How to Find Low Competition Keywords Without Paid Tools

Keyword research doesn’t have to be costly or intimidating. Unfortunately, many tools hide the most valuable data behind paywalls, making it feel like a challenge to find those gems.

But here’s the truth: discovering low competition keywords is entirely possible without spending a dime. These hidden opportunities are where real traffic lives, often overlooked because they don’t show up in premium dashboards. With the right process and a bit of smart digging, you can uncover keywords that are both achievable and strategically valuable.

In this knowledgebase guide, we’ll walk you through a clear, step-by-step approach to finding low competition keywords using only free tools and manual techniques—no paid tools required.

1 Understanding What Makes a Keyword “Low Competition”

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly get clear on what we’re aiming for. A low competition keyword isn’t just one that a tool says is “easy.” It’s a keyword where you actually stand a real chance of ranking on page one—without needing a powerful domain or tons of backlinks.

You’ll know you’ve found one when the search results aren’t dominated by high-authority sites. Instead, you might see smaller blogs, niche websites, Reddit or Quora threads, or even older, not-so-updated content. These are all signs that you can compete—and win—with high-quality, helpful content.

So, what does a low competition keyword usually look like?

• Weak or newer domains ranking on page 1
• Few quality backlinks to the top-ranking pages
• Niche-specific or long-tail keyword phrases (usually 4+ words)
• Poorly optimized content—vague titles, short posts, or off-topic results

For instance, if you Google a term like “start a blog,” you’ll see high-authority sites like Wix, Ryrob, and Neil Patel ranking for that keyword. Avoid targeting that keyword, or you’ll be in a tough spot 😬 trying to outrank them. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords like “how to start a blog as a plumber.” You’ll have a much better chance of standing out.

One common mistake beginners make when learning how to find low competition keywords for SEO is blindly trusting keyword tools. Just because a tool labels something as “easy” doesn’t mean it’s actually low competition. You must look at the actual search engine results pages (SERPs) because keyword difficulty scores can miss the full picture. What truly matters is the quality of content already ranking.

Alright, now that you understand what low competition actually means, let’s dive into how to find these keywords for free.

2 Methods to Find Low Competition Keywords (Without Spending a Dime)

You don’t need paid tools for smart keyword research. With the right methods and free resources, you can uncover low competition keywords. Let’s break down the ways:

2.1 Start With a Broad Topic or Seed Keyword

Before diving into keyword tools or SERP analysis, start with what you already know—your niche. Think of a broad topic your audience cares about. Ask yourself:

• What questions do customers keep asking?
• What problems are they trying to solve?
• What would someone Google right before needing your product, blog post, or service?

This could be something like “home workouts,” “budget travel,” “vegan recipes,” or “freelance writing.” These broad topics are known as seed keywords—they’re the foundation for everything else you’ll research.

To kickstart your ideas, you can use our Blog Post Idea Content AI tool. It’s free to use with 750 AI credits per month, and it can help you generate topic ideas based on your niche.

Here’s how to use it:

First, make sure Rank Math is active, and the Content AI module is enabled on your site when you go to Rank Math SEO → Dashboard → Modules. 

Then, head over to Rank Math SEO → Content AI, and select the Blog Post Idea tool. 

You’ll enter your industry, audience, tone, and style, then click Generate to get a list of relevant keyword ideas, which you can filter based on competition.

2.2 Analyzing Google Search Results

Once you’ve got a few keyword ideas, the next step is to check the actual search results. This helps you gauge how competitive the keyword really is—and whether you can outrank what’s already there.

Start by Googling the keyword in an incognito tab (to avoid personalized results) and scan the top 5-10 results on the first page. Do you see big authority sites like Forbes or Wikipedia? Or are there smaller blogs, Reddit threads, or low-effort articles ranking? If the top results aren’t strong, that’s a signal the keyword is wide open.

Now, go a level deeper: Is the content well written? Is it up to date? Does it actually solve the searcher’s problem? If not, that’s your chance to create something better and more useful.

To get more strategic, use Google search operators like:

• intitle:”keyword” (e.g., intitle:”container gardening tips”)—Fewer than 1,000 results suggest low competition.
  
