Keyword Competitiveness: Measure It, Outsmart Rivals and Win Search

You invested in optimization for what seemed to be the perfect keyword, but your content still won’t rank. What’s the problem?

With some keywords, it’s just really hard to outrank the competition.

Keyword competitiveness shows just how tough it can be to rank for a particular search term in organic results. 

For marketers, content creators, and business owners, it serves as the compass needed to decide if a keyword is worth the effort. Knowing which terms are realistic and which are a long shot lets you prioritize wisely and invest where you’ll actually see returns.

Getting a handle on keyword competitiveness is essential for SEO, content planning, and long-term ROI. It impacts what content you publish, how you structure campaigns, and even where you allocate your budget. 

How do you measure keyword competitiveness? Which SEO tools can make it easier, and how can you dig into competitors’ keywords? 

In what ways can keyword competitiveness help you gauge your own chances of ranking?

If you have these questions, we’ve got answers for you. Stay with us for the full scoop. 

Key Takeaways

• Keyword competitiveness shows how difficult it is to rank for specific search terms.

• Measuring it means looking at multiple factors, not just one metric.

• The right tools bring clarity and highlight opportunities.

• Competitor keyword analysis uncovers gaps you can target.

• Checking your own authority, backlinks, and content sets realistic expectations.

Table of Contents

• What Is Keyword Competitiveness?

• How Is Keyword Competitiveness Measured?

• Tools to Measure Keyword Competitiveness
  

• How to Find Your Competitors’ Keywords

• How to Assess Your Ranking Potential
  

• Keyword Competitiveness Strategies for Long-Term SEO Success

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What Is Keyword Competitiveness?

Keyword difficulty is a numeric score (commonly 0–100) that SEO tools like Semrush, Moz, or Ahrefs assign to estimate how hard it is to rank for a keyword phrase, usually based on the backlink strength and authority of competitive pages that are already ranking.

Keyword competitiveness, on the other hand, estimates how likely your site is to rank for that keyword, considering your domain’s authority, topical relevance, and the competitive landscape.

The primary factors that affect competitiveness include:

• Search volume: High-volume keywords attract more competition.

• Domain authority of ranking sites: If big, trusted sites dominate results, it’s harder to break through.

• Backlink profiles: Pages with lots of strong backlinks carry more weight.

• SERP features: Ads, snippets, and panels can push organic results further down.

• Content quality and relevance: Better, more useful content raises the bar.

• User intent alignment: If top results nail the intent, it’s tough to displace them.

Understanding these elements lets you match your keyword strategy with your desired SEO outcomes. 

A keyword may look highly competitive overall, but intent-specific content (like transactional vs. informational) can have weaker competition. Break it down by intent before making decisions.

High-search, low-competition keywords can deliver quick wins, but high-competition terms that demand more effort can pay off even more over time. 

Check the keyword competition. Do some competitive keyword research, and you’ll get an idea of just how tough it’s going to be if you want to rank in both organic and paid search. That’s why analyzing SERPs is vital for seeing how many strong domains are already in play.

How Is Keyword Competitiveness Measured?

Measuring keyword competitiveness isn’t about one magic number. It’s about piecing together multiple signals and weighing them against your own site’s strength.

What are some of the best ways to measure the competitiveness of keywords?

• Keyword difficulty scores: A competitor keyword research tool like Semrush and Ahrefs give a percentage estimate. A score under 30 usually means low competition, while 70+ signals a steep climb.

• Low vs. high competition keywords: Long-tail, low-competition keywords may not bring huge traffic, but they are easier to win. High-competition terms can bring more visitors… but they take serious resources.

• SERP analysis: Look at who’s ranking, their domain authority, and the content type. If government, educational, or big media sites own page one, the keyword is tough.

• Content type: If results are filled with linkable content like detailed guides, videos, or tools, a basic blog post isn’t going to cut it.

• Your own site authority: A keyword that looks doable on paper may still be out of reach if your site lacks authority or backlinks.

Always read competitiveness in context. A “medium” keyword competition score might be unrealistic for a startup but achievable for a brand with authority.

