Finding low hanging fruit keywords is like finding high return on investment (ROI) terms in terms of traffic potential (especially for new websites). Knowing how to find and implement low hanging fruit keywords will almost guarantee website traffic.
You can find them using the free Google Search Console or paid tools like Ahrefs. Here’s how to find low hanging fruit keywords (free and paid).
Identifying Low Hanging Fruit Keywords for SEO Success
Before we get into the step-by-step, let’s explain what a “low-hanging fruit” keyword actually means.
Low hanging fruit keywords are search terms that have a good amount of search volume but are not too hard to rank for (and potentially have lower completion).
Unlike very competitive keywords that need a high SEO budget and effort, low-hanging fruit keywords make it easier for you to increase visibility and get more organic traffic.
Think of them as “quick wins” in the world of SEO! By focusing on these keywords, you can attract a more targeted traffic likely to engage with your content and eventually turn into a customer or conversion.
While low-hanging fruit keywords may not have as high of search volume as competitive keywords, they do have one advantage: a much better chance of ranking higher on search results.
The Free Way: Using Google Search Console (GSC)
Google Search Console (GSC) is an essential tool that gives you important information about how your website is doing on Google search results. You can use this data to spot easy wins and improvements.
These opportunities include keywords that you already rank for on pages 2 or 3 of Google but might not have a dedicated page or article for yet. Your job is to find these keyword opportunities and either update your current pages or create new ones.
Step 1: Using Basic Sorting in GSC
Firstly, log into your Google Search Console account and go to the ‘Performance’ (Search results) report. Choose a date range, like the last six months to a year, to see recent search trends.
In the Performance report, you will find important data about how your website is doing in search. Pay close attention to two main metrics: ‘Impressions’ and ‘Average Position.’ Impressions show how often your website shows up in search results for certain queries.
Here’s the trick(s):
If keywords in the “Queries” tab have a good amount of impressions and are positioned at number 10 or lower, you should aim to update the current page for this keyword and make sure this specific keyword is present in both your meta heading and description and your H1 title.
To find new low-hanging fruit keywords, sort the “Queries” tab by highest position first, and look for unique long-tailed keywords that you could target with new content (page/blog).
These keywords are great options for easy wins for both updating and creating new content.
Step 2: Exporting to a Google Sheets
You can take it a step further by exporting the GSC data to Google Sheets for more advanced filtering and sorting.
Export the data from the ‘Performance’ report into a Google Sheets spreadsheet for easier analysis and manipulation.
In the “Queries” sheet, select all cells (CMD/CTR – A) and click on the “Create a filter” icon. This will allow you to add some custom filterings
Now, in the “Position” column, add a conditional filter that filters out any keyword that is on page one. Do this by selecting the filter icon, selecting “Filter by condition”, “greater than or equal to”, add 10.
Next, sort by “Impressions” lowest first. This will provide you with a list of low hanging fruit keywords that should be unique but still relevant. Target these unique keywords with new pages on your website.
The Paid Way: Leveraging Ahrefs for Comprehensive Keyword Analysis
There are many keyword research tools available if you want to step beyond the free Google Search Console but one of the highest-rated SEO tools is Ahrefs. What really sets it apart from Google Search Console (aside from the minimum €119 per month subscription fee) is the advanced filtering, sorting, and custom-built features it has for finding easy to rank for keywords.
Method 1: Prioritizing Easy Keywords with Low Competition and High Search Volume
Start by putting your main keywords into Ahrefs’ Keyword Explorer.
Ahrefs will show you data based on the keywords you entered. To find more related keywords, click on the “Matching terms” tab.
Then, to find easy low-hanging fruit keywords, filter the list to show keywords with the lowest DR (69 or less) and low Keyword Difficulty (19 max).
Pro tip: If you find yourself with a huge list of keywords (as in the image below), keep decreasing the “Lowest DR” number by 10 until you find a good amount of easy keywords to rank for.
This level of filtering will not only show you less competitive keywords that are easier to rank for but also keywords that your new site can potentially rank for on page one of Google.
Don’t be fooled by low search volume keywords (1-10). These keywords still have a high ROI because they often have very little competition.
