Finding low competition niches is crucial for bloggers, online business owners, and content creators aiming to target specific audiences with high conversion potential. However, many keyword research tools come with hefty monthly subscription fees. Fortunately, there are free tools that can help users discover hidden golden keywords and rank higher in search engine results. This article explores the best free keyword research tools for uncovering low competition niches and maximizing organic traffic potential.
Why Focus on Low Competition Keywords?
Low competition keywords often have lower search volume, but they offer higher chances of ranking in search engines quickly. For new websites or solo bloggers without domain authority, targeting these types of keywords can lead to faster traffic acquisition and better audience targeting. These keywords serve as gateways to building authority in a niche, ultimately allowing websites to rank for more competitive terms down the line.
Best Free Keyword Research Tools
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is one of the most widely used tools in the SEO world. Although primarily developed for advertisers using Google Ads, it can also serve as a powerful research tool for bloggers and content marketers.
- Allows users to find keywords based on phrases, URLs, or product categories
- Provides average monthly searches and competition level
- 100% free with a Google account
One limitation of Google Keyword Planner is that it does not provide exact competition metrics for organic searches—it focuses primarily on paid search. Still, it remains a vital tool for seed keyword discovery and idea generation.
2. Ubersuggest
Developed by Neil Patel, Ubersuggest offers generous features for free users compared to traditional SEO software. Its user-friendly interface allows beginners to quickly get keyword suggestions and relevant data such as volume, competition, and cost-per-click (CPC).
- Displays keyword difficulty for SEO & paid ads
- Tracks ranking over time (limited on the free plan)
- Shows content ideas and backlink opportunities
For low competition niche seekers, Ubersuggest’s SEO Difficulty (SD) score is especially helpful—keywords with an SD under 35 are usually reachable, even for new domains.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic shines when it comes to content ideation. It taps into Google and Bing autosuggestion data to generate hundreds of questions, comparisons, and phrase-based keyword ideas around a given topic.
- Visualizes data in a wheel format, grouping by prepositions and questions
- Excellent for finding long-tail keyword opportunities
- Quick identification of topic clusters and content ideas
While the free version limits the number of daily searches, even three to five queries per day can yield enough material to map out a low competition content strategy for months.
4. Google Trends
If you’re concerned whether your niche is growing or declining, Google Trends is essential. It doesn’t provide traditional keyword difficulty data, but it lets you analyze search interest over time, isolate geographical differences, and compare multiple terms.
- Visualizes keyword interest over different timeframes
- Locates keyword demand by region
- Identifies trending related queries
Combining Google Trends with Keyword Planner can make your niche research far more targeted and practical—especially when entering micro-niches or targeting local content.
5. Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension developed by SurferSEO that shows keyword data directly within Google’s search results. When you search for a term, the tool overlays keyword volume, CPC, and related keywords instantly.
- No need to open a separate tool—search and analyze in real time
- Displays search volumes for your query and similar keywords
- Local search data available for different markets
This makes Keyword Surfer perfect for quick checks and gathering long-tail topic ideas when doing live SERP browsing and competitor content analysis.
6. Soovle
Soovle aggregates keyword suggestions from multiple sources such as Google, Bing, Amazon, YouTube, Wikipedia, and more—all in a single interface.
- Great for finding keyword ideas across platforms
- Ideal for ecommerce and affiliate niches
- Interface is simple and intuitive
Since each platform provides different user-generated data, Soovle helps uncover untapped keyword opportunities, especially in product-based or multimedia-focused niches.
7. Moz Keyword Explorer
While Moz’s Keyword Explorer limits free users to 10 queries per month, it provides extensive detail for each search. The tool includes metrics such as Keyword Difficulty, Organic CTR, and “Priority,” which blends volume and difficulty into a single actionable score.
- Ideal for understanding value vs. competition balance
- Extensive keyword lists and SERP previews
- Good for refining shortlists of keywords
Use this tool carefully—if you find a keyword with a high priority score and relatively low competition, you may have found a golden opportunity.
Tips for Maximizing Free Tools
- Use multiple tools in combination to cross-verify data
- Always check search intent behind keywords before creating content
- Focus on long-tail keywords to increase topical depth and reduce competition
- Leverage tools that provide content suggestions to go beyond keyword relevance
By strategically combining these tools, even a beginner can map out a strong outreach and SEO campaign across low competition niches.
Conclusion
The digital landscape is increasingly competitive, yet opportunities abound when one looks into low competition niches. Through the use of free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, and others, creators and entrepreneurs can find their space without needing a large budget. Consistency, patience, and continued learning will amplify the value these tools provide. Remember, it’s not always about high traffic — it’s about the right traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are low competition keywords?
Low competition keywords are search terms that have relatively fewer websites competing to rank for them. They often have lower search volume but provide better chances of ranking high in search engine results.
2. Are free keyword tools reliable compared to paid tools?
Free tools are generally reliable for basic research and discovery, but they may offer limited data, fewer insights, and less accuracy than premium tools. However, for beginners and those targeting low competition niches, free tools can be more than sufficient.
3. How do I know if a keyword is low competition?
Tools like Ubersuggest and Moz Keyword Explorer provide keyword difficulty scores. Look for keywords with lower difficulty scores (typically under 35) and combine this with a manual SERP analysis to understand the quality of competing pages.
4. Can I use multiple keyword tools at once?
Yes! In fact, using multiple tools is encouraged. This allows you to gather more comprehensive data and validate your keyword findings across different platforms.
5. What is the best strategy for finding low competition niches?
Start by identifying broad topics of interest, use keyword tools to drill down into long-tail phrases, check trends to ensure search sustainability, and analyze the competition to confirm ranking potential.
