Low competition keywords are search terms where the sites currently ranking have relatively low authority and the content quality bar is achievable. Targeting these keywords is the fastest path to organic traffic, especially for newer or smaller sites that cannot yet compete for high-difficulty terms.
What Makes a Keyword Low Competition
- Low keyword difficulty score: KD under 20-30 in most SEO tools
- Weak ranking pages: Top results have low domain authority, few backlinks, or thin content
- Specific intent: Long-tail queries with clear, narrow intent — fewer sites target these specifically
- Niche topics: Topics within specialized areas where large authority sites do not compete
Method 1: Long-Tail Keyword Expansion
The most reliable source of low competition keywords is expanding broad terms into specific long-tail variations.
- Start with a seed keyword: “email marketing”
- Add modifiers: “email marketing for dentists,” “email marketing automation for small teams,” “email marketing mistakes to avoid”
- The more specific the query, the fewer sites compete for it
- Tools: Ahrefs keyword explorer (filter KD 0-20), Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic
Method 2: Question Keywords
Question-format queries are often lower competition because they are more specific than broad keyword phrases.
- People Also Ask: Search your topic and note the PAA questions — many have low competition
- AnswerThePublic: Generates hundreds of question keywords for any topic
- AlsoAsked: Shows question chains revealing niche questions competitors miss
- Reddit and forums: Real questions people ask that keyword tools may not capture
Method 3: Competitor Gap Analysis
Find keywords your competitors rank for with low-authority pages — these are proven opportunities.
- Use Ahrefs Content Gap or SEMrush Keyword Gap to find terms competitors rank for but you do not
- Filter results by KD under 30
- These keywords are validated (someone ranks for them) but accessible (low competition)
Method 4: Google Search Console Mining
Your own Search Console data reveals low competition keywords you are already close to ranking for.
- Go to Performance → filter by position 8-30
- These are keywords where Google already considers your site relevant but you are not yet on page one
- Optimizing existing content for these keywords can push them to page one with minimal effort
Method 5: Niche-Specific Modifiers
Adding industry, location, or audience modifiers to any keyword dramatically reduces competition.
- Industry: “SEO for dentists,” “content marketing for SaaS,” “email templates for real estate”
- Audience: “keyword research for beginners,” “SEO tools for freelancers”
- Comparison: “[Tool A] vs [Tool B]” — specific comparisons often have low competition
- Year: “Best SEO tools 2025” — annual queries reset competition each year
Validating Low Competition Keywords
Before investing in content, verify the keyword is genuinely accessible.
- Search it in Google: Look at the actual top 10 results
- Check domain authority: Are the ranking sites all DA 70+? Or are there DA 20-40 sites ranking?
- Evaluate content quality: Could you create something significantly better than what currently ranks?
- Verify search volume: Ensure there is enough monthly search volume to be worth the effort (even 100-200/month is worthwhile)
- Check commercial value: Will this traffic be relevant to your business?
How Many Low Competition Keywords to Target
- New sites: Focus almost entirely on low competition keywords for the first 6-12 months
- Growing sites: Mix of 60% low competition and 40% medium competition
- Established sites: Continue targeting low competition keywords for easy wins while investing in higher-difficulty terms
Never stop targeting low competition keywords. They are the consistent, reliable foundation of sustainable organic traffic growth.