How To Find Low Competition Keywords in Less Than 10 Min

Imagine you’re fishing in a vast ocean. Cast your line anywhere, and you might wait forever. But find a quiet, less crowded cove, and you’ll reel in a catch much faster. That’s exactly how finding low-competition keywords works in the world of online content. You don’t need hours of complex research to find these “quiet coves.” In fact, you can pinpoint valuable, less competitive keywords in less than 10 minutes, giving your content a real chance to stand out. Let’s dive into how you can do just that.

Key Takeaways

• Low competition keywords are terms that people search for with decent search volume but lower competition, which is easier to rank for. They are free, but they can provide a faster route to increased visibility and higher conversion rates thanks to their targeted approach.
• Knowing the difference between keyword competition and keyword difficulty is key to developing successful SEO strategies. Consider using metrics such as a keyword’s search volume, competition index, and organic click-through rate to determine if the keyword has potential.
• Don’t just stop at the numbers and forget qualitative factors such as content intent, user person, and audience requirements. These building blocks are very important when it comes to choosing the most effective keywords.
• Use them to brainstorm niche topics, and jumpstart your content creation process. After that, use keyword research tools.
• SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Spyfu all give you valuable insights to help you identify and analyze low-competition keywords. Make use of their features to help you narrow down your keyword list and strategy even further.
• Aim to balance your low and high-competition keywords in your overall SEO strategy. High-competition keywords are great to target with the strength of your site’s authority and backlink profile, but that will come with time.

What are Low Competition Keywords?

Low-competition keywords are search queries that have less competition and are therefore easier to rank for. That’s because they encounter fewer competing sites and ad buyers. It’s these terms that are particularly gold for getting your website found or for you to be able to run an ad campaign much cheaper.

Unlike high-traffic keywords that require significant effort and resources to rank, low-competition keywords balance accessibility with meaningful results. This makes them a smart choice for many strategies.

Ideally, the perfect low-competition keyword should have low competition but still decent search volume. Rather than going after the generic industry term “laptops” which has major competition, focus on a niche long-tail keyword.

For example, instead of targeting “cheap laptops”, go for something more specific like “affordable laptops under $500” to win against the competition. This level of specificity further reduces the potential audience, but it increases your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Long-tail keywords—keywords with three or more words—are typically easier to rank for and extremely powerful for capturing niche, specific audiences. Tools such as Ahrefs, Semrush, and Spyfu make it easier for you to identify those opportunities with real value.

Why Target Low Competition Keywords?

Targeting low-competition keywords means you have a pretty clear leg up. These keywords have lower competition, which makes it easier to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). Target low-competition keywords to increase your chances of making it into the top 10 results. You’ll do this with a fraction of the effort required to fight high-competition keywords.

This is especially important when the organic click-through rate is highest on the first page of search results. For example, a specialized blog focusing on sustainable living could go after long-tail keywords such as “eco-friendly cleaning hacks for tiny homes.” These long-tail keywords usually have lower competition, making it easier for your content to get traction more quickly.

The second advantage is in the type of visitors low-competition keywords attract. By targeting low-competition terms tailored to a specific audience, you’re likely to attract visitors who are actively searching for solutions or products you offer. This highly targeted traffic tends to have much higher conversion rates.

For example, someone searching for “affordable yoga mats for beginners” is more likely to make a purchase than a broader query like “yoga mats.” That specificity makes it easier for you to align yourself directly with what your prospective customers are searching for.

Compared to higher competition keywords, ranking for low competition ones takes much less time, money, and effort. You don’t have to go all-in on paid ads or huge link-building efforts and you can start seeing results. Instead, by developing focused pages for them and using tactics such as Google’s related search function, you can dramatically improve your visibility.

By targeting long-tail keywords—keywords that have three or more words—you can go after searches that most people are ignoring. These keywords can still bring a lot of traffic to your site.

Understanding Keyword Competition

Keyword competition is an important part of the SEO process. It has a huge impact on your ability to rank in the first place on search engine results pages (SERPs).

By understanding the competition, you can refine your strategy to focus on keywords that align with your goals while maximizing visibility. Since high competition usually means high search volume and sites already well-established in the space own all of the rankings, that’s what makes understanding keyword competition so important.

It helps you find opportunities where your content can really shine. Balancing competition with search volume ensures that your efforts are both achievable and impactful, enabling you to target terms that attract traffic without overextending your resources.

