How to Do Low Competition Keyword Research to Take Off in Your Rankings

In the world of digital entrepreneurship and online presence, the keyword research is one of the most important benchmarks for the success of a website. Whether you're a brand new blogger or a company with years of experience in e-commerce, careful selection of the right keywords is often crucial to the performance of your SEO and content optimization efforts. As simple as it sounds, finding and leveraging low competition keywords is not always an easy process, especially if you don't have the right tools or methodology.

In this article we will discuss in detail the importance of selecting keywords with low competition, the role of the search volume and the keyword difficulty, as well as the practical steps proposed for the use of tools such as the SEMrush. At the same time, we will touch on additional elements concerning the competitor analysis, the organic traffic, the Google ranking, the long tail keywords, the on-page SEO optimization, the SERP analysis, the issues of backlink profile, the actions content marketing, the use of advertisements through Google Ads campaigns, the possibility of profit through affiliate marketing and, of course, the optimisation of the overall blogging strategy Your. The selection and proper use of these tools and tactics, combined with good strategy, can help you gain traffic and improve your conversions without getting killed in the competitive arena.

The following text aims to guide you step by step, with extensive examples and tips from practical experience, so that you can choose the right keywords, integrate them effectively into your content and accurately measure their effect. At the same time, it draws key insights from original article to give you as complete a picture as possible. So let's start with an introduction to the fundamentals of Keyword Research and their importance in today's digital reality.

Why Keyword Research is important

The role of Keyword Research in SEO strategy

The keyword research is the first step in any successful SEO strategy. It is the process of identifying the phrases that users use in search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) to find information, products or services. In practice, Keyword Research not only reveals to you what your audience is "asking" for, but also how you can tailor your content in such a way that you can meet those needs and emerge high in the search results.

Correlation with Search Volume and Keyword Difficulty

The two main elements that are taken into account in any Keyword Research are:

• Search Volume: Refers to the average number of monthly searches for a keyword. The higher the search volume, the larger the potential audience you can reach.
• Keyword Difficulty: This is an indicator that rates how difficult it is to achieve high rankings for a particular keyword. The more competitive (high keyword difficulty score) a keyword is, the harder it becomes to get on the first page of search engines.

The essence is in the right balance: The goal is to find keywords with sufficient search volume, but also relatively low competition (i.e. keywords that are not out of reach, especially if your site is not yet very strong).

What are Low Competition Keywords

As low competition keywords define keywords with a relatively low competition index. Usually, they have more specialized meanings or appeal to smaller niche audiences. Their advantage is that they offer an easier "path" to gaining a high position in search results, compared to giant keywords already dominated by big brands and sites with strong backlink profiles.

Utilising techniques competitor analysis you can get ideas for such keywords, as you will sequentially identify which keywords bring traffic to other websites in your industry but are not too competitive. Choosing them is not just a matter of luck; on the contrary, it's a fairly systematic process, which we'll discuss below, especially by utilizing tools such as SEMrush.

Why Focus on Low Competition Keywords

The reason that the low competition keywords are considered so important is that they offer a realistic chance for "small to medium sized" websites to appear on the first page or, ideally, in the top 3 of Google (or other engines) results. As the search volume on these keywords may be moderate (or even low compared to the general ones), they may have a high purchase or informational intent. This translates into higher conversion rates as you are reaching an audience that has a very specific intent.

To better understand the steps required to find such keywords, let's take a closer look at the popular tools used for this purpose, such as SEMrush.

Using SEMrush to find Low Competition Keywords

The SEMrush is one of the most well-known tools for keyword research, competitor analysis, SERP analysis and overall content strategy. It has a wide range of features that can help you identify exactly the keywords you need, including those with low competition.

General overview (Keyword Overview)

The "Keyword Overview" section in SEMrush offers a first look at a keyword or keyword phrase you want to analyze. Specifically, you will see:

• The search volume: The average monthly searches.
• The Keyword Difficulty: A score from 0 to 100 indicating how demanding it is to target that keyword.
• Information about the related keywords and the long tail keywords that are similar or related to the main keyword.

To start the search low competition keywords, you can put in a keyword term. Then, notice the difficulty score: if the score is in the range of say 30-50 (depending on the industry), it might be a good opportunity to target that keyword. If it is in a very high range (70-90+), then it is probably extremely difficult to gain significant positions, at least immediately.

Keyword Magic Tool

One of the most powerful features of SEMrush is the Keyword Magic Tool. It is a tool that allows you to refine your search and filter results based on:

• Search volume
• keyword difficulty
• SERP features
• Level of competition in advertising (for Google Ads campaigns)
• etc.

