Publishing a new blog post is only the first step toward getting organic traffic. If you want your content to appear in Google Search, you need to target keywords that your audience is actually searching for—and that your website has a realistic chance of ranking for.
For new websites and smaller blogs, targeting extremely competitive keywords can be frustrating. Instead, low-competition keywords can provide a more practical starting point for building search visibility.
In this guide, you'll learn how to find low-competition keywords for new blog posts, evaluate keyword opportunities, analyze competitors, and choose topics that can bring targeted organic traffic.
What Are Low-Competition Keywords?
Low-competition keywords are search queries that are relatively easier to rank for than highly competitive keywords.
They are often more specific and may have lower search volume. However, lower search volume doesn't necessarily mean lower value.
For example, compare:
SEO
SEO tips
SEO tips for new bloggers
how to improve SEO for a new blog with no backlinks
The first keyword is extremely broad. The final keyword targets a much more specific problem and audience.
For a new blog, that specificity can create a better opportunity.
It's important to remember that keyword difficulty scores are only estimates. For example, Ahrefs explains that its Keyword Difficulty metric is based largely on the backlink profiles of top-ranking pages and recommends manually analyzing the search results as well.
Why Should New Blogs Target Low-Competition Keywords?
New websites generally have less authority and fewer backlinks than established websites.
That doesn't mean you can't compete in search results. It means you should be strategic about which topics you target.
1. You Can Target More Specific Searches
Longer, specific keywords often reveal exactly what the searcher wants.
For example:
“how to find low-competition keywords for a new blog”
has a much clearer intent than:
“keywords”
A focused article can directly answer the first query.
2. You Can Build Topical Authority
Instead of publishing random articles, you can create multiple pieces of content around a central topic.
For example, a blog about SEO could publish:
How to Find Low-Competition Keywords
How to Write SEO-Friendly Blog Posts
How to Improve Internal Linking
How to Get Organic Traffic to New Blog Posts
How to Optimize Old Blog Posts
How to Improve Blog Rankings
These articles can be connected with internal links to create a stronger content structure.
Google's SEO Starter Guide emphasizes making content understandable to both search engines and users, rather than relying on tricks that guarantee rankings.
3. You Can Attract More Relevant Visitors
A smaller number of highly relevant visitors can be more valuable than a large amount of irrelevant traffic.
If someone searches for a very specific problem and your article provides the exact solution, that visitor may be more likely to read your content, subscribe, contact you, or explore your products.
How to Find Low-Competition Keywords
Now let's look at a practical keyword research process you can use before writing your next blog post.
1. Start With a Broad Topic
Begin with a topic related to your website.
Suppose your website focuses on blogging and SEO.
Your broad topic might be:
Blog SEO
Now brainstorm related questions and problems:
How do I get traffic to a new blog?
How do I find keywords?
How do I rank new blog posts?
How do I improve blog SEO?
How do I get Google to index my blog?
How do I find keywords with low competition?
These questions give you potential keyword ideas.
2. Find Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are generally longer and more specific search phrases.
Examples include:
“best SEO tools for new bloggers”
“how to get organic traffic to a new blog”
“how to find low-competition keywords”
“SEO checklist for new blog posts”
“how to rank a new blog without backlinks”
Long-tail doesn't automatically mean low competition, so you should still investigate the search results before choosing a keyword.
The goal is to find a keyword that combines relevance, search demand, and realistic ranking potential.
3. Use Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research tools can help you discover hundreds or thousands of potential keywords.
Popular options include:
When evaluating a keyword, look at:
Search volume
Keyword difficulty
Search intent
Related keywords
Traffic potential
Ranking pages
Business relevance
Don't choose a keyword simply because it has a large search volume.
A keyword with 200 monthly searches and highly relevant visitors may be more valuable to your website than a keyword with 20,000 searches that attracts people who aren't interested in your content.
4. Analyze the Google Search Results
This is one of the most important steps in keyword research.
After finding a potential keyword, search for it on Google.
Then examine the first page.
Ask yourself:
Who is ranking?