• inurl:”keyword” (e.g., inurl:”best pots for container gardening”)—Fewer URLs means less SEO focus.
  
• site:competitor.com “keyword” (e.g., site:gardeningblog.com “container gardening”)—Shows if a competitor’s coverage is weak, which could be a gap to exploit.
  

If you’re seeing few results with these operators, the keyword is likely under-optimized—and that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Click into a few top results (2-3) and evaluate: Are they truly optimized? Are they solving the search intent? If the content looks beatable, add that keyword to your shortlist.

This hands-on SERP analysis doesn’t cost a thing—and it’s often more useful than what paid tools tell you.

Low Competition Keyword SERP Audit Checklist

2.3 Leverage Google’s Free Features

Now that you’ve validated your keyword idea, it’s time to dive deeper using Google’s free built-in features. These tools are perfect for discovering long-tail, low competition keywords without spending a dime.

2.3.1 Google Autocomplete (Search Suggestions)

Start typing your seed keyword into Google and pause before hitting Enter. Google will show a dropdown of suggestions based on what real people are searching.

For example, type “pepper recipes” and see what pops up.

These longer phrases often have more specific intent and typically less competition than just “pepper recipes.” Write down the ones that match your content ideas.

Tip: Try adding different letters or words to the start or end of your keyword (e.g., “pepper recipes f…” or “b… pepper recipes”) to discover even more suggestions.

2.3.2 People Also Ask (PAA)

Right on the search results page, you’ll often see a box titled People also ask. This section features question-based keywords related to your topic—queries that users frequently search for.

When you click on any question, Google expands it to show a brief answer, often followed by even more related questions.

You can use these PAA questions to build FAQ sections, blog posts, or even entire articles that directly address what people are searching for.

2.3.3 People also search for

At the bottom of Google’s search results page, you’ll see a section called “People also search for.”

These are related queries that can give you insights into different angles or subtopics within your niche. 

Often, these suggestions can point you toward less competitive keywords that are still relevant to your main topic.

By using these Google features, you can uncover dozens of low competition, high search volume keywords in just a few minutes—without any paid tools involved.

2.4 Use AI Tools to Brainstorm Keywords

AI tools are a game-changer for finding low-competition keywords. They generate trending topics and niche ideas specific to your industry, saving you time and guesswork. Plus, many offer free or affordable options to get started.

2.4.1 Use Content AI RankBot 

One excellent option is the RankBot Content AI tool, available to all Rank Math users. It’s free to use with up to 750 credits monthly—plenty to help you get started. If you run out of credits, you can always upgrade to a plan that suits your needs.

To use RankBot, navigate to your WordPress dashboard and go to Rank Math SEO → Content AI → Chat tab. In the RankBot interface, use the pre-made prompt “List trending topics in [Industry] that I should write about.”

Replace [Industry] with your niche, such as “fitness,” and hit Enter. RankBot will generate a list of low-competition keywords and content ideas, helping you discover niche topics that have high-ranking potential.

2.4.2 Use Other Generative AI Tools

You can also use generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, or Gemini to find low-competition keywords. Simply turn on their Search feature and input a prompt like this:

“Act as an SEO expert, helping me find low competition keywords. My niche is [NICHE]. I want you to:

Give me a list of long-tail, low competition keywords people are likely searching for. Ensure the keywords reflect clear search intent (informational, transactional, etc.). Include some question-style keywords that could fit into blog content. For each keyword, briefly describe why you think it might be low competition, based on common search behavior or content gaps. Suggest one or two article title ideas for each keyword.”

Replace the [NICHE] placeholder in the prompt with your actual niche/industry.

This approach will help you generate a curated list of keywords and article ideas, making content planning and keyword targeting easier.

2.5 Explore Forums and Social Media Platforms

Forums and social media platforms are goldmines for low-competition keywords, as they provide insight into what your audience is truly interested in.

2.5.1 Forums

Check popular forums like Reddit, Quora, and niche-specific boards. Search for discussions where people are asking questions or looking for solutions. These conversations often reveal long-tail keywords with low competition.

