When it comes to SEO, finding keywords that are easy to rank for is like finding a hidden treasure. These keywords can help boost your site’s visibility without the heavy lifting usually required for more competitive terms. But, how do you find these elusive keywords? Well, that's what we're here to explore today. We’ll walk through some practical methods to identify these gems and integrate them into your SEO strategy.
By the end of this post, you'll have a solid understanding of how to find and use easy-to-rank keywords to give your website the edge it needs. We’ll cover everything from understanding search intent to leveraging tools that simplify the process. So, let’s jump right in and get started!
1. Understanding Search Intent
Before you start hunting for those easy-to-rank keywords, it's crucial to understand the concept of search intent. This is essentially the reason behind a user’s search query. Are they looking to buy, gather information, or are they simply browsing? Knowing this can help you tailor your content to match their needs, increasing the likelihood of ranking for those terms.
There are generally four types of search intent:
- Informational: The user is looking for information. For example, “how to bake a cake.”
- Navigational: The user is trying to find a specific website or page. For instance, “Facebook login.”
- Transactional: The user is ready to make a purchase. Keywords might include “buy running shoes online.”
- Commercial Investigation: The user is researching before a purchase. A query could be “best smartphones 2023.”
By identifying the intent behind potential keywords, you can create content that directly addresses the user's needs, which is more likely to rank well and attract clicks.
2. Using Google’s Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google itself offers a treasure trove of keyword ideas right at your fingertips. When you start typing a query into the Google search bar, the autocomplete feature suggests phrases that others frequently search for. These suggestions are often less competitive and can be easier to rank for, especially if they have long-tail keywords.
Similarly, once you’ve hit search, scroll down to the bottom of the search results page, and you’ll see “related searches.” These are additional phrases that can give you more ideas. For instance, if you search for “best coffee beans,” related searches might include “best coffee beans for espresso” or “best coffee beans for French press.”
This method is great for brainstorming and can lead you to discover niche-specific keywords that haven't been overly targeted yet. Plus, these suggestions are based on real user queries, so they’re inherently valuable.
3. Leveraging SEO Tools
There’s no shortage of SEO tools that can help you identify easy-to-rank keywords. Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest offer keyword difficulty scores, helping you determine which terms are less competitive.
For example, Ahrefs provides a keyword difficulty (KD) score, which estimates how hard it would be to rank in the top 10 for a given keyword. Lower scores indicate easier targets. You can also use these tools to explore related keywords, see search volumes, and even get insights into what your competitors are ranking for.
While these tools often require a subscription, many offer free trials or limited access, allowing you to test them out and see which one works best for your needs. Using them can save you a lot of time and effort in your keyword research.
4. Analyzing Competitor Keywords
Sometimes, the easiest way to find easy-to-rank keywords is by taking a peek at what’s working for your competitors. By examining their content and the keywords they rank for, you can identify gaps or opportunities where you might have an advantage.
Start by identifying your main competitors. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to see their top-performing keywords. Look for keywords that they rank well for but have relatively low competition. These might be terms they’re not fully capitalizing on, giving you a chance to swoop in.
Additionally, pay attention to the content itself. If they’re ranking with thin or outdated content, you can create a more comprehensive piece to outrank them. This approach not only helps with keyword identification but also inspires content ideas.
5. Exploring Niche Forums and Communities
Forums and online communities are often overlooked goldmines for keyword ideas. These platforms are where real people ask questions and engage in discussions, providing insights into the language and terms they use.
Join communities related to your niche, such as Reddit or industry-specific forums. Look for recurring questions or topics and note the specific phrases or terms used. These can often translate into long-tail keywords that are easier to rank for.
For example, if you’re in the fitness niche, a visit to a bodybuilding forum could reveal questions like “How to gain muscle fast,” which can be turned into a keyword or content idea. Not only does this method provide keyword inspiration, but it also helps you understand the pain points and interests of your target audience.
6. Capitalizing on Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that tend to have lower search volumes but are easier to rank for. They’re particularly valuable because they often have higher conversion rates due to their specificity and alignment with search intent.
To find long-tail keywords, consider the questions your audience might ask or the specific problems they’re trying to solve. Tools like AnswerThePublic can be especially helpful here, as they generate questions and phrases based on a root keyword.
For example, instead of targeting a broad term like “running shoes,” you might focus on “best running shoes for flat feet.” This approach can make it easier to rank and attract a more targeted audience that’s more likely to convert.
7. Creating High-Quality, Targeted Content
Once you’ve identified some easy-to-rank keywords, the next step is to create content that’s worthy of ranking. This means producing high-quality, targeted content that meets the needs of your audience and search intent.
Start by crafting a content outline that includes your keyword naturally. Make sure to address the user’s query in a comprehensive manner. Use subheadings, bullet points, and images to break up the text and make it more engaging.
Additionally, incorporate related keywords and phrases throughout your content to capture more search queries. But, avoid keyword stuffing—Google’s algorithms are smart enough to detect and penalize unnatural use of keywords.
Remember, the goal is to provide value. If your content genuinely helps the reader, it’s more likely to rank well and attract organic backlinks, further boosting your SEO efforts.
8. Monitoring and Adjusting Your Strategy
SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of deal. Once you’ve implemented your easy-to-rank keywords and published content, it’s important to monitor the results and adjust your strategy as needed.
Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track your website’s performance. Pay attention to metrics like organic traffic, bounce rate, and average time on page. These can indicate how well your content is resonating with your audience.
If a particular keyword or piece of content isn’t performing as expected, don’t be afraid to tweak it. Sometimes minor adjustments, like updating outdated information or optimizing meta tags, can make a big difference.
Stay flexible and open to change. SEO is an ongoing process, and what works today might not work tomorrow. By staying on top of trends and continuously optimizing your strategy, you’ll be better positioned to capture and retain those easy-to-rank opportunities.
9. Utilizing Content Clusters
Content clusters are a strategic way to organize your content around a central theme, linking related pieces to enhance your SEO. This approach not only helps with keyword ranking but also improves user experience by guiding them through related information seamlessly.
Start by choosing a pillar page that covers a broad topic. From there, create cluster content that dives deeper into subtopics, each targeting specific long-tail keywords. Link these pieces back to the pillar page to establish a clear relationship between them.
For example, if your pillar page is about “digital marketing strategies,” you could have cluster content on “social media marketing,” “email marketing tips,” and “SEO basics.” Each of these should link back to the pillar page and to each other where relevant.
This method not only boosts your site’s authority on a subject but also helps you capture a wider range of keywords. As users explore your content cluster, they spend more time on your site, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should have a clear path to finding and utilizing easy-to-rank keywords for your SEO strategy. From understanding search intent to leveraging tools and creating quality content, these steps are designed to help you effectively target and capture those valuable keywords.
If you’re looking to take your SEO strategy to the next level, consider Pattern. We specialize in helping ecommerce brands and SaaS startups achieve real results by driving more traffic from Google. Unlike other agencies, we focus on conversions, not just rankings. Our programmatic landing pages and conversion-focused content are designed to turn visitors into paying customers. Plus, we understand that SEO should be part of a broader growth strategy, ensuring every dollar you invest delivers real ROI. So, why not make SEO a growth channel with Pattern?