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Standing out in search engine results can be a challenge, especially when big brands dominate the space. The secret lies in targeting less competitive keywords. These niche terms provide a pathway to higher rankings and better audience reach without stretching your resources too thin by tapping into more tailored search opportunities.
Why Start Your SEO with Less Competitive Keywords
When you're new to the SEO scene, it's hard to compete with established websites that dominate popular search terms. Which is where less competition keywords come in because they have less content competing for them. Making it easier for your website to rank higher in search engine results.
Not only will there be fewer websites trying to rank for less competitive keywords, but the people searching for it are likely looking for exactly what you offer, helping you to connect with your ideal audience faster and with fewer resources.
These keywords also help you build authority over time, so by focusing on niche, less competitive terms, you can steadily increase your website’s visibility and credibility. The more keywords you rank for, the more your domain’s topical authority grows and the better positioned you’ll be to go after more competitive keywords.
Remember, targeting less competitive keywords doesn’t mean ignoring high-volume terms entirely. It’s about creating a strong foundation that supports future growth.
Techniques for Identifying Less Competitive Keywords
1. Use Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are usually three or more words long and describe more specific search queries. While they have lower search volumes, they’re often easier to rank for and tend to bring in highly targeted traffic. For example, instead of “coffee maker” consider “handcrafted American espresso machine”. These specific terms are less competitive but still valuable.
2. Explore Google’s Related Searches and Suggestions
When you type a query into Google, pay attention to the autocomplete suggestions and the “related searches” section at the bottom of the page. These are goldmines for discovering less competitive keywords.
3. Leverage Tools for Keyword Difficulty
Free and paid tools can help you evaluate the competitiveness of keywords. For example, Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that offers data on search volume and competition levels. While tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush are both paid, they provide great in-depth analysis of keyword difficulty and competitive insights.
4. Monitor Trends with Google Trends and TikTok
Google Trends reveals rising and seasonal keyword opportunities. Pair this with TikTok to identify trending topics and niche keywords through comments and related content. Social platforms often highlight up and coming terms before they appear in traditional SEO tools.
Cross-Referencing and Validation
Not all low competition keywords are worth pursuing, so it’s best to cross-reference your findings in SERPs to assess the competition. Look out for high-authority competitors and avoid targeting keywords dominated by these large players unless you can offer unique value. Focus on niches where competitors have minimal or weak content. This step will ensure you are investing effort in keywords that align with your goals.
Actionable Tips to Begin Today
- Set Up Google Keyword Planner to unlock detailed keyword data without spending on ads.
- Experiment with Niche Content by testing small-scale campaigns targeting long-tail keywords to see what resonates with your audience.
- Explore Unconventional Platforms like TikTok and Reddit, for example, can provide fresh keyword ideas that traditional tools might miss.
Over time, ranking for less competitive keywords will help build your website’s authority, providing a better foundation to compete for broader terms with higher search demand. That’s not to say you should completely eradicate high competition keywords from your content, one option is to work them in without making them your primary focus and by sprinkling it into your content it can help build your site’s topical authority over time. The balance lies on low-competition keywords to drive short-term traffic gains and work high-competition keywords into your long-term SEO game plan.
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