What is Keyword Difficulty?

Keyword difficulty is a metric that estimates how hard it will be to rank on the first page of search results for a specific keyword. It's usually expressed as a score from 0 to 100, with higher numbers meaning more competition.

Most SEO tools calculate keyword difficulty by analyzing the backlink profiles and domain authority of pages currently ranking for that term. A keyword with high difficulty typically means you're competing against established sites with strong backlink profiles.

Why keyword difficulty matters

If you're running a new blog, targeting keywords with difficulty scores above 70 is usually a waste of time. You're better off finding long-tail keywords with lower competition where you actually have a chance to rank.

Keyword difficulty helps you be strategic about which topics to write about. Instead of chasing impossible keywords, you can focus on terms where you can actually win traffic.

How to Use It

When planning content, look for keywords with decent search volume but manageable difficulty scores. For newer sites, aim for keywords with difficulty scores under 30. As your site builds topical authority, you can gradually target more competitive terms.

Don't ignore high-difficulty keywords entirely though. They're useful for understanding what topics matter in your niche, even if you can't rank for them yet. Consider targeting related long-tail variations instead.