For example, in the fitness niche, you might find a Reddit thread like “Best home workout for beginners with no equipment,” a perfect low-competition keyword.

2.5.2 Social Media Platforms

On platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram, join niche groups, follow hashtags, and observe the content people engage with. High engagement on specific topics signals potential low-competition keywords.

For example, on X, you can track trending topics related to your niche. If a topic has little content ranking on Google, it’s a great opportunity to create comprehensive content and target that keyword.

2.6 Leverage Free Keyword Research Tools

Free keyword research tools are invaluable for verifying and refining your low-competition keyword ideas. After all, 96.55% of pages get no traffic because they didn’t validate their keywords or their search intent. Here’s how to use these tools to get it right:

2.6.1 Google Search Console (GSC)

Google Search Console helps you uncover the keywords your site already ranks for, even if they’re not on page one. It also shows you related queries and impressions, which can reveal untapped opportunities.

Navigate to the Performance tab in GSC. 

Look at the Queries section to see the keywords driving traffic to your site. 

Pay attention to keywords with high impressions but low clicks—these are low-hanging fruit you can optimize for. Ignore keywords with zero clicks; they might lack search intent.

2.6.2 Google Trends

Google Trends helps you identify trending topics and seasonal keywords in your niche. It’s great for spotting rising searches before they become too competitive.

Visit trends.google.com, enter your seed keyword (e.g., “container gardening”), use filters like location, time range, and category to narrow down results, and explore “Related topics” or “Related queries.”

Now, focus on “Breakout” or rising terms for untapped niches. Avoid keywords with flat or declining trends—they’re likely oversaturated or fading.

2.6.3 Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner provides data on search volume, competition levels (High, Medium, Low), and keyword suggestions. It’s ideal for finding keywords with high search volume and low competition.

Access it through your Google Ads account (no need to run ads). Enter a seed keyword from the “Discover new keywords” option.

Next, filter results by low competition and decent search volume (e.g., 100–1,000 monthly searches). In that column, pay attention to longer-tail keyword suggestions, as these often have lower competition.

 However, be cautious with “Low” competition labels—always double-check the SERPs to ensure that smaller sites aren’t being overshadowed by big brands.

2.7 Organize and Prioritize Your Keyword Ideas

Once you’ve gathered your list of keyword ideas from different sources, it’s time to organize and make sense of them. Group similar terms and variations together to avoid creating multiple posts that end up competing against each other (we don’t want keyword cannibalization).

Here’s how to sort through them:

• Search intent: Is the keyword informational, transactional, or navigational?
• Topic relevance: Does the keyword relate to your brand or site?
• Ranking difficulty: Use the analysis from the free tools or your own analysis to check how tough it will be to rank.

From there, prioritize the keywords that hit the sweet spot: low competition, decent search demand, and clear search intent. You don’t need to chase high-volume keywords right away—those long-tail ones, often less competitive, can bring in more targeted traffic and are usually easier to rank for.

2.8 Start Creating High-Quality Content Around Your Keywords

Now that you’ve got your keywords organized, it’s time to put them into action.

Pick one keyword or keyword group at a time, and create content that addresses exactly what searchers are looking for. Whether it’s a blog post, tutorial, comparison guide, or FAQ, aim to provide clear, helpful, and well-structured information that beats out what’s currently ranking.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Match content format and tone to the keyword’s intent. Make sure the content fits what people are looking for.
• Use the keyword naturally in the title, headings, and body—don’t force it.
• Include supporting keywords and related phrases to give your content more context.
• Add images, examples, and internal links to make it even more useful and engaging.
  

Consistency is key. Publishing optimized content regularly around your low-competition keywords will help build traction over time, bringing in steady organic traffic without needing to rely on ads or tools.

Finding low-competition keywords doesn’t require expensive tools—just the right process, a little creativity, and consistency. Focus on long-tail keywords with clear intent, and you’ll steadily drive high-traffic SEO results that actually convert.

If you need any help or have questions about Rank Math, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated support team. They’re always available and happy to help.