Finding low hanging fruit keywords is one of the smartest strategies to drive organic traffic with minimal effort. These keywords have low competition but high search potential, making them perfect for quick wins in SEO. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to find low hanging fruit keywords, analyze their potential, and leverage them for ranking success.
What Are Low Hanging Fruit Keywords?
Low hanging fruit keywords are search terms that are relatively easy to rank for because they:
- Have low competition
- Receive moderate to high search volume
- Match user intent effectively
- Are underserved in existing search results
These keywords provide an opportunity to rank higher without excessive effort in link building or content creation.
How to Find Low Hanging Fruit Keywords: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Analyze Your Existing Keywords
Start by identifying keywords you already rank for but are not in the top positions.
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console → Check performance reports for pages ranking between positions 5-20.
- Ahrefs / SEMrush → Look at organic keywords your site is ranking for but not in the top 3 positions.
- Google Analytics → Check which pages are getting impressions but low clicks.
Focus on keywords where you’re already ranking but not dominating. These are your easiest wins!
Step 2: Find Long-Tail Variations of High-Traffic Keywords
Long-tail keywords are specific search queries with lower competition but strong intent.
Use these tools to find long-tail versions of competitive keywords:
- Google’s Autocomplete & People Also Ask → Type a broad keyword and note the suggested queries.
- AnswerThePublic → Generates common questions people search for.
- Ubersuggest / Ahrefs → Provides related long-tail keyword ideas.
Example:
- Broad Keyword: “Best running shoes”
- Low Hanging Fruit Keyword: “Best running shoes for beginners with flat feet”
Step 3: Analyze Keyword Difficulty & Competition
To ensure a keyword is low hanging fruit, you need to evaluate its competition level.
Check:
- Keyword Difficulty Score → Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to find keywords with low difficulty (0-30 KD score).
- Top Ranking Pages → Look for low-authority websites ranking on page 1.
- Content Gaps → If top results don’t fully answer the query, you have an opportunity to outrank them.
Focus on keywords with weak competition, where you can easily create better content than the existing top-ranking pages.
Step 4: Use Google Trends to Validate Search Demand
Before targeting a keyword, check if it’s gaining or losing popularity.
Use Google Trends to:
- See if the keyword has consistent search interest.
- Identify seasonal trends (e.g., “best Christmas gifts” spikes in December).
- Compare multiple keyword variations to find the best choice.
Choose keywords that have steady or increasing search trends to maximize traffic potential.
Step 5: Check SERP Features & Search Intent
Google’s search engine results page (SERP) tells you a lot about user intent.
Look for:
- Featured Snippets → Can you create content to rank in position zero?
- People Also Ask Boxes → Can you answer these questions better?
- Local Packs / Videos / Images → Does the search favor visual or location-based results?
Optimize your content for the exact type of results Google is favoring for your target keyword.
Step 6: Optimize & Create High-Value Content
Once you’ve found your low hanging fruit keywords, create high-quality content to target them.
Optimize by:
- Using the keyword naturally in the title, headings, and URL.
- Answering the search intent clearly and concisely.
- Adding images, videos, or infographics to improve engagement.
- Internally linking to relevant authority pages.
Make sure your content is better than competitors by covering missing angles and providing clear, valuable information.
Step 7: Monitor Performance & Adjust
SEO is an ongoing process, so track how your targeted keywords perform over time.
Use:
- Google Search Console → Monitor ranking improvements.
- Ahrefs / SEMrush → Track keyword movements.
- Google Analytics → Measure traffic and engagement metrics.
If a keyword isn’t ranking as expected, refine your content, build more internal links, or improve page speed.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to find low hanging fruit keywords can significantly boost your organic traffic with minimal effort. By focusing on low-competition, high-potential keywords, optimizing content strategically, and tracking results, you can achieve higher rankings and faster SEO success.
Start implementing these steps today and watch your search visibility grow!
