12 Free Ways To Check the Competition of a Keyword

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, understanding and analyzing keyword competition is crucial for a successful online presence. Identifying the right keywords and assessing their competitiveness can significantly impact your website's visibility and search engine rankings. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 12 free ways to check the competition of a keyword, empowering you to make informed decisions and optimize your digital strategy.

Google Keyword Planner

Start your keyword research journey with the Google Keyword Planner, a free tool within Google Ads. This tool not only provides insights into keyword search volumes but also offers an indication of competition through a low, medium, or high rating. It's an invaluable resource for understanding the popularity and competitiveness of keywords related to your business, such as website design agency or custom web design services.

Google Search

Perform a manual search on Google using your target keywords. Take note of the number of search results and the types of websites that appear on the first page. Analyzing the top-ranking pages can give you a sense of the competition for specific keywords, whether it's from a web design company or a local SEO agency.

Google Trends

Utilize Google Trends to assess the popularity of keywords over time. This tool allows you to compare the search volume of multiple keywords simultaneously. By analyzing trends, you can identify seasonal variations and potential shifts in user interests related to keywords like digital marketing services.

Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is a free tool that provides comprehensive keyword data, including search volume, competition, and CPC (Cost Per Click). It also offers suggestions for related keywords, helping you identify variations and long-tail keywords associated with your main focus, such as best reputation management services.

SpyFu

Explore your competitors' strategies with SpyFu. While the premium version offers in-depth insights, the free version provides a snapshot of competitor keywords, their estimated monthly clicks, and an overview of the competitive landscape. This can be particularly useful for assessing the competition in the realm of ecommerce website design and ecommerce website development.

SEMrush

While SEMrush has a premium version, the free version allows limited but valuable insights into keyword competition. Get a glimpse of the top 10 competitors for a specific keyword, their estimated traffic, and the number of search engine results pages (SERPs). This can be beneficial for evaluating competition in both local SEO and broader markets.

Ahrefs

Similar to SEMrush, Ahrefs offers limited free access, providing data on the top 100 search results for a particular keyword. Analyze the Domain Rating (DR) and the number of backlinks to understand the competition level. This is particularly helpful when assessing keywords related to best digital marketing agency.

Answer the Public

Uncover user queries and long-tail variations of your target keyword with Answer the Public. While it doesn't provide direct competition metrics, understanding user intent and the variety of questions related to your keywords can guide your content strategy, especially in the context of local SEO services.

Keyword Surfer

This Chrome extension offers insights into search volume, related keywords, and backlink data directly within the Google search page. Keyword Surfer is a handy tool to quickly assess the competitiveness of keywords as you perform searches, whether it's for a web design company or best reputation management services.

Bing Webmaster Tools

Diversify your perspective by using Bing Webmaster Tools. While Google dominates the search market, Bing has its user base. Analyzing keyword performance on Bing can provide additional insights, especially when targeting a local audience with keywords like local SEO company.

Yoast SEO Plugin

For WordPress users, the Yoast SEO plugin offers a readability and SEO analysis for your content. While not a direct keyword competition tool, it provides valuable suggestions for optimizing your content and improving its chances of ranking for keywords such as digital marketing services.

Forums and Social Media

Engage in online forums and social media platforms related to your industry. Monitor discussions and observe the keywords and topics that gain traction. This grassroots approach can offer qualitative insights into the language your target audience uses and the level of competition for certain keywords, including those related to ecommerce website design.

Effectively assessing keyword competition is a foundational step in any successful digital marketing strategy. By leveraging these 12 free tools and methods, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape for keywords relevant to your business, whether you're in the realm of website design agency or local SEO services. Stay informed, adapt to changes, and refine your approach based on continuous analysis to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.