Keyword Difficulty and Competition, Done Properly
Assessing how hard it will be to rank for a keyword, using tool scores and manual analysis of the results page.
Samir Haddad
The key figures
- Tool scores
- are proprietary estimates based on links and other signals
- SERP analysis
- shows which types of pages rank
- Intent
- some queries are dominated by formats you cannot match
- Site strength
- the same keyword is harder for a new site
Why this is worth getting right
Difficulty scores are estimates, and the real answer comes from looking at what currently ranks and why.
Do this, not that
Do
- Look at the actual results page before choosing keywords
- Compare your content type with what ranks
- Weigh difficulty against business value
- Start with achievable terms
- Reassess after building authority
Don’t
- Choosing keywords by score alone
- Targeting queries dominated by other formats
- Ignoring commercial value
- Assuming volume equals opportunity
When to bring in help
Our advice Bring in help when keyword plans do not convert into rankings.
Where this comes from
- Google Search Central — How Search works
- Google Search Central — Search Console performance report
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
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Where to go next
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