Imagine you run a small e‑commerce shop that sells handmade candles. You write a blog post about “how to set a cozy vibe at home,” but it never shows up on Google. You check the search results and see big sites with dozens of backlinks outranking you. You feel stuck. This is a common spot for many marketers. The missing link is often low competition keywords. If you learn how to find low competition keywords, you can grab traffic that big sites ignore. In this guide, we walk through a simple, step‑by‑step plan that anyone can follow. By the end, you’ll have a ready‑to‑use spreadsheet of keywords that are easy to rank for and that match what your audience is actually searching for.
Step 1: Brainstorm Seed Topics
Finding low competition keywords starts with solid seed topics. Seed topics are the big ideas that sit at the heart of your business. Think of them as the main chapters of a book. When you have clear seeds, the rest of the process becomes faster.
Why seed topics matter
Seed topics give direction. They keep you from chasing every random search term that pops up. They also help you stay relevant to your niche. If you write about “candle scents for winter,” you’re already speaking to a specific need.
How to generate seeds
Grab a blank spreadsheet. List the products or services you offer. Then add the problems your customers face. For our candle shop, seeds could be:
- home fragrance ideas
- DIY candle making tips
- seasonal décor trends
- gift ideas for holidays
Next, ask yourself: what would a curious buyer type into Google? Write those phrases next to each seed.
Use tools and people
Google’s “People Also Ask” box is a gold mine. Type a seed phrase, scroll down, and note each question. Add anything that looks like a blog post title. Also, ask a colleague or a friend. Fresh eyes often spot gaps you miss.
When you hit about 10‑15 seed ideas, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 2: Use Keyword Research Tools to Filter Low Competition
Now that you have seeds, you need data. Keyword tools turn vague ideas into numbers you can trust.
Pick a tool that shows difficulty
KeySearch, mentioned in a 2026 blog post, gives a clear Keyword Difficulty (KD) score and search volume (SV). The same post advises using the tool’s “Brainstorm” feature to expand your list automatically.
Another solid option is SE Ranking. Its Keyword Tool breaks down each term into difficulty, volume, CPC, and competition.
Load your seeds and expand
- Enter each seed phrase into the tool.
- Export the generated list of related keywords.
- Paste the list into your spreadsheet.
Now you have 100+ potential keywords. That’s a healthy pool for filtering.
Filter by low difficulty and decent volume
Sort the spreadsheet by KD score. Look for values under 20 (on a 0‑100 scale). Then check the volume column. Keywords with 100‑500 monthly searches are often sweet spots for new sites.
KeySearch’s SERP analysis can also show the Domain Authority (DA) of the top ranking pages. If the top page has a DA lower than your KD score, the keyword is likely easy to beat.
Score and rank your list
Give each keyword a volume score (1‑5) and a difficulty score (5‑1). Add the two scores together. The highest totals become your “gold nuggets.”
Here’s a quick template you can copy:
- Keyword
- Search Volume
- KD Score
- Volume Rating (1‑5)
- Difficulty Rating (5‑1)
- Total Score (2‑10)
Focus first on the top 10‑15 scores. Those are the best chances to rank fast.
For more on tool selection, see 12 Best SEO Tools for Small Business (2025 Review). It lists KeySearch, SE Ranking, and other options that work well for low competition research.
Step 3: Analyze SERP Features and Competitor Strength
Having a list is half the battle. You now need to see who actually owns the top spots for each keyword.
Collect the top‑10 URLs
Use a SERP scraper or a tool like Term Explorer. Export the first page URLs for each keyword. You’ll get a CSV with columns for domain, backlinks, DA, and more.
What to look for
Low competition keywords often have:
- Top pages with DA under 30.
- Few backlinks (under 20).
- No obvious keyword targeting in the title.
- Thin content or outdated information.
When you see a result that matches these traits, mark it green in your sheet. If a result has high DA or many backlinks, mark it red.
Example: “portable gym equipment”
SE Ranking shows this term has a difficulty of 15 and 210 US searches per month. The top page’s DA is 22, with only 12 backlinks. That’s a clear low‑competition win.
Compare against your own site
Note your site’s Domain Trust (DT) or Domain Authority. If your DT is close to or higher than the competitor’s DA, you stand a good chance.
| Metric | Low‑Comp Example | High‑Comp Example |
|---|---|---|
| DA of top page | 22 | 70+ |
| Backlinks | 12 | 150+ |
| Search intent match | Yes | No |
When you filter out the red rows, the remaining green rows become your priority list.
For deeper insight on SERP analysis, check out How to Perform a Detailed SERP Analysis to Find Low‑Difficulty Keywords and SEM Rush guide on competitor keywords. Both explain why low‑authority pages can be outranked with quality content.
