Keyword difficulty tools help you target terms your website can realistically rank for, saving time and resources. These tools analyze competition, search volume, and other factors to guide your SEO efforts. Here's what you need to know:
- What is Keyword Difficulty? It measures how hard it is to rank for a specific term on a 0–100 scale. Lower scores mean easier rankings.
- Why Use Them? They help prioritize keywords, balance search volume and competition, and uncover overlooked opportunities.
- How Do They Work? Tools like Ahrefs and Semrush assess factors like backlinks, domain authority, and user intent to calculate difficulty.
- Key Benefits:
- Identify achievable keywords for quicker results.
- Focus on terms that align with your site's authority.
- Refine content and link-building strategies.
- Analyze competitors’ keyword gaps.
For beginners, focus on low-difficulty keywords (0–30) for quick wins. Established sites can aim higher (50+). Use tools like KWFinder, Semrush, or Ahrefs for detailed insights and actionable data.
Quick Tip: Start with long-tail keywords to build authority, then tackle competitive terms as your site grows.
How Keyword Difficulty Metrics Work
What Keyword Difficulty Means
Keyword difficulty measures how likely your website is to rank on Google's first page for a specific term. Think of it as a guide for making smarter SEO choices, steering you away from overly competitive keywords that might be out of reach for your site right now.
Sean Collins from Semrush puts it this way:
"Keyword difficulty is important in SEO because it helps you find terms your website can realistically rank for in the organic search results. By understanding which keywords are within reach, you can focus on creating content that will drive more search traffic."
Instead of pouring months of effort into high-competition keywords, focus on less competitive ones. This approach can lead to quicker results - more clicks, higher conversions, and better overall business performance. Let’s dive into the factors that shape these scores.
What Affects Keyword Difficulty Scores
Several factors influence keyword difficulty, including search volume, the domain authority of competing sites, backlink quality, content quality, and user intent. For example, established websites with strong domain authority naturally raise the difficulty level. Similarly, the number and quality of backlinks pointing to these pages make it harder for new players to compete.
Understanding these elements is key to making informed SEO decisions. Next, we’ll explore how to interpret these scores effectively.
How to Read Keyword Difficulty Scores
Most tools use a 0–100 scale to represent keyword difficulty, where higher numbers mean tougher competition. For instance, Semrush expresses Keyword Difficulty (KD%) as a percentage, with 100% being the hardest and 0% the easiest.
Different tools calculate these scores in their own way. Ahrefs bases its scores on backlink data from the top 10 ranking pages, while Semrush factors in SERP strength, search volume, and regional data .
Here’s a breakdown of typical difficulty ranges, as categorized by KWFinder:
| Difficulty Score | KWFinder Category | Strategic Approach |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 | Easy | Go for these - low competition and quick wins |
| 15–29 | Still easy | Great opportunities with minimal effort needed |
| 30–49 | Possible | Requires moderate effort but worth pursuing |
| 50–69 | Hard | Needs significant resources and planning |
| 70–84 | Very hard | Best suited for sites with strong domain authority |
| 85–100 | Don't do it | Avoid - competition is extremely high |
For newer websites, targeting keywords with lower difficulty scores is the fastest way to drive traffic. On the other hand, well-established sites can aim for higher-difficulty keywords, especially those similar to ones they already rank for.
It’s also worth mentioning that your website's Personal Keyword Difficulty (PKD%) can differ from general difficulty scores. Even if a keyword seems tough overall, your site might rank better for it based on its domain authority and relevance to the topic.
How Reliable are Keyword Difficulty scores?
Using Keyword Difficulty Tools for Competitor Research
Keyword difficulty tools are a great way to dive into your competitors' keyword strategies. They can reveal what drives their traffic and pinpoint areas where you can step in and outperform them.
As Horea Matei from Surfer puts it:
"Competitor keyword analysis is important because it examines other high-ranking websites' keyword strategies to identify tried and tested methods they use to occupy the top search results, any potential weaknesses you could capitalize on, or search terms you completely miss."
Studying Competitor Keyword Choices
Start by identifying your top competitors. A simple Google search for your target keywords will show you who's dominating page one. Focus on these URLs for your analysis.