Defining Keyword Difficulty

Keyword difficulty is a score (from 0 to 100) that tells you how hard it is to get your website to show up on the first page of Google for a specific search term. A higher score means it’s harder.

Targeting easier keywords early on can build momentum for future growth.

How To Find Low-Competition Keyword

You can find low-competition keywords by utilizing keyword research tools, such as Ahrefs, analyzing your competitors’ strategies, and carefully considering the search intent behind potential keywords.

Here are ways to find low-competition keywords in less than 10 minutes:

What Are the Best Tools for Finding Low-Competition Keywords?

1. Ahrefs Keyword Explorer Tool

To dive into competitor keyword research with Ahrefs, you’ll need an Ahrefs account.

1. Log in to Ahrefs, and head to the “Keywords Explorer” tool.
2. Enter your competitor’s domain into the search bar, and then click the magnifying glass icon.
3. Ahrefs will then analyze the domain and present a comprehensive overview of the keywords it ranks for.
4. To specifically find low competition keywords, use the “Matching terms” report on the left-hand side menu.
5. Once the report loads, use the “KD” (Keyword Difficulty) filter. Adjust the slider to show only keywords with a low KD score, indicating easier ranking opportunities.
6. Ahrefs will then filter the list, showing you keywords your competitor ranks for that are likely easier to target.

2. Semrush Keyword Magic Tool

1. To begin your competitor keyword research with Semrush, you’ll need a Semrush account.
2. Log in to Semrush, and navigate to the “Keyword Magic Tool” in the SEO section.
3. Enter your competitor’s domain into the search bar, and select the appropriate country database, then click “Search.”
4. Semrush will generate a massive list of keywords related to the domain.
5. To pinpoint low-competition keywords, use the “Keyword Difficulty” filter on the left-hand side.
6. Adjust the slider to focus on keywords with a lower difficulty score. This indicates keywords that are potentially easier to rank for.
7. Semrush will then filter the results, displaying keywords your competitor ranks for that have a lower difficulty and offering potential opportunities for your own content.

3. SpyFu Kombat Tool

To start uncovering your competitor’s keyword strategies with SpyFu, you’ll need a SpyFu account.

1. Log in to SpyFu, and go to the “Kombat” tab at the top of the interface.
2. Enter your competitor’s domain into the search bar, and then click “Kombat.”
3. SpyFu will analyze the domain and show you the keywords where your competitor overlaps with other sites.
4. To find low-competition keywords, look at the “Keyword Groups” tab. This section helps to organize the keywords into topics.
5. Then, use the filters on the left-hand side. SpyFu provides an “Ad Rank” and “Organic Rank” filter. By adjusting the filters to show keywords where your competitor has a lower rank, you can find keywords that are potentially less competitive.
6. SpyFu will then refine the keyword list, showing you keywords where your competitor might be weaker, giving you a chance to capitalize on those opportunities

Analyzing Keyword Opportunities

Finding low-competition keywords is relatively straightforward, but gaining a deep understanding of the process will lead to results that are truly game-changing. Consider search volume, seasonality, relevancy, and intent. This will help you figure out what keywords best match your goals and increase the overall power of your strategy.

Assess Search Volume and Trends

Search volume data will give you some context on a keyword’s traffic potential. Tools such as Google Keyword Planner allow you to find these terms with high monthly searches. For example, a keyword that gets 5,000 searches a month might still be a fantastic opportunity.

Seasonality and emerging topics provide valuable context. Increased interest in current events, the seasons, or new trends can inform where you develop your strategy. For instance, a keyword such as ‘work-from-home tips’ might only have demand during certain times.

Regularly monitoring these fluctuations will allow you to be more agile and, most importantly, keep you ahead of changes in searcher intent.

Evaluate Keyword Relevance

For that, relevance is what’s going to keep your audience engaged. Your keywords must be relevant to your business and the content you’re producing and cover what your target audience would be searching for.

Take fitness as an example—if your business sells workout gear, a keyword such as “home workout equipment” makes sense. A checklist for relevance might include questions like: Does this keyword match my niche? Does it answer user intent?

Fully evaluating these factors makes sure that each and every one is of the highest quality.

Determine Commercial Intent

Sure, some keywords are more focused on the bottom of the funnel and show an intent to buy like “buy running shoes online.” High-intent terms that pull users closest to the point of conversion offer a great deal of value.

