How to Find Low-Competition Keywords for SEO (Rank Faster)

What Is Keyword Research? (And Why It's Not What You Think)

You Found a "Low-Difficulty" Keyword. You Ranked It. But Nobody Clicks.

This happens constantly.

You find a keyword with a difficulty score of 18. "Perfect," you think. "Super easy to rank."

You write a 2,000-word guide. You optimize it. You wait.

Six weeks later: You're ranking #3 for this keyword. 500 monthly searches. You should be getting 50–100 clicks per month.

You're getting 8.

What happened?

The keyword difficulty score lied to you.

Most SEO tools calculate difficulty by analyzing the backlink profiles of the top-ranking sites. More backlinks = higher difficulty. Fewer backlinks = lower difficulty. Sounds logical, right?

Except... that doesn't tell you if you can actually rank.

Here's the real-world disconnect: A tool says difficulty is 25 (easy). You search it. The top 10 have three Forbes articles, one government website, and two pages from massive publications. You have zero backlinks. You can't compete. You won't rank.

Meanwhile, another keyword has a difficulty of 45 (harder according to the tool). But the top 10? Seven Reddit threads, two old blog posts from 2018, one small niche site. You absolutely can rank here with fresh, solid content.

Tools lie. SERPs tell the truth.

The pros stopped trusting difficulty scores years ago. They use manual SERP analysis instead. It takes 5 minutes per keyword and works 10 times better than any tool.

Here's how to do it.

Why Keyword Difficulty Scores Are Unreliable

Let me give you two real examples that show how broken difficulty scores are.

Example 1: The "Easy" Keyword That's Actually Impossible

Keyword: "Best CRM software"

Tool says: Difficulty 25 (green, very easy)

Reality check: Top 3 results are Forbes, Capterra (major software review site), and TechCrunch

Verdict: You won't rank. Not in a year. Not with a brilliant article. The top spots are locked down by authority sites. The tool was wrong.

Example 2: The "Hard" Keyword That's Totally Beatable

Keyword: "How to find low competition keywords"

Tool says: Difficulty 42 (yellow, medium)

Reality check: Top 10 has 2 Reddit threads, 3 small SEO blogs, 2 Medium articles, 1 YouTube video, and one 2019 blog post nobody's updated

Verdict: You can absolutely rank here. Fresh, comprehensive guide beats everything in the top 10. Write it, and you'll likely rank top 5 in 3–4 months.

The difference? The second keyword was underserved. The first was locked down.

This is why manual SERP analysis beats tools every time. Tools measure backlinks. SERPs tell you the real competition.

The Manual SERP Analysis Method (What Actually Works)

Here's the exact process the pros use. It's simple, takes 5 minutes per keyword, and it works.

Step 1: Search the Keyword

Open Google. Type your keyword. Take a screenshot or open all 10 results in new tabs.

What you're looking at isn't just rankings. You're analyzing what actually won this keyword competition. Who's #1? Why are they #1? Can you beat them?

Step 2: Check for Domain Authority

Go through the top 10 results. Ask: How many are from massive, authoritative sites?

Major authority sites include:

Forbes, HuffPost, Medium, Wired, TechCrunch

Government sites (.gov)

Wikipedia

Huge brands (Amazon, Nike, Microsoft, etc.)

Major publications (NYT, WSJ, etc.)

Well-known software platforms (Airtable, Notion, etc.)

Red flags:

If top 3 are all major publications: Skip this keyword. You can't outrank them yet.

If 7+ of top 10 are major sites: Skip it. Come back in a year.

Green flags:

If 5+ of top 10 are small-to-medium blogs or niche sites: Rankable.

If top 10 has forums, Reddit, or Quora threads: Definitely rankable.

Rough rule: If at least half the top 10 is small-to-medium sites (not massive publications), you can compete as a new site.

Step 3: Check Content Freshness and Depth

Look at the publish dates and word counts of the top results.

Old content is opportunity. If the #1 result is from 2019 and nobody's updated it, you can write something fresh and modern and beat it.

Thin content is opportunity. If the top results are 800-word blog posts and you can write 2,500 words of comprehensive, updated content, you'll outrank them.

Example: Search "best email marketing tools." The #3 result is an 850-word article from 2019. You write a 2,800-word, fully updated 2026 guide with new tools and current pricing. You'll likely rank better.

Content gaps are opportunity. Look at what the top 10 articles cover. What angle isn't addressed? What's missing?

Example: All top 10 articles about "email marketing" are general. None specifically address "email marketing for nonprofits." Write that specific angle and you'll rank for both the general term AND the specific one.

Step 4: The Forum/Reddit Test (The Golden Signal)

This is the single best indicator of a rankable keyword.

If Reddit threads, Quora answers, or forum posts rank in the top 10, that keyword is gold.

Here's why: If user-generated content (Reddit, forums, Q&A sites) is ranking, it means Google couldn't find high-quality, dedicated content to rank. The keyword is underserved. There's a gap.

You can fill that gap with a solid, well-written blog post and you'll almost certainly rank in the top 5.

Real example: The keyword "how to find low competition keywords" has a Reddit thread ranking #4. Why? Because Google couldn't find a comprehensive, authoritative guide to rank higher. So Reddit filled the gap.

If I write a detailed, well-researched blog guide on this exact topic, I'll likely rank #1–3. The Reddit thread ranks because it was the best Google could find. My dedicated guide beats it.

Many people skip keywords where Reddit/forums rank because it looks "low quality." That's your competitive advantage. That's where easy rankings hide.

Step 5: Verify Intent Match

Make sure your planned content actually matches what's ranking.

Search "best project management tools for remote teams."

Top 10 are all comparison articles and product reviews.

You decide to write a how-to guide: "How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool."

Problem: Intent mismatch. You're writing a how-to. Searchers want comparisons. You won't rank.

Solution: Write the comparison article. Match the intent.

Intent types:

Informational: Searchers want to learn. Top results are blog posts, guides, explainers.

Commercial: Searchers want to buy. Top results are product pages, reviews, comparisons.

Navigational: Searchers want a specific website. Top results are direct brand links.

Local: Searchers want local results. Top results are Maps, local reviews.

Match the intent. If blog posts rank, write a blog post. If product reviews rank, write a review. If comparisons rank, write a comparison.

The Alphabet Soup Method (Hidden Keywords Most People Miss)

This is a free, instant way to find keyword variations that tools don't catch.

How it works:

Type your seed keyword into Google.

Add "a" at the end: "keyword research a"

Look at Google's autocomplete suggestions. These are real searches people type.

Move through the alphabet: "keyword research b," "keyword research c," etc.

Example results for "keyword research":

"keyword research a" → "keyword research automation," "keyword research AI," "keyword research agency"

"keyword research b" → "keyword research basics," "keyword research best practices"

"keyword research f" → "keyword research for beginners," "keyword research for blogging," "keyword research free"

"keyword research t" → "keyword research tools," "keyword research template," "keyword research techniques"

Many of these are long-tail keywords with lower competition.

Why it works: These are real searches, updated in real-time by Google. Many competitors ignore them because they look niche. But if people are searching it, it's worth considering.

Pro tip: Write one comprehensive guide on the main keyword. Then create dedicated posts for 3–5 long-tail variations from the alphabet soup. Interlink them. You own that whole topic.

Result: You rank for "keyword research" (main), "keyword research for beginners" (long-tail), "keyword research tools" (long-tail), etc. Multiple keywords = more traffic from one topic.

Weak SERP Signals: Your Green Lights

Look for these in the top 10. Each one means the keyword is easier to rank for.

Signal #1: Old Content

Top results are 3+ years old and haven't been updated. You can beat this with fresh content. Write it and you'll rank.

Signal #2: Short Articles

Top results are 800–1,200 words. You can write 2,000–2,500 comprehensive words and outrank them.

Signal #3: No Authority Sites

Zero .edu, .gov, or major publications in the top 10. Easier to compete.

Signal #4: Forums and Reddit Ranking

Already mentioned, but worth emphasizing. This is the #1 green light. Absolutely rankable.

Signal #5: Niche/Long-Tail Keywords

"Email marketing tools for nonprofits" is easier than "email marketing tools." More specific = less competition.

Signal #6: Content Gaps

Nobody's addressing one important angle or question. You can fill that gap and differentiate.

Scoring: If your keyword has 3 or more of these signals, target it.

Validate With Data (Don't Ignore This Step)

After your manual SERP analysis, use one quick tool to double-check: KeywordNumbers.

Search your keyword. See three things:

Search volume: Do people actually search this? (Aim for 50+ monthly)

Difficulty score: Tiebreaker if you're unsure (low is better)

Historical trends: Is interest rising, stable, or falling? (Rising is better)

Why validate here: Your manual SERP analysis might miss something. Or you might find a keyword that looks rankable but has zero search volume (waste of time).

