Keyword Difficulty
A metric estimating how hard it would be to rank on the first page of search results for a specific keyword.
Definition
Keyword difficulty (KD) is a score—typically 0-100—that predicts how challenging it will be to rank for a particular search term. The metric primarily considers the backlink profiles of currently ranking pages, though different SEO tools calculate it using varied methodologies.
A high keyword difficulty score indicates that top-ranking pages have strong authority and many quality backlinks, requiring significant resources to compete. Lower difficulty keywords present opportunities to rank with less effort, though they often have lower search volume.
Why It Matters
Keyword difficulty helps prioritize SEO efforts by identifying winnable battles. Targeting keywords beyond your site's current authority wastes resources, while too-easy keywords may not drive meaningful traffic. The sweet spot balances difficulty with search volume and business value.
For new websites or those with limited SEO budgets, starting with low-difficulty keywords builds momentum and authority that enables tackling more competitive terms over time.
Examples in Practice
A startup found that "project management software" had a difficulty of 85, but "project management for remote teams" scored only 35 with decent volume—they ranked on page one within three months by targeting the easier term.
An agency analyzed competitor keyword gaps and discovered 200+ low-difficulty keywords their competitors weren't targeting, creating a content roadmap that doubled organic traffic in six months.
A local business realized that adding their city name to target keywords dropped difficulty scores by 40-60 points while maintaining strong local search volume.