lower competition because it’s more specific. Always double-check the SERPs: if the top results are product roundups, your page should be a roundup too. If they are single product reviews, then a roundup won’t fit.
SERP Analysis: A Quick Checklist
Before you commit to a keyword, look at the actual search results. Here’s a quick table to help evaluate competition:
| Factor | Low Competition Signal | High Competition Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority of top pages | Under 40 | Over 60 |
| Backlinks to top pages | Fewer than 20 | Hundreds or thousands |
| Content quality | Thin, outdated, or irrelevant | Comprehensive, fresh, engaging |
| Featured snippets or SERP features | Missing or poorly done | Well-optimized snippet |
| Number of exact match domains | Few or none | Multiple strong domains |
Use this table as a guide. If most factors point to low competition, go for it. But also check for page-level signals like load speed and mobile-friendliness. A slow, clunky page even on a high-authority site can be a weak competitor. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to test the top pages. If they score poorly, you have an advantage.
Prioritizing Your Keyword List
You’ll end up with dozens of potential keywords. To decide which to target first, consider search volume, difficulty, and business value. A keyword with monthly search volume of 100 and difficulty 10 might be better than one with 500 volume and difficulty 40, because you’ll actually rank and get traffic sooner. Also factor in how the keyword fits your site’s theme — relevance matters for building topical authority.
Group related keywords into clusters. For example, if you write about “low competition keywords,” also target “long tail keyword research” and “easy keywords to rank for.” This approach, often used in programmatic SEO, helps you create interconnected content that strengthens your overall authority. Covering a topic comprehensively can help you rank for many related terms.
When prioritizing, also think about the potential for secondary traffic. A keyword that ranks well might also bring traffic to other pages via internal links. So if you have a cluster of related keywords, prioritizing the one that serves as a hub can lift the entire group. Also consider the conversion potential: even low volume keywords that lead to sales or sign-ups are worth more than high volume informational keywords that don’t convert.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t obsess over search volume alone. A keyword with zero reported volume in tools might still get traffic if it’s a long tail term with strong intent. Also, avoid keyword stuffing — write naturally for humans. Lastly, don’t ignore the technical side. Even low competition keywords need decent on-page SEO and site structure to rank. Running a technical SEO audit can reveal issues holding you back.
Another frequent mistake is targeting keywords that are too broad. For example, a term like “SEO tips” is highly competitive and vague. Even if you find a low competition version, make sure it’s specific enough to attract engaged searchers. Also, don’t forget to update your content periodically. What’s low competition today might become high competition tomorrow if someone with authority creates a better page. Set a reminder to review your top-performing low competition keywords every quarter and refresh the content if needed.
Finding low competition keywords isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process as the landscape changes. Keep monitoring your rankings, revisit your keyword list quarterly, and always look for new gaps. With consistent effort, you can build a steady stream of traffic from terms your competitors overlook.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tool for finding low competition keywords?
There’s no single best tool, but Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz all have keyword difficulty scores that help. For free options, Ubersuggest and Google Keyword Planner can give you volume and competition estimates. The key is to look beyond the score and manually assess the top-ranking pages.
How low should the keyword difficulty be to consider a keyword low competition?
Generally, a difficulty score under 20 is low competition, and 20–40 is moderate. However, scores vary by tool. Always check the actual search results: if the top pages have weak content or few backlinks, even a score of 30 might be a good opportunity.
Can low competition keywords still drive significant traffic?
Yes, individually they may have lower volume, but aggregating several low competition keywords can add up to substantial traffic. Plus, they often convert better because they’re more specific, so the traffic quality is higher.
Should I ignore high competition keywords entirely?
Not necessarily. If you have high authority and can create exceptional content, you can target some competitive terms. But for a new or small site, focusing on low competition keywords first is a faster path to gaining traction and building authority.
How often should I revisit my low competition keyword list?
Aim to review your keyword list every quarter. The competitive landscape changes, new keywords emerge, and your own site’s authority grows, which can make previously competitive terms now reachable. Regular revisiting helps you stay ahead.
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