Workflow:

Find keyword manually

Analyze SERP (manual check)

Validate volume and trends in KeywordNumbers (takes 30 seconds)

If all signals align, write

Advantage: You're not trusting one source. You're combining manual analysis + data validation. That's how pros do it.

KeywordNumbers is completely free, no signup required. Just search and get instant results. No account to manage, no credit card, no friction. It's the fastest way to validate search volume and difficulty without any barriers.

A Real-World Example: How to Apply This

Let me walk you through an actual example so you see how this works in practice.

The Keyword: "How to find keywords for content marketing"

My Manual SERP Analysis:

Top 10 results:

Forbes article (major authority)

Reddit thread, 3 years old

Small SEO blog (niche site)

Medium article

Small business blog (niche site)

Another Reddit thread, 2 years old

YouTube video

Niche SEO site

HubSpot blog (moderate authority)

Another small blog

What this tells me:

Forbes is there, but it's a broad article

Reddit threads rank (golden signal: underserved)

5+ of top 10 are small niche sites (rankable)

Reddit threads are 2–3 years old (outdated, opportunity)

Mix of content types (blog posts, Reddit, video)

No .gov, no Wikipedia, minimal major publication dominance

Content assessment:

Top results average 1,200–1,800 words

Reddit threads are old and unmoderated

No comprehensive, updated guide dedicated solely to this topic

Forbes covers it generically, not specifically

My intent check:

Searchers want a guide or framework

Blog posts + Reddit threads rank (informational intent)

I should write a how-to or step-by-step guide

Validation in KeywordNumbers:

Search volume: ~1,200 monthly

Difficulty: 28 (low)

Trend: Rising slightly

My Verdict: Definitely rankable. I'd write a comprehensive, updated guide called "How to Find Keywords for Content Marketing: A 2026 Step-by-Step Guide." Would target this within my first 10 keywords.

Expected ranking timeline: 6–12 weeks to top 5 (given decent content + some backlinks).

The Ranking Tier System (Priority by Ease)

Use this to prioritize which keywords to target first.

Tier 1: Easiest (Target These First)

Forums/Reddit in top 5

5+ of top 10 are small sites

Content is 2+ years old or thin (under 1,200 words)

High intent match with what you'll write

Difficulty score under 25

Search volume 50–500/month

Why first: Quick wins. You'll rank in 4–8 weeks. Early authority.

Tier 2: Medium (Target These Second)

Forums in top 10 but not top 5

Mix of small and medium authority sites

Content is 1–2 years old

Average article length 1,200–1,800 words

Intent match is good but not perfect

Difficulty score 25–40

Search volume 300–1,500/month

Why second: Better traffic than Tier 1, still rankable in 8–16 weeks.

Tier 3: Harder (Skip for Now)

Top 3 are all major publications/authority

All results 1,500+ words and comprehensive

Content is recent (within 6 months)

High authority domains

Difficulty score 40+

Search volume 1,000+/month

Why skip for now: Come back in 3–6 months once you have more authority.

Your Pre-Writing Checklist

Before you write a single word, run through this:

☐ Searched the keyword and reviewed top 10 manually

☐ At least 5 of top 10 are small/medium sites (not major publications)

☐ Content in top 10 is 1–2 years old OR under 1,500 words

☐ Forums/Reddit rank in top 10 (golden signal)

☐ Keyword difficulty in KeywordNumbers is under 35

☐ Search volume is 50+ monthly (verified in KeywordNumbers)

☐ Your planned content matches the search intent

☐ You can write something notably better than what ranks now

☐ There's a content gap you can fill

If 6 of 9 are YES: Write it.

If fewer than 6 are YES: Skip it for now, find a different keyword.

The Truth About Keyword Difficulty Scores

They're useful as a rough guide. But they're not law.

A difficulty score tells you how many backlinks the top sites have. It tells you about domain authority. It tells you something.

But it doesn't tell you if the content is old. It doesn't tell you if Reddit's the only quality source. It doesn't tell you about intent mismatches. It doesn't tell you about content gaps.

Manual SERP analysis tells you all of that.

So use tools as a tiebreaker. Use data to confirm search volume. But let the SERP guide your decisions. Look at what's actually ranking. Ask if you can beat it. That's the real difficulty score.