Analyzing search queries helps uncover motivations—whether users seek information or products. By concentrating on commercial intent, you reduce your audience to just those ready and willing to convert.

Estimate Conversion Potential

Historical analytics assist in estimating the traffic from targeted keywords and how well that traffic converts. For instance, if you find a keyword that used to bring in a 10% conversion rate, that should be a top priority.

Metrics such as domain authority and inbound links further uncover competitive advantages, informing smarter decisions.

Competitor Keyword Analysis

Competitor keyword analysis reveals golden low-competition keywords. It does this by focusing on the tactics of your competition – those in the SERPs that are already ranking for your target keywords. This process identifies where the most promising opportunities lie.

Additionally, it helps you understand how to pivot your keyword strategy and start creating content that really breaks through your competitive space.

Find Competitors’ Keyword Opportunities

First off, search tools such as Ahrefs and Semrush are, in my opinion, the best options for finding the keywords your top three competitors currently rank for. 

For example, one competitor aiming for the keyword “outdoor yoga classes Central Park” would potentially miss a golden opportunity. This highly specific, geo-targeted, long-tail keyword should have little to no competition. These tools often point out common keywords, so you can see how much you overlap.

Reverse Engineer Competitor Strategies

Analyze how they use keywords, what format is used for their content, and how well-optimized their asset is. Borrow what’s working, but make sure your approach is tailored exactly to your target audience and your brand.

Balancing Low and High Competition

Once you’ve made your keywords list, balancing low and high-competition keywords is an artful process that melds data with instinct. While low-competition keywords provide faster wins, high-competition keywords typically have more lucrative long-term gains.

A comprehensive approach combines high and low-competition keywords to increase your immediate impact and long-term authority.

When to Target High-Competition Keywords

Targeting high-competition keywords requires careful evaluation of market conditions. Start by analyzing the top 5 search results for the keyword. Examine factors like domain age, Domain Rating (DR), and backlinks.

For instance, if the top rankings are dominated by highly optimized and authoritative sites, it may not be the right time to enter that space. If you notice gaps, like missing relevant content or weak backlinks, it might signal an opportunity.

Here your site’s authority and backlink profile will go a long way. A newer site may struggle against established competitors, so it’s often better to start with less competitive terms and gradually scale up.

Once your site has built some authority, plan a course to start targeting those high-competition keywords over time. Work on lower-hanging, niche variations first before shifting efforts towards higher volume, broader terms.

The Role of Authority and Backlinks

With high-competition keywords, domain authority, and backlinks are essential. Authority is built through a sustained effort to produce great, helpful content that answers the questions of your audience.

These outreach efforts, whether through guest posting collaborations or other means, not only build credibility but also help attract significant site-wide backlinks. A solid backlink strategy has your back.

Balancing low and high competition is crucial. Look to acquire links from high-quality, trusted sites within your industry. In the long run, this improves your overall ability to compete for low-, mid-, and high-value keywords.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are low-competition keywords?

Low-competition keywords are search terms that have less competition from other websites trying to rank for those searches. They help you rank your content on top of search engine results pages (SERPs). 

Why should I focus on low-competition keywords?

This is one reason why targeting low-competition keywords makes it easier for new or smaller websites to rank quickly. It’s a long-term, cost-effective strategy to consistently attract highly relevant traffic, build online authority, and get a competitive edge in your niche.

How can I find low-competition keywords?

Google’s Keyword Planner or SEMrush are great free tools for helping to identify keyword competition. Search for keywords that have a high search volume and a low keyword difficulty (KD) score. Long-tail keywords usually fit under this description.

What is keyword competition?

Keyword competition is the level of difficulty needed to rank for a specific keyword. Increased competition indicates that more sites are going after the same keyword, whereas low-competition keywords have few – if any – competitors.

Are long-tail keywords low competition?

Not all of them are, but most long-tail keywords do have less competition. The reason is that they are more specific and typically have less competition, often targeting niche audiences which makes it easier to rank.

Which tools are best for finding low-competition keywords?

Some popular tools are Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Ubersuggest. These platforms offer keyword difficulty scores, keyword search volume, and keyword research suggestions.

Can I balance low and high-competition keywords?

Yes. Pair low-competition keywords that are quick wins with high-competition keywords that lead to growth over time. This thoughtful approach lays the groundwork for short-term traffic and long-term adaptability.