If you’re struggling to rank on Google, you’re probably targeting keywords that are too competitive. The truth is simple: new websites don’t rank for broad, high-volume terms. They rank for low competition keywords. And when you combine smart Keyword research with a proper SEO checklist, you dramatically increase your chances of driving consistent organic traffic.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to find low competition keywords using free tools — no expensive software required. I’ll walk you through a practical, beginner-friendly process you can apply immediately.
What Are Low Competition Keywords?
Low competition keywords are search terms that:
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Have lower SEO difficulty
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Are not heavily targeted by high-authority websites
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Usually contain 3–6 words (long-tail keywords)
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Have clear search intent
For example:
❌ “SEO” (too broad and competitive)
✅ “SEO checklist for new websites” (specific and easier to rank)
These keywords may have lower search volume, but they convert better and rank faster — especially for new or small websites.
Why Low Competition Keywords Matter in 2026
SEO has become more competitive every year. Big brands dominate short keywords. But search engines now prioritize:
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Search intent
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Content quality
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Relevance
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User experience
This means you don’t need massive backlinks to rank. You need relevance and strategy.
Low competition keywords allow you to:
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Rank faster
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Get targeted traffic
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Build authority gradually
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Support your overall SEO checklist strategy
Now let’s break down how to actually find them.
Step 1: Start With a Seed Keyword
A seed keyword is a broad topic related to your niche.
Examples:
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SEO checklist
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Digital marketing tips
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Email marketing tools
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Instagram growth
Once you have your seed keyword, you’ll expand it using free tools.
Step 2: Use Google Autocomplete, Free & Powerful
Go to Google and start typing your seed keyword.
For example, type:
“SEO checklist for…”
Google will automatically suggest variations like:
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SEO checklist for beginners
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SEO checklist for blog posts
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SEO checklist for small business
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SEO checklist step by step
These suggestions come directly from real searches. That means people are actively searching for them.
Pro Tip:
Add letters after your keyword:
“SEO checklist a…”
“SEO checklist b…”
This reveals even more long-tail opportunities.
Step 3: Use Google “People Also Ask”
After searching your keyword, scroll down to the People Also Ask section.
You’ll see questions like:
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What is included in an SEO checklist?
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How do beginners do SEO?
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What is the first step in SEO?
Each question is a potential low competition keyword especially if it’s specific.
These question-based keywords are perfect for blog subheadings and featured snippets.
Step 4: Use Google Related Searches
Scroll to the bottom of the search results page.
You’ll find related searches such as:
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On-page SEO checklist 2026
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Technical SEO checklist
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SEO checklist for WordPress
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Blog SEO optimization checklist
These are keyword goldmines.
Add them to your list.
Step 5: Use Free Keyword Tools
Here are the best free tools you can use:
1. Uber suggest (Free Version)
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Shows keyword difficulty
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Suggests long-tail variations
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Displays estimated search volume
Look for:
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SEO difficulty under 30 (if you’re a beginner)
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Long-tail phrases with clear intent
2. Google Keyword Planner
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Free with a Google Ads account
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Shows search volume ranges
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Good for finding variations
Focus on specific phrases instead of high-volume head terms.
3. Answer The Public
Great for finding question-based keywords.
Search your seed keyword and you’ll see:
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What
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Why
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How
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When
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Where queries
These are excellent for building blog sections.
Step 6: Analyze the Competition Manually
This step is critical.
Search your potential keyword on Google and check:
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Are top results small blogs or huge brands?
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Do the pages fully answer the query?
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Is the content outdated?
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Is the keyword used in titles properly?
If you see weak, thin, or outdated content that’s your opportunity.
If the first page is filled with major authority websites, skip that keyword.
Step 7: Look for Long Tail Modifiers
To consistently find low competition keywords, add modifiers like:
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For beginners
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Step-by-step
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2026 guide
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For small businesses
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Without backlinks
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Under $100
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Case study
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Checklist
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Template
Example:
Instead of:
“Email marketing”
Use:
“Email marketing checklist for small businesses”
Longer = usually lower competition.
Step 8: Check Search Intent
Before finalizing your keyword, confirm intent.
Ask:
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Is the user looking for information?
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A tutorial?
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A tool?
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A product comparison?
If your content doesn’t match intent, it won’t rank — even with a perfect SEO checklist.
Step 9: Create Content That Is Better Not Just Optimized
Finding low competition keywords is only half the process.
Now you must:
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Create detailed content (800–1500 words)
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Structure it properly
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Use clear headers
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Add internal links
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Optimize title and meta description
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Improve readability
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Optimize images
This is where your SEO checklist becomes powerful.
Without proper on-page optimization, even low competition keywords won’t rank.
Example of a Low Competition Keyword Strategy
Let’s say your niche is digital marketing.
Instead of targeting:
“Digital marketing strategy”
You target:
“Digital marketing checklist for local service businesses”
That keyword:
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Is specific
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Targets a defined audience
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Has lower competition
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Has strong intent
Now you optimize it fully using your SEO checklist.
That’s how small websites grow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Targeting only high-volume keywords
❌ Ignoring search intent
❌ Not checking competition manually
❌ Writing thin content
❌ Keyword stuffing
❌ Skipping internal linking
SEO in 2026 rewards quality and relevance — not tricks.
Final Thoughts
Low competition keywords are the foundation of sustainable SEO growth. They allow new websites to:
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Rank faster
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Gain authority
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Build traffic gradually
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Compete without massive budgets
Use free tools like Google Autocomplete, People Also Ask, Uber suggest, and Keyword Planner to uncover opportunities. Then apply a proper SEO checklist to optimize every page strategically.
Remember this:
Don’t chase big keywords.
Own small ones first.
Over time, those small wins compound into serious traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are low-competition keywords in SEO?
Low-competition keywords are search terms that have relatively low-ranking difficulty compared to high-volume, broad keywords. They are usually long-tail phrases (three or more words) with clear search intent. These keywords are easier for new or small websites to rank for because fewer authoritative sites target them.
2. Why should beginners focus on low-competition keywords?
Beginners should target low-competition keywords because they provide faster ranking opportunities and more targeted traffic. Competing for broad keywords requires strong domain authority and backlinks, which new websites often lack. Low-competition keywords help build momentum and support your overall SEO checklist strategy.
3. How can I find low-competition keywords for free?
You can find low-competition keywords using free tools like:
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Google Autocomplete
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Google People Also Ask
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Google Related Searches
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Google Keyword Planner
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Uber suggest (free version)
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AnswerThePublic (limited free searches)
These tools help you discover long-tail keyword variations and question-based queries that often have lower competition.
4. What is the ideal search volume competition keywords?
There is no perfect number, but for new websites, targeting keywords with 50 to 1,000 monthly searches can be effective. More important than volume is search intent and ranking difficulty. A keyword with lower volume but clear intent often converts better than a high-volume keyword.
5. How do I know if a keyword is truly low competition?
To evaluate competition:
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Search the keyword on Google.
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Check if small blogs rank on the first page.
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Analyze content quality and depth.
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Look for outdated or weak articles.
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Check keyword difficulty using free tools.
If the top results are dominated by major brands with high authority, the keyword may be competitive.