Next, dig into their organic keywords. Look at the difficulty scores and search volumes for these keywords, then compare this data to their rankings. Export their keyword lists and organize them by traffic potential. This will help you understand the primary and secondary keywords they’re targeting and the content they’ve created around them.
For instance, imagine a travel blogger analyzing NomadicMatt's site. They might discover that "things to do in Paris" has the highest search volume among NomadicMatt's target keywords. Even though the page doesn’t crack the top five search results, it still performs well in terms of traffic. This signals strong potential, making it a keyword worth pursuing.
This type of analysis sets the foundation for finding untapped opportunities.
Finding Keywords Competitors Miss
Once you’ve mapped out your competitors’ keyword strategies, it’s time to uncover the terms they’ve overlooked. A keyword gap analysis can help you spot high-volume terms that your competitors aren’t targeting effectively.
Nikki Lam from NP Digital highlights the value of this approach:
"It's important to understand why competitors are outperforming you, how they're meeting user needs better, and on the flip side, where they're weak and leaving you an opening to get ahead."
Pay attention to emerging trends and identify the pages or topics driving the most non-brand traffic to your competitors. Take note of secondary terms, and create content specifically tailored to these keywords to build your authority in those niches.
It’s also crucial to consider search intent during this process. Don’t chase high-volume keywords that don’t align with your business. Instead, focus on terms that resonate with your audience and are within your reach to rank for. This approach ensures your SEO efforts are both targeted and effective.
How SERP Features Change Keyword Difficulty
After identifying keyword gaps, take a closer look at SERP features that could impact their competitiveness. Features like featured snippets, local packs, and video carousels can shift click-through rates and make some keywords harder - or easier - to rank for.
Featured snippets are particularly influential. These snippets appear prominently in search results and can significantly boost click-through rates. Paragraph snippets are the most common, making up 82% of all featured snippets.
Google explains their purpose:
"We display featured snippets when our systems determine this format will help people more easily discover what they're seeking, both from the description about the page and when they click on the link to read the page itself. They're especially helpful for those on mobile or searching by voice."
To capitalize on this, identify keywords that trigger featured snippets. Long-tail keywords often work well for this, and “People Also Ask” boxes can provide additional related questions to target.
Another emerging SERP feature to watch is AI Overviews, which now appear in about 12% of Google searches. Unlike featured snippets, these overviews synthesize information from multiple sources. While they aim to answer queries directly in the search results, they can also reduce click-through rates for traditional organic results.
sbb-itb-5be333f
Creating SEO Strategy with Keyword Difficulty Data
Once you've gathered keyword difficulty data, the next step is turning those numbers into a clear, actionable SEO plan. This means using the difficulty scores to make smarter decisions that actually impact your business goals.
As Tom Niezgoda, CMO & Co-founder at Surfer, explains:
"Growth isn't about more eyes - it's about reaching the right eyes."
This idea should guide every keyword-related choice. Keyword difficulty scores help you focus on terms that matter for your business, steering you away from chasing metrics that don't contribute to meaningful growth.
How to Rank Keywords by Difficulty
To prioritize keywords effectively, start by understanding how difficulty scores relate to your website's authority. A common approach is to divide your keywords into two groups: "easy" keywords (difficulty below 65) and "hard" keywords (difficulty above 65). Keywords with scores above 65 typically require more time, effort, and backlinks to rank for.
However, don't rely solely on difficulty scores. It's equally important to weigh factors like search volume, user intent, and business value. For example, a keyword with a difficulty score of 70 might still be worth targeting if it aligns closely with your business goals and has strong commercial intent.
A practical rule of thumb is to focus on keywords with difficulty scores lower than your domain rating or authority. For instance, if your domain authority is 45, prioritize keywords with difficulty scores under 45. You can occasionally target keywords in the 45–55 range if they align with specific business objectives.
This prioritization method helps you build a strong foundation for integrating keywords into your content strategy.
Adding Keyword Difficulty to Content Planning
Using keyword difficulty as part of your content planning ensures that your editorial calendar focuses on the areas where your efforts will pay off the most.
Start with long-tail keywords to gain traction and build authority, then gradually move toward higher-volume, more competitive terms. For example, instead of immediately targeting "personal injury lawyer", begin with a more specific term like "personal injury lawyer for car accidents in downtown Phoenix." This approach helps you establish credibility in your niche before tackling broader keywords.
