Keyword Difficulty (KD) is a metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank on the first page of search engine results for a specific keyword. It’s typically scored on a scale from 0 to 100 — the higher the number, the tougher the competition.

This metric takes into account factors like:

  • How many websites are already ranking
  • The authority of those websites
  • The quality and depth of existing content
  • The number of backlinks those pages have

Understanding KD helps you pick your SEO battles wisely. If your site is newer or has a lower domain authority, you’ll often get better results targeting low-to-medium difficulty keywords before going after the big ones.

Example:

You’re writing content for a startup offering time-tracking software. You check two keywords:

  • “Time tracking software” — KD: 78 (very competitive)
  • “Time tracking software for freelancers” — KD: 32 (more achievable)

Instead of trying to compete with giants like Toggl or Hubstaff right away, you create niche content for the lower-difficulty keyword to start building traffic and credibility.

Other terms

Keyword Volume

Keyword Volume indicates how often a keyword is searched for within a given time frame, helping prioritize SEO efforts.

Keyword Mapping

Keyword Mapping assigns target keywords to specific website pages, ensuring organized SEO and clear content focus.

Keyword Clustering

Keyword Clustering groups related keywords together to optimize content strategy and improve search relevance.

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