How to Find Low Competition Keywords for Free (7 Proven Methods)

What Are Low Competition Keywords and Why They Matter

Low competition keywords are search terms that fewer websites are actively targeting, making them easier to rank for in search results. Think of them as the side streets instead of the highway—less traffic from competitors, but still plenty of potential visitors searching for exactly what you offer.

Here's what makes a keyword "low competition":

• Keyword Difficulty (KD) score below 30 (on most tools' 0-100 scale)
• Fewer than 50 referring domains on the first page of results
• Weaker domain authority among ranking sites (typically under 40)
• Content quality gaps where existing articles don't fully answer the query

Why should you care? If you're running a new website or blog, competing for terms like "best laptops" against tech giants is a losing battle. But "best laptops for architecture students under $800"? That's a different story. You're targeting the same audience with a fraction of the competition.

I've seen websites go from zero to 10,000 monthly visitors in six months by focusing exclusively on low competition keywords. The math is simple: ranking #3 for a keyword with 500 monthly searches beats ranking #47 for one with 50,000 searches.

Understanding Keyword Difficulty Metrics

Keyword difficulty scores confuse a lot of people because different tools measure them differently. Let me break down what you're actually looking at.

Most free tools calculate difficulty based on:

1. Backlink profiles of ranking pages
2. Domain authority of competing sites
3. Content quality and depth of top results
4. SERP features (featured snippets, knowledge panels, etc.)

What the numbers actually mean:

• 0-20: You can probably rank with decent content and basic on-page SEO
• 21-40: Achievable with quality content and some backlinks
• 41-60: Requires strong content, backlinks, and domain authority
• 61-80: Very competitive, needs significant SEO investment
• 81-100: Dominated by major brands and authority sites

Here's the catch: a KD score of 25 in Ubersuggest doesn't equal 25 in Moz or Google Keyword Planner. Each tool weighs factors differently. That's why I always recommend checking multiple sources before committing to a keyword.

For beginners with new websites, stick to keywords under 20. Once you've built some authority (around 6-12 months), you can start targeting the 20-35 range.

Best Free Keyword Research Tools Comparison

You don't need expensive tools to find great keywords. Here's what actually works without spending a dime:

Google Keyword Planner

• Best for: Search volume data and Google Ads integration
• Limits: Requires Google Ads account (free to create); broad search volume ranges unless you're running active campaigns
• Unique feature: Direct data from Google itself

Ubersuggest (Free Version)

• Best for: Keyword difficulty scores and content ideas
• Limits: 3 searches per day, limited historical data
• Unique feature: Shows top-ranking pages and their estimated traffic

AnswerThePublic

• Best for: Question-based keywords and content angles
• Limits: 3 searches per day, no difficulty metrics
• Unique feature: Visual map of questions people actually ask

Google Search Console

• Best for: Finding keywords you already rank for (but didn't know about)
• Limits: Only shows data for your own website
• Unique feature: Real performance data, not estimates

Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)

• Best for: On-the-fly research while browsing
• Limits: Limited to Google search results
• Unique feature: Shows search volume directly in Google results

AlsoAsked

• Best for: Related questions and topic clusters
• Limits: 3 searches per day on free plan
• Unique feature: Visual hierarchy of related questions

Google Trends

• Best for: Seasonal trends and rising topics
• Limits: Relative data, not absolute numbers
• Unique feature: Compare multiple keywords over time

I rotate through these tools daily. Start with Ubersuggest for initial ideas, validate with Google Keyword Planner, then use AnswerThePublic to find question-based variations.

[INFOGRAPHIC: Comparison table showing each tool's features, daily limits, best use cases, and difficulty metrics]

Step-by-Step Process to Find Low Competition Keywords

Let me walk you through the exact process I use, starting from scratch:

Step 1: Start with Seed Keywords

Write down 5-10 broad topics related to your niche. If you run a fitness blog, your seeds might be: "home workouts," "meal prep," "weight loss," "muscle building," "yoga."

Don't overthink this. You're just creating starting points.

Step 2: Generate Keyword Variations

Plug your first seed keyword into Ubersuggest. You'll get hundreds of variations. Look for:

• Long-tail versions (4+ words)
• Question formats (how, what, why, when)
• Specific modifiers (for beginners, without equipment, at home)

Export the results or copy the most promising ones into a spreadsheet.

