In the world of SEO, every decision you make impacts whether your website pages rank on page 1 of Google — or get buried under thousands of search results. One critical factor that often separates winning SEO campaigns from failing ones is Keyword Difficulty (KD).
Yet, surprisingly, many businesses underestimate how crucial it is to understand what keyword difficulty means, how it’s calculated, and how to use it properly when building an SEO strategy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about keyword difficulty in 2025, explain how major tools calculate it, share data-backed best practices, and show you how to build a keyword plan that drives real ROI.
👉 Fact: According to Ahrefs, 90.63% of all pages in their index get no organic traffic from Google at all.
(Source: Ahrefs Content Explorer Data)
One of the biggest reasons for this? Brands choose keywords they have no realistic chance of ranking for. That’s where keyword difficulty comes in.
What is Keyword Difficulty?
In simple terms, keyword difficulty (KD) is a score that estimates how hard it is to rank on the first page of Google for a specific keyword or phrase.
You’ll see this metric referred to in different ways:
- Keyword Difficulty (KD) — Ahrefs, Moz
- SEO Difficulty — SEMrush
- Competition Level — Google Keyword Planner (paid search context)
Most major SEO tools assign a numerical score, usually on a scale of 0 to 100.
- Example:
- Ahrefs KD: 0–100
- SEMrush Keyword Difficulty: 0–100%
- Moz Keyword Difficulty: 0–100
A higher score means it will be more challenging to outrank existing top pages.
Example:
- “buy running shoes” → KD 75 (very competitive)
- “best waterproof trail running shoes for kids” → KD 18 (low competition, long-tail)
Why Keyword Difficulty Matters in SEO Strategy
If you pick only ultra-competitive head terms with KD scores above 70, you’ll need massive backlinks, strong domain authority (DA), high-quality content, and time to compete with big brands.
But by balancing keyword difficulty with other factors like search volume, intent, and CPC, you can find low to medium-difficulty phrases that deliver better ROI.
Stat: According to HubSpot, 70% of marketers say organic search drives better quality leads than paid ads. (Source: HubSpot State of Marketing Report)
So, the better you target realistic, achievable keywords, the more qualified traffic you get — without wasting time and budget.
How Major Tools Calculate Keyword Difficulty
Ahrefs KD Metric
Ahrefs’ Keyword Difficulty score looks primarily at the number and quality of backlinks to the top-ranking pages.
Their formula:
KD = log(mean number of referring domains to top pages)
So, if the top 10 ranking pages have dozens of high-authority backlinks, the KD will be high.
SEMrush Keyword Difficulty %
SEMrush uses multiple signals:
- Authority of top-ranking domains
- Backlink profiles
- SERP volatility
- User behavior metrics
They express difficulty as a percentage, so 80% KD means “extremely hard.”
Moz Keyword Difficulty
Moz uses:
- Page Authority (PA)
- Domain Authority (DA)
- Link profiles
- On-page optimization signals
Their metric also outputs 0–100.
Key Difference
No two tools use exactly the same algorithm — so KD scores can vary across platforms. Always compare scores contextually.
Factors That Influence Keyword Difficulty
Keyword difficulty isn’t just one number — it’s influenced by multiple ranking signals:
Domain Authority (DA): Are the top pages on huge sites like Wikipedia or Amazon? Higher DA means more difficult.
Page Authority (PA): Even a high-DA domain can have weak pages. Analyze individual page strength.
Backlink Profiles: Ahrefs found that the more backlinks a page has, the higher its chance to rank.
Content Quality: Is the ranking content fresh, well-optimized, and matching search intent?
SERP Features: If the keyword triggers featured snippets, image packs, or People Also Ask — these affect CTR and competition.
How to Check Keyword Difficulty Like a Pro
Here’s a step-by-step:
✔️ Step 1: Enter your keyword in your favorite tool (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz).
✔️ Step 2: Review the KD score and note the scale.
✔️ Step 3: Check the top 10 SERP results.
Look at:
- DA/PA of ranking sites
- Referring domains
- Content type (blog, product page, video)
✔️ Step 4: Use Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner for additional context.
Low vs High Keyword Difficulty: How to Choose
High KD keywords aren’t “bad” — but you’ll need a big budget, time, and a strong link-building plan.
