6 Key SEO Factors for Understanding and Measuring Keyword Difficulty

There’s one aspect of SEO strategy that can’t be skipped: keyword research. It is the foundation of any successful SEO campaign.

But what exactly is a keyword, you may wonder? It’s any word or phrase a person would use to find your products or services.

By researching, you or your SEO agency can find just the right keywords for your unique business.

Once you determine what keywords work for your business, you next have to consider the difficulty of these keywords. We’re not talking large, complex words here. We’re looking at the level of difficulty to rank on search engines for your desired keywords.

You’ll find that every keyword is different. Some are nearly impossible to rank for due to high competition. On the flip side, others will have lower levels of competition making them easier to rank for.

Understanding keyword difficulty is like having a secret map to buried treasure. It helps you figure out which keywords are worth your time and which ones might leave you digging in the wrong spot.

Ready to uncover the mysteries of measuring keyword difficulty? Let’s dive in and explore how to crack this crucial SEO code.

1. Keyword Difficulty: The SEO Puzzle Piece You Can’t Ignore

Think of it like a game of SEO Monopoly. Some keywords are like Boardwalk and Park Place — everyone wants them, but they’re tough to get. Others are more like the railroads — less flashy, but often more attainable and still valuable.

That’s essentially what keyword difficulty is all about. It’s a measure of how hard it’ll be to rank for a particular keyword. And trust me, you want to know this before you invest your time and resources.

But here’s the kicker — not all keywords are created equal. Take “car insurance” for example — large insurance carriers and aggregate websites invest heavily in ranking for this term, making it incredibly challenging for smaller businesses to compete. 

On the other hand, “best local plumber in [your city]” might be a breeze in comparison. It’s all about knowing which battles to pick.

2. SEO Tools: Your Keyword Difficulty Compass

Now, you might be wondering, “How on earth do I figure out keyword difficulty?” This is where SEO tools come in handy. They’re like your personal SEO navigator, guiding you through the complex terrain of keyword competitiveness.

However, it’s crucial to understand that these tools aren’t 100% accurate. In fact, you’ll often get different difficulty percentages from each tool. Why? Because each platform uses its own unique algorithms and data sources to calculate keyword difficulty.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to use a variety of paid tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz Pro to research and compare results. This approach gives you a more comprehensive snapshot of keyword difficulty.

Here’s a pro tip: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Since each tool has its own “secret sauce” for calculating difficulty, it’s worth checking a few to get a well-rounded view. This multi-tool approach helps you balance out the variances and make more informed decisions.

Remember, these tools are guides, not gospel. They provide valuable insights, but your industry knowledge and common sense should always play a role in your keyword strategy decisions.

3. SEO Browser Extensions: Your Free Ticket to Keyword Insights

You can install free browser extensions like SEOquake to gain valuable metrics for the websites ranking highly for the keywords you want to rank for. You can use SEOquake for any webpage or right inside the search results.

You’ll get an inside look at what keywords are used on each page and how often they’re used — plus tons of other metrics.

These details will come in handy for understanding keyword difficulty.

4. Page Authority: The Individual Page Superstar

Another key metric to keep an eye out for is “PA”. That’s Page Authority, and it’s a big deal in the world of keyword difficulty.

Think of PA as a page’s individual SEO street cred. The higher the number, the more Google trusts that page. 

If you’re seeing low PA scores on the first page of search results, that’s like spotting an “Easy” level on your favorite video game. It might be your chance to swoop in and claim that ranking.

5. Domain Authority: The Whole Website Heavy-Hitter

Next up is “DA” or Domain Authority. This is like the overall reputation of the entire website.

Building DA is a long game. It’s like growing a tree — it takes time, nurturing, and the right conditions (in this case, quality backlinks). 

When you’re assessing keyword difficulty, lower DA scores in the top results could spell opportunity for you. You can find this rating using a variety of tools like Ubersuggest.

6. Link Explorer: Your Backlink Treasure Map

Last but not least, let’s talk about Moz’s Link Explorer. With a free Moz account, you get 10 peeks a month into this goldmine of link data.

It’s like being able to X-ray a website and see its link skeleton. You can spot how many unique websites are linking to a domain, which will show you how difficult a keyword is to rank for.

The Bottom Line: Knowledge is Power in the SEO Game

There you have it, folks! You’re now armed with the tools to decode keyword difficulty like a pro. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole world of on-page SEO factors and content quality assessments that play into the ranking game.

But hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is SEO expertise. Start with these basics, and you’ll be well on your way to making smarter, more strategic keyword choices.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start cracking the keyword difficulty code. And remember, in the world of SEO, the only constant is change. Keep learning, keep adapting, and most importantly, keep optimizing.