Step 3: Filter by Difficulty

Sort your list by keyword difficulty (ascending). Anything above 30, delete it for now. You want the low-hanging fruit.

Step 4: Check Search Volume

Here's where people mess up: they chase keywords with zero searches. Aim for at least 50-100 monthly searches. Yes, it's small, but 20 articles ranking for 100 searches each gives you 2,000 monthly visitors.

Step 5: Analyze the SERP Manually

This is crucial. Open an incognito window and Google your keyword. Ask yourself:

• Are the top results from major brands or smaller sites?
• Do the articles actually answer the query well?
• Are there forums or Q&A sites ranking? (Good sign—means there's demand but weak content)
• How many ads appear? (More ads = commercial intent, which can be good or bad depending on your goals)

Step 6: Validate with Multiple Tools

Check the same keyword in Google Keyword Planner and Keyword Surfer. If all three tools show similar difficulty and volume, you've got a winner.

Step 7: Document Your Findings

Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for:

• Keyword
• Search volume
• Difficulty score
• Current ranking sites
• Content angle/notes

[VIDEO: Screen recording showing this exact process in real-time with a sample keyword]

Manual Methods for Keyword Research Without Tools

Sometimes the best keywords come from places tools can't reach. Here's how to find them:

Reddit and Forum Mining

Go to relevant subreddits and sort by "Top" posts from the past month. Read through comments. People ask incredibly specific questions that never show up in keyword tools.

Example: In r/fitness, I found someone asking "how to do pull-ups when you weigh 250 pounds." That's a perfect low competition keyword with clear intent.

Amazon Book Reviews

Search for books in your niche and read the 3-star reviews. People explain exactly what information they were looking for but didn't find. Those gaps are keyword opportunities.

YouTube Comment Sections

Watch popular videos in your niche and scroll through comments. Look for questions that got lots of upvotes but no good answers. Turn those into articles.

Google's "People Also Ask" Boxes

Search your seed keyword and expand every question in the "People Also Ask" section. Each question reveals related searches. Click on one, and Google shows you more questions. You can chain these together for dozens of ideas.

Wikipedia Table of Contents

Find a Wikipedia article about your topic. The table of contents is essentially a content outline created by experts. Each section heading could be a keyword.

Competitor Comment Sections

Find blogs in your niche and read their comments. People often ask follow-up questions or mention related problems. Those are untapped keywords.

These manual methods take more time, but they uncover keywords your competitors aren't targeting because they're too busy relying on the same tools everyone else uses.

How to Analyze and Validate Keyword Competition

Finding a keyword with a low difficulty score is just the first step. You need to validate it won't waste your time.

The Domain Authority Check

Install the MozBar Chrome extension (free). Search your keyword and look at the Domain Authority (DA) of the top 10 results. If you see:

• DA under 30: Green light, you can compete
• DA 30-50: Possible with great content
• DA over 50: Skip it unless you have an established site

The Backlink Reality Check

Use Ubersuggest's free searches to check how many backlinks the top 3 results have. If they all have 100+ referring domains, that keyword is more competitive than the difficulty score suggests.

Look for keywords where the top results have fewer than 20 referring domains. Those are your sweet spots.

The Content Quality Assessment

Read the top 3 articles. Seriously, read them. Ask:

• Is the content thin or comprehensive?
• Does it actually answer the question?
• Is it outdated?
• Are there obvious gaps you could fill?

I've ranked for "competitive" keywords simply because the existing content was garbage. Tools can't measure content quality—only you can.

The SERP Feature Analysis

If your keyword triggers a featured snippet, knowledge panel, or local pack, that changes the game. Featured snippets can steal clicks even from the #1 position. But they also present an opportunity if you can optimize for them.

The Commercial Intent Test

Keywords with high commercial intent (people ready to buy) often have more competition from businesses. If you see lots of product pages and ads, expect tougher competition than the difficulty score indicates.

For content sites, informational keywords (how-to, what is, guide) typically have lower competition.

Finding Long Tail Keyword Opportunities

Long-tail keywords are your secret weapon. They're longer, more specific, and way easier to rank for.

