How to Find Low Competition Keywords Using Ahrefs

How to Find Low Competition Keywords Using Ahrefs Key Takeaways

Knowing how to find low competition keywords using Ahrefs separates websites that grow steadily from those that struggle for years.

• How to find low competition keywords using Ahrefs starts with a seed keyword and applying the right KD and traffic potential filters.
• Low competition keywords ahrefs uncovers dozens of phrases with KD under 20 and a traffic potential above 100 monthly visits.
• Combine Ahrefs filters with ahrefs content gap analysis to find untapped topics your competitors haven’t covered.

Why Mastering How to Find Low Competition Keywords Using Ahrefs Matters for Your SEO Success

Every day, thousands of new pages compete for the same search terms. If you target phrases with a high Keyword Difficulty (KD) score, you may wait months before seeing any organic traffic. Low competition seo keywords give you a faster path to the first page of Google, especially when your site is new or has limited authority.

Ahrefs makes this process systematic. Instead of guessing which terms are easy, you use data. By the end of this ahrefs keyword research tutorial, you will have a repeatable system for finding profitable terms that your competitors overlook.

What You Need Before Starting This Ahrefs Keyword Research Tutorial

To follow this beginner keyword research using ahrefs guide, you need an Ahrefs subscription (Lite, Standard, or Advanced tier works). A free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools account gives limited access, but the full Keyword Explorer tool requires a paid plan. For a related guide, see Using ChatGPT for Affiliate Marketing (Beginner to Pro Guide).

You also need a clear niche or topic. If you are a blogger, affiliate marketer, or niche site owner, pick one content area before diving into the tool. This focus helps you find low competition affiliate keywords or low competition blogging keywords that fit your site’s theme.

Step 1: Start with a Seed Keyword in Ahrefs Keyword Explorer

Open Ahrefs and navigate to Keyword Explorer. Enter a broad term related to your niche. For example, if you run a fitness blog, type “home workout equipment.” This seed keyword triggers Ahrefs to generate hundreds of related terms.

How to use ahrefs for keyword research begins here. Click the “Search” button and watch the dashboard populate with keyword ideas, volume data, and KD scores. This is your starting point for keyword research using ahrefs 2026 and beyond.

Matching Terms vs. Related Terms

Ahrefs splits results into two tabs: Matching Terms and Related Terms. The Matching Terms tab shows phrases that contain your seed keyword. The Related Terms tab shows semantically connected phrases. Both tabs are valuable for ahrefs keyword matching terms tutorial needs.

For beginners, start with Matching Terms. These are easier to filter and often include long tail keywords using ahrefs that have lower competition.

Step 2: Apply the Keyword Difficulty Filter

In the left sidebar of Keyword Explorer, locate the Keyword Difficulty (KD) filter. Drag the slider to show only keywords with a KD between 0 and 20. This is the sweet spot for ahrefs low keyword difficulty guide recommendations.

Ahrefs keyword difficulty explained in simple terms: KD is a percentage from 0 to 100 that estimates how hard it is to rank in the top 10 search results. A KD of 10 means the top-ranking pages have few backlinks and weaker domains. A KD of 70 means the top results are dominated by high-authority sites.

By applying this filter, you instantly surface low competition keywords ahrefs identifies as winnable.

Step 3: Analyze Search Intent for Every Keyword

Not all low-competition keywords are worth pursuing. You must check search intent. Click on any keyword to open the SERP overview. Look at the top-ranking pages. Are they blog posts, category pages, product pages, or videos?

If you are a blogger and the top results are all product pages, your blog post may not rank. Keyword intent research using ahrefs helps you match your content type to what Google expects. Informational intent phrases are usually the easiest for new sites to target.

Low competition keywords for new websites almost always fall into informational or “investigation” intent categories. Avoid transactional terms with high commercial intent unless your domain authority is strong.

Step 4: Check Traffic Potential, Not Just Search Volume

Search volume alone can mislead you. A keyword with 300 monthly searches may drive less traffic than a keyword with 150 searches if the top result gets most of the clicks. Ahrefs shows a “Traffic Potential” metric that estimates the total monthly search traffic to the #1 ranking page for that keyword.

Ahrefs traffic potential guide recommends filtering for keywords where the Traffic Potential is at least 100 visits per month. This ensures the effort of creating content is worthwhile. Easy keywords with high traffic often have a Traffic Potential that exceeds their volume because the top page ranks for dozens of related terms.

Step 5: Use the “Words Count” Filter for Long Tail Phrases

Long tail keywords often have lower KD and higher conversion rates. In Keyword Explorer, go to the “Words Count” filter under “Include.” Select 3, 4, or 5+ word phrases.

