Keyword difficulty estimates how hard it is to reach the first page for a keyword, from 0 (easy) to 100 (very hard).
What our score looks at
The keyword difficulty checker looks at the current top 10 results:
- how many are big brands such as marketplaces and encyclopedias,
- how many are home pages (a sign that strong sites compete with their main page),
- the average authority of the ranking domains.
How to use it
- New site: aim for easy and medium keywords first.
- Established site: you can take on harder keywords with your best content and internal links.
- Always look at the actual results. A "hard" keyword where the top pages answer badly can still be an opportunity.
Difficulty is a guide, not a verdict. Pair it with search volume and intent before you decide.
A worked example
Two keywords look similar: "water purifier" and "water purifier for borewell water". The first has huge demand, and its top 10 is full of marketplaces and big brands, so difficulty is very high. The second has far less volume, and its results include smaller sites and forum threads, so difficulty is much lower. A new shop has a real chance with the second, and every ranking for a specific keyword builds the trust needed for the broader one later.
Difficulty changes
Difficulty is a snapshot of today's results. When strong sites publish new pages, it rises; when a topic is neglected, it falls. Re-check important keywords every few months.
Combine signals
A practical shortlist uses three columns: business value, search volume and difficulty. Start with the keywords that score well on value and difficulty, even if their volume is modest.
0 comments