How to find low-competition content opportunities on Ahrefs
Quick Answer
Use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer to find keywords with low Keyword Difficulty (KD) scores below 30, high search volume, and analyze SERP features to identify content gaps. Filter results by search volume, difficulty, and traffic potential to discover untapped opportunities your competitors are missing.
Prerequisites
- Active Ahrefs subscription
- Basic understanding of keyword difficulty metrics
- Knowledge of your target audience and niche
- Familiarity with content marketing fundamentals
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Access Keywords Explorer and enter seed keywords
Navigate to Keywords Explorer in the main Ahrefs menu. Enter your primary seed keyword or topic in the search bar and select your target country. Click Search to generate the initial keyword report with overview metrics including search volume, keyword difficulty, and clicks data.
Start with broad seed keywords related to your niche to cast a wide net for opportunities
2
Apply keyword difficulty and volume filters
Click on Keyword ideas in the left sidebar, then select All keyword ideas. Apply filters by clicking KD (Keyword Difficulty) and set the range from 0 to 30 for low competition. Set Volume filter to minimum 500-1000 monthly searches. Click Apply filters to refine your results to show only low-competition, high-potential keywords.
Adjust KD threshold based on your domain authority - newer sites should target KD 0-20
3
Analyze SERP features and competition
Click on individual keywords to view the SERP overview. Look for keywords where the top 10 results have low Domain Rating (DR) scores (below 50) and mixed content types. Check the SERP features column to identify keywords without heavy featured snippets or ads that could limit organic click-through rates.
Target keywords where you see forums, Q&A sites, or outdated content ranking in top positions
4
Use Content Gap analysis
Navigate to Site Explorer and enter your domain. Go to Content Gap under the Organic Search section. Add 2-3 main competitors in the But the following targets don't rank for field. Set Intersection to show keywords that at least 2 competitors rank for but you don't. Apply volume and KD filters to find missed opportunities.
Focus on keywords where competitors rank in positions 4-10, indicating room for improvement
5
Identify question-based keywords
In Keywords Explorer, use the Include filter and add question words:
what, how, why, when, where (separated by commas). These question-based keywords often have lower competition and higher conversion potential. Sort results by Traffic potential to prioritize keywords that could drive the most organic traffic. Question keywords are perfect for creating comprehensive FAQ sections and how-to content
6
Analyze search intent and SERP layout
For promising keywords, click to view the SERP tab. Analyze the search intent by examining current ranking pages - look for informational content opportunities where you can create more comprehensive, updated, or better-formatted content. Check if results are primarily blog posts, product pages, or mixed content types to match your content strategy.
Look for keywords where top results are thin content or missing key information your audience needs
7
Export and prioritize opportunities
Select promising keywords using the checkboxes and click Export. Create a spreadsheet to rank opportunities by Traffic potential, Business relevance, and Content creation difficulty. Calculate a priority score combining low KD (below 25), decent volume (500+), and high relevance to your business goals.
Start with 10-15 high-priority keywords to create a focused content calendar rather than overwhelming yourself
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
No low-competition keywords showing up in results
Increase your KD threshold to 40 or try more specific long-tail variations of your seed keywords. Use the Questions and Also rank for reports for more targeted opportunities.
Keywords have low search volume
Focus on Traffic potential rather than just search volume. Check the Also rank for section to find related keywords that could collectively drive significant traffic.
SERP analysis shows high-authority domains dominating
Look for long-tail variations or specific angles those authorities haven't covered. Use Content Gap to find subtopics within the broader keyword theme.
Filtered results show irrelevant keywords
Use the Exclude filter to remove irrelevant terms. Add negative keywords related to industries, products, or topics outside your niche to refine results.
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