When planning content, allocate resources based on keyword difficulty. High-difficulty keywords (above 65) will likely require in-depth research, longer articles, and more promotional effort. On the other hand, low-difficulty keywords can often be addressed with shorter, focused content that still delivers value.
Leverage SEO tools to optimize your content for your chosen keywords. Create outlines that incorporate primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords naturally. For example, LinkGraph helped a personal injury law firm boost its organic traffic by 186% in one year by systematically targeting keywords based on difficulty scores and their relevance to the business. This type of strategic content creation ensures your efforts drive qualified traffic and measurable results.
Using Difficulty Data for Link Building
Keyword difficulty data isn't just useful for content - it also plays a key role in shaping your link-building strategy. Difficulty scores can guide how aggressively you pursue backlinks and what tactics you use.
Lower-difficulty keywords generally need fewer high-quality backlinks, while higher-difficulty terms often require a more intensive link-building effort. Start by auditing your existing content to find pieces that rank well but lack sufficient backlinks. These "low-hanging fruit" opportunities can benefit significantly from targeted link-building campaigns.
For example, a local restaurant in Boise, Idaho, analyzed keywords related to "Italian food Boise." While the main term was highly competitive, they found a lower-difficulty keyword, "best Italian food in Meridian", which led to a 25% increase in online bookings within a few months.
Focus on targeting less competitive keywords initially, while consistently building your domain authority through quality content and backlinks. Over time, this steady growth will enable you to tackle more challenging keywords without overextending your resources.
Ultimately, the goal is to create compelling, relevant content that naturally attracts links. Keyword difficulty data helps you identify how link-worthy your content needs to be, ensuring your link-building efforts align with your broader SEO strategy and amplify the impact of your work.
How to Choose Keyword Difficulty Tools
Picking the right keyword difficulty tool can make a huge difference in your SEO strategy. With so many tools available, it's important to know which features matter most and how different options stack up. This guide will help you zero in on tools that refine your keyword analysis and give your rankings a boost.
What to Look for in Keyword Difficulty Tools
The core feature of any keyword difficulty tool is its scoring system, which usually runs on a 0-100 scale. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Low scores (0–30): Easier to rank for but often come with lower search volumes.
- Medium scores (31–60): Achievable with the right optimization and content strategy.
- High scores (61–100): Highly competitive and require serious SEO effort.
But scoring alone isn’t enough. The best tools also provide detailed metrics like search volume and competition levels, helping you decide if a keyword is worth your time. Many tools go a step further by offering keyword suggestions, including related terms and long-tail variations to expand your strategy.
Advanced features like SERP analysis are another big plus. These show you what’s already ranking for your target keywords - think featured snippets, local packs, or video results. Some tools even track historical keyword trends, giving you insight into whether a keyword is becoming more or less competitive over time.
Integration is another game-changer. Tools that sync with platforms like Google Analytics or CRM systems save you time by automating data transfers and reducing manual errors. And if you’re running both organic and paid campaigns, tools that combine SEO metrics with paid search data can help you craft a more unified strategy.
Free vs Paid Keyword Difficulty Tools
Free tools are a great starting point, but they come with limitations. Most offer basic features and impose daily query caps, which can be a hurdle if you’re managing multiple projects. Paid tools, on the other hand, provide more advanced features and real-time data updates, ensuring you’re working with the most current search trends.
Here’s a quick comparison of free and paid tools:
| Feature | Free Keyword Tools | Paid Keyword Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Data Accuracy | May have outdated data | Real-time updates and historical data |
| Functionality | Basic features and suggestions | Advanced analytics, competitor insights, trend forecasting |
| Customer Support | Limited support options | Live chat, email support, extensive resources |
| Integration | Minimal or no integrations | Seamless connections with Google Analytics, CRM systems, etc. |
| Query Limits | Daily caps | Unlimited or high query limits |
While free tools are handy for quick checks, paid tools often deliver more robust features, better support, and smoother integrations. If efficiency and deeper insights are priorities, investing in a paid tool can be well worth it.
