Keyword difficulty

What is keyword difficulty?

Keyword difficulty is a score, usually from 0 to 100, that shows how hard it is to rank high on Google for a keyword. SEO tools such as Ahrefs and Semrush calculate the score themselves, often based on the backlinks of the current top results. It is therefore an estimate and not a figure from Google.

Why is keyword difficulty important?

• Prioritizing: you pick keywords you have a realistic chance of ranking for.
• Time and budget: you spend effort on content that can pay off.
• Expectations: you can judge up front whether results will come quickly or only in the longer term.

Examples of keyword difficulty

• A local keyword such as “physiotherapist Boston” usually has a low score.
• A broad keyword such as “health insurance” usually has a high score.
• A score of 20 is easier than a score of 70, but the scale differs per tool.

How do you use keyword difficulty?

Use the score as a comparison and not as absolute truth, and compare keywords within a single tool. Then look at the search results yourself: are there only big brands, or small sites too? Combine the score with search volume and search intent (SEO).