Use the Keyword Difficulty (KD) filter in keyword research tools (such as Ahrefs and Semrush) to focus on filtering long-tail keywords with a KD lower than 20.
For example, target best running shoes for flat feet instead of running shoes. Analyze search intent and create more detailed content than currently ranked pages to achieve rankings with lower competition.
Using Tools to Filter “Uncontested Long-Tail Keywords”
Search habits of global users vary significantly:
- Americans love asking “How to replace aging wiring in an old house?” on Reddit in r/HomeImprovement.
- Southeast Asian users search for “EV battery maintenance during Kuala Lumpur rainy season” on Shopee forums.
- Middle Eastern users discuss “Which material to choose for baby stroller sunshades in Dubai’s high heat” on Mumsnet.
These long-tail keywords carrying specific countries and scenarios have 5-8 times lower competition than terms like “fitness equipment” (SEMrush 2024 Cross-border Data).
Step 1: Choose the Right Tool
The three most commonly used tools by small to medium website owners worldwide (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest) each have different “filtering advantages.” Choosing the right one can save 80% of your time.
| Tool | Best Scenario | Free/Paid Limits | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Accurately filtering “question-based long-tail keywords” | Free version: 1 search/day; Paid starts at $99/month | Users needing deep user intent analysis |
| SEMrush | Multi-language/multi-region keyword coverage | Free version for basic data; Paid starts at $129/month | Users in cross-border multi-region business |
| Ubersuggest | Free keyword filtering + content inspiration | Limited free features; Paid starts at $29/month | Beginners with limited budgets |
For example: If you are in the “Southeast Asian pet supplies” niche, use SEMrush’s “Keyword Magic Tool,” enter “pet supplies,” and select “Southeast Asia” as the region. You can find long-tail keywords with country and category specificity like “malaysia cat litter deodorizer recommendation.”
Conversely, using Ahrefs’ “Questions” tab can directly find question-based keywords like “how to keep a dog cool in philippines heat.”
Step 2: Set Filtering Conditions
Once the tool is selected, the core task is setting filtering conditions. While global search habits differ, low-competition long-tail keywords share three common characteristics:
- Moderate search volume (100-1000/month)
- Low difficulty (KD < 30)
- Short content length (< 1000 words)
Specific setup method (using Ahrefs as an example):
Search Volume: Select “100-1000/month.” Keywords below 100 have too little traffic to be effective; keywords above 1000 are likely already targeted by large websites.
Example: “small bathroom storage solutions” in the US has a monthly volume of 800 and KD=22, a typical low-competition long-tail keyword.
Keyword Difficulty (KD): Select “< 30." KD is a competition index calculated based on backlink quantity, content quality, and domain authority. Lower means less competition.
Example: “thailand street food tour bangkok” in Southeast Asia has a KD=18. Top 10 results are mostly personal blogs, indicating low competition.
Content Length: Filter for “< 1000 words." Large sites usually write long-form articles over 1500 words, while top results for low-competition keywords are often short content (500-800 words), making them easier for small sites to surpass.
Example: “dubai summer baby care tips” in the Middle East has top 3 results averaging 750 words with no high-quality backlinks.
Step 3: Target Question, Scenario, and Location-Based Keywords
Search intent varies globally. Long-tail keywords can be divided into three categories with different filtering focuses.
1. Question-Based Long-Tail Keywords (starting with “how/what/why”)
User needs are most specific, and competition is lowest.
- Filtering Tip: Check the “Questions” tab in tools or search for “how to…/what is…/why does…” + industry term.
- Cases:
- North America: “how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet in toronto” — Volume: 210/month, KD=15.
- Southeast Asia: “what is the best mosquito repellent for babies in indonesia” — Volume: 180/month, KD=20.
2. Scenario-Based Long-Tail Keywords (“Scenario + Product/Service”)
Users specify “what to use in which scenario.”
- Filtering Tip: Use combinations like “Scenario word + Product word,” e.g., “rainy season + electric bike battery.”
- Cases:
- Europe: “winter cycling gear for beginners in germany” — Volume: 320/month, KD=25.
- Middle East: “summer baby stroller covers for dubai heat” — Volume: 190/month, KD=19.
3. Geographic Long-Tail Keywords (“Country/City + Need”)
Local users focus on specific problems near them.
- Filtering Tip: Include country or city names in keywords, like “vancouver winter roof snow removal.”
- Cases:
- North America: “portland oregon pet friendly cafes 2024” — Volume: 150/month, KD=12.
- Southeast Asia: “jakarta affordable international school fees 2024” — Volume: 200/month, KD=28.
Step 4: Verify Competition
After filtering with tools, manual verification is essential to avoid being misled by “fake low-competition keywords.” Look for three signals on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP):
1. Website Authority of Top 10 Results
Check the DR (Domain Rating) of the top 3 sites. A DR < 30 indicates a small site and low competition; DR > 50 suggests industry leaders.
2. Content Freshness
If top results are over 2 years old, the keyword is stable but unmaintained, making it easy for new content to rank.
3. Number of Backlinks
Check backlinks for top pages. Total backlinks < 100 indicates low competition; > 500 suggests “authoritative content” that is hard to beat.
Step 5: Bulk Keyword Filtering
Global tools support bulk importing/exporting. Follow these steps (e.g., in SEMrush):
- Open “Keyword Magic Tool” and enter a broad industry term.
- Set Filters: Volume 100-1000, KD < 30, Include "how to/for beginners," Exclude commercial terms like "buy."
- Export to CSV and manually check the SERP.
Finding “Real User Needs” Keywords
Users don’t always say “I want to buy X”; they expose needs through “specific questions,” “complaints,” or “requests for help.”
Scenario 1: Forums
Forums are where global users “expose needs.” Use platforms like Reddit (NA), Gutefrage.net (Germany), Lowyat.NET (SEA), or Mumsnet Arabia (Middle East).
Scenario 2: E-commerce Reviews
Analyze Amazon, Shopee, or Noon reviews. Focus on “complaints in specific scenarios” rather than general ratings.
Scenario 3: Q&A Platforms
Use AnswerThePublic to capture questions and Quora to see if those questions have been “adequately answered.”
Scenario 4: Social Media
Join Facebook groups and track Instagram hashtags to find trending topics or real-time problems.
Scenario 5: Customer Service Logs
Export chat records to find repeated “private” questions that aren’t addressed on the public web.
Finding Keywords Competitors Ignore
According to SimilarWeb, 42% of traffic for non-top websites comes from “long-tail keywords not covered by competitors.”
Competitor “Gap in Niche Scenarios”
Use Ahrefs “Content Gap” tool to find words competitors missed. Large sites often ignore small traffic terms like “growing blueberries in small German yards.”
Competitor “Outdated Content”
Find old articles using site:competitor.com + keyword and update them with “2024 latest info” to outrank them.
Competitor “Low Ranking Long-Tail Keywords”
Identify terms where competitors rank 5-10 and create deeper, higher-quality content to take the top spot.
Competitor “Localization Blind Spots”
Target city-level needs (e.g., Munich winter tire regulations) that national sites overlook.
Competitor “Cross-Category Combinations”
Combine scenarios and products, such as “camping + child seats” or “apartment + mini fridge,” which large single-category sites rarely cover.
Conclusion: Low-competition keywords are the primary traffic source for small to medium websites.
Would you like me to help you generate a list of low-competition long-tail keywords for a specific niche you are working on?