In this way, you can set the filters to identify keywords with specific specifications. For example, if your goal is to find keywords with a search volume between 1,000 and 5,000, but with a keyword difficulty below 50, then you can set this exactly in the settings and see results that meet these requirements.

In addition, the Keyword Magic Tool also provides you with a list of long tail keywords. These keywords are usually longer phrases (3-5+ words) and tend to have even lower competition and a more targeted audience. They may not have huge search numbers, but they fit the logic of low competition keywords, especially if you are just starting out or if you want to expand your topics to niche topics.

Competitor Analysis (Competitor Analysis)

Once you have collected a list of potential keywords, an excellent next step is to competitor analysis. At this stage, instead of acting "blindly", you go through the process of seeing:

• Which competitors already rank high for these keywords?
• What is the backlink profile of these competitors?
• What kind of content do they offer to earn these rankings?

SEMrush has special tools for competitor analysis, such as "Domain Overview", where you can enter a competitor's domain and see the keywords they offer organic traffic. Then from these keywords, filter to find those with lower competition. That way, you can identify "opportunity gaps" that may not have crossed your mind.

Practical Steps for Finding Low Competition Keywords

Let's look at a more step-by-step process that combines the capabilities of SEMrush, along with some additional techniques.

Definition of Thematic Sections

Before you even open a tool, define the topics that relate to your website or brand. For example, if you are in the fitness industry, the themes might be:

• Exercises with weights
• Aerobic gymnastics
• Nutrition and supplements
• Injury rehabilitation
• Wellness and lifestyle tips

In each section, you can create an initial shot of keywords that you think your audience is using.

Initial research with Keyword Overview or Keyword Magic Tool

With SEMrush:

1. Enter a basic keyword (e.g. "home workout").
2. Select the appropriate language and target country (if you are targeting the Greek market, select Greek/Greece).
3. Press search.

The tool will show you the search volume, the keyword difficulty and a list of associated keywords. Filter to identify those that have sufficient search volume, but keyword difficulty that is not "scary". This will be your first "basket" of keywords.

Use of filters for competition

In SEMrush there is an option to filter your results based on the level of competition itself. For example, you can set the following:

• Search Volume > 500
• Keyword Difficulty < 50 or 40
• etc.

Thus, the tool narrows down the list to more realistic alternatives that don't require a huge budget or powerful domain authority.

SERP analysis

Once you have found a list of potential keywords, it is important to make a SERP analysis. This means typing the keyword into the search engine and seeing:

• What kind of content appears on the front page (blogs, e-shops, forums, etc.)?
• Are the top pages large websites with millions of backlinks or smaller, local pages that you can compete with?
• Are there additional SERP features (e.g. featured snippets, knowledge panels, People Also Ask)?

This way, you get a more "live" picture of the competition and can get ideas on how to improve your own content. You can also identify any gaps in the information provided. If you find that the top pages don't fully cover a subtopic or have quite "shallow" information, you can capitalise on this by creating something more in-depth and "fresh".

Detailed competitive research

Many times your competitor may be targeting keywords that are not completely obvious. For this, take advantage of SEMrush's "Domain Overview":

1. Enter the domain of a competitor.
2. See which keywords bring them movement.
3. Consider the keyword difficulty for each.
4. Add any variations to your own list.

If you find that a competitor is getting significant organic traffic from a keyword that also has low competition, this is potentially a gift for you. Obviously, you will include that keyword in your content, ensuring that you are offering at least as good (if not better) content than the competitor.

4. Strategies for Using Keywords in Content

Finding the low competition keywords is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in how you integrate them into your content to achieve the Google ranking that you envision.

on-page SEO

The on-page SEO is the backbone of any optimal optimization effort. Some points to watch out for:

• Page Title (Title Tag): Include your focus keyword or your main keyword.
• Meta Description: Include the keyword, but keep the flow of the text natural.
• Heading Tags (H1, H2, H3...): Use your keywords wisely in titles and subtitles.
• Keyword Density (Keyword Density): Do not fill the text with repetitive keywords. Google has become much smarter and can "penalize" keyword stuffing. Prefer a natural flow and use synonyms or similar concepts when needed.
• Internal & External Linking (Internal & External Linking): As you create articles, link them together with anchor text containing keywords. Externally, be sure to link to credible sources or relevant pages that enhance the credibility of the content.

content marketing

One of the reasons why the content marketing strategy is considered essential is that, through it, you can produce a constant stream of quality content for the keywords you are targeting. Instead of creating a single article for a specific keyword, consider creating a series of articles, videos, infographics, etc. This way, you cover the topic in depth and offer a plethora of entry points to users, covering successive Google searches.

Especially for the low competition keywords, creating more, but quality, content on a niche topic can allow you to become an "authority" in that niche. Over time, the public will associate your website name with credible information, which will also boost your overall domain authority.

