Starting with a broad topic, finding related search terms, examining search volume and keyword difficulty, researching search intent, and selecting keywords that your website can actually compete for are the best ways to find the right keywords for your content. If you are building a newer website, look closely at how to find low competition keywords, along with long-tail keywords and terms your competitors already rank for.
Before you write a page or blog post, you may learn what people look for by conducting keyword research. A keyword with 10,000 monthly searches may look attractive, but it may also have strong competition. A more specific keyword with 1,000 searches and much lower difficulty could give your website a better opportunity.
Here is a useful method for identifying and selecting keywords for your content.
1. Start With Seed Keywords
A broad term that sums up the primary topic you wish to write about is called a seed keyword. It gives you a starting point for finding more specific searches.
For example, if you want to create content about SEO, your seed keywords could include:
- SEO
- keyword research
- SEO keywords
- on-page SEO
- technical SEO
If your topic is content marketing, possible seed keywords include:
- content marketing
- content strategy
- blog content
- content promotion
Considering the terms your audience would use to describe the topic is one method of identifying seed keywords. Additionally, you can examine your current pages, goods, services, or audience inquiries.
Semrush describes seed keywords as the starting terms used to build a broader keyword list. Its Keyword Magic Tool can generate related ideas from a seed term.
2. Find Related Keyword Ideas
Expand your seed keyword into more precise search words.
Suppose your seed keyword is keyword research. You could find searches such as:
- what is keyword research
- how to do keyword research
- how to find keywords
- keyword research tools
- how to find low competition keywords
- how to find long tail keywords
To find comparable terms, you might utilize a keyword research tool like Semrush Keyword Magic Tool. Google can also provide ideas through autocomplete, related searches, and People Also Ask questions.
Seek out keywords that are directly related to your subject. You do not need to use every related phrase in one article.
3. Find Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are specific search phrases that usually contain several words. They typically have a lower search volume than wide phrases, but they can make the searcher’s intent easier to comprehend.
For example:
Broad keyword: keyword research
More specific: keyword research for SEO
Long-tail keyword: how to find low competition keywords
The last phrase tells you exactly what the searcher wants to learn.
You can find long-tail keywords by using a keyword research tool, checking question-based searches, reviewing Google’s autocomplete suggestions, and looking at related searches.
Semrush recommends using filters such as word count, keyword difficulty, and search volume when looking for long-tail keywords.
Because they frequently address a particular query or issue, long-tail keywords can also be effective for informational content.
4. Check Keyword Difficulty
The number of searches a keyword receives is indicated by its search volume. Keyword difficulty gives you an estimate of how difficult it may be to rank for that term.
Semrush calculates Keyword Difficulty, or KD%, on a 0–100 scale. A higher score generally means greater competition.
For example, your research produced these numbers:
| Keyword | Monthly volume | KD% |
| how to find keywords for SEO | 1.9K | 93 |
| how to find long tail keywords | 1.9K | 65 |
| how to find low competition keywords | 1.6K | 26 |
| how to find competitors keywords | 1.3K | 35 |
| how to find seed keywords | 1.3K | 49 |
The first keyword has the highest volume, but its 93% KD makes it much harder to target. How to find low competition keywords has slightly less search volume but a KD of 26%.
That is why you should not choose a keyword based on search volume alone.
A newer website may have a better chance with a lower-difficulty keyword than with a broad term dominated by established websites.
5. Learn How to Find Low Competition Keywords
If you want to find low competition keywords, start by entering your seed keyword into a keyword research tool. Then compare the search volume, KD%, intent, and the pages already ranking.
For example, you could enter keyword research and filter the results to find terms with lower KD scores.
You can also:
- Look for specific question-based searches.
- Check long-tail variations.
- Compare related keywords with different difficulty scores.
- Find keywords your competitors rank for.
- Look at searches with clear informational intent.
A low KD score does not guarantee a ranking. The actual search results still matter. Check the pages that currently rank and ask whether your content can provide a more complete or useful answer.
Semrush also recommends checking your site’s own ranking ability instead of relying only on general KD. Its Personal Keyword Difficulty metric is designed to estimate difficulty for a particular domain.
6. Check Your Competitors’ Keywords
Competitor research can uncover keywords you may have missed.
Start by finding websites that publish content on the same subject. Then check which keywords bring those websites organic traffic.
