Keyword Difficulty in SEO: What It Is & Why It Matters

Vineet

February 18, 2025

Keyword difficulty (KD) is one of the most crucial factors in SEO. It determines how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword on search engines like Google. The higher the difficulty, the more effort is required to reach the top results. But is it really important? Should you always aim for low-difficulty keywords?

In this guide, we will break down keyword difficulty, how it is measured, and how you can use it to improve your SEO strategy. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, understanding keyword difficulty will help you make smarter keyword choices and rank higher in search results.

What is Keyword Difficulty?

Keyword difficulty is a metric used in SEO research to measure how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword on search engines like Google. It is usually represented as a score from 0 to 100, with higher numbers meaning more competition.

For example:

• A low keyword difficulty score (0-30) means the keyword is easy to rank for.
• A medium difficulty score (31-60) means it will take some effort.
• A high difficulty score (61-100) means the keyword is very competitive and harder to rank.

The keyword difficulty tool helps marketers and SEO professionals analyze how much effort is needed to rank for a keyword. These tools check factors like competition, domain authority, backlinks, and content quality of the top-ranking pages.

Understanding keyword difficulty is essential because choosing the wrong keywords can waste time and resources. If a website targets only high-difficulty keywords, it may struggle to appear on Google’s first page. Instead, a mix of low, medium, and high difficulty SEO keywords should be used.

To find the right keywords for your website, using a keyword difficulty checker can help you make smart SEO decisions and improve your ranking potential.

Why is Keyword Difficulty Important?

Keyword difficulty is important because it helps SEO professionals and website owners choose the right keywords that they can realistically rank for. If you only target high-difficulty keywords, your website might never reach the first page of Google.

A keyword difficulty checker helps identify whether a keyword is too competitive or just right for your website. If you have a new website with low authority, it’s best to start with low-difficulty keywords to rank faster. Once your website gains authority, you can aim for higher-difficulty keywords.

Keyword difficulty also ensures that you are investing your time and resources wisely. Without checking the difficulty, you might spend months optimizing for a keyword that is too hard to rank for, while ignoring easier SEO opportunities.

SEO experts use keyword difficulty tools to compare different SEO keywords and decide which ones offer the best ranking potential. By choosing keywords with the right balance of difficulty and search volume, businesses can increase their visibility, attract more visitors, and generate leads effectively.

To succeed in SEO research, understanding keyword difficulty is a must. It helps websites rank faster, compete smarter, and grow their online presence.

How is Keyword Difficulty Calculated?

Keyword difficulty is calculated based on several factors that determine how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. A keyword difficulty check helps SEO professionals understand the level of competition for a keyword and whether it’s worth targeting.

Here are the main factors that affect the keyword difficulty score:

1. Competition Level – If many websites are already ranking for a keyword, it will be harder to compete. The more established and authoritative the websites are, the more difficult it is to rank.
2. Domain Authority & Page Authority – Websites with high authority tend to rank higher on Google. If the top-ranking pages have strong authority, the keyword will have a high difficulty score.
3. Backlink Profile – Backlinks are links from other websites to your page. A keyword difficulty check considers how many backlinks the top-ranking pages have. If they have many high-quality backlinks, ranking for that keyword will be challenging.
4. Content Quality & Relevance – Google ranks pages that provide the best and most relevant answers to a search query. Well-structured, informative, and engaging content can help overcome keyword difficulty.
5. Search Intent & User Behavior – If a keyword has many pages that perfectly satisfy what users are looking for, Google will be less likely to replace them with new content.

SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz provide a keyword difficulty score that considers these factors. If a keyword has low difficulty (0-30), it is an easy-to-rank keyword, making it ideal for new websites. A high-difficulty keyword (61-100) requires strong authority and SEO efforts to rank.

By using a keyword difficulty check, website owners can strategically select keywords that offer the best ranking opportunities.

Keyword Difficulty vs. Search Volume: What Matters More?

When choosing SEO keywords, many people focus only on search volume, which refers to the number of times a keyword is searched per month. However, keyword difficulty is just as important because a high-search-volume keyword is often difficult to rank for.

Here’s how they compare:

1. High Search Volume + High Keyword Difficulty – These keywords attract a lot of traffic, but they are also highly competitive. For example, a keyword like “best smartphones” has thousands of searches per month, but ranking for it is nearly impossible for a new website.
2. Low Search Volume + Low Keyword Difficulty – These keywords may have fewer searches, but they are easy-to-rank keywords. This makes them ideal for new websites or businesses trying to establish an online presence.
3. Balancing Search Volume and Keyword Difficulty – A smart SEO strategy involves using a keyword difficulty check to find keywords with moderate search volume and lower difficulty. This way, you get decent traffic without competing with high-authority websites.
4. Long-Tail Keywords as a Solution – Instead of competing for high-difficulty keywords, targeting long-tail keywords (e.g., “best smartphones under $500”) can be a smarter choice. These keywords usually have lower search volume but are easier to rank for.

SEO professionals use keyword difficulty tools to check keyword difficulty before selecting target keywords. A keyword difficulty score helps in deciding whether a keyword is worth the effort.

How to Choose Keywords Based on Keyword Difficulty

Choosing the right keywords based on SEO difficulty is crucial for ranking higher on search engines. If you target high-difficulty keywords without a strong website, it will be hard to rank. On the other hand, if you only target low-difficulty keywords, you may miss out on valuable traffic. The best approach is to find a balance.