Look for:
Large authoritative websites
Small niche websites
Personal blogs
Forums
Community websites
Outdated articles
Pages that don't fully answer the query
If every result comes from extremely authoritative websites with comprehensive content and thousands of backlinks, ranking may be difficult.
But if you see smaller websites ranking—or pages that don't completely satisfy the search intent—you may have an opportunity.
Keyword difficulty tools can help with initial filtering, but manual SERP analysis is still important because tool scores don't capture every factor that affects ranking.
5. Look for Weak Content in the Search Results
A low-competition keyword isn't necessarily one with a low keyword difficulty score.
Sometimes the opportunity comes from poor-quality existing content.
For example, you might find that the top results:
Are several years old
Provide incomplete information
Have poor formatting
Don't answer the main question
Lack practical examples
Have confusing navigation
Don't cover related questions
This can give you an opportunity to create a better resource.
Don't simply make your article longer.
Instead, make it more useful.
Include practical examples, clear explanations, original insights, useful data, and answers to related questions.
6. Find Question-Based Keywords
Questions are excellent sources of blog topics.
Try keyword modifiers such as:
How
Why
What
When
Can
Should
Is
Where
For example:
How do I find low-competition keywords for a new website?
can become a complete tutorial.
You can also use Google's “People also ask” section and related searches to discover questions surrounding your main topic.
These questions can become:
Blog post ideas
H2 headings
FAQ sections
Supporting articles
Internal-link opportunities
7. Use Google Search Console for Keyword Ideas
If your website already receives some search impressions, Google Search Console can become one of your most useful sources of keyword ideas.
The Search Console Performance report shows queries that lead users to your site, along with metrics such as clicks, impressions, and click-through rate.
Look for queries where your pages receive:
Impressions but few clicks
Rankings around positions 8–30
Unexpected long-tail queries
Search visibility for topics you didn't specifically target
For example, your article might be ranking for:
“SEO tips for small blogs”
even though your original target keyword was:
“blog SEO tips.”
That unexpected query could inspire a new, more focused article.
You can learn more about analyzing queries through Google Search Console's Performance Report documentation.
8. Research Your Competitors
Your competitors can reveal valuable keyword opportunities.
Find websites that publish content for the same audience and examine their organic search visibility.
Look for pages that rank for multiple related keywords.
Then ask:
Can I create a better or more useful version of this content?
You might discover opportunities around:
Beginner questions
Comparisons
Tutorials
Checklists
Common problems
Specific use cases
Industry-specific topics
The goal isn't to copy your competitors.
Instead, use competitor research to discover topics your audience already cares about.
9. Look for Specific Problems
Problem-based keywords are particularly useful for blog content.
Instead of targeting:
“Blog SEO”
you could target:
“How to improve SEO for a blog with no backlinks.”
Instead of:
“Email marketing”
you might target:
“How to build an email list for a new blog.”
Instead of:
“Content marketing”
you could target:
“How to create a content strategy for a small business blog.”
The more specific the problem, the easier it can be to create content that directly addresses the searcher's needs.
10. Don't Ignore Low-Volume Keywords
A common mistake is assuming that every valuable keyword must have thousands of monthly searches.
That's not true.
A low-volume keyword can still be valuable if it is:
Highly relevant
Commercially valuable
Closely related to your products or services
Easy to rank for
Part of a larger topic cluster
For example, a specialized business keyword might receive only a small number of searches each month.
But if those searchers are potential customers, the keyword may be extremely valuable.
Search volume is only one part of keyword selection.
How to Evaluate a Keyword Before Writing
Before committing to a keyword, evaluate it using these five factors.
Search Volume
How many people are searching for the keyword?
Use search volume as an estimate of potential demand—not as the only deciding factor.
Keyword Difficulty
How competitive is the keyword?
Different SEO tools calculate difficulty differently. Ahrefs, for example, uses referring domains to the top-ranking pages as a major component of its KD calculation.
Use the number as a guideline rather than a guarantee.
Search Intent
What does the searcher actually want?
If the search results are primarily tutorials, create a tutorial.
If they're product comparisons, create a comparison.
If they're looking for a specific service, a generic informational article may not be the right format.