Competitiveness isn’t static. Review your target keywords at least once per quarter to catch shifts caused by algorithm updates or new competitors entering the space.

Tools to Measure Keyword Competitiveness

Both free and paid  tools are out there to make the process smoother by blending data, competitor insights, and SERP checks. Each one has its perks, and most teams mix and match their resources.

Each of these tools can give structure, but the strategy is still in your hands. Always compare a tool’s data with your actual goals and resources.

Don’t just look at competitiveness scores – dig into keyword suggestions and related queries that tools surface. These can uncover less obvious paths to ranking

How to Find Competitors’ Keywords

Do you know how to check keyword competition?

Your SEO rivals aren’t always your business rivals. A small blog can outrank your product page if its content fits user intent better.

Luckily, you have some choices when it comes to uncovering competitor keywords:

• Manual SERP analysis: Google a keyword and study the results. Use the “People Also Ask” box for related ideas.

• Semrush Organic Research and Keyword Gap: Spot competitor rankings and compare up to five domains.

• Ahrefs Site Explorer: See competitor keywords and authority powered by backlinks.

• Keywords Everywhere and Google Keyword Planner: Find free competitor keyword opportunities and paid search terms.

A 2024 study using Ahrefs’ US database found People Also Ask on 64.4% of searches and no SERP features on only 7.2% of searches. That’s evidence most keywords compete against feature-heavy SERPs.

Identify which formats dominate competitor rankings (e.g., blogs vs. videos). Creating a different but equally valuable format can help you leapfrog crowded SERPs.

No matter which method or tool you employ to analyze the competition, there are certain factors to watch for:

• Keywords where multiple rivals rank consistently.

• Terms they’re spending money on in ads.

• Content formats (like guides, comparisons, calculators) that dominate results.

This kind of analysis shows where competitors invest and highlights openings where you can stand out.

How to Assess Your Ranking Potential

Once you know the competition and recognize what others are doing to rank for competitive  keywords, the next step is sizing up your own chances.

Don’t fret if you still aren’t sure of your potential. Just consider:

• Domain authority vs. competitors: Compare your DA to the sites on page one.

• Backlink profiles: Look at the volume and quality of backlinks to competitor pages.

• Content analysis: Check if the top content is detailed, long, and structured. You’ll need to meet or beat it.

• Traffic potential and feasibility: Use metrics like Ahrefs’ Traffic Potential or Semrush’s PKD to see if returns justify the effort.

• Long-tail alternatives: Broader keywords may be out of reach. Target longer phrases instead.

• Funnel mapping: Link keywords to buyer stages (awareness, consideration, decision) for maximum business value.

In fact, long-tail keywords can be the “key” to your SEO success. According to SEER research, the average conversion rates for long tail keywords were 4.15% higher than the conversion rates for short tail keywords. However, it’s important to also note that the average bounce rate was 6.22% higher for long tail keywords.

By weighing these determinants, you can focus on keywords that deliver impact without chasing the impossible.

Use long-tail variations to build topical authority. Over time, this strengthens your position to rank for the tougher parent keyword.

Keyword Competitiveness Strategies for Long-Term SEO Success

Keyword competitiveness isn’t just a number; it’s a way to think strategically. When you measure it carefully, use the right tools, analyze rivals, and check your own potential, you can set smart priorities and drive better ROI.

Marketers who revisit competitiveness often stay ahead of shifts in search trends. Business owners who fold competitiveness into campaigns reduce wasted energy and boost visibility where it matters most.

You should start by reviewing what keywords are already driving your traffic. Compare them to new opportunities, and let competitiveness guide the way. Over time, you’ll build authority, expand your reach, and give your content a winning edge.

Ready to put keyword competitiveness to work for your brand? Vazoola helps marketing managers, content creators, and business owners uncover smarter opportunities and build stronger strategies.

How can we help? Find out by booking your demo today. 

Build keyword strategies that reinforce each other. Winning smaller, related terms now can compound authority and make ranking for harder terms easier later.