How to Find Low Competition Keywords and High Competitor Keywords?

7-Step Process to Find Low-Competition Keywords

A clear process makes keyword research easy. Follow these seven simple steps.

1. Choose Seed Keywords

Start with 5–10 broad terms related to your niche or business. Seed keywords are the starting point for finding new keyword ideas.

Choose words your audience actually searches for, instead of using only the terms your business uses. This helps you discover more relevant SEO opportunities.

2. Expand Keywords Using Google

Google itself is a free keyword goldmine. Use these three features to expand your seed list into dozens of real search phrases:

• Google Autocomplete: Suggestions that appear as you type
• People Also Ask: Related questions users actually search for
• Related Searches: Terms shown at the bottom of results pages

3. Find Long Tail Keywords

Long tail keywords are those longer, more detailed phrase things with three or more words. Usually, each one gets a lower search volume on its own.

But they still tend to pull in steady traffic, and also they are easier to rank for, in a sort of calmer way.

4. Filter by Keyword Difficulty

Use a keyword tool to check the KD score of each term. Keep anything under 30 for an easier path to ranking. Remember that KD is a guide, not a guarantee. Always cross-check with your own site's strength.

5. Check Search Volume

Get rid of any keywords that have zero or, like, super low volume. Choose the ones that still pull enough searches to actually bring some traffic, but they should not be super competitive.

That way you have a better shot at ranking and also attracting the right audience without having to go head to head, directly, with the big brands.

6. Analyze Search Intent

Match each keyword to what the searcher actually wants, like information, a product, or a service. Content that mismatches intent rarely ranks, no matter how low the competition score looks.

7. Validate the SERP Manually

You should look for the keyword yourself. Then check who is showing up in the top 10 results, because that matters.

If you notice mostly small blogs and forums, or you keep seeing thin, weak content, well, that’s a pretty clear signal that the competition is low.

6-Step Process to Find High Competitor Keywords

Understanding what your rivals rank for is just as valuable as finding new keywords. Here's how to uncover their strongest terms.

1. Identify Your Real SEO Competitors

Go ahead and look up your main keywords, then take a note of which domains keep showing up again and again in the top 10. These aren’t your actual business rival; it’s more like those recurring websites are your true SEO competitors.

2. Analyze Their Top Pages

Go check the pages that seem to be pulling the most traffic on competitor sites; don’t just skim- really look. See what the overall structure is like, also the word count, and the headings used.

This way you can get a better idea of how they lay it out and what tends to work well for them, even if it’s not the exact same thing as your setup.

3. Export Organic Keywords

Use a keyword research tool to pull in a full set of terms your competitor ranks for, so you end up with raw data to mess around with later. From there, you can use it for the next round of analysis, almost like a starting point, not just a quick list.

4. Find Their Highest Traffic Keywords

Try sorting your exported keyword list by estimated traffic, so you can more easily see which pages pull in the most visitors. Those high performing keywords are often the best openings to prioritize in your SEO strategy.

5. Identify Their Money Keywords

If you focus on commercial and transactional keywords, like "buy," “price” and “near me," they really pull in people who are ready to act.

Because these phrases tend to match high intent, you usually see more leads, stronger sales, and more revenue rolling in sooner.

6. Discover Newly Ranked Keywords

Check which keywords a competitor has started ranking for recently. Newly ranked keywords often highlight content gaps worth targeting.

Competitor Keyword Gap Analysis

A keyword gap shows you exactly where competitors are winning and you're not. Running this analysis regularly keeps your content strategy sharp and focused.

Missing Keywords

These are relevant terms your competitors target that your site has no content for whatsoever.

Weak Keywords

Terms you rank for, but far below your competitors, usually beyond page one or two.

Untapped Opportunities

Target keywords with good traffic potential that competitors haven't fully covered.

Quick Wins

Optimize keywords already ranking on the second page to improve their position.

Content Gap Analysis

Beyond single keywords, compare entire topics. If competitors cover a subject you haven't touched, that's a content gap worth closing.

Best Free Tools for Keyword Research

You don't need a paid subscription to start. These free tools cover most beginner and intermediate needs.