Low KD keywords (0–30) often have lower search volume but are easy wins, especially for newer sites.
✅ Stat:70% of all search traffic comes from long-tail keywords.
(Source: Ahrefs)
So, aim for long-tail variations with medium or low KD to build authority faster.
Combining Keyword Difficulty with Other Metrics
Never look at KD alone. Cross-check:
- Search Volume (SV): Is there enough monthly traffic potential?
- CPC: High CPC can mean high buyer intent.
- Clicks: Ahrefs shows % of searches that actually lead to clicks.
Example:
- KD 15, SV 900, CPC $8 → Good opportunity.
How to Build a Realistic Keyword Strategy
1️⃣ Mix easy, medium, and high-difficulty terms.
2️⃣ Use “easy win” keywords for quick traffic.
3️⃣ Support competitive keywords with content clusters.
4️⃣ Refresh content regularly to keep rankings strong.
Common Mistakes in Measuring Keyword Difficulty
🚫 Mistake 1: Trusting just one tool — compare at least 2–3 tools.
🚫 Mistake 2: Ignoring intent — if your content doesn’t match, KD won’t matter.
🚫 Mistake 3: Focusing only on head terms — diversify with long-tail.
Advanced Tips for 2025 Keyword Research
✅ Use AI: Leverage tools like Jasper and ChatGPT to find semantic clusters.
✅ Google Trends: Spot seasonal spikes and rising topics.
✅ SERP Analysis: Use Chrome extensions like SEOquake for quick DA/PA checks.
Real-World Example: Keyword Difficulty in Action
To understand keyword difficulty in a practical context, let’s look at an eCommerce example.
Scenario:
You run an online store selling eco-friendly water bottles. You want to rank for keywords that will drive qualified, ready-to-buy traffic.
Example Keywords:
- “Reusable water bottle” — KD 78 (high)
- “Best BPA-free water bottle for kids” — KD 38 (medium)
- “Stainless steel water bottle with straw 1 litre” — KD 21 (low)
If your domain is new or mid-level, it’s more realistic to target the long-tail keywords with KD under 40 first. You’ll build topical authority, earn backlinks, and gradually become competitive for harder terms.
Key Lesson:
High KD terms often have massive search volume, but long-tail, lower KD terms convert better because they show clearer buying intent.
✅ Stat: According to Backlinko, the average first-page result on Google has 3.8x more backlinks than those on page two. Without authority and links, your chances for ultra-competitive keywords drop dramatically.
Keyword Difficulty in Local SEO
If you run a local business, keyword difficulty works differently than for national or global sites.
Example:
- “Plumber London” — KD 65 (competitive, big city, lots of directories)
- “Emergency plumber Brixton” — KD 25 (local neighborhood, specific intent)
By adding location-based modifiers, you lower the difficulty while increasing conversion rates. Local SEO wins are often low-hanging fruit.
✅ Stat:46% of all Google searches have local intent. (Source: HubSpot)
Keyword Difficulty for Different Content Types
Not all pages have the same KD challenges.
- Blog Posts: Easier to target informational keywords with medium KD.
- Product Pages: Harder if your product is generic.
- Landing Pages: Usually focus on high-intent, commercial keywords.
- Videos: YouTube keyword difficulty works differently — it relies on engagement signals too.
👉 Pro Tip: If a keyword is tough for written content, try ranking a video or image carousel instead. Diversify your approach.
Advanced: SERP Feature Analysis
Modern SERPs include featured snippets, knowledge panels, image packs, video results, and People Also Ask boxes.
These affect CTR (click-through rate) dramatically. A keyword might look easy in KD, but if the SERP has lots of zero-click answers or dominant snippets, you’ll still struggle for traffic.
✅ Stat: According to SEMrush, 50% of searches result in zero clicks because users get their answer in the SERP.
So when analyzing KD:
- Check if Google shows ads above organic results.
- Look for featured snippets and see if you can outrank them.
- Consider if your content format matches what’s ranking.
Keyword Difficulty for New vs. Established Sites
New Sites:
Start with KD under 30. Focus on long-tail, low-volume but relevant phrases. Build authority, backlinks, and topical depth.
Established Sites:
Mix easy wins with medium and high KD keywords. Create pillar pages for competitive terms and support them with clusters of easier pages.
