In the ever-competitive world of SEO, businesses are always hunting for ways to climb search engine rankings without exhausting their entire marketing budget. One of the most effective and often overlooked strategies is targeting low-hanging fruit keywords. These are keywords with decent search volume and low competition, making them easier to rank for especially for newer websites or small businesses.
In this guide, we’ll break down what low-hanging fruit keywords are, how to find them, and how to use them to gain a quick SEO edge.
🔍 What Are Low-Hanging Fruit Keywords?
Low-hanging fruit keywords are easy-to-rank keywords that typically:
- Have moderate to low competition
- Possess specific intent (informational, navigational, transactional)
- Generate targeted traffic that can convert well
- They are often long-tail keywords (e.g., “best eco-friendly shampoo for curly hair”)
These keywords may not bring in massive traffic individually, but collectively, they can create a significant impact with relatively little effort.
🎯 Why Target Low-Hanging Fruit Keywords?
- ✅ Quicker SEO Wins: Unlike high-volume keywords, which may take months to rank, low-hanging fruit keywords can generate faster results.
- ✅ Higher Conversion Rates: Because they are often very specific, visitors searching with these terms are usually closer to taking action (buying, subscribing, etc.).
- ✅ Less Competition: Easier to rank, especially for new or less authoritative websites.
- ✅ Cost-Effective: If you’re using paid ads (like Google Ads), these keywords often have lower CPC rates.
🛠️ How to Find Low-Hanging Fruit Keywords
Here’s a step-by-step process you can use to find these SEO gems:
1. Use Google Search Console
If your website is already live, the Google Search Console (GSC) is your best friend.
- Go to the “Performance” tab
- Filter by queries where you’re ranking between positions 11-30
- Identify keywords with impressions but low clicks
These are keywords you’re already showing up for, but not ranking well enough to get traffic. A bit of content optimization or backlinking can push them to the first page.
2. Spy on Your Competitors
Use tools like:
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Ubersuggest
- Moz
Check your competitor’s top pages and find keywords they rank for in positions 10–30. If they’re weakly targeting those keywords, you might have a better shot.
3. Use Keyword Research Tools with Filters
When using any keyword tool, apply the following filters:
- KD (Keyword Difficulty): 0–30
- Search Volume: At least 100 (for long-tail) or 300+ (for broader terms)
- Word Count: 3+ words (long-tail)
Example tools:
- Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool
- AnswerThePublic
- Google’s “People Also Ask” section
4. Look at Forums and Niche Communities
Places like:
- Quora
- Niche Facebook Groups
- Product forums
These platforms are goldmines for real user questions, which often translate directly into long-tail, low-competition keywords.
5. Explore Google Auto-Suggest and Related Searches
Type your main keyword into Google and look at:
- Auto-suggestions as you type
- “People also ask”
- “Related searches” at the bottom
These are real phrases users are searching for. If you find ones with clear intent and low competition, jump on them!
💡 How to Leverage Low-Hanging Fruit Keywords
Once you’ve found them, here’s how to use them effectively:
✅ 1. Create Focused Content
Build blog posts, landing pages, or product pages centered around one low-hanging keyword. Make the content hyper-relevant and answer the user’s intent.
✅ 2. Optimize Existing Pages
Already ranking for a low-hanging fruit keyword on page 2 or 3? Just tweak the content:
- Add the keyword to headings and subheadings
- Improve internal linking
- Add more relevant content and examples
- Get a few backlinks
✅ 3. Use in Blog Post Titles
Example: Instead of a broad title like “SEO Tips for Beginners”, go for:
- “SEO Tips for Local Restaurants in Sydney”
- “Beginner-Friendly SEO Tips for Shopify Store Owners”
✅ 4. Cluster Them for Bigger Impact
Group related low-hanging fruit keywords into topic clusters. This boosts topical authority and keeps users engaged with your content.
📈 Real-Life Example
Let’s say you run a website design agency in Australia.
Broad keyword: website design Australia – High competition
Low-hanging fruit keyword: affordable website design for tradies in Darwin – Low competition, specific
By creating a blog post or landing page targeting this long-tail term, you’re likely to:
- Rank faster
- Convert better (it’s tailored!)
- Build authority in a specific niche
⚡ Bonus Tips
- Use FAQ schema to target “People Also Ask” queries
- Combine SEO with Google Ads to test keyword conversion potential
- Update and optimize low-performing content with newly discovered keywords
🚀 Final Thoughts
Low-hanging fruit keywords are not just for beginners they’re smart targets for any SEO strategy. By identifying terms you can realistically rank for, you can build steady traffic and authority without battling the SEO giants.
Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, focusing on these quick wins can bring you closer to your digital goals, faster.
Want help finding low-hanging fruit keywords for your niche? Let me know I can help build a tailored keyword strategy just for you.