Method 2: Targeting Keywords with High SERP Feature Potential
Ahrefs has a useful feature that helps you find keywords that lead to specific search engine result features. For instance, you can focus on keywords that often show up in ‘Featured Snippets.’ These are the short, informative boxes that take the ‘position zero’ on Google’s results page.
By creating great content that answers user questions clearly, you can boost your chances of getting these Featured Snippets, which helps with your online visibility.
Keep in mind that getting Featured Snippets takes more than just adding keywords to your content. Google favors content that is organized, informative, and gives clear answers to search queries in a simple way. Using bullet points, numbered lists, and short paragraphs can help you get that important Featured Snippet position.
Maximizing SEO Impact with Low Hanging Fruit Keywords
Finding and focusing on easy keywords is just part of the work. To get the results, you need to shape your whole SEO strategy around them. This involves making content that is more valuable than what is already there.
Avoid cramming these keywords into badly written or unrelated content. Instead, provide useful content that answers user queries and helps solve their problems. This will help your website become a reliable source in your area.
Pro tip: Try to answer the question as quickly and clearly as possible in your content. That way, when people land on your page, they will get their answers as quickly as possible and stay on your site longer.
Creating Content Around Your Low Hanging Fruit Keywords
After picking your target low-hanging fruit keywords, make great content that is better than what’s already out there. Your content should be deeper, more relevant, and offer a good user experience. Do thorough research and collect valuable data. Share the information in a way that is easy to read and engaging.
Use visuals like images, infographics, and videos to make the text easier to understand and more interesting. Remember, your aim is not just to rank for those keywords. You also want to give real value to your audience.
Besides, content that connects with readers is more likely to be shared, saved, and linked to. This will boost your SEO efforts even further.
Work hard to be the top resource for what your target audience needs.
Enhancing On-Page SEO for Selected Keywords
Don’t forget the SEO basics! Make sure you are placing your target keyword in the H1 title tag, the URL (slug), the meta title, and the meta description.
Make sure that you are also including it at the beginning of your content in an H2 tag and early on in one of the first or second paragraphs – this will help the Google algorithm understand this is the keywords that you are trying to target.
Otherwise, make sure you are writing mostly for humans (not just the Google algorithm). Use good hierarchical headings, simple 2-3 line paragraphs, and bullet points to make your points clear and easy to read.
Monitoring Keyword Performance and Adjusting Strategies Accordingly
Now monitor your SEO efforts. Are your keywords moving up the ranks as you hoped, or are they stuck? Use Google Search Console and Ahrefs to help you track keyword performance. They’ll provide you with the data you need to improve.
For example, if a keyword is not giving you the results you want, think about updating your on-page optimization. Your content might need a makeover, or your backlinks could need some work. It’s important to change and grow with the shifting digital world. Always remember that being consistent is also important in SEO. Keep updating your content and checking your progress to stay ahead.
Building Backlinks to Strengthen Keyword Ranking
Focusing on easy keywords can help you start off strong. However, link building is still one of the most important SEO strategies. Getting relevant links from trusted websites in your field is a strong sign to Google that your site deserves to rank well.
Remember, link building is always going to be quality over quantity. It’s better to have quality links instead of just lots of them. One strong link from a respected site is worth more than any weak link.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding easy keywords can really help your SEO success. You can use tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs to find keywords that have a lot of potential but face little competition. Make sure to create content using these keywords, improve your on-page SEO, and watch how well it performs. Also, build backlinks to make your approach stronger. It is important to check and update your keyword strategy regularly to keep having success. Continue to grow your keywords to stay on top in the competitive online world. Embrace easy keywords to boost your SEO efforts and bring organic traffic to your website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find Low Competition Keywords with High Traffic?
To find keywords that have little competition and good traffic, use tools like Google Keyword Planner along with checking search volume. Focus on longer-tail keywords that meet the specific needs of users. Also, keep an eye on the keyword strategies of your competitors.
Can I Rely Solely on Free Tools for Finding Effective Keywords?
While free tools, like Google Search Console, give helpful information, it is good to use them with paid tools for better SEO. Paid tools often have more detailed data, help you analyze competitors, and allow for advanced keyword research features.
What Makes a Keyword Considered “Low Hanging Fruