Identifying Low Competition Keywords in SEO
In SEO, identifying the right keywords is critical for optimizing your website's visibility and attracting organic traffic. High competition keywords can be challenging to rank for, whereas low competition keywords offer a more manageable path to success with less effort and resources. This article will guide you through the process of identifying low competition keywords and provide practical tips for your keyword research.
Understanding Keyword Competition
How do you know if a keyword is competitive? A keyword term is considered highly competitive if it is popular and has a high SERP (Search Engine Results Page) to search ratio. Additionally, the competition includes websites with significant link authority that are optimizing for that term.
What Are Low-Competition Keywords?
Low-competition keywords are those that you can rank for with minimal effort. You typically don't need to build numerous backlinks or have high website authority (Domain Rating) to rank for them. These keywords often come from niche markets or less popular search terms. To find these keywords, you can use various tools and manual methods.
Manual Methods to Identify Low-Competition Keywords
For those who prefer not to rely solely on tools, here are some manual tips to identify low-competition keywords:
No ads or only filler ads for the keyword/phrase in the SERP: If you see mostly organic results and no paid ads, it's a sign that the search term is less competitive. Content that doesn't match the intent of the query: If the top-ranked content doesn't accurately address the user's intent, it can be an indicator of low competition. Content from non-authoritative sources: If the top-ranked content is from low Moz Domain Authority or Page Authority websites, it could be a sign that the keyword is less competitive. Light or thin content: If the top-ranked content has very little information or is sparse in its use of keywords, it might indicate a less competitive keyword.Using SEO Tools to Identify Low Competition Keywords
For those who prefer to use tools, here are two effective methods:
1. Serpstat
Serpstat is an effective tool for keyword research, despite its paid nature. However, for a free alternative, you can follow these steps:
2. Free Method with Mozbar
First, install the Mozbar Chrome Extension and activate it. Create an account and log in. Then, run the following search in the Google SERP:
allintitle: your keyword
The result will show the first-page competitors. Evaluate the following metrics:
Domain Authority (DA): This measures the overall SEO strength of a website based on its links and content over time. Page Authority (PA): This measures the SEO strength of an individual page based on its links and content.Interpreting the Results
Here's what the results mean:
No competition: If forums, public sites like SlideShare or Academia, rank for the keyword, it is likely a low-competition keyword. Easy to beat the competition: If both DA and PA are less than 30, it is relatively easy to achieve top rankings. Medium competition: If the DA for competitor websites is between 30-50 and PA is between 10-30, it is a medium-hard competition. Really difficult to rank: If both DA and PA are above 50, it is a highly competitive keyword.For the given example, a DA average of 60 and PA average of 40 suggest that the keyword is quite competitive. In such cases, it is advisable to focus on other, less competitive keywords.
Conclusion
Identifying low-competition keywords is a crucial step in your SEO strategy. Whether you use tools or manual methods, the key is to evaluate the competition and choose keyword opportunities that align with your resources and goals. By focusing on low-competition keywords, you can achieve better rankings and drive more organic traffic to your website without overextending yourself.