Struggling to rank your content in search engine results? You’re not alone. Many content creators face the challenge of competing against established websites with high domain authority. The solution? Low competition keywords.
Low competition keywords are search terms that are easier to rank for, especially if you’re running a new website or small business. These keywords typically have lower keyword difficulty scores and moderate search volumes, making them perfect for building your SEO foundation.
In this guide, you’ll discover five proven methods to find low competition keywords that can drive meaningful traffic to your website in 2026.
What Are Low Competition Keywords?
Low competition keywords are search terms with low keyword difficulty (KD) scores, typically under 20-30. While they often have lower search volume than competitive keywords, they’re significantly easier to rank for because fewer websites target them.
For small businesses and new websites, these keywords are essential. They allow you to:
- Rank faster in search engine ranking positions (SERPs)
- Generate relevant organic traffic without a massive domain authority
- Build topical authority in your niche
- Create content that actually gets discovered
The key is understanding that lower search volume doesn’t mean low value. When you target multiple low difficulty keywords strategically, they collectively generate substantial traffic and conversions.
Why Low Difficulty Keywords Matter in 2026
Websites with higher domain authority can easily rank for difficult keywords because they have more backlinks and established credibility. If you’re just starting, competing for high-volume keywords is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Low competition keywords level the playing field. They represent opportunities where your competitors aren’t looking, giving you a realistic chance to appear on the first page of search results.
5 Proven Ways to Find Low Competition Keywords
1. Use Keyword Research Tools the Smart Way
Keyword research tools remain the most efficient way to discover low competition opportunities. Tools like Surfer, Ahrefs, and SEMrush help you identify keywords with the perfect balance of low difficulty and decent search volume.
Here’s how to use them effectively:
Start by entering a seed keyword related to your niche. The tool will generate keyword ideas with different difficulty levels. Focus on keywords with a KD below 30 and a search volume between 100 and 1,000, as these are easier to rank for while still bringing useful traffic.
Also, prioritize long-tail keywords because they are more specific and face less competition. Use filters to sort keywords by difficulty, search volume, and traffic potential so you can quickly find low-competition opportunities worth targeting.
Quick Checklist for Using Keyword Research Tools
- Enter a niche-related seed keyword
- Select keywords with a KD below 30
- Choose a search volume between 100 and 1,000
- Prioritize long-tail and specific phrases
- Filter results by difficulty and traffic potential
This simple process helps you find keywords that are realistic to rank for and capable of driving targeted organic traffic
2. Analyze Google SERP Features
Google provides free keyword research opportunities right in the search results. You just need to know where to look.
Google Autocomplete is your first stop. Start typing a relevant keyword, and Google suggests popular searches based on real user queries. These suggestions often reveal low competition long-tail keywords that people are actively searching for.
The People Also Ask section contains questions your target audience wants answered. Click on any question to reveal more related questions, creating a cascade of potential keyword ideas and content topics. These questions often have lower competition because they’re more specific than broad keywords.
Don’t overlook related searches at the bottom of search results. These are semantically related keywords that can either become separate articles or secondary keywords to strengthen your main content.
Use search modifiers like “how,” “what,” “where,” and “when” combined with your main topic to uncover question-based keywords. These informational queries often have less competition than commercial keywords.
3. Target on Emerging Topics and Trends
Emerging topics are great for finding low competition keywords because big websites usually don’t target them early. New and growing topics like AI tools, Web3, and sustainability are still developing, which means you can find many keyword opportunities before the market becomes crowded.
You can use Google Trends to spot topics that are slowly gaining popularity. Always choose topics that show steady growth instead of sudden spikes, because steady growth means long-term interest.
Social media is another powerful place to find new ideas. Check trending discussions on platforms like X, LinkedIn, and Reddit to see what people are talking about right now. When many experts and creators discuss the same topic, it usually means strong keyword potential.
The best part about emerging topics is that there’s little competition. Since not many articles exist yet, you can become an early authority and rank faster. You can also write about trending news or updates in your niche to attract quick traffic with very low competition.
4. Use Social Media Search for Hidden Keyword Ideas
Social media platforms are no longer just for entertainment; they work like search engines, too. Many people search for information directly on apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which makes them a great source for low competition keywords.
TikTok’s “Others Searched For” feature is especially useful. Simply search for a keyword related to your niche, scroll down, and you’ll see related searches that real users are looking for. Since most SEO professionals don’t use TikTok for keyword research, these keywords usually have very low competition.
You can repeat this process with new keywords to discover even more niche topics and long-tail keyword ideas that traditional tools often miss.
Once you’ve collected these keywords, use tools like Keyword Surfer to check their search volume and keyword difficulty. This helps you confirm whether they’re worth targeting.
The same strategy works on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Their search suggestions show what users want to find, making them perfect for discovering low competition keywords for blog posts, videos, and visual content.
5. Research Your Organic Competitors
Competitor research is a powerful strategy for discovering low competition keywords that are already driving traffic but are not fully exploited. Instead of copying your competitors’ content, the goal is to identify gaps in their strategy that you can improve upon. By analyzing competitors, you can uncover opportunities to create higher-quality content that ranks faster and drives more relevant traffic.
Key Elements to Focus On
- Unintentional Keywords: Sometimes competitors rank for certain keywords without intentionally targeting them. These keywords often have low competition and can be leveraged in your own content.
- Underdeveloped Topics: Look for topics your competitors mention briefly but do not cover in depth. Expanding on these topics allows you to become a comprehensive resource in your niche.
- Weak Content on Page One: Analyze the top-ranking pages for your target keywords. If the content is thin, outdated, or poorly structured, this is a clear opportunity to create better, more valuable content that satisfies search intent.
By systematically evaluating these aspects, you can identify low competition keyword opportunities that are ready for your content. Targeting these gaps allows you to rank faster, gain more organic traffic, and establish authority in your niche without competing directly with major websites.
How to Evaluate and Choose the Best Keywords
Finding keywords is only half the battle. You need to evaluate them properly to avoid wasting resources on the wrong targets.
Check Keyword Difficulty Scores
Use your keyword research tool to check difficulty scores. Anything below 20 is typically easy to rank for, while scores between 20-30 are moderate but still achievable for newer websites. Avoid keywords with difficulty scores above 30 unless you have established authority or they’re part of a strategic content cluster.
Verify Search Volume and Traffic Potential
Low difficulty means nothing if nobody searches for the keyword. Target keywords with at least 50-100 monthly searches, ideally in the 100-1,000 range. This provides enough traffic potential while maintaining low competition.
Remember that actual traffic often exceeds estimated search volume because you’ll rank for related keywords you didn’t explicitly target. This is especially true with low competition keywords that haven’t been thoroughly crawled by search engines.
Use Google Trends to check keyword seasonality. Unless you’re creating holiday-specific content, choose keywords with consistent interest throughout the year. Seasonal keywords waste resources during off-peak months.
Conduct SERP Analysis
Search your target keyword on Google and analyze the top 10 results. Look for signs of weak competition like outdated content, poor page experience, low domain authority websites, or content that doesn’t fully answer the search query.
Pay special attention to search intent. If the top results are all product pages but you’re planning a blog post, you’re targeting the wrong intent. Match your content format to what’s already ranking to satisfy user expectations and search algorithms.
If you see forum posts, outdated articles, or low-quality content ranking, you’ve found a genuine low competition opportunity. These are keywords begging for better content.
Real-World Examples of Low-Difficulty Keywords
Here are three practical examples showing what good low competition keywords look like:
Example 1: “poker cash games” – Keyword difficulty of 7 with 787 monthly searches. This is ideal for a gambling or poker website. The low difficulty makes ranking achievable while the traffic justifies the effort.
Example 2: “events for small businesses” – Keyword difficulty of 27 with solid monthly search volume. While approaching the upper limit of low competition, it’s still worth targeting, especially for business-focused content.
Example 3: “webinars for small businesses” – Keyword difficulty of 30, with some secondary keywords reaching 36-41. This is at the edge of what’s considered low competition. Target this only as part of a larger content cluster or if you have resources to dedicate.
Implementing Your Low Competition Keyword Strategy
Once you’ve identified your target keywords, create high-quality content that thoroughly addresses search intent. Don’t just stuff keywords into mediocre content. The goal is to create the best resource for each topic, making it easy for search engines to rank you highly.
Organize related low difficulty keywords into content clusters. This is a critical step in what to do after keyword research, as it helps build topical authority and improves rankings faster.
Track your rankings and traffic using tools like Google Search Console. Monitor which keywords drive actual conversions, not just traffic. Some low competition keywords might have small search volumes but high commercial intent, making them extremely valuable.
Start Ranking with Low Competition Keywords Today
Low competition keywords are your fastest path to organic traffic, especially if you’re building a new website or lack significant domain authority. By targeting keywords with difficulty scores under 30 and moderate search volumes, you can start generating traffic within weeks instead of months.
Use keyword research tools for efficiency, mine Google’s free data sources, capitalize on emerging topics, tap into social media insights, and exploit niche communities. Evaluate each keyword based on difficulty, search volume, and SERP analysis before committing resources.
The key is consistency. Target multiple low difficulty keywords across your content strategy, and you’ll build sustainable organic traffic that grows over time. Start your keyword research today and watch your search engine rankings climb in 2026.