Low-competition keywords play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO), as they provide an opportunity to quickly attract organic traffic by ranking on the first page.
However, finding these keywords can be a challenging task for many website owners and digital marketers.
This article aims to provide a step-by-step guide on how to easily find low-competition keywords in just seven simple steps. But first, take a look at what low-competition keywords are and how they differ from other types of keywords.
What are low-competition keywords?
Low-competition keywords in SEO are keywords that have relatively low competition, meaning not a lot of websites rank for these search terms. These keywords are easier to rank for because they have lower search volumes, fewer websites targeting them, or the top search results are occupied by websites with low domain authority. However, this does not mean that they are any less valuable.
In fact, by targeting low-competition keywords, you can tap into a niche market and reach a specific segment of your target audience who may be more likely to convert into customers.
As such, low-competition keywords require less effort in terms of building links and establishing website authority.
Why are low-competition keywords important?
Understanding the importance of identifying low-competition keywords is key to maximizing the visibility and reach of your online content. Conducting thorough keyword research and finding low-competition keywords can greatly impact your search engine rankings and ultimately drive more organic traffic to your website.
Targeting low-competition keywords increases the likelihood of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) because there is less competition for those specific terms. So, when users enter these keywords into search engines, your content has a greater chance of appearing on the first page, leading to increased visibility and exposure.
Knowing how to find low-competition keywords allows you to uncover untapped opportunities for creating relevant and engaging content. Through keyword research, you can identify niche topics or long-tail keyword ideas that have lower competition but still attract a significant amount of search volume and are highly relevant to your target audience.
If you have just started a blog or business website, creating valuable content based on low-competition keywords is a great way to begin ranking quickly.
Ultimately, understanding how to find low-competition keywords empowers you to optimize your online presence by strategically targeting less competitive but still valuable keyword opportunities.
How to find low-competition keywords
Evaluating keyword difficulty is crucial in determining the level of competition for a particular keyword.
Understanding keyword competition entails analyzing factors such as search volume, number of links, and the presence of authoritative websites in the search results.
Utilizing keyword research tools can provide valuable insights into competition levels and help identify low-competition keywords.
1. Evaluate keyword difficulty
To assess the level of competition for a keyword, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate its difficulty in order to determine its viability for ranking purposes.
Keyword difficulty refers to the level of competitiveness associated with a specific keyword; lower difficulty equates to lower competition. It takes into consideration various factors like search volume, competition from other websites, and the overall strength of the top-ranking pages.
Analyzing keyword difficulty enables marketers to identify low-competition keywords that have the potential to attract significant search traffic.
If top-ranking pages are dominated by well-established websites with high domain authority and strong backlink profiles, it indicates higher keyword competition. On the other hand, if there are relatively weaker or newer websites ranking well for a specific keyword, then the competition is low.
Evaluating these factors helps marketers understand whether they have a realistic chance of ranking for a particular keyword and whether it aligns with their goals in terms of potential search traffic.
READ: How Long Does It Take To Get To The First Page Of Google
2. Use keyword research tools
Keyword research tools provide valuable insights into the competitiveness of keywords by analyzing various metrics such as domain authority, page authority, and backlink profiles of competing websites. They also provide an estimate of how difficult it would be to rank for a particular keyword based on search volume and historical data and trends.
Leveraging these tools helps you make informed decisions about which keywords are worth pursuing based on their competitive landscape.
Some of the industry-leading keyword research tools are:
- Ahrefs
- Semrush
- Moz
- Ranktracker
- Nightwatch
Through the use of keyword research tools, website owners can identify low-competition keywords that have a higher likelihood of ranking well on SERPs and attracting valuable organic traffic.
3. Analyze competitor keywords
Analyzing competitor keywords involves examining the terms used by competing businesses. By gaining insight into the industry’s search landscape and potential keyword opportunities, you can better plan your SEO strategy based on what your successful competitors are doing.
One effective way to analyze competitor keywords is by conducting thorough research using tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs. These tools allow businesses to identify the specific keywords their competitors are ranking for, as well as the top-ranking pages associated with those keywords.
Another method for analyzing competitor keywords is by manually searching for them in Google. Simply typing in relevant industry terms in the Google search bar can provide insight into what types of content and websites rank highly for those particular keyword phrases.