The magic formula: [Broad Topic] + [Specific Modifier] + [User Intent]

Examples:

• "running shoes" → "best running shoes for flat feet and overpronation"
• "meal prep" → "meal prep ideas for weight loss on a budget"
• "yoga" → "yoga poses for lower back pain during pregnancy"

Here's how to systematically find them:

Use Google's Autocomplete

Type your seed keyword and add a letter. Google suggests completions:

• "keyword research a" → "keyword research and analysis"
• "keyword research b" → "keyword research best practices"
• "keyword research c" → "keyword research checklist"

Go through the entire alphabet. Tedious? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.

Add Question Words

Put "how to," "what is," "why does," "when should," "where can" before your keyword. Each creates new variations:

• "how to do keyword research"
• "what is keyword research in SEO"
• "why does keyword research matter"

Combine Multiple Modifiers

Stack modifiers to get ultra-specific:

• Location: "in New York," "near me," "online"
• Time: "2025," "quickly," "in 30 days"
• Skill level: "for beginners," "advanced," "step by step"
• Price: "free," "cheap," "under $100"

Example: "free keyword research tools for beginners 2025"

These long-tail keywords might only get 20-50 searches per month, but they convert like crazy because they match exactly what someone's looking for. Plus, you can rank for them in weeks instead of months.

Competitor Keyword Analysis Techniques

Your competitors have already done keyword research. Why not learn from their work?

The Manual Competitor Analysis

Find 3-5 sites in your niche that are slightly bigger than yours (not the giants). Visit their blog and:

1. Note which articles have the most comments (indicates engagement)
2. Check which posts they've updated recently (signals what's working)
3. Look at their category structure (reveals their content strategy)

Using Ubersuggest for Competitor Keywords

Enter a competitor's domain in Ubersuggest. The free version shows you their top-performing keywords. Look for:

• Keywords they rank in positions 4-10 (you could outrank them)
• Keywords with high traffic but low difficulty
• Recent content that's gaining traction

The Google Search Operator Method

Use this search: site:competitorsite.com "keyword"

This shows all pages on their site mentioning your keyword. You'll discover:

• How they structure content around that topic
• Related keywords they're targeting
• Content gaps you could fill better

Finding Their Low-Hanging Fruit

In Ubersuggest, filter for keywords where your competitor ranks in positions 11-20. These are keywords they're almost ranking for. You can swoop in with better content and grab those positions.

The Content Refresh Opportunity

Look for competitor articles from 2-3 years ago that rank well but haven't been updated. Create a fresh, updated version with current data and examples. Google loves fresh content on established topics.

One warning: don't just copy what competitors are doing. Use their keyword strategy as inspiration, then find angles they missed. That's how you actually beat them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Keywords

I've made every mistake in the book. Learn from my failures:

Mistake #1: Chasing Zero-Competition Keywords

If a keyword has literally zero competition, there's probably zero searches too. Or the topic is so obscure nobody cares. Some competition is actually good—it validates demand.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Search Intent

A keyword might have low difficulty, but if the intent doesn't match your content, you won't rank. Google's smart enough to know that someone searching "buy running shoes" doesn't want a blog post about shoe history.

Match your content type to the intent:

• Informational: Blog posts, guides, tutorials
• Commercial: Reviews, comparisons, "best of" lists
• Transactional: Product pages, service pages
• Navigational: Brand or specific page searches

Mistake #3: Trusting Only One Tool

I've seen keywords show as "easy" in one tool and "hard" in another. Always cross-reference. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

Mistake #4: Forgetting About Seasonality

That keyword with 1,000 monthly searches might only get traffic in December. Check Google Trends before committing. Seasonal keywords aren't bad, but you need to know what you're getting into.

Mistake #5: Targeting Too Broad Too Soon

New sites trying to rank for "weight loss" or "digital marketing" is like a garage band trying to fill a stadium. Start narrow, build authority, then expand.

Mistake #6: Not Considering Your Ability to Create Content

You found a great keyword about "advanced quantum physics applications." Can you actually write authoritatively about that? Stick to topics where you can provide genuine value.

