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What Is Keyword Difficulty? (And Why Should You Care?)

June 26, 2025
What Is Keyword Difficulty? (And Why Should You Care?)

Let’s be honest: “keyword difficulty” sounds like something invented by a committee of SEO wizards who ran out of acronyms. But if you’ve ever wondered why your blog post about “best coffee mugs for Mondays” isn’t dethroning Amazon, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re breaking down what is keyword difficulty, why it matters, and how you can use it to outsmart (not outspend) the competition — without losing your sanity or your lunch break.

What Is Keyword Difficulty in SEO?

Keyword difficulty (sometimes called SEO difficulty or keyword competition, because why have one name when you can have three?) is a score that tells you how hard it is to rank on the first page of Google for a specific keyword. Most SEO tools — think Ahrefs, Semrush, and SpyFu — use a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the tougher the competition.

So, if you’re dreaming of ranking for “iPhone,” brace yourself. Apple and its army of backlinks have already set up camp. But “eco-friendly coffee mugs for introverts”? Now we’re talking.

Why Does Keyword Difficulty Matter?

Because time is money, and nobody wants to spend either chasing impossible dreams. By understanding what is keyword difficulty in SEO, you can:

  • Target keywords you can actually rank for (and not just admire from afar).
  • Allocate resources wisely — no more writing 3,000-word essays for keywords you’ll never see page one for.
  • Boost organic traffic and conversions by focusing on realistic wins.

In short: it’s about working smarter, not harder. Or, as we like to say at Blogging Machine, letting the robots do the heavy lifting while you enjoy your coffee.

How Is Keyword Difficulty Calculated?

Here’s where the magic (and math) happens. SEO tools look at:

  • The authority and backlink profiles of the top-ranking pages
  • The quality and relevance of existing content
  • The number of competing pages
  • Sometimes, your own site’s authority (hello, “personal keyword difficulty”)

It’s a bit like sizing up the competition at a bake sale — except instead of cookies, it’s backlinks and domain ratings.

Key Facts, Stats, and a Dash of Reality

  • Most tools use a 0–100 scale. 0 is a walk in the park; 100 is climbing Everest in flip-flops.
  • High-difficulty keywords often have high search volume. But not always. Sometimes, those long-tail gems are low-difficulty and just waiting for you.
  • Industry matters. Finance and health? Brutal. Niche hobbies? Much friendlier.
  • Keyword difficulty often tracks with cost-per-click (CPC). If advertisers are fighting over it, you can bet it’s tough to rank for.

What Is a Good Keyword Difficulty?

Ah, the million-dollar question: what is a good keyword difficulty? The answer depends on your website’s authority, niche, and how much coffee you’ve had. But here’s a cheat sheet:

  • New or low-authority sites: Stick to keywords with a difficulty score below 30–40.
  • Established sites: You can aim for 40–60.
  • High-authority sites: Go wild — above 60 is fair game.

Some tools (like Semrush) even offer a “Personal Keyword Difficulty” score, which tailors the estimate to your site. It’s like having a personal trainer, but for your blog.

“Relying solely on the general Keyword Difficulty score can mislead you. PKD [Personal Keyword Difficulty] reveals keywords that seem too competitive based on general difficulty but are achievable for your domain.” — Semrush

What Is SEO Difficulty? (And Why Should You Care Again?)

SEO difficulty is just another way of saying keyword difficulty. It’s the same party, different hat. The point is: not all keywords are created equal, and knowing which ones are worth your time is half the battle.

How Should You Use Keyword Difficulty in Your Content Strategy?

Here’s the professional advice (with a side of self-awareness):

  1. Don’t obsess over the score. Use keyword difficulty as a guide, not gospel.
  2. Combine metrics. Look at search volume, relevance, and business value too.
  3. Start with long-tail keywords. They’re less competitive and more targeted.
  4. Build authority. As your site grows, you can chase bigger fish.
  5. Reassess regularly. The SEO landscape changes faster than your lunch plans.

Unique Insights and Recent Trends

  • Personalized metrics are on the rise. Tools now offer scores tailored to your site’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • AI is making keyword research smarter. (We should know — we built Blogging Machine to do just that.)
  • Long-tail keywords are gold for SMBs. Lower difficulty, higher intent, and less competition.

How Blogging Machine Makes Keyword Difficulty Effortless

Let’s face it: most people don’t dream of spending their afternoons analyzing keyword scores. That’s why we built Blogging Machine — to automate the boring parts. Our AI agent:

  • Handles keyword research (including difficulty scores)
  • Generates SEO-optimized articles
  • Keeps your content fresh and relevant
  • Frees you up for, well, anything else

Consistent, purposeful content is the secret to SEO success. And with us, you don’t have to lift a finger (unless it’s to click “publish”).

Professional Advice for SMBs and Agencies

  • Use keyword difficulty as a filter, not a fence. It helps you prioritize, not limit, your options.
  • Focus on relevance and engagement. Google loves content that answers real questions.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing. It’s 2024, not 2004.
  • Update your strategy as you grow. What’s hard today might be easy tomorrow.

For more on keyword research and SEO best practices, check out these resources:

FAQ: What Is Keyword Difficulty?

Q: What is keyword difficulty? A: It’s a score (usually 0–100) that shows how hard it is to rank for a keyword on Google.

Q: What is keyword difficulty in SEO? A: Same thing! It’s a metric used in SEO to help you pick realistic keywords for your content.

Q: What is a good keyword difficulty? A: For new sites, aim for below 30–40. Established sites can go higher. It all depends on your site’s authority.

Q: How do I find keyword difficulty? A: Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or let Blogging Machine do it for you.

Q: Should I always go for low-difficulty keywords? A: Not always. Balance difficulty with search volume and relevance to your business.

Q: Can keyword difficulty change over time? A: Absolutely. As competitors come and go, scores can shift. Keep checking in.

In the end, understanding what is keyword difficulty is about making smarter choices — not working harder. And if you’d rather spend your time growing your business (or just enjoying a longer lunch), let us handle the SEO heavy lifting. With Blogging Machine, high-performing blog posts are just a click away.