If you want steady blog traffic without fighting huge sites, targeting low-competition keywords is one of the smartest moves. Low-competition keywords are search phrases that fewer or weaker pages try to rank for, so you have a better chance of appearing in Google’s top results. Understanding how competition is measured and using the right tools and steps will help you pick keywords that bring real visitors without huge effort. (Search Atlas - Advanced SEO Software)
Why low-competition keywords matter
Big, broad keywords (like “best smartphones”) are expensive and crowded. New or small blogs usually lose out to established sites with lots of backlinks and authority. Low-competition keywords tend to be longer, more specific, and closer to what a real user would type when they want an exact answer. When you rank for several of these specific phrases, the combined traffic can be as valuable — and often more targeted — than a single broad keyword. Tools that score “keyword difficulty” combine many signals (backlinks, page authority, content relevance) to estimate how hard a keyword is to rank for, but you don’t need perfect scores to start; you need smart choice. (Search Atlas - Advanced SEO Software)
How to spot low-competition keywords (step by step)
Start with a topic you know or want to write about. From there, use a mix of tools and human checks to find phrases that are useful for readers and easier to rank for.
First, list possible seed phrases — short ideas related to your topic. Then expand them into longer questions and specific phrases people actually search (examples: “how to fix X without Y”, “best … for beginners”, “X vs Y for small budgets”). Long-tail keywords like these are often less competitive and show clearer user intent. Long-tail strategy remains one of the best methods to find low-competition opportunities. (Semrush)
Next, use a keyword tool (free or paid) to check search volume and difficulty. Free tools like Google Keyword Planner and browser extensions such as Keyword Surfer or Wordtracker Scout help you quickly filter options without paying. These tools won’t be perfect, but they give a solid starting picture of search interest and competition. (Zapier)
Finally, always check the actual Google results (the SERP) for any keyword you like: who ranks on page one, what kind of content (forums, product pages, blogs), and whether those pages look easy or hard to outrank. If a SERP is full of big, authoritative sites, skip that keyword. If you see local blogs, niche hobby sites, or Q&A pages, it’s probably a better target.
Practical ways to discover low-competition keywords
There are several practical tactics that combine tools with observation:
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Use autocomplete and related searches. Type a seed phrase into Google and look at autocomplete suggestions, “People also ask,” and the “related searches” at the bottom. These often contain question-style or long-tail phrases people actually use.
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Read forums and Q&A sites. Places like Reddit, Quora, and niche forums reveal the exact language users use when they search. Turn those user questions into blog topics.
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Check social search. Social platforms (TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest) show trends and question phrases that aren’t always saturated on Google yet; they can be a source of untapped keywords.
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Scan competitor’s lower pages. Use a simple tool to see what low-traffic but ranking pages your competitors have — sometimes they rank for very specific phrases you can target with a better page.
These tactics are recommended by SEO practitioners because they combine human intent with data and often uncover keywords that tools miss. (surferseo.com)
How to evaluate a candidate keyword quickly
When you find a possible keyword, ask three quick questions:
• Does the search phrase match a clear user intent? If it’s an informational question, your post should answer it directly.
• Is the search volume worth it? Low competition keywords often have lower volume, but if intent is strong you can still get valuable traffic.
• Who ranks now? Open the top five results and check domain strength, backlink counts, and content quality. If top results are thin or from small sites, you have a shot.
A practical rule: aim for keywords where search intent fits your content and where the top results are not dominated by major national sites or large retailers. Tools give you a numeric difficulty score, but the manual SERP check is usually the best final judge. (Search Atlas - Advanced SEO Software)
Writing the post so you can actually rank
Finding a low-competition keyword is only half the job — your article must be helpful and better than what already exists. Follow these simple writing rules:
Write for the reader first. Answer the question fully and plainly. Use short paragraphs and clear headings so people and Google can scan easily.
Match intent. If searchers want a step-by-step guide, give steps. If they want quick tips, keep it concise. Sometimes a long but well-structured guide wins over many short pages.
Add unique details. Examples, fresh screenshots, local data, or your personal tips make a page unique and more likely to rank.
Link wisely. Internally link to related posts on your site and aim to earn one or two external links naturally. Backlinks help, but content that truly helps readers often attracts links on its own.
Update and expand. If a keyword performs, expand it with new sections or refresh numbers. Many top pages started small and grew over time.
Following these content rules helps small blogs beat weaker pages that might be ranking now.
Tools that help (quick overview)
You don’t need all paid tools. Start with the free or low-cost options, and upgrade later if needed. Good starting tools include:
Google Keyword Planner for basic volume ideas, Keyword Surfer to see metrics in-page, and free versions of KWFinder or Ubersuggest for extra ideas. These tools can find long-tail and question keywords that are often low in competition. For deeper competition analysis you can later use services like Ahrefs or SEMrush. (Zapier)
A real example (short walk-through)
Imagine you write about home coffee machines. Seed phrase: “portable espresso machine.” Use autocomplete and find “portable espresso machine for travel” and “portable espresso machine under $100.” Check Keyword Surfer or Google Keyword Planner for volume and difficulty. If volume is modest and SERP is filled with product pages and a few small reviews, you can write a comparative, buyer-focused guide aimed at travelers and include real photos and testing notes. That approach targets user intent (buyers looking to travel with a machine) and avoids the broader, tougher keyword “best espresso machine.” This focused post can rank faster and drive buyers. The same method works across niches. (Semrush)
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
One common error is choosing low-volume words that no one really searches. Balance is key: very obscure phrases may be easy to rank for but bring no traffic. Another mistake is copying competitors’ content without improving it — if you produce the same low-value page, Google has no reason to swap rankings. Finally, ignoring on-page signals like helpful headings, images, and clear answers limits your chance to move up.
Fix these by prioritizing user intent, adding original value, and combining many low-competition posts that target related long-tail keywords. Over time, those grouped posts build topic authority.
How many low-competition posts should you write?
There’s no hard number, but a steady approach wins: publish consistent posts that target related low-competition terms within one niche. Over months, these pages support each other and can help you rank for slightly larger terms too. Think in series — not single posts.
Final checklist before you hit publish
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Keyword intent matches the content.
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SERP is winnable (no massive authority sites dominating).
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Your article adds clear, original value.
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You used tools to confirm some search volume and low difficulty.
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The post has helpful images and clear headings.
If you check these boxes, you’re giving the post the best chance to grow organic traffic.
Finding low-competition keywords is more about strategy than secrets. Use tools to guide you, pay attention to real user language, and write content that solves a specific need. Small, focused wins add up quickly — and before long your blog will attract steady readers without fighting giant national sites.