How to Find Low-Competition Keywords?

When it comes to search marketing, there are always new opportunities to uncover keywords with different levels of competition and difficulty.

In this guide, we’ll focus on low-competition keywords—those that are easier to rank for but still valuable for your marketing campaigns.

The strategies and tools I’ll share here are ones I personally use, but there are plenty of other approaches you can explore. My main goal is to help you find SEO-friendly keywords, though these techniques work for other marketing channels too.

Using Free Tools for Keyword Research

You don’t always need expensive tools to find great keywords. Some of the best options are completely free, including:

Other free (or limited free versions) of tools like ChatGPT, Semrush, and Screaming Frog can also be useful. While these require more manual work compared to premium tools, they give you valuable insights and help refine your keyword research process.

Step-by-Step Keyword Research with Free Tools

Let’s walk through a simple method to uncover low-competition keywords, starting with an analysis of your top competitors.

Step 1: Identify Topics from Competitor Websites

Start by checking out the top three competitor websites in your industry. Look at their main categories and content topics.

You can do this manually or use the free version ofScreaming Frog(which crawls up to 500 pages) to get a deeper look at their content structure.

Take note of any major topics that your competitors cover but your website doesn’t. If you need more insights, tools likeAhrefsandSemrush(both offer free trials) can help you compare keyword rankings and content gaps.

Also Read:How to Balance Keywords with Quality?

Step 2: Explore Related Topics and Questions

Once you identify content gaps, the next step is to understand what people are searching for around those topics.

A great free tool for this isAnswerThePublic. Simply enter your main keyword (e.g., “SEO agency”), and it will generate a list of common questions, comparisons, and related terms people search for.

Exporting this data will give you a better idea of what your target audience wants to know. Many of these terms will have low competition and lower search volume individually, but when grouped into a topic, they create strong ranking opportunities.

Step 3: Double-Check with AI

AI tools likeChatGPTcan help you validate your keyword list and content framework.

To use it:

AI can help identify missing keywords, refine your content strategy, and even suggest new subtopics to explore.

Step 4: Use Google Search Operators to Find More Gaps

Now that you have your keyword list, it’s time to check how much competition exists for them.

You can do this usingGoogle search operators. For example:

These search tricks help you uncover content gaps and opportunities for low-competition keywords.

Also Read:How to Use FAQs for Content Ideas?

Step 5: Prioritize Keywords with Google Keyword Planner

Once you have a solid list of keywords, plug them intoGoogle Keyword Plannerto check important metrics like:

This data helps you prioritize which keywords to focus on—whether short-term quick wins or long-term content strategies.

Finding Trending Keywords for Quick Wins

Targetingemerging trendsis another great way to rank before competition increases.

Google Trendscan help you spot rising search terms before they become too competitive. For example, if you search “Google updates,” you’ll see peaks and dips in interest over time. If you create content during a low-interest period, you’ll be well-positioned when demand surges.

Optimizing for Conversational Search

More people are using voice search and natural language queries, which means longer, more conversational keyword phrases are becoming important.

To find these opportunities, try:

These often reveal5 to 10-word phrasesthat are easier to rank for. Adding FAQ sections and using more natural language in your content can help capture this traffic.

Also Read:Does Regular Blogging Boost SEO?

Final Thoughts

By using free tools and simple research techniques, you can uncover valuable low-competition keywords and create content that ranks well without spending a fortune on SEO tools.

The key is to:

• Analyze competitorsfor topic gaps
• Use AIto refine your keyword strategy
• Check competitionusing Google search operators
• Prioritize keywordswith Google Keyword Planner
• Target trending topicsbefore they get competitive
• Optimize for conversational search

With these strategies, you’ll have a strong keyword list and a content roadmap that can drive traffic and rankings over time. 🚀