As business owners and marketers, we all know the importance of keywords in driving traffic to our websites. But with so many competitors vying for the same keywords, it can be challenging to stand out and rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs). This is where keyword difficulty comes into play.

Keyword difficulty refers to the level of competition for a particular keyword. The higher the difficulty, the more challenging it is to rank for that keyword. But fear not, there are ways to find and target low competition keywords that can give your website a competitive edge. Let's demystify keyword difficulty and learn how to identify low competition keywords.

Understanding Keyword Difficulty

Before we dive into finding low competition keywords, let's first understand how keyword difficulty is calculated. Several factors contribute to a keyword's difficulty level, including its search volume, relevance, and competition.

Search volume refers to how often a particular keyword is searched on search engines like Google or Bing. A higher search volume indicates more people are searching for that term, making it more competitive.

Relevance measures how closely a keyword aligns with the content on your website or webpage. It's essential to use relevant keywords as search engines have become smarter at understanding user intent and delivering relevant results.

Competition takes into account the number of websites already ranking for a particular keyword. The more websites competing for the same term, the higher the difficulty level.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what goes into calculating keyword difficulty let's look at some strategies for finding low competition keywords.

Utilize Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are specific and less commonly searched compared to shorter broad terms. For example, “digital marketing agency” is a broad term with high competition while “affordable digital marketing agency in California” is more specific with lower competition.

Long-tail keywords may have lower search volumes but tend to have higher conversion rates as they target users with a more specific intent. By using long-tail keywords, you can tap into a niche market and rank higher on SERPs.

Explore Related Keywords

Another way to find low competition keywords is by researching related keywords. Related keywords are terms that are closely related to your primary target keyword.

For example, if you're targeting the keyword “SEO agency,” related keywords could be “SEO services” or “SEO company.” By incorporating these related keywords into your content, you can increase your chances of ranking for multiple terms and reaching a broader audience.

Leverage Keyword Research Tools

There are several tools available that can help you find low competition keywords. One of the most popular and effective tools is Google's Keyword Planner. This tool allows you to search for specific terms and provides data on their search volume, competition level, and suggested bid price for paid advertising.

Other useful tools include Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz's Keyword Explorer. These tools not only provide keyword data but also offer insights into what your competitors are ranking for, giving you an edge in finding low competition keywords.

Analyze Your Competitors' Keywords

Speaking of competitors, another way to identify low competition keywords is by analyzing what your competitors are ranking for. While it's essential to have unique content on your website, analyzing competitor's top-performing pages can give you an idea of which keywords they're targeting successfully.

You can use tools like Ahrefs' Site Explorer or SEMrush's Domain Overview feature to see which organic keywords are bringing the most traffic to your competitor's website. From there, you can identify potential opportunities for targeting similar or related low competition keywords.

Experiment with Local Keywords

If you have a local business or serve a specific geographical area, leveraging location-based keywords can help attract relevant traffic with lower competition levels.

For example, if you own a bakery in Los Angeles, using location-based terms like “best bakery in Los Angeles” or “Los Angeles bakery delivery” can help you rank higher on SERPs for local searches.

Conclusion

Finding and targeting low competition keywords is essential to help your website stand out in a crowded digital landscape. By understanding the factors that contribute to keyword difficulty and utilizing strategies like long-tail keywords, related keywords, and competitor analysis, you can identify opportunities for ranking higher on search engines.

Remember to regularly review and update your keyword strategy as search trends and competition levels change over time. With a well-researched keyword strategy, you can drive more targeted traffic to your website and boost your online visibility.