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How to find low competition keywords on Semrush

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-30
Quick Answer

Use Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool and Organic Research features to identify keywords with low Keyword Difficulty scores (under 30) and decent search volume. Filter results by competition level and analyze SERP features to find opportunities your competitors might be missing.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Semrush subscription
  • Basic understanding of SEO metrics
  • Knowledge of your target niche
  • List of seed keywords or competitor domains

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access the Keyword Magic Tool

Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Keyword Research > Keyword Magic Tool from the left sidebar. Enter your seed keyword or main topic in the search bar and select your target location and device type.
Start with broader seed keywords to discover more keyword variations and opportunities.
2

Set up low competition filters

Click on Advanced filters and set the Keyword Difficulty range to 0-30 for low competition keywords. Set minimum Search Volume to at least 100-500 monthly searches to ensure the keywords are worth targeting. Apply the filters by clicking Apply.
Adjust the KD range based on your domain authority - newer sites should target KD 0-20, while established sites can go up to KD 30-40.
3

Analyze keyword metrics and intent

Review the filtered results and focus on keywords with:
  • Keyword Difficulty (KD): 0-30
  • Search Volume: 100+ monthly searches
  • Cost Per Click (CPC): Higher CPC often indicates commercial value
  • Search Intent: Match keywords to your content goals (informational, commercial, transactional)
Look for keywords with increasing trend arrows, indicating growing search interest over time.
4

Export and analyze competitor gaps

Select promising keywords using the checkboxes and click Export to save your list. Navigate to Competitive Research > Keyword Gap and enter your domain plus 2-3 competitors. Look for keywords in the Missing and Weak columns that your competitors rank for but you don't.
Focus on keywords where multiple competitors rank but none dominate the first 3 positions.
5

Examine SERP features and competition

Click on individual keywords to view the SERP Analysis. Look for SERPs with:
  • Fewer featured snippets or rich results
  • Older content (2+ years old)
  • Lower domain authorities in top 10
  • Thin or poorly optimized content
Check the SERP Features column to identify less competitive result types.
Keywords with many SERP features can be harder to rank for, even with low KD scores.
6

Use Topic Research for content clusters

Go to Topic Research and enter your main topic. Click on Questions and Related tabs to find long-tail, low-competition variations. Look for subtopics with lower search volumes but high relevance to your audience.
Target question-based keywords which often have lower competition and can help you capture featured snippets.
7

Validate with Position Tracking

Add your selected low-competition keywords to a Position Tracking campaign by going to Projects > Position Tracking. Monitor rankings over time to validate that these keywords are indeed easier to rank for and track your progress.
Set up weekly tracking to quickly identify ranking improvements and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

No keywords showing with low KD scores

Expand your search by using broader seed keywords, increasing the KD range to 0-40, or researching competitor keywords in less competitive niches using the Organic Research tool.

Low competition keywords have very low search volume

Focus on long-tail variations and question-based keywords. Use the Related Keywords feature and consider that multiple low-volume keywords can collectively drive significant traffic.

SERP analysis shows high competition despite low KD

KD scores can be outdated. Manually review the top 10 results for domain authority, content quality, and publication dates. Look for opportunities where you can create better, more comprehensive content.

Keywords seem irrelevant to my business

Refine your seed keywords to be more specific to your niche. Use the Questions and Related filters in Keyword Magic Tool, and add negative keywords in advanced filters to exclude irrelevant terms.

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