Competition
Who currently ranks?
Pay attention to the quality and authority of the ranking pages.
Business Value
Ask:
Will this keyword attract the right audience for my website?
A keyword can bring traffic without bringing value.
The best keywords are relevant to both the audience and your goals.
A Simple Keyword Research Example
Imagine you're starting a new blog about SEO.
Your main topic is:
SEO for beginners
You brainstorm these keyword ideas:
| Keyword | Intent | Potential |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | Informational | Very competitive |
| SEO tips | Informational | Competitive |
| SEO for beginners | Informational | Competitive |
| SEO tips for new bloggers | Informational | More specific |
| How to find low-competition keywords | Informational | Specific |
| How to find keywords for a new blog | Informational | Specific |
| How to do keyword research for a new website | Informational | Specific |
Rather than automatically selecting the keyword with the highest search volume, investigate the specific opportunities.
Check the SERPs.
Study the competitors.
Compare search intent.
Then select the topic where you can realistically create an excellent resource.
How to Turn a Keyword Into an SEO-Friendly Blog Post
Once you've selected your keyword, don't simply repeat it throughout the article.
Build the article around the reader's problem.
For example, if your target keyword is:
“how to find low-competition keywords”
your article structure could be:
H1: How to Find Low-Competition Keywords for New Blog Posts
H2: What Are Low-Competition Keywords?
H2: Why Low-Competition Keywords Matter
H2: How to Find Low-Competition Keywords
H3: Use Keyword Research Tools
H3: Analyze Google Search Results
H3: Research Competitors
H3: Find Long-Tail Keywords
H2: How to Evaluate Keyword Difficulty
H2: Common Keyword Research Mistakes
H2: How to Choose the Right Keyword
H2: Final Thoughts
This gives readers a logical path through the topic.
Use Internal Links to Build a Stronger SEO Strategy
After publishing your article, connect it to other relevant content on your website.
For example, this article could link to:
Your guide on how to get organic traffic to new blog posts
Your guide on how to rank new blog posts on Google
Your guide on internal linking strategies
Your guide on how to optimize old blog posts
Internal linking helps readers discover related content and creates a logical structure across your website.
It also makes it easier for search engines to understand the relationship between your pages.
For additional guidance, check Google's SEO Starter Guide.
Common Keyword Research Mistakes
Choosing Only High-Volume Keywords
High-volume keywords are often highly competitive.
Don't build your entire strategy around them.
Ignoring Search Intent
A keyword is only useful when your content satisfies what the searcher wants.
Trusting Keyword Difficulty Blindly
Keyword difficulty is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Always analyze the actual search results.
Choosing Irrelevant Keywords
A keyword with low competition isn't useful if it attracts the wrong audience.
Keyword Stuffing
You don't need to repeat your keyword unnaturally.
Use your primary keyword naturally and cover the topic comprehensively.
Ignoring Existing Search Data
If your website already has impressions, your own Google Search Console data can reveal keyword opportunities that generic keyword tools may not show.
Low-Competition Keyword Research Checklist
Before publishing your next blog post, ask:
Is the keyword relevant to my audience?
Does it have a clear search intent?
Is there enough search demand to justify the content?
Have I checked the Google search results?
Are smaller or weaker websites already ranking?
Can I create something more useful than the existing results?
Is the keyword relevant to my business goals?
Can I naturally connect this article to other content on my website?
If most of the answers are yes, you may have a strong keyword opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Finding low-competition keywords isn't about finding keywords that nobody else is targeting.
It's about finding real search demand where your website has a realistic opportunity to compete.
Start with a broad topic, brainstorm specific problems, discover long-tail keywords, analyze search intent, study the Google SERPs, and evaluate the competition before you start writing.
Most importantly, don't create content simply because a keyword has a low difficulty score.
Create content because your audience needs a useful answer.
When you combine smart keyword research with genuinely helpful content, strong internal linking, and consistent publishing, you can gradually build organic search visibility—even if your blog is relatively new.
The goal isn't to rank for every keyword. The goal is to find the right keywords and become the best answer for them.
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