How to Find Low Competition Keywords in 2025

In 2025, low-competition keywords remain the fastest path to ranking in Google - but the game has changed. AI content saturation, Google's Helpful Content Update, and intensifying competition mean the strategies that worked in 2023 need updating. This guide shows you exactly how to find and rank for low-competition keywords in 2025.

What Makes a Keyword "Low Competition" in 2025?

The definition of low-competition has evolved. It's no longer just about Keyword Difficulty scores - you need to evaluate multiple factors:

The 2025 Low-Competition Checklist:

• Keyword Difficulty (KD) under 25: Ahrefs KD or Semrush difficulty score
• Weak top 10 results: DR under 50, thin content, outdated articles (2022 or older)
• Low backlink requirements: Top 3 results have fewer than 15 referring domains
• Viable search volume: 100-1,500 monthly searches (the goldilocks zone)
• Clear intent match: You can create better content than what currently ranks
• Not dominated by AI spam: Top results show genuine expertise, not AI-generated fluff

Why 2025 is different: Google's March 2024 Core Update aggressively demoted low-quality content. This created thousands of new low-competition opportunities as thin AI-generated content was filtered out.

Where to Find Low-Competition Keywords in 2025

1. Newly Trending Keywords

Why they're low-competition: Not enough people have created content yet.

How to find them:

• Ahrefs "Newly Discovered" keywords filter - shows keywords gaining search volume in last 30-60 days
• Google Trends "Rising" queries - exponential growth keywords
• Semrush "Trending" filter in Keyword Magic Tool
• Twitter/Reddit for emerging topics before they hit keyword tools

Example: When ChatGPT launched, "best ChatGPT prompts for [niche]" keywords had high volume but KD under 10 for weeks.

2. Modified Long-Tail Keywords

The strategy: Take established keywords and add year, location, or specific modifiers.

Modifier categories:

• Year: "seo tools 2025", "email marketing trends 2025"
• Location: "best keyword tools for [country]", "seo agency [city]"
• Price: "free keyword research tools", "cheap seo software"
• User type: "keyword tools for beginners", "seo for small business"
• Feature: "keyword tools with api", "seo tools that integrate with wordpress"

Why it works: Main keyword might be KD 60+, but modified version is often KD 10-20.

3. Question Keywords from Reddit & Quora

Untapped goldmine: Real questions people ask but haven't been turned into dedicated content yet.

Process:

1. Go to Reddit → search "site:reddit.com [your topic]"
2. Browse top subreddits in your niche
3. Note frequently asked questions
4. Google those exact questions - if results are forum threads or generic pages, create targeted content
5. Repeat for Quora, Stack Exchange, niche forums

Example: "How to choose between Ahrefs and Semrush for a small blog" is a real Reddit question with 500 searches/month and KD 12.

4. Programmatic SEO Opportunities

What it is: Templates for repetitive, low-KD keywords at scale.

Examples:

• "[tool name] vs [alternative]" - often KD 5-15
• "[tool] pricing" - KD 8-20
• "how to [task] in [software]" - KD 10-25
• "[topic] for [industry]" - KD 15-30

Strategy: Create 20-50 pages using similar templates, each targeting a different low-KD variation.

5. "Jobs to be Done" Keywords

Concept: People search for outcomes, not products. These outcome-based queries are often overlooked.

Examples:

• Instead of "keyword research tool" → "how to find keywords my competitors rank for"
• Instead of "email marketing software" → "how to automate welcome emails"
• Instead of "project management tool" → "how to track team tasks without meetings"

Finding them: Use AlsoAsked.com or Google's People Also Ask to find outcome-based questions.

Updated 2025 Keyword Research Workflow

Step 1: Seed Keywords + AI Expansion

Start with 3-5 seed keywords, then use AI to generate variations:

1. Enter seed keyword in ChatGPT/Claude: "Generate 50 long-tail keyword variations for [seed keyword] that beginners might search"
2. Export the list
3. Run through Ahrefs/Semrush to get search volume + KD scores
4. Filter for KD under 25, volume 100+

Why this works: AI generates question phrasings humans miss, but you still validate with real data.

Step 2: SERP Intent Verification

Critical in 2025: Google's algorithm prioritizes intent match over keyword match.

For each keyword candidate:

1. Google the keyword
2. Analyze top 3 results:
   • Content type: Blog post, tool, video, landing page?
   • Format: List, how-to, comparison, definition?
   • Angle: Beginner vs advanced? Quick tips vs comprehensive?
3. If you can create that content type in your niche → proceed
4. If top results are all mega-brands (Forbes, Hubspot, Salesforce) → skip even if KD is low

Step 3: Backlink Reality Check

The truth: KD scores can lie. Always check actual backlink profiles.

Process in Ahrefs:

1. Google your target keyword
2. Copy URLs of top 3 results
3. Paste into Ahrefs Batch Analysis
4. Check "Referring Domains" column
5. If top 3 average under 15 RDs → genuinely low competition
6. If top 3 average 50+ RDs → KD score is misleading, skip it

Step 4: Competition Quality Assessment

New in 2025: Evaluate content quality, not just metrics.

Red flags indicating weak competition:

• Articles from 2020-2022 that haven't been updated
• Generic AI-generated content with no unique insights
• Thin content under 1,000 words
• Poor formatting (walls of text, no images, broken links)
• No author credentials or E-A-T signals
• Forum threads or Q&A sites ranking in top 5

If you see 3+ red flags → you can outrank with quality content.

Best Tools for Finding Low-Competition Keywords in 2025

Premium Tools (Most Effective)

Ahrefs - Best overall ($99/month)

• "Keyword Difficulty" filter under 25
• "Newly Discovered" keywords (trending opportunities)
• "Parent Topic" grouping (avoid keyword cannibalization)
• Accurate backlink data for manual verification

Read our full Ahrefs review →

Semrush - Best for competitive analysis ($119/month)

• "Keyword Gap" tool finds competitors' easy keywords you're missing
• "Keyword Magic Tool" filters for "easy" keywords
• "Competitive Density" metric shows PPC + organic competition

Read our full Semrush review →

Budget-Friendly Options

Ubersuggest - Best value ($12/month)

• "SEO Difficulty" score (similar to KD)
• Keyword suggestions from Google Suggest
• Basic SERP analysis showing top rankers' DR

Read our Ubersuggest review →

Free Tools (Zero Budget Start)

• Google Keyword Planner: Free search volume data (requires Google Ads account)
• AnswerThePublic: Free question-based keywords (3 free searches/day)
• Google Search Console: See what you're already ranking for (positions 11-30 = opportunities)
• AlsoAsked: Free "People Also Ask" mining

Compare all tools side-by-side in our keyword tool comparison.

Ranking Strategy for Low-Competition Keywords in 2025

Content Requirements (Post-Helpful Content Update)

Minimum viable content in 2025:

• Word count: 1,500-2,500 words (comprehensive, not fluff)
• Original insights: At least 2-3 unique points not found in top 10 results
• First-hand experience: Personal testing, screenshots, real examples
• Author expertise: Bio showing credentials/experience in the topic
• Updated regularly: Add "Last updated: [date]" and refresh every 6-12 months
• Multimedia: 3-5 images minimum, consider videos or infographics
• Internal linking: Link to 3-5 related articles on your site

Technical SEO Checklist

Basics that still matter:

• Target keyword in title, H1, first 100 words, URL
• Descriptive, click-worthy meta description (155 characters)
• H2/H3 structure using related keywords naturally
• Fast page load (Core Web Vitals passing)
• Mobile-responsive design
• Schema markup (Article, FAQ, or HowTo schema)

Backlink Strategy for Low-KD Keywords

Good news: Low-competition keywords need fewer backlinks (often 3-10 quality links).

Quick link building tactics:

1. Internal links from existing content: Add 3-5 contextual links from related posts
2. Guest post on niche blogs: Target DR 30-50 sites, 1-2 guest posts
3. Resource page outreach: Find "[your topic] resources" pages, request inclusion
4. Digital PR: Get quoted in relevant industry roundups (use HARO, Terkel)
5. Community contributions: Answer questions on Reddit/Quora with links to your guide

Common Mistakes That Kill Low-Competition Strategies

Mistake #1: Targeting "Zero Volume" Keywords

The trap: Tool shows "0-10 searches/month" → you assume easy win.

Reality: Zero volume often means zero interest. You might rank #1 and get 3 visitors/month.

Fix: Minimum 50-100 monthly searches. If volume is genuinely 0, skip it.

Mistake #2: Assuming KD Score = Guaranteed Ranking

The trap: "KD 5! I'll rank easily!"

Reality: Low KD with Forbes, Wikipedia, or major brands in top 3 = still very hard.

Fix: Always manually verify SERP. Check domain authority of actual rankers, not just KD score.

Mistake #3: Creating Thin Content for "Easy" Keywords

The trap: "It's low competition, 500 words will rank."

Reality: Post-Helpful Content Update, Google demotes thin content even for low-KD keywords.

Fix: Create comprehensive content regardless of KD. Aim for 1,500+ words with unique value.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Search Intent Mismatch

The trap: Keyword shows low KD → create any content type.

Reality: If intent is product comparison but you write how-to guide, you won't rank.

Fix: Match content format to what Google already ranks. Don't fight intent.

Mistake #5: Not Updating Old Content

The trap: Publish once and forget.

Reality: Keywords you ranked for in 2023 might have different competition/intent in 2025.

Fix: Audit your rankings quarterly. Update declining pages with fresh content, new stats, current year.

Case Study: Ranking for Low-Competition Keywords in 3 Months

Scenario: New marketing blog (DR 12) targeting low-KD keywords

Strategy executed:

1. Identified 30 keywords: KD 8-20, volume 150-800/month
2. Created 30 comprehensive articles (2,000-2,500 words each)
3. Added unique insights from real testing
4. Built 5-8 backlinks per article via guest posting
5. Internal linked all articles together

Results after 90 days:

• 23 of 30 keywords ranking in top 10
• 8 keywords in top 3
• 4,200 monthly organic visitors (from 0)
• 120 newsletter signups from organic traffic

Key takeaway: Low-competition strategy works IF you execute quality content + basic link building consistently.

Your 30-Day Action Plan

Week 1: Research & Planning

• Choose keyword research tool (start with free tool if budget-limited)
• Brainstorm 10 seed keywords in your niche
• Generate 100 long-tail variations
• Filter for KD under 25, volume 100+
• Manual SERP check on top 30 keywords → eliminate those with strong competition
• Final list: 20 target keywords

Week 2: Content Creation

• Write 4-5 comprehensive articles (1,500-2,500 words each)
• Add original insights, screenshots, examples
• Optimize: title, H1, meta description, URL
• Add internal links to existing content

Week 3: Publishing & Technical SEO

• Publish 4-5 articles
• Check Core Web Vitals (PageSpeed Insights)
• Add schema markup
• Submit URLs to Google Search Console
• Share on social media, email list

Week 4: Link Building

• Reach out for 2-3 guest posting opportunities
• Find 5 resource pages in your niche, request inclusion
• Answer 5-10 questions on Reddit/Quora with links to your content
• Track rankings in GSC or Ahrefs

Repeat monthly. Consistency compounds - 20 articles/month for 6 months = 120 low-competition keywords ranking.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Low-Competition SEO

What's changing in 2025-2026:

• AI-generated content is saturating easy keywords → need better quality to stand out
• Google increasingly rewards genuine expertise (E-E-A-T) over generic content
• User experience signals (bounce rate, time on page) matter more for ranking
• Search is fragmenting (TikTok, ChatGPT, Perplexity) → diversify traffic sources

What still works:

• Comprehensive, original content beats thin AI spam
• Long-tail keywords with clear intent remain accessible
• Basic link building + topical authority = sustainable rankings
• Human expertise + first-hand experience = competitive advantage

Bottom line: Low-competition keywords are still the fastest path to ranking in 2025, but you must combine smart keyword selection with genuinely helpful, expert-driven content.