How to Find Low Competition Keywords That Actually Rank in Google

Low-Competition Keywords in Google

If you’re starting a blog or running a website, you’ve probably heard the mantra: “Content is king.” While that’s true, content alone won’t guarantee traffic if your target keywords are too competitive. Many beginner bloggers write great content but never see it ranking on Google. That’s where low competition keywords come in these are the hidden gems that can help you get quick wins in search rankings without competing with huge websites.

In this guide, we’ll explore what low competition keywords are, why they matter, and step-by-step strategies to find them, so you can rank faster and attract the right audience.

1. Understanding Low-Competition Keywords

Before diving into tools and strategies, it’s important to understand what low-competition keywords really are.

• A low-competition keyword is a search term that few websites are trying to rank for, yet it still has search volume. Essentially, it’s a phrase that’s easier to rank for compared to high-competition keywords like SEO tips or best smartphones.
• Targeting highly competitive keywords is like trying to run a marathon without training you’ll get tired quickly, and chances are you won’t succeed. Low competition keywords give you better chances of ranking, building organic traffic, and establishing authority in your niche.

keywords Difficulty

Example:

• High-competition keyword: Digital marketing
• Low-competition keyword: Digital marketing strategies for small startups

Notice the difference? The long-tail keyword is more specific, less competitive, and likely to attract a targeted audience ready to engage with your content.

2. Identify Your Niche and Audience

Finding low competition keywords starts with a clear understanding of your niche and audience.

• Are you blogging about health, tech, finance, or lifestyle? Narrowing down your focus helps you find keywords that are relevant to your readers.
• Ask yourself what problems they are trying to solve. Are they looking for tutorials, product reviews, or informational guides? This insight will guide your keyword research.
• Write down 10–20 questions your audience might type into Google. For instance, in a fitness blog:
• Best post-workout snacks for weight loss
• How to lose belly fat in 2 weeks without equipment.

These questions can serve as the foundation for long-tail low-competition keywords.

For a deeper dive into keyword research, check out my detailed guide on the best keyword research tool, which can help you discover hidden opportunities in your niche.

3. Use Keyword Research Tools

Keyword research tools are essential to identify low competition keywords that actually rank. Here are some of the most effective options:

a) Google Keyword Planner (Free)

• Provides search volume, keyword ideas, and competition data.
• Filter keywords based on low competition and relevance.
• Tip: Focus on keywords with medium to low search volume, as they’re often overlooked but easier to rank for.

Google Keyword Planner

b) Ahrefs (limited Free version)

• Shows keyword difficulty (KD), search volume, clicks, and parent topics.
• Use the Keyword Explorer tool and filter by KD < 20 to find low-competition opportunities.
• You can also analyze competitor pages to find keywords they rank for that you don’t.

Ahrefs keyword generator

c) SEMrush (Paid)

• Offers keyword difficulty metrics, SERP analysis, and competitor keyword research.
• SEMrush allows you to find long-tail keywords with low competition, which are easier to rank for.

SEMrush Keyword Generator

d) Ubersuggest (Free & Paid)

• Provides keyword ideas, competition analysis, and content suggestions.
• Useful for beginners due to its simple interface and actionable insights.

Ubersuggest Keyword Generator

e) AnswerThePublic (Free & Paid)

• Generates common questions people ask related to your keyword.
• Perfect for discovering long-tail low-competition keywords based on search intent.

AnswerThePublic Keyword Generator

4. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that often have lower competition but higher conversion potential.

Example:

• Short-tail keyword: Yoga
• Long-tail keyword: Morning yoga routine for beginners at home

Why long-tail keywords work:

1. They have less competition, making them easier to rank.
2. They attract highly targeted visitors who are ready to take action.
3. They help you cover multiple variations of a topic in your blog.

Pro Tip: Combine tools like Google Keyword Planner and AnswerThePublic to find long-tail keywords that match your audience’s intent. For beginners looking to dive into SEO, my blog How Can I Start SEO as a Beginner offers tips to start your journey while integrating low competition keywords naturally.

5. Analyze the Competition

Even with low-competition keywords, it’s crucial to analyze who you’re competing against.

• Check the first page of Google: Type your target keyword and observe the results.
• Look for weak competitors: Websites with poor design, thin content, or outdated information are easier to outrank.
• Examine domain authority (DA): If high-DA websites dominate, it might be tough to rank. Focus on keywords with pages that have low DA.
• Check content quality: Can you write more comprehensive and useful content than the current top results? If yes, you have a good chance of ranking.

Tools to analyze competition:

• Ahrefs (for backlinks and DA)
• MozBar (for on-page metrics and DA)
• SEMrush (for keyword gap and SERP analysis)

6. Check Search Intent

Understanding why people are searching for a keyword is essential. Google prioritizes content that matches search intent, not just keywords.

Types of search intent:

1. Informational: User wants to learn something (e.g., “how to start a blog”).
2. Navigational: User is looking for a specific website (e.g., “YouTube login”).
3. Transactional: User wants to buy or take action (e.g., “best budget laptops 2026”).
4. Commercial investigation: User is comparing options before buying (e.g., “iPhone vs Samsung comparison”).

Make sure your content matches the intent behind the keyword. Even if a keyword has low competition, you won’t rank if your content doesn’t satisfy the searcher’s need.

7. Use Google Suggestions and Related Searches

Google itself is a goldmine for keyword research. Two simple ways to find low-competition keywords:

a) Google Autocomplete

• Start typing your main keyword and see what Google suggests.
• These suggestions are based on real searches and often include long-tail variations.

b) Related Searches

• Scroll to the bottom of Google search results and check related searches.
• These are keywords that Google considers semantically related, often with lower competition.

Example: For “meal prep for beginners,” Google might suggest:

• Easy meal prep recipes
• Meal prep containers for beginners
• Healthy meal prep ideas

Integrating these phrases naturally into your content can improve ranking and provide more contextually rich content for your audience.

8. Look for Low-Competition Keywords in Forums and Communities

Communities like Reddit, Quora, and niche forums are excellent for finding real user questions and problems.

• Search for topics in your niche.
• Look for repeated questions that haven’t been answered thoroughly online.
• Convert these questions into long-tail blog topics.

Example:

• Quora question: How can I make a healthy lunchbox for my kid in 10 minutes?
• Blog idea: 10 Quick and Healthy Lunchbox Ideas for Kids in 10 Minutes

These keywords are often low competition because they’re highly specific.

9. Analyze Keyword Metrics Carefully

When evaluating keywords, don’t just look at search volume. Low-competition keywords often have smaller search volumes, but other factors matter:

• Keyword difficulty: Indicates how hard it is to rank for a keyword. Focus on KD < 30 for easier ranking.
• Click-through rate (CTR) potential: Some keywords have featured snippets these can drive traffic even with low search volume.
• Search trend: Use Google Trends to check if the keyword is gaining popularity or declining.

Remember, a keyword with moderate search volume and low competition is often more valuable than a high-volume, high-competition keyword.

10. Use Internal Linking Strategically

Internal linking can boost the rankings of low-competition keywords.

• Link your new blog posts to related older posts.
• Use anchor text that contains your target keywords.
• This helps Google understand the relevance of your content and improves indexing.

Example:

• Blog A: How to Start a Blog as a Beginner
• Blog B: Low-Competition Keywords to Rank Your Blog Faster
• In Blog B, link to Blog A naturally with anchor text

11. Monitor and Refine Your Keywords

Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. After publishing content:

1. Track rankings using Google Search Console or Ahrefs.
2. Analyze traffic to see which keywords are driving visitors.
3. Update content to target related low-competition keywords or answer new questions.

Some keywords take time to rank, but consistency pays off. Combining your content with strategic internal links makes it even more likely to perform well in search results.

12. Bonus Tips to Find Hidden Low-Competition Keywords

• Mix multiple long-tail keywords to create unique phrases.
• Target location-based keywords if your niche allows.
• Check competitors’ low-performing pages and find keywords they are ignoring.
• Write about topics competitors haven’t covered fully.

Final Thoughts

Finding low competition keywords that actually rank on Google isn’t about luck it’s a strategic process. By understanding your niche, using the right tools, analyzing competitors, and focusing on long-tail keywords with search intent, you can start ranking faster and attracting quality traffic to your site.

Remember these key takeaways:

• Low competition keywords are your secret weapon.
• Search intent matters more than search volume.
• Competitor analysis is essential to find gaps you can fill.
• Internal linking boosts rankings and user experience.
• Consistently monitor, track, and refine your keywords for ongoing success.

With patience, research, and strategy, you can transform your website from invisible to visible using low competition keywords, while your content becomes a valuable resource for readers.

Start your keyword research today, focus on value-driven content, and watch Google reward your efforts. Don’t forget to use internal links naturally to guide your audience. For more insights, visit my website for better understanding.