How to Find Low-Competition Keywords (2026 Guide)
If you’re a new or small site, chasing high-volume head terms is a losing game — you’ll be buried under domains with years of authority. The faster path to traffic is finding low-competition keywords: specific, lower-volume searches you can realistically rank for now. This guide shows you exactly how to find them in 2026, including the AI-search angle most guides miss.
What “low competition” really means
A low-competition keyword is one where the pages currently ranking are weak enough that a well-optimised post from your site can realistically join or beat them. It’s not just about a tool’s “difficulty” score — it’s about whether the actual top results are thin, outdated, off-topic, or written by sites no stronger than yours.
Low competition usually means lower search volume too, and that’s fine: ten focused posts ranking #1 for specific terms beat one post stuck on page 5 for a popular one.
Where to find keyword ideas
- Google autocomplete & “People Also Ask” — free, and straight from real searchers.
- “Searches related to” at the bottom of the results page.
- Free tools like Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic, and Keyword Surfer.
- Your own Search Console — queries you already get impressions for but rank #8–20 are prime targets.
- Competitor gaps — topics similar sites rank for that you haven’t covered.
For a full walkthrough, see our guides on keyword research and keyword research with ChatGPT.
How to judge competition (without paid tools)
Search your target keyword and study the first page honestly:
- Who’s ranking? If it’s all huge brands, move on. If you see forums, thin pages, or small sites, that’s an opening.
- How good are the pages? Outdated, shallow, or off-intent results signal you can do better.
- Does the intent match a post you can write? If the results are products and you’d write a guide, intent is mismatched.
Go long-tail and specific
Long-tail keywords — three or more words, highly specific — are where low competition lives. “SEO course” is brutal; “self-paced SEO course for content writers” is winnable. They also tend to convert better because the searcher knows exactly what they want.
Find keywords with AI
AI tools like ChatGPT are excellent for expanding a seed topic into dozens of specific, question-shaped keyword ideas in seconds. Ask it to “list 30 long-tail questions a beginner would ask about [topic], grouped by intent.” You still validate demand and competition manually, but it dramatically speeds up ideation — and question-shaped keywords double as great targets for AI search and featured snippets.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting difficulty scores blindly. Always eyeball the actual results page.
- Ignoring intent. Ranking for a keyword whose searchers want something you don’t offer is wasted effort.
- Chasing zero-volume terms. Low competition is good; no demand is not.
- One keyword per post obsession. Target a primary keyword plus the related questions around it.
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Enrol in the Masterclass →Frequently asked questions
What is a good keyword difficulty for a new site?
As a rough guide, new sites should target keywords with low difficulty scores and weak top-ranking pages. More important than any single number is whether the actual first-page results look beatable — thin, outdated, or low-authority pages signal a winnable keyword.
Are low-competition keywords worth it if volume is low?
Yes. Several low-volume keywords you rank #1 for will out-earn one high-volume keyword you can’t crack. Long-tail terms also convert better because the searcher’s intent is specific and clear.
Can I find low-competition keywords for free?
Absolutely. Google autocomplete, People Also Ask, related searches, Keyword Planner, and your own Search Console data are all free and surface excellent low-competition ideas. Paid tools speed things up but aren’t required.
How do I know if a keyword matches my content?
Search it and look at what ranks. If the results match the kind of page you’d create (e.g. a how-to guide), the intent fits. If they’re a different format (products, tools, videos), the keyword may not suit your post.