For example, if you are writing about keyword research, you could examine competing articles and look for terms such as:
- how to find seed keywords
- how to find long tail keywords
- how to find competitors keywords
- keyword research process
- keyword research examples
Semrush’s Keyword Gap tool can compare the keyword portfolios of competing websites and identify terms that competitors rank for but your site does not.
Do not copy a competitor’s article or force all of its keywords into your own page. Use competitor research to discover topics and questions that deserve coverage.
7. Check Search Intent
Before choosing a keyword, determine what the searcher expects to find.
Common search intents include:
- Informational: The individual seeks an answer or justification.
- Commercial: The person is researching products or services before making a decision.
- Transactional: The person is ready to take an action, such as buying something.
- Navigational: The person is looking for a particular website or page.
For example, how to find low competition keywords has informational intent. A person searching this phrase probably wants instructions.
Your article should therefore explain the process instead of turning into a list of keyword research tools.
Google recommends creating people-first content that gives readers a satisfying answer to their search.
8. Choose the Best Keyword for SEO
After collecting your keyword ideas, narrow the list down.
A useful keyword should:
- Match the subject of your content
- Have search demand
- Have a difficulty level you can realistically target
- Match the searcher’s intent
- Be specific enough to attract the right audience
- Fit naturally into the article
For example, how to find keywords for SEO has 1.9K searches in your Semrush data, but its 93% KD makes it a difficult target.
How to find low competition keywords has 1.6K searches and a 26% KD. For a newer website, that combination may be more practical.
The best keyword is therefore not always the one with the highest volume. You need to consider volume, difficulty, intent, relevance, and your website’s ability to compete.
9. Use the Keyword Naturally in Your Content
Once you select a primary keyword, use it where it makes sense.
You can include it in:
- The page title
- The introduction
- A relevant heading
- The body of the article
- The URL
- The meta title
- The meta description
Use related terms naturally throughout the article. You do not need to repeat the exact keyword in every section.
For example, an article targeting how to find low competition keywords can naturally discuss long-tail keywords, competitor keywords, search intent, keyword difficulty, and seed keywords.
The content should answer the reader’s question first. Keyword placement comes after that.
Common Keyword Research Mistakes
Avoid these mistakes when choosing keywords:
Choosing volume over relevance: A keyword with thousands of searches is useless if it does not match your content.
Ignoring keyword difficulty: High-volume keywords can have strong competition from established websites.
Skipping search intent: A keyword may look relevant but attract people looking for a different type of page.
Using too many primary keywords: One article should have a clear main topic. Related terms can support it.
Ignoring long-tail searches: Specific queries can give you topics with clearer intent and lower competition.
Stuffing keywords: Repeating a phrase unnecessarily can make the article difficult to read. Google’s SEO Starter Guide recommends creating useful content for people rather than writing primarily to manipulate search rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right keywords for my content?
Start with a seed keyword, find related searches, check search volume and keyword difficulty, study search intent, review competing pages, and choose a term that matches both your content and your website’s ability to compete.
What are low competition keywords?
Low competition keywords are search terms that are generally easier to compete for than highly competitive terms. Keyword difficulty tools such as Semrush provide an estimate of how difficult a keyword may be to rank for.
How do I find long-tail keywords?
Use a keyword research tool to find specific variations of your main topic. You can also use Google autocomplete, related searches, People Also Ask, competitor research, and question-based searches.
Should I choose a keyword with high search volume?
Not necessarily. A high-volume keyword can have very strong competition. A keyword with lower volume and manageable difficulty may be a better target, especially for a newer website.
How many keywords should I target in one blog post?
Start with one primary keyword and use a small group of closely related secondary keywords. The number depends on the topic. The goal is to answer the searcher’s question thoroughly rather than reach a specific keyword count.
Conclusion
Finding the right keywords starts with understanding what your audience searches for. Begin with seed keywords, expand your list with related and long-tail terms, compare search volume and difficulty, study competitor keywords, and check search intent.
If your website is still building authority, pay particular attention to how to find low competition keywords. A keyword with moderate search demand and manageable competition can be a more practical target than a high-volume term with a very high KD score.
The final keyword should give you a clear topic to write about and a realistic opportunity to reach people searching for that information.
Discover more from The Content Wisdom
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