Long tail keywords using ahrefs gives you phrases like “best home workout equipment for small apartments” instead of just “home workout equipment.” These specific terms are easier to rank for and attract readers who know what they want.

This technique is especially valuable in keyword research for niche websites where broad terms are dominated by big brands.

Step 6: Identify Content Gaps with Ahrefs Content Gap Analysis

Ahrefs content gap analysis shows you keywords your competitors rank for but your site does not. This is a goldmine for how to find untapped keywords without guessing.

To use it, enter up to 10 competitor domains into the Content Gap tool (found under Site Explorer). Leave your own domain in the bottom field. Click “Show keywords.” Ahrefs displays every keyword at least one competitor ranks for that you don’t.

Apply the same KD and Traffic Potential filters from earlier. You will discover low competition keywords ahrefs flags as opportunities your competitors already benefit from.

Step 7: Filter by Clicks and Return Rate

Within Keyword Explorer, click the “Clicks” filter and set a minimum of 80 clicks per month. This removes keywords where the featured snippet or knowledge panel steals most clicks. How to find low competition keywords fast means ignoring low-value terms.

Also check the “Return Rate” metric. A high return rate (above 40 percent) indicates searchers come back to the SERP after clicking a result, which often means the search intent is not fully satisfied. This is a signal you can create better content and capture those returning visitors.

Step 8: Export and Prioritize Your Keyword List

After applying all filters, export your keyword list. In Keyword Explorer, click the “Export” button and choose CSV or Google Sheets format. Now you have a clean list of low competition seo keywords ready for content planning.

Prioritize keywords by Traffic Potential, then by relevance to your site. Find easy to rank keywords using ahrefs by sorting the export by KD ascending and Traffic Potential descending. The top of your list contains the best opportunities.

Step 9: Create Content That Matches Search Intent

Now you have a list of winnable keywords. Open each keyword in the SERP overview inside Ahrefs. Study the top-ranking pages. What format do they use? How long is the content? What subtopics do they cover?

Create a piece of content that is more comprehensive, better structured, and easier to read than the current leaders. Use ahrefs keyword strategy insights to include related keyword variants naturally in your headings and body text.

For affiliate marketers, low competition affiliate keywords often work well with comparison posts, best-of lists, and detailed review guides. For bloggers, low competition blogging keywords thrive in how-to formats and ultimate guides.

Common Mistakes When Using Ahrefs Low Keyword Difficulty Guide Techniques

Many beginners filter by KD under 10 and immediately start writing. This is a mistake. A low KD can result from a keyword having zero search volume or from Google ranking irrelevant pages. Always verify the SERP manually.

Another mistake is ignoring the domain authority of competitors. Ahrefs seo tutorial for beginners often skips this nuance: a high-authority site can rank for low-KD keywords easily, but your new site may still struggle. Focus on keywords where the top 3 results have comparable or lower authority than your site.

Using ChatGPT and AI Tools Alongside Ahrefs

Many SEOs now combine seo keyword research using ai with traditional tools. You can export your Ahrefs keyword list and then use chatgpt and ahrefs keyword research together to brainstorm content angles and subtopics. For a related guide, see Best AI Writing Tools in 2026: Full List by Use Case.

Ai overview seo keywords and semantic seo keyword research are emerging trends in 2025 and 2026. Use AI to expand your keyword clusters, but always validate traffic and KD data inside Ahrefs before committing to a topic.

Real Example: Finding Low Competition Keywords Ahrefs in the Outdoor Gear Niche

Let’s apply the steps to a real niche. Seed keyword: “camping stove.” After filtering in Ahrefs Keyword Explorer for KD under 20 and Traffic Potential above 100, here is a sample of the results:

Each of these low competition keywords ahrefs surfaces has clear search intent, reasonable volume, and low competition. A new outdoor gear site could create targeted content for each and start earning traffic within weeks.

Optimizing Your Content for Ahrefs Keyword Research Tutorial Discoveries

Once you publish content targeting these keywords, track performance back in Ahrefs. Use the Rank Tracker tool to monitor your positions. Update pages every three to six months to maintain relevance.

Ahrefs seo workflow does not end at publication. Continually look for how to find ranking opportunities using ahrefs by revisiting your Content Gap analysis every quarter. The market changes, and new gaps appear.

Useful Resources

For further reading on keyword difficulty methodology, visit the official Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty guide. For a broader overview of SEO fundamentals for new sites, read this Beginner’s Guide to SEO from Moz.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Find Low Competition Keywords Using Ahrefs

Mastering how to find low competition keywords using ahrefs is a skill that compounds over time. Each targeted piece of content builds your site’s authority, making it easier to tackle slightly tougher keywords later. Start with the filters and techniques in this guide, and you will build a traffic base that grows consistently without depending on high-competition terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Find Low Competition Keywords Using Ahrefs

What is the best KD range for beginners in Ahrefs?