Update your content frequently

Google's algorithm loves "fresh" content. If you have articles that target specific keywords, return to them periodically and update them with new information, examples, statistics or developments. Taking constant care of content not only keeps users interested, but also sends positive signals to search engines that your page is up-to-date.

Encourage social interaction

Although social media is not a direct factor in Google ranking, it can indirectly contribute to the spread of your content and the acquisition of backlinks. Thus, a strong strategy that includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok can help you gain awareness and potentially attract more natural backlinks (and thus boost backlink profile).

Advanced techniques and examples

Use of Topic Clusters

A modern technique in content optimization is the creation of "topic clusters". That is, you organize your content around a main "pillar page", where you briefly cover a broad topic, and then link individual articles (cluster content) that delve into subtopics or long tail keywords on the issue of the pillar.

For example, if you have a travel website, you can have a pillar "Guide to Alternative Forms of Travel in Europe" and then smaller articles for each country/city, using low competition keywords such as "unpopular areas in Tuscany for families", etc. Google tends to favour these content structures as they are more organised and help users find all the information they need.

Combination of PPC & SEO

Although this article focuses on organic search, in some cases it may be in your best interest to combine SEO with advertising campaigns, such as Google Ads campaigns. In SEMrush, you can see the CPC (Cost Per Click) for each keyword and identify opportunities for low advertising costs but good ROI. Especially if you are targeting low competition keywords, advertising costs may be comparatively low, while the conversion rate may be higher due to the higher specialisation of the audience.

Affiliate Marketing opportunities

If you are active in affiliate marketing, low-competition keywords can be a "gold mine". By targeting keyword phrases with purchase intent (e.g. "Best budget laptops for students"), you may find an audience that is already near the latter stage of the market. There, with proper product or service presentation and using affiliate links, the likelihood of conversion is much higher.

Correlation Keywords with higher search volume

The main goal of many is to achieve high rankings for keywords with high search volume, such as "Keyword Research" (which is our Focus Keyword). However, at the same time, we also want a "reservoir" of secondary keywords that will yield cumulatively significant traffic. Using SEMrush, you can find:

• Related Phrases (Related Keywords)
• Alternative terms (Synonyms)
• "People also search for"

Each of these can have its own volume, and sometimes "related" phrases can collect more traffic overall than a single high-volume keyword. Therefore, don't assume that only high keywords have value. Often, the magic lies in mass targeting several smaller keywords, especially when they are low competition.

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Tips for the future of your strategy

Performance monitoring

After creating your content and ranking it for specific keywords, you need to systematically monitor your SERP position. SEMrush (or other rank tracking tools) allow you to see how your ranking is shaping up day by day. This way, you can proceed with optimizations, content refreshes or even develop additional topic articles for further enhancement.

Maintaining the balance

Remember that keyword research is not a "put in a keyword and that's it" process. It's about continually evaluating performance, monitoring your competition and improving your strategy. A successful SEO effort results from a combination of factors, including:

• Optimize the speed of the site.
• Good UX/UI design.
• Proper architecture.
• Quality content.
• Link to strong backlinks.

Multiple sources and channels

In addition to SEMrush, there are other tools that can enrich your research, such as Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, Moz, and even tools/sites like AnswerThePublic. Feel free to combine data from multiple sources to get a more global picture of keyword opportunities.

Case studies and current trends

The world of SEO and Content Marketing is constantly evolving. It's good to watch case studies from other businesses or industry experts. Sometimes, a seemingly "alternative" method can bring about impressive results if it matches your audience and brand. In addition, stay aware of any changes in search engine algorithms, especially if major updates are expected that may affect your rankings.

Summarizing

The search and exploitation low competition keywords is one of the most effective strategies, especially for those who want to quickly improve their rankings or "build" a strong base of traffic organics. With the SEMrush and other tools, you have access to detailed data on search volume, keyword difficulty, SERPs and competition. This allows you to take targeted actions on-page SEO, to create high-quality content (content marketing), to develop powerful backlink profile and achieve high Google ranking.

Remember that the process of keyword research (Focus Keyword) never ends. User preferences change, new keywords emerge, and competition follows. So, combine your plan with continuous improvement and testing. Test which keywords perform best, adjust your content, improve the user experience, and continue to produce valuable content. This will help you not only show up on the first page of search results, but also maintain that position over the long term.

Good luck in your effort to discover and exploit low competition keywords. With an organized plan, the right tools, hard work and a little creativity, you will be able to unlock the unlimited opportunities that the keyword research in conjunction with a broader strategy SEO and content marketing.

Source: How to Find Low Competition Keywords with SEMrush