Dedicate time and effort to analyzing competitor keywords to uncover valuable insights about the current low-competition keywords within specific industries.
READ: How To Do SEO Competitor Analysis In SEO
4. Decode search intent
Search intent is crucial for successful low-competition keyword research as it guides the content you create for the keyword you are targeting. Decoding search intent involves deciphering the underlying motivations and needs of users behind their search queries, leading to a deeper understanding of user behavior on search engines.
By identifying the search intent, marketers can tailor their content to provide valuable information that meets the users’ needs. If you don’t get the search intent correctly, you will not rank for the keyword you are targeting.
To decode search intent effectively, simply search for the keyword you are interested in and look at the content provided by the top-ranking pages. Whatever results the search engine displays is typically the intent behind what users are searching for. Studies found that 80% of online searches are informational queries, indicating that users often seek answers or information when conducting searches.
Analyzing user behavior and engagement metrics can also help in decoding search intent. Marketers should closely monitor metrics such as bounce rate, time spent on the page, and click-through rates to gain insights into whether users find the content relevant to their query.
This data-driven approach allows marketers to refine their content strategy by aligning it with the intended target audience’s needs.
5. Leverage long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords offer a hidden reservoir of untapped potential for marketers seeking to optimize their content strategy and attract highly targeted organic traffic.
These longer and more specific keyword phrases may have lower search volumes compared to broader terms, but they also have significantly less competition. These metrics make long-tail keywords an excellent choice for businesses looking to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) without the need for extensive efforts in building high-quality backlinks or investing heavily in paid advertising.
Incorporating long-tail keywords into your content strategy can yield several benefits:
- Low-competition keywords: Long-tail keywords typically have less competition compared to broad terms, making it easier for businesses to rank higher in SERPs.
- Highly targeted traffic: By focusing on long tail keywords that are specific to your industry or product offerings, you can attract targeted organic traffic and easily create valuable content around the associated search intent.
- Better conversion rates: Since long-tail keywords reflect users’ intent with greater accuracy, visitors arriving through these searches are often further down the sales funnel and more likely to make a purchase or engage with your website.
Keyword research tools are invaluable resources when identifying effective long-tail keywords. These tools provide insight into the search volumes and competitiveness of different keyword phrases, allowing marketers like yourself to make data-driven decisions when selecting which long-tail keywords to target.
Incorporate carefully chosen long-tail keywords throughout your website’s content, meta tags, headings, and URL structures tp enhance your chances of ranking higher in SERPs.
Key Takeaways for Finding Low-Competition Keywords
- Low-competition keywords are important for attracting organic traffic and improving SEO.
- Targeting low-competition keywords can help establish authority in a niche and attract targeted traffic.
- Keyword research and competitive analysis are crucial for finding low-competition keywords.
- Keyword research tools help identify keyword competition levels and untapped keyword opportunities.
How to Incorporate Low-Competition Keywords in Your SEO Strategy
Expanding your SEO strategy to include low-competition keywords is akin to adding an extra layer of armor to your website’s visibility, strengthening its chances of standing out in the crowded online landscape.
Once you have identified low-competition keywords, optimize your website’s pages by strategically placing them in titles, headings, meta descriptions, and throughout the content.
Additionally, consider creating new content specifically targeting these low-competition keywords to increase their visibility and acquire organic traffic.
Remember to choose relevant keywords that align with your target audience’s search intent and create high-quality content around them for better results in driving organic traffic and improving overall rankings on key SERPs.
Low-Competition Keywords, High Organic Traffic
Keep in mind that not low-volume keywords are bad for SEO. Sometimes, low-competition long-tail or niche-specific phrases may have low volume but can still attract relevant traffic to your website. Therefore, thorough analysis and experimentation are key to identifying those untapped opportunities in the digital space.
In my experience, it is extremely important to look at the websites that are ranking for the keyword to determine if the competition is in fact low. Oftentimes, you might see a low difficulty score given by keyword research tools, but the websites that are ranking for the keyword still have high authority.
Following these steps and understanding the nuances of keyword research can unlock new avenues for attracting organic traffic through strategically targeting low-competition keywords.