Mistake #7: Overlooking Your Existing Rankings

Check Google Search Console for keywords you already rank for in positions 8-20. Optimizing existing content to move up a few spots is often easier than ranking new content from scratch.

For a comprehensive guide on avoiding SEO pitfalls, check out Lovarank Common Mistakes to Avoid in 2025.

How to Prioritize Your Low Competition Keywords

You've got a list of 50 low competition keywords. Now what? You can't write 50 articles tomorrow. Here's how to prioritize:

The Quick Win Formula

Score each keyword on three factors (1-10 scale):

1. Relevance: How closely does it match your niche and expertise?
2. Traffic Potential: Search volume + click-through rate potential
3. Ranking Probability: Based on competition analysis

Multiply the scores. Highest numbers go first.

Example:

• Keyword A: 8 (relevance) × 6 (traffic) × 9 (probability) = 432
• Keyword B: 10 × 4 × 7 = 280

Keyword A wins, even though B is more relevant.

The Business Value Assessment

Some keywords drive traffic that converts; others just drive traffic. Ask:

• Does this keyword attract my ideal customer?
• Will ranking for this support my business goals?
• Can I monetize this traffic?

A keyword with 100 searches that brings qualified leads beats one with 1,000 searches of tire-kickers.

The Content Cluster Strategy

Group related keywords into topic clusters. If you have:

• "how to meal prep for beginners"
• "meal prep containers for weight loss"
• "meal prep recipes high protein"

These form a cluster. Create a pillar page about meal prep, then supporting articles for each keyword. This builds topical authority faster than random articles.

The Time-to-Rank Factor

Some keywords you can rank for in weeks; others take months. When starting out, prioritize quick wins to build momentum and see results. Nothing kills motivation like waiting six months for your first rankings.

Look for keywords where:

• Top results have low domain authority
• Content quality is poor
• The topic is straightforward to cover comprehensively

The Seasonal Timing

If it's September and you found great keywords about Christmas gifts, write those articles now. You need 2-3 months for Google to index and rank them before the season hits.

Create a content calendar that accounts for seasonal keywords 3-4 months in advance.

Start with 5-10 Keywords

Don't overwhelm yourself. Pick your top 5-10 keywords and create exceptional content for those first. Once they're ranking, move to the next batch.

Quality beats quantity every time. One well-researched, comprehensive article will outperform five mediocre ones.

If you're looking to scale this process without the manual work, Beginner's Guide to SEO Automation explains how automation can help you manage larger keyword portfolios efficiently.

Scaling Your Keyword Research Strategy

Once you've mastered finding low competition keywords manually, you'll hit a ceiling. There are only so many hours in the day.

This is where smart automation comes in. I'm not talking about replacing your strategy—I'm talking about amplifying it.

Platforms like Lovarank take the process we've covered and run it continuously in the background. The AI discovers hidden low-competition keywords you'd never find manually, generates optimized content, and publishes it automatically.

Think about it: instead of spending 3 hours researching keywords and finding 10 good ones, an automated system can analyze thousands of keyword opportunities daily and identify the absolute best ones based on your specific niche and competition level.

The key is combining your strategic thinking with automation's scale. You set the direction and quality standards; the system handles the repetitive research and execution.

For content creators and businesses serious about organic growth, this approach means going from publishing 2-3 optimized articles per month to 2-3 per day—without sacrificing quality or burning out.

Learn more about Content Creation for Organic Growth to see how successful sites are scaling their keyword strategies in 2025.

Your Next Steps

You now have everything you need to find low competition keywords without spending a cent. Here's what to do today:

1. Pick one free tool from the list above and create an account
2. Write down 5 seed keywords related to your niche
3. Spend 30 minutes generating keyword variations
4. Manually check the SERPs for your top 5 candidates
5. Choose one keyword and outline your first article

Don't try to research 100 keywords this week. Start small, learn the process, and build from there.

Remember: the best keyword research strategy is the one you'll actually execute. Perfect is the enemy of done. Find a decent low competition keyword, create great content around it, and publish. Then repeat.

The websites dominating search results didn't get there by overthinking—they got there by consistently publishing optimized content targeting the right keywords. You can do the same thing, starting today, without spending a dollar on tools.

Now stop reading and start researching. Your first ranking is waiting.