Boost Your Blog Traffic by Finding Low Competition Keywords

Struggling to grow your blog traffic? This post reveals the secret to finding low competition keywords that can help you rank faster and drive consistent organic traffic. Learn proven strategies, free tools, and practical tips to uncover keyword gems and boost your blog’s visibility—even if you’re just starting out.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Struggling to get traffic to your blog despite publishing tons of content? You might be aiming too high with competitive keywords. That’s where low competition keywords come in.
Think of it like fishing in a quiet lake instead of the ocean. There may be fewer fish, but you’ll catch them faster—and they’re often just as valuable.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to find these underrated keyword gems and use them to boost your blog traffic faster than you think.

Understanding Keyword Competition

What Are Low Competition Keywords?

Low competition keywords are search terms that don’t have many strong websites competing for them. They usually have:

  • Low domain authority in top results
  • Few backlinks
  • Less-optimized content ranking

High vs. Low Competition Keywords Explained

 

FeatureHigh CompetitionLow Competition
Search VolumeHighModerate to low
Ranking DifficultyHardEasier
Needed AuthorityStrong domain requiredEven new blogs can rank

Why Low Competition Keywords Work

Easier to Rank
You don’t need to be a giant to appear on page one. Low competition keywords give you a realistic shot.

Faster Traffic Growth
They may have lower search volumes, but since you can rank faster, the traffic adds up quickly.

Perfect for New or Small Blogs
Don’t fight Goliaths. Pick battles you can win, especially in your blog’s early stages

Where to Find Low Competition Keywords

Use Google Autocomplete
Start typing a term and look at Google’s suggestions. These are real things people search for—many with lower competition.

Explore “People Also Ask”
This box gives related, long-tail question-based queries you can easily target.

Check Related Searches
Scroll to the bottom of a Google results page to see related search terms. Great for discovering variations.

Use Free Tools to Uncover Hidden Gems

Google Keyword Planner
Great for checking search volume and competition level. Bonus—it’s free.

Ubersuggest
Free version lets you explore keyword ideas with basic competition metrics.

AnswerThePublic
A goldmine for long-tail, question-based keywords around any topic.

Keyword Surfer Extension
Instantly see keyword data right on Google while browsing.

Premium Tools That Save Time

Ahrefs
Use the “Keyword Difficulty” (KD) filter to spot easy-to-rank terms quickly.

SEMrush
Find keywords your competitors rank for and filter by difficulty and volume.

Analyze SERP for Keyword Difficulty

Check Domain Authority
Use MozBar or Ahrefs to see if low-authority sites rank on page one. That’s your green light!

Look at Backlink Profiles
Few backlinks = weaker competition.

Scan Content Quality
If the top content is outdated or thin, you can outrank it with better content.

Long-Tail Keywords Are Your Best Friend

What Are Long-Tail Keywords?
These are 3-6+ word phrases like “how to grow basil indoors in winter.” Lower competition, higher intent.

How They Reduce Competition
They’re more specific, so fewer sites target them—giving you a clear advantage.

Create Content Around Intent

Match Keyword With User Goals
Understand what the searcher wants—info, a product, a how-to guide?

Intent Types

  • Informational: “How to tie a tie”
  • Transactional: “Buy red Nike sneakers”
  • Navigational: “LinkedIn login”

Map your content accordingly.

Spy on Your Competitors

Find Keywords They Rank for With Low Authority
Look for pages with low backlinks or weak content that still rank.

Tools for Competitive Analysis

  • SEMrush
  • Ahrefs
  • SpyFu

Organize Your Keyword Research

Use Spreadsheets or Keyword Mapping Tools
Create columns for:

  • Keyword
  • Search Volume
  • Difficulty
  • Intent
  • Target URL

Group Keywords by Topic and Difficulty
Helps with content planning and avoids keyword cannibalization.

Optimize Content for Low Competition Keywords

Where to Place Keywords

  • Title
  • H1, H2s
  • First 100 words
  • Meta description
  • URL
  • Image alt text

Keep It Natural
Don’t stuff keywords—write for humans, optimize for Google.

Track and Improve Rankings Over Time

Use Google Search Console
Check impressions, clicks, and CTR for your target keywords.

Monitor and Adjust
If a post isn’t ranking, tweak your headings, meta, or internal links.

Success Stories: Real Bloggers Who Used Low Competition Keywords

From Zero to 10K Visitors a Month
Many niche bloggers used this exact strategy to go from invisible to viral—without spending a dime on ads.

What They Did Differently
They didn’t chase big traffic keywords—they targeted smart, low competition ones and delivered value

Conclusion

Finding low competition keywords isn’t just a strategy—it’s a survival skill for bloggers in today’s SEO game.

It’s how you build consistent traffic, grow your authority, and rank faster than ever—even if you’re just starting out.

Stop fighting for scraps in crowded SERPs. Fish in smaller ponds where your content can shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! The goal is cumulative traffic. Ten posts getting 100 visits/month = 1,000 monthly visitors.

Absolutely. They're ideal for building traction early on.

Check domain authority, backlinks, and SERP quality. If you see weak content ranking, it’s a good sign.

Start with low competition ones to build authority. You can target higher competition terms later.

1 primary and 2–3 secondary ones is a good rule. Keep your content focused.

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