Keyword Competition: What It Is & How to Analyze It

When conducting keyword research for SEO, most marketers focus on search volume, CPC, and search intent. But one critical metric often determines whether you can realistically rank: keyword competition.

Keyword competition (also called keyword difficulty) measures how hard it will be to rank on Google’s organic search results for a specific keyword. It evaluates how strong the current top-ranking pages are based on domain authority, backlinks, referring domains, and content quality.

Understanding keyword competition helps you prioritize realistic opportunities, avoid oversaturated terms, and build a smarter SEO strategy.

TRACK YOUR KEYWORD COMPETITION

What is keyword competition?

Keyword competition is an SEO metric that estimates how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword in organic search results. It analyzes the strength of the pages currently ranking on page one of Google.

Most SEO tools calculate keyword competition using factors such as:

Domain authority or domain rating
Number of referring domains
Backlink quality
Content depth and optimization
SERP features and search intent alignment

Keyword competition is usually scored on a scale from 0–100. The higher the score, the harder it is to outrank competitors.

How to calculate keyword competition

You don’t need to calculate keyword competition manually. SEO tools automatically estimate it by analyzing the strength of the top-ranking pages.

For example:

Ahrefs looks at referring domains pointing to top results.
SEMrush analyzes backlink profiles and authority metrics.
Moz uses domain authority and page authority data.

Because each tool uses a slightly different formula, always use the same platform as your benchmark when comparing keywords.

Keyword competition KPI examples & templates

Add competitor keyword analysis to these reports to better understand your SEO strategy.

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SEO (Search engine optimization) template

Gather all your favorite SEO analysis tools, from Google Analytics to SEMrush, and Ahrefs, to create a powerful SEO report! Track your SEO performance on top pages, get your keyword analysis in seconds, and get insights on improving your on-page SEO.

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Digital marketing report template

Track your digital marketing efforts and optimize your SEO strategy. Our digital marketing reports let you track organic traffic, email campaigns, PPC results, and social media presence.

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Local SEO Report Template

Connect all your local SEO tools into a complete SEO report for all your locations or clients! From search rankings to mobile searches, customer reviews, and keyword research, gather all your local SEO campaign data and local marketing into one report.

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Keyword competition best practices

Here are some of the best practices you should remember when making your list of keywords and improving your chances of ranking on specific search terms.

Analyze Competitor Keywords

Whether trying to optimize your content strategy or your Google ads, you should use your top competitors ranking as a benchmark and perform an in-depth keyword gap analysis. Keyword competition analysis tools will help you discover high search volume keyword suggestions and measure your chances against competitors’ websites. A smart move would be to check your lower domain authority's competitors and use their keywords to create high-value content. That way, you might find low-competition keyword ideas that will get you on the first page of search engines!

Focus on long-tail keyword

If you're relatively new to the game, you must prove yourself with high-competition keywords before you shoot too high. Use the keyword explorer to look for Google search queries that are low-difficulty and easier to rank for you, and remember to check new keyword trends and related keywords. Long-tail keywords usually get lower volumes but are more targeted and not as difficult, which could benefit you.

Prioritize your domain authority

Measuring up to competitors for organic keywords is a complex task. Still, keyword difficulty scores varies depending on the domain authority and ranking factor of other web pages that use this particular keyword. To improve your page ranking, you want to build a content marketing strategy and a link-building strategy. Optimization includes conducting keyword research frequently, doing a SERP analysis, creating high-quality content like case studies or guides, and knowing how to use linking opportunities. SEO tools give you complete backlink profiles.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Keyword Competition

What is keyword competition in SEO?

Keyword competition is a metric that estimates how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword in organic search results. It measures the strength of the pages currently ranking on Google based on factors such as domain authority, backlinks, referring domains, and content quality.

Is keyword competition the same as keyword difficulty?

Yes, keyword competition and keyword difficulty are often used interchangeably. Different SEO tools use different terminology, but both refer to a score that predicts how hard it will be to rank for a keyword in organic search.

How do you check keyword competition?

You can check keyword competition using SEO tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, or Google Keyword Planner. These tools analyze the top-ranking pages and calculate a difficulty score based on backlinks, authority metrics, and SERP analysis.

For best results, combine tool data with manual SERP analysis to evaluate search intent and competitor strength.

Why is keyword competition important for SEO?

Keyword competition helps you prioritize realistic ranking opportunities. Targeting highly competitive keywords without sufficient authority can waste time and resources. By analyzing keyword competition, you can focus on terms that match your website’s current SEO strength.

Should you always avoid high-competition keywords?

Not necessarily. High-competition keywords can be valuable for long-term SEO growth, especially if they align with your core business. However, they usually require stronger domain authority, high-quality backlinks, and comprehensive content to rank successfully.

How often should you analyze keyword competition?

Keyword competition should be reviewed regularly as part of your ongoing keyword research process. Because rankings and competitor strength change over time, revisit your keyword strategy monthly or quarterly to adjust priorities.