📅 Published: May 6, 2026 | ✍️ By David Chen | ⏱️ 9 min read | 📊 11,200+ reads
You’ve been told to target keywords with high search volume. But here’s the problem: everyone else is targeting them too. As a small website, you’ll never outrank Forbes or HubSpot for “digital marketing tips.”
The smart strategy? Target low-competition keywords. These are phrases with decent search volume but few websites competing for them. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to find them — using free methods and our keyword generator tool.
What Makes a Keyword “Low Competition”?
A low-competition keyword has three characteristics:
- Low keyword difficulty (KD): Fewer than 10-20 websites actively trying to rank
- Clear search intent: The user knows what they want
- Specific/long-tail: 3+ words (e.g., “best running shoes for flat feet” not “shoes”)
5 Methods to Find Low-Competition Keywords (Free)
Enter a seed keyword and get 12+ long-tail variations instantly. Our tool surfaces specific phrases that competitors often ignore.
Type your seed keyword into Google and see what suggestions appear. Each suggestion is a real search query. Write them down.
Search for your topic and scroll to the PAA section. These questions are goldmines for low-competition keywords.
Scroll to the bottom of search results. The “Related searches” section shows what else people search for.
This tool visualizes questions people ask about your topic. Great for finding content ideas.
Examples of Low-Competition Keywords
How to Verify Keyword Difficulty (Free Methods)
You don’t need expensive SEO tools. Here’s how to check competition manually:
- Check the top 3 results: Are they big brands or small websites? If you see Quora, Reddit, or small blogs — that’s a good sign.
- Look at the search results page: Are there featured snippets, ads, or “People also ask” boxes? More features = higher competition.
- Check domain age: Use a free tool like SmallSEOTools to see how old the top ranking domains are. Newer domains are easier to beat.
A Simple Workflow for Finding Keywords
- Brainstorm 5-10 seed topics related to your niche
- Use our Keyword Idea Tool on each seed term
- Collect 20-30 long-tail keyword ideas
- Check the top 3 results for each (using manual method above)
- Pick 3-5 low-competition keywords to target this month
- Write one blog post per keyword (aim for 1,500+ words)
- Track rankings and repeat
Real Example: Before vs After
Bad keyword (high competition): “marketing tips” — 100,000+ results, dominated by Forbes, HubSpot, Neil Patel
Good keyword (low competition): “marketing tips for small construction companies” — 500 results, mostly small blogs. Much easier to rank.
Final Thoughts
Stop chasing impossible keywords. Focus on specific, long-tail phrases that your ideal customer is actually searching for. Build authority on these topics, and over time, you’ll rank for broader terms too.
Start with one low-competition keyword this week. Write the best content on the internet for that query. I promise you’ll see results.