Find Tools with the Top SEO Marketing Directory
To simplify your search for the perfect keyword difficulty tool, the Top SEO Marketing Directory is a great resource. It helps you quickly find tools tailored to your specific needs.
The directory offers three plans to suit different users:
- Basic Plan (Free): Ideal for quick tool comparisons.
- Premium Plan ($49/month): Includes enhanced listings and additional features.
- Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing): Designed for larger businesses managing multiple websites and complex SEO strategies.
Whether you’re just starting out or managing a large-scale SEO operation, this directory can help you find the tools that align with your goals.
Conclusion: Improving SEO with Keyword Difficulty Tools
Keyword difficulty tools have reshaped the way businesses approach SEO, replacing guesswork with data-driven insights. By using these tools, marketers can make smarter decisions about where to focus their time and resources for the best results.
The idea behind keyword difficulty is to strike a balance between ambition and realistic goals. As Joshua Hardwick, Head of Content at Ahrefs, puts it:
"Ranking is relative" because "no keyword difficulty score takes everything that affects competition into account".
This highlights an important point: while difficulty scores provide a snapshot of competition, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. To create a winning SEO strategy, marketers should aim for a balanced mix of keywords. Instead of chasing only high-volume, high-difficulty keywords that might take months - or even years - to rank, incorporating medium- and low-difficulty keywords can lead to faster wins. This approach ensures steady progress while setting the stage for long-term growth.
Strategic resource allocation is another advantage of using keyword difficulty tools. For newer websites or businesses with limited resources, focusing on keywords that offer the best return on investment can be a game-changer. Concentrating efforts on these opportunities not only accelerates results but also makes it easier to communicate realistic goals and timelines to stakeholders.
Moreover, when combined with competitor research, keyword difficulty analysis can uncover gaps and untapped opportunities. However, it’s crucial to look beyond the numbers. Factors like search intent, content quality, and site authority should guide decisions, with keyword relevance taking priority over difficulty scores.
FAQs
How do keyword difficulty tools help find low-competition keywords for a new website?
Keyword difficulty tools are a game-changer for finding low-competition keywords that can give your new website a boost in search rankings. These tools provide a keyword difficulty (KD) score, which tells you how challenging it might be to rank for a particular keyword. For starters, aim for keywords with a low KD score - typically below 30. These tend to have less competition and are easier to rank for.
Start by brainstorming broad topics that align with your niche, then use the tool to narrow them down into long-tail keywords. For instance, instead of going after a general term like "coffee", focus on something more specific, such as "best organic coffee beans in Seattle." This approach not only reduces competition but also brings in a more targeted audience, which can lead to higher conversions. When used wisely, keyword difficulty tools can lay the groundwork for a strong SEO strategy and help you drive meaningful traffic to your site.
What other factors should I consider besides keyword difficulty when building my SEO strategy?
When building an effective SEO strategy, focusing solely on keyword difficulty isn’t enough. You’ll need to consider a few other key elements to truly make an impact:
- Search intent: Make sure your content matches what users are looking for. If your page doesn’t align with their needs, even the best keywords won’t help.
- Content quality: Prioritize creating content that’s engaging and offers real value. It should not only connect with your audience but also set you apart from competitors.
- Search volume: Look for keywords that strike a balance between high traffic potential and relevance to your business goals. Targeting the right keywords can make all the difference.
- Trends and seasonality: Pay attention to how user behavior changes over time. Adapting your strategy to reflect trends or seasonal shifts can help you stay ahead.
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be better equipped to craft a strategy that delivers results.
How can keyword difficulty tools help refine your SEO strategy and outperform competitors?
Keyword difficulty tools play a key role in shaping an effective SEO strategy by giving you a clearer picture of your competition. These tools help uncover high-value keywords that your competitors are ranking for but you might have overlooked. This insight allows you to spot content gaps - areas where your audience is searching for information that your site doesn't yet provide. By creating targeted content to fill these gaps, you can improve your chances of climbing higher in search engine rankings.
Another essential feature of these tools is the keyword difficulty score. This score measures how tough it is to rank for a specific keyword, factoring in things like domain authority and backlinks. By targeting keywords with lower difficulty scores, you can focus on achievable goals, use your resources wisely, and attract more organic traffic to your site. This approach helps ensure your SEO efforts are both focused and productive.