Practical Walkthrough: Checking KD in Ahrefs
1️⃣ Open Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer.
2️⃣ Enter a seed keyword, e.g., “CRM software”.
3️⃣ Review KD — you’ll see the number of referring domains you’d likely need to rank in the top 10.
4️⃣ Look at SERP Overview:
- Top pages’ DR (Domain Rating)
- Number of backlinks
- Page titles and content type
5️⃣ Check “Also rank for” or “Questions” to find easier variations.
6️⃣ Save opportunities with KD 0–30 for immediate targeting.
How to Combine KD with Content Gaps
Most pros don’t just look at KD alone — they run a content gap analysis:
- Use Ahrefs’ Content Gap Tool or SEMrush’s Keyword Gap Tool.
- Compare your site vs. top competitors.
- Identify keywords they rank for, but you don’t.
- Filter for low to medium KD keywords that align with your audience.
This often surfaces low-competition topics your competitors are winning traffic from.
Using KD to Build a Topic Cluster
Top SEO agencies build topic clusters around a core keyword.
Example:
- Core: “CRM software” (KD 78)
- Cluster:
- “Best CRM for startups” (KD 32)
- “Affordable CRM tools for small business” (KD 28)
- “CRM implementation tips” (KD 21)
Link cluster content to your core pillar page. Over time, your site’s authority around the topic grows, making the competitive head term easier to rank for.
Keyword Difficulty & Link Building Strategy
KD is also a reality check for your link building needs.
- KD 80 keyword → might need 200+ high-quality backlinks.
- KD 20 keyword → you can rank with 10–20 quality backlinks and good content.
Align your outreach and PR budget with your keyword plan. Don’t underestimate what it takes to compete.
✅ Stat: The average #1 Google result has 3.8x more backlinks than pages ranked #2–10. (Source: Backlinko)
How AI Changes Keyword Difficulty in 2025
AI is revolutionizing keyword research.
Tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, Surfer, and Clearscope can:
- Surface keyword variations instantly.
- Predict emerging queries before tools update SV/KD.
- Help draft optimized outlines fast.
But remember: AI won’t replace smart human strategy. Use it to enhance your KD analysis, not replace manual checks.
Seasonality & Keyword Difficulty
Some keywords fluctuate dramatically.
Example:
- “Christmas gift ideas” → KD 85 in Nov–Dec.
- Off-season → less competition.
Use Google Trends to map seasonal spikes. Prepare content months in advance for seasonal keywords with high KD.
KD for International SEO
Going global? KD varies by language and region.
- “Online banking” in the US → KD 80+
- Same term in a niche market like Sweden or Chile → KD 40–50
Always check regional KD and local competition before translating your content.
Monitoring KD Over Time
KD isn’t static.
- New competitors enter the SERP.
- Google algorithm updates shuffle rankings.
- Your domain may gain or lose authority.
✅ Pro Tip: Re-check KD for priority keywords every 3–6 months and adapt your content plan accordingly.
Next-Level: Automate KD Checks at Scale
For large sites or agencies:
- Use APIs from Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to pull bulk KD data.
- Automate gap analysis and competitor monitoring.
- Build dashboards for live tracking.
This saves hours and keeps your strategy agile.
Case Study: How Smart KD Targeting Won Rankings
Brand: Mid-size B2B SaaS company
Challenge: Ranking for “CRM software” (KD 85)
Solution:
- Built 20+ blog posts targeting KD 15–35 variations.
- Earned backlinks naturally with linkable assets.
- After 12 months, domain authority improved.
- The brand now ranks in top 5 for the high-KD “CRM software” keyword.
Result: 320% increase in organic leads.
FAQs
What is a good keyword difficulty score?
For new sites, aim for KD < 30. For established brands, you can target KD 50+.
Should you always target low KD keywords?
No — balance with search volume, CPC, and relevance.
Is KD the same in every niche?
No — some niches (e.g., finance, health) are naturally more competitive.
Conclusion
Keyword Difficulty is one of the most misunderstood but powerful metrics in SEO. Mastering how to check, interpret, and act on it can save you time, budget, and energy — and ensure your content ranks where it deserves.
Want to master your keyword research?
Contact AdRankLab today for a customized SEO strategy session — and let’s unlock your next ranking breakthrough!