Also, you might find a relevant external guide on photo booth rentals that mentions choosing the right equipment for events. For a fun side read, see How to Choose the Perfect Prom Photo Booth Rental for an Unforgettable Night. It’s a good reminder that niche topics often have low competition.
Step 4: Prioritize and Validate Keywords for Content Creation
Now you have a clean list of low competition gems. The final step is to turn them into content that Google loves.
Match keyword to intent
Ask: does the searcher want to learn, buy, or compare? For “DIY candle making tips,” the intent is informational. Write a how‑to guide that solves a problem.
Check search volume trends
Use Google Trends to see if interest is rising or falling. If a term spikes during the holiday season, plan to publish a week before the peak.
Build a content calendar
Take your top 10‑15 keywords and assign each to a publishing date. Include a headline, a short outline, and a target word count (1,200‑1,500 words works well).
Validate with a quick audit
Before you write, run a SERP check for the exact keyword. Verify that no page already covers the same angle you plan to use. If the top results are thin, you have a clear opening.
When you’re ready, you can let Distribb’s AI engine draft the first draft. It will pull in the keyword, add internal links, and suggest a meta description. For a look at how AI can speed this up, read How an Automated SEO and Content Marketing Platform Transforms Your Digital Strategy.
Don’t forget to sprinkle in a few related keywords from your spreadsheet. That boosts topical depth and helps Google see you as an authority.
Finally, track performance. After publishing, watch the keyword’s ranking for four weeks. If it climbs into the top 10, celebrate. If not, tweak the content, add a video, or improve internal linking.
For more ideas on picking the right niche, check out Photo Booth Rental for Graduation Party: A Step‑by‑Step Guide. It shows how a narrow event‑type can have low competition.
Also see How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Photo Booth Rental: A Step‑by‑Step Guide for another example of a niche topic that ranks well with the right keyword focus.
Explore Mirror Photo Booth Rental: 7 Must‑Know Tips for an Unforgettable Event to see how a specific product type creates a low‑competition opportunity.
Read Photo Booth Rental Murrieta: A Complete Guide for 2026 Events for a location‑based keyword example.
Check How to Choose the Best Corporate Event Photo Booth Rental for Your Business for B2B niche ideas.
Finally, look at Everything You Need to Know About 360 Video Booth Rental for a tech‑focused, low‑competition keyword.
And for a regional angle, see Your Complete Guide to Photo Booth Rental Temecula for Unforgettable Events.
Last but not least, explore Your Complete Guide to Photo Booth Rental San Diego for a city‑specific example.
Conclusion
Learning how to find low competition keywords is a game changer for any small site. Start with clear seed topics, expand with a reliable tool, filter by difficulty and volume, and then vet the SERP landscape. Prioritize the green‑flag results, match them to search intent, and slot them into a content calendar. When you follow this process, you’ll see rankings climb without needing a massive backlink budget.
If you want a hands‑free way to keep the pipeline full, Distribb can run the research, draft the posts, and even push them to your CMS. The system also adds internal links automatically, which helps boost the authority of each new page.
Take the first step today. Open a spreadsheet, list a few seed ideas, and watch how quickly the “gold nugget” keywords appear.
FAQ
What is a low competition keyword?
A low competition keyword is a search phrase that has few strong sites ranking for it. It usually shows a low Keyword Difficulty score and modest search volume. Targeting these terms lets new sites rank faster and gain steady traffic.
How many keywords should I start with?
Begin with at least 100 seed ideas. After filtering by difficulty and volume, you’ll end up with 20‑30 strong low competition keywords. Those are enough to fill a quarterly content calendar.
Can I use free tools to find low competition keywords?
Yes. Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and the free version of KeySearch can give you volume and difficulty data. Pair them with manual SERP checks to confirm low competition.
How often should I refresh my keyword list?
Run the process every three months. Search trends shift, and new low‑hanging fruit appear. Updating your list keeps your content pipeline fresh and aligned with user intent.
What role does search intent play in keyword selection?
Intent tells you what the user wants—info, a purchase, or a comparison. Aligning your content with intent improves click‑through rates and helps Google rank your page higher.
Is it okay to target short‑tail keywords with low competition?
Sometimes short‑tail terms have low competition if few sites focus on them. Check the difficulty score; if it’s low and the intent matches, you can rank for them without needing many backlinks.
Should I worry about backlinks for low competition keywords?
Backlinks still matter, but low‑competition pages often rank with just a few quality links. Focus first on strong, relevant content; then add natural backlinks over time.
How does Distribb help with low competition keyword research?
Distribb’s AI scans your niche, finds low‑difficulty terms, builds a rolling content calendar, drafts SEO‑ready articles, and publishes them automatically. It removes the manual grind and lets you focus on strategy.