Final Word

The best low-competition keywords aren't hiding in fancy tools. They're hiding in plain sight.

Reddit threads ranking for your keyword? That's a green light. Old blog posts in the top 10? That's an opening. Thin content dominating? That's your chance to dominate with something better.

Stop trusting difficulty scores. Trust what you see when you search.

Find the keyword. Analyze the SERP. Check the data. Write something great.

That's how you rank.

Ready to validate your keywords? Search any keyword in KeywordNumbers free - no account, no credit card, just instant search volume and difficulty data. It's completely free and unlimited. Use it to double-check before you write

Many beginners think keyword research is simply about finding high-volume keywords and stuffing them into their content. That's outdated thinking. Modern keyword research is about finding the intersection of search volume, competition level, and user intent—the sweet spot where you can actually rank and attract the right visitors.

The Three Key Metrics You Need to Know

When evaluating keywords, focus on these three critical metrics:

This is how many people search for a keyword each month. Higher volume means more potential traffic, but it also usually means more competition. A keyword with 1,000 monthly searches is very different from one with 100,000 searches.

Also called "competition," this metric tells you how hard it is to rank for a keyword. It's determined by the authority and relevance of the pages currently ranking in the top 10. A difficulty score of 10 is much easier to rank for than a score of 80.

This is the "why" behind the search. Is the person looking for information (informational intent), trying to buy something (commercial intent), or looking for a specific website (navigational intent)? Your content must match the intent, or you won't convert visitors into customers or engaged readers.

Real Example: Remote Work Blogging

Let's say you're starting a blog about remote work. You might think "remote work" is the perfect keyword to target. But here's what you'd find:

You'd spend months creating content and never rank. Instead, a smarter approach would be to target something like "remote work for introverts" or "remote work setup on a budget":

You'd have a realistic chance of ranking and attracting qualified visitors who are specifically interested in your angle.

Why Keyword Research Matters

Without keyword research, you're essentially guessing. You might create amazing content that nobody is searching for, or you might target keywords so competitive that you'll never rank. Keyword research:

The 5-Step Beginner Process

Here's a simple framework to get started with keyword research:

Think of 5-10 broad keywords related to your niche. These are your starting point. For a remote work blog, you might start with: "remote work," "work from home," "remote jobs," "freelancing," "digital nomad."

Use Google's autocomplete feature and free tools to find related keywords and variations. This is where you discover the long-tail keywords that are easier to rank for.

For each keyword, do a Google search and look at the top 10 results. Are they blog posts, product pages, or directory listings? Your content type should match what's already ranking.

Look at the authority of the sites ranking for your target keyword. If they're all major brands, the keyword might be too competitive. If they're small blogs or niche sites, you have a better chance.

Create a spreadsheet of keywords you want to target, organized by difficulty level and search volume. Start with the easier, lower-volume keywords to build momentum and authority.

Free Tools to Get Started

You don't need expensive software to do keyword research. These free tools will get you 80% of the way there:

Google's official tool (free with a Google Ads account) shows search volume and competition levels. It's not perfect, but it's a solid starting point.

Start typing a keyword in Google and watch the suggestions appear. These are real searches people are making. It's a goldmine for finding long-tail keywords.

This tool shows questions people are asking about your topic. Perfect for finding question-based keywords and understanding user intent.

See how search volume for a keyword has changed over time. Useful for identifying trending topics and seasonal keywords.

These platforms show you real questions people are asking in your niche. Search for your topic and see what discussions are happening. These often reveal keyword opportunities.

A comprehensive keyword research tool that combines data from multiple sources, giving you search volume, difficulty, and intent analysis all in one place.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

High volume = high competition. New sites should focus on lower-volume, long-tail keywords first.

You can rank for a keyword and still get no conversions if your content doesn't match what people are searching for.

Always look at who's currently ranking. If it's all Fortune 500 companies, that keyword is probably not for you.

Just because you think a keyword is good doesn't mean people are searching for it. Always verify with data.

A keyword might have great volume and low difficulty, but if it doesn't match your content or business goals, it's a waste of time.

Your Action Plan

Bottom Line

Keyword research isn't complicated, but it is essential. By understanding what your audience is searching for and why, you can create content that ranks and converts. Start with the free tools, follow the 5-step process, and avoid the common mistakes.

Ready to take your keyword research to the next level? Try KeywordNumbers for comprehensive keyword analysis that combines search volume, difficulty, and intent data in one powerful platform.