Here’s how you can choose the right keywords:

1. Low-Difficulty Keywords (0-30) – These are easy to rank for and great for new websites. They have lower competition but still bring in traffic. If your website is new, focus on these keywords first.
2. Medium-Difficulty Keywords (31-60) – These require some SEO efforts, such as good content and backlinks. Websites with growing authority can start targeting these.
3. High-Difficulty Keywords (61-100) – These have high competition and require a strong website with high domain authority and backlinks. Established websites can aim for these keywords.

Using tools like SEMrush volume analysis, you can check the volume score of a keyword along with its difficulty. A keyword with moderate SEO difficulty and good search volume is the best choice. By selecting the right keywords, you can improve your rankings and grow your website traffic over time.

Best Tools to Check Keyword Difficulty

To succeed in SEO, you need to choose keywords that you can realistically rank for. This is where keyword difficulty tools come in handy. These tools analyze different factors like competition, backlinks, and search volume to determine how hard it is to rank for a keyword.

There are many tools available, both paid and free, that help you check keyword difficulty. Here are some of the best options:

1. SEMrush Keyword Difficulty Tool

SEMrush is one of the most popular SEO tools. It provides a keyword competition checker that helps you understand how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. The SEMrush keyword difficulty score is based on factors like the SEMrush authority score of ranking websites, backlinks, and competition.

2. Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty Tool

The Ahrefs keyword difficulty tool assigns a score from 0 to 100, showing how tough it is to rank for a keyword. It mainly considers the number of backlinks the top-ranking pages have. If a keyword has a high Ahrefs difficulty score, it means you need strong backlinks to compete.

3. Moz Keyword Difficulty Tool

The Moz keyword difficulty tool evaluates keyword competition by analyzing domain authority and page authority of the top-ranking websites. This tool is great for checking if your website has a chance to rank against competitors.

4. Google Keyword Planner (Free Tool)

If you are looking for a keyword difficulty checker for free, Google Keyword Planner is a good starting point. It shows keyword competition levels (low, medium, or high) based on Google Ads data. However, it does not provide a precise keyword difficulty score like other tools.

5. Ubersuggest – Free Keyword Difficulty Tool

Ubersuggest is another free keyword difficulty tool that gives a difficulty score and keyword suggestions. It is a good option for beginners who want a simple way to check SEO keyword difficulty without paying for premium tools.

Which is the Best Keyword Difficulty Tool?

If you want the most accurate data, paid tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz are highly recommended. But if you need a free keyword difficulty checker, Google Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest are great alternatives.

Using a keyword difficulty checker can help you make smarter keyword choices, rank higher on Google, and drive more traffic to your website!

How to Overcome High Keyword Difficulty & Still Rank

Ranking for high-difficulty keywords can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Even if a keyword has a high competition score, you can still rank by using smart SEO techniques.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Use Long-Tail Keywords – Instead of targeting a highly competitive keyword, focus on long-tail keywords (phrases with 3+ words). These have lower competition but still attract quality traffic.
2. Create High-Quality Content – Google ranks valuable and well-optimized content higher. Make sure your content is detailed, answers user queries, and provides unique insights.
3. Optimize On-Page SEO – Use your target keyword naturally in the title, headings, and meta description. Also, structure your content with proper formatting (H1, H2, bullet points, etc.).
4. Build Strong Backlinks – Websites with high domain authority rank better. Getting backlinks from trusted websites can help improve your ranking.
5. Focus on Search Intent – Make sure your content matches what users are looking for. Google prioritizes relevant and useful content.

By following these strategies, you can rank even for difficult keywords and increase your website’s visibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Considering Keyword Difficulty

Many people make mistakes when choosing keywords based on keyword difficulty. Here are the most common ones:

1. Ignoring Search Intent – Some keywords may have low difficulty, but if they don’t match what users are searching for, they won’t drive traffic. Always choose keywords that align with user intent.
2. Focusing Only on High-Difficulty Keywords – If your website is new, targeting high-competition keywords can be a waste of time. Start with low and medium-difficulty keywords first.
3. Not Checking Competitor Strength – Even if a keyword has a low difficulty score, you should analyze the top-ranking websites. If they have strong authority and backlinks, ranking might still be tough.
4. Neglecting Long-Tail Keywords – Short and broad keywords are harder to rank for. Using long-tail keywords can help you get easier rankings and attract relevant traffic.

Avoiding these mistakes will help you choose the right keywords and improve your SEO success.

Conclusion

Thus, keyword difficulty is an essential factor in SEO. It helps website owners and marketers understand how competitive a keyword is and whether they can rank for it. Ignoring keyword difficulty can lead to wasted effort on highly competitive keywords, making it difficult to achieve visibility on search engines. On the other hand, selecting the right balance of low, medium, and high-difficulty keywords can help businesses improve their rankings faster.

However, keyword difficulty is not the only thing that matters in SEO. Even if a keyword has a low difficulty score, ranking for it still requires high-quality content, proper optimization, and strong backlinks. Simply choosing easy keywords won’t guarantee success unless the content is valuable and relevant to users. That’s why SEO strategies should focus on a combination of keyword research, content marketing, and technical SEO improvements.

At White Label SEO Providers, we understand that ranking on search engines requires more than just finding low-difficulty keywords. Our expert team focuses on strategic SEO planning, ensuring that businesses not only target the right keywords but also optimize their content, build authority, and implement best SEO practices. By taking a holistic approach to SEO, businesses can achieve long-term search engine success and maximize their online visibility.

By using keyword difficulty wisely and combining it with other SEO strategies, businesses can increase their chances of ranking on Google, attract more traffic, and grow their digital presence effectively. If you need professional assistance in navigating keyword difficulty and SEO strategy, White Label SEO Providers is here to help!