For most beginners, targeting keywords with a Keyword Difficulty (KD) between 0 and 20 is ideal. This range gives you a realistic chance of reaching the top 10 search results without needing hundreds of backlinks.

Does Ahrefs have a free version for keyword research?

Yes, Ahrefs offers a free Webmaster Tools account that provides limited keyword data for your own verified sites. For full access to Keyword Explorer, you need a paid subscription starting at $129 per month.

How often should I update my keyword research?

You should refresh your keyword research every one to three months. Search volumes, competition levels, and SERP features change over time, especially after Google core updates.

Can I use Ahrefs for local SEO keyword research?

Absolutely. Ahrefs Keyword Explorer lets you filter results by country and even by city in some regions. This is helpful for finding low competition keywords ahrefs reveals for local businesses.

What is the difference between Keyword Difficulty and Traffic Potential?

Keyword Difficulty (KD) estimates how hard it is to rank. Traffic Potential estimates how much monthly search traffic the #1 ranking page receives. Both metrics together help you choose the most valuable keywords.

Should I only target keywords with KD under 20?

Not exclusively. As your site gains authority, you can gradually target higher KD terms. Start with KD under 20 to build momentum, then expand to KD 20-30 after six months of consistent content publishing.

How do I find long tail keywords using Ahrefs ?

Use the Words Count filter in Keyword Explorer. Set it to 3, 4, or 5+ words. Then apply your KD and Traffic Potential filters. This reveals long tail keywords using ahrefs that are specific and easier to rank for.

What is a content gap analysis in Ahrefs?

Content Gap Analysis in Ahrefs shows you keywords that your competitors rank for but your site does not. It is a fast way to find how to find untapped keywords without brainstorming from scratch.

How do I interpret the Traffic Potential metric?

Traffic Potential is the estimated monthly search traffic going to the top-ranking page for a keyword. A high Traffic Potential relative to volume indicates the page ranks for many related terms. It is a more useful metric than volume alone.

Can Ahrefs help with affiliate keyword research?

Yes. Use Ahrefs to find low competition affiliate keywords by filtering for transactional intent and low KD. The Content Gap tool is especially useful for discovering product comparison terms your competitors rank for.

What is the best way to export keywords from Ahrefs?

In Keyword Explorer, click the Export button in the top-right corner. Choose CSV or Google Sheets. The export includes all visible columns including volume, KD, Traffic Potential, and clicks.

How do I check search intent in Ahrefs?

Click on any keyword to open the SERP overview. Look at the pages currently ranking. If the top results are blog posts, the intent is likely informational. If they are product pages, the intent is commercial or transactional.

Is Ahrefs worth it for a new website?

Yes. For a new site, Ahrefs helps you avoid wasting time on impossible keywords. The ahrefs low keyword difficulty guide techniques alone can save months of effort. Start with the Lite plan to keep costs low. For a related guide, see 70+ Best AI Image and Design Tools in 2026 : Full List by Category.

What is the and quot;Return Rate and quot; metric in Ahrefs?

Return Rate shows the percentage of searchers who click a result and then return to the SERP within the same session. A high Return Rate indicates the search intent is not fully satisfied, which is an opportunity for better content.

Can I filter by country in Ahrefs Keyword Explorer?

Yes. In the left sidebar, change the database to the country you want. This affects volume, KD, and SERP data. Useful for finding low competition keywords for new websites in specific markets.

How do I use Ahrefs for content planning?

After finding a list of low-competition keywords, map each one to a content format. Group related keywords into clusters. Then create comprehensive pillar pages that target the main term and support the associated long tail phrases.

What is the difference between Matching Terms and Related Terms?

Matching Terms contain your exact seed keyword. Related Terms are semantically connected but do not include the seed keyword. Both tabs are useful in any ahrefs keyword research tutorial.

How do I find keywords my competitors overlook?

Use the Content Gap tool with multiple competitor domains. Combine the results with low KD and high Traffic Potential filters. This reveals low competition seo keywords your competitors missed.

Should I use AI tools alongside Ahrefs?

Yes. Export your keyword list from Ahrefs and use chatgpt and ahrefs keyword research together to brainstorm subtopics, outlines, and FAQs. AI tools accelerate content creation while Ahrefs ensures data accuracy.

How long does it take to rank for low competition keywords?

With consistent content publishing and basic on-page SEO, you can rank for KD 0-10 keywords within 2 to 4 weeks. KD 10-20 keywords may take 1 to 3 months. Patience and quality content are key.