Low Competition High Volume Keywords: 7‑Step Guide

Tired of wasting budget on ultra‑competitive keywords that never convert? This guide shows you exactly how to uncover low competition high volume keywords—using free tools and a proven 7‑step checklist—so you can rank faster and spend less.
Follow these steps, and you’ll build a keyword list that drives real traffic without blowing your ad spend.

Low Competition High Volume Keywords: Why They Beat the Competition

Targeting terms with solid search volume but low competition lets you capture traffic that bigger sites overlook. You’ll spend less on paid clicks, rank organically sooner, and convert visitors who are actually looking for what you offer.

1. Start with a seed list

Write down the core topics you know inside out—think main product, service, or problem you solve. For a pet‑care blog, a seed list might be: “dog grooming,” “cat nutrition,” “pet anxiety.”

2. Use free tools to expand

Plug each seed into free keyword generators like Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, or Google’s Keyword Planner. These tools spit out dozens of related phrases; the “questions” tab in AnswerThePublic is especially handy for spotting long‑tail queries that often have lower competition.

3. Filter by search volume

Set a minimum threshold that feels realistic for your niche. Most hobby‑level sites aim for at least 500 searches per month; anything below that usually isn’t worth the effort.

4. Check competition

Here’s where the magic happens. In Ubersuggest you see an “SEO difficulty” score; in Keyword Planner there’s a competition column. Aim for scores under 30%—these are the sweet spots where you can actually rank.

5. Validate intent

Not all high‑volume terms are a good fit. Examine the SERP results: are they product pages, how‑to guides, or forums? Align the keyword’s intent with what you can deliver; a service page won’t rank well for a pure “how‑to” query.

6. Plug into a spreadsheet

Keep a master sheet (you can copy the one from Keyword Insights) listing the keyword, volume, competition, and a quick note on intent. Add a “priority” column so you can focus on the most promising terms first. Use conditional formatting to highlight any keyword that meets the low competition high volume keywords criteria in green.

7. Test and iterate

Publish a piece of content targeting the keyword and monitor its performance for a couple of weeks. If it climbs the rankings and brings traffic, add more related terms to the list. If not, drop it and move on. The process is a loop, not a one‑off task.

That’s the full low competition keyword research checklist approach—simple, and works for any niche—whether you’re writing about DIY crafts or SaaS tools. Stay consistent, ignore the shiny “big‑ticket” traps, and watch your traffic grow.

If you found this useful, subscribe to the Key Insights newsletter for more quick wins and free checklist in a nutshell. It’s simple, free, and works for any niche—whether you’re writing about DIY crafts or SaaS tools. The key is staying consistent and not getting distracted by the occasional “big‑ticket” keyword that looks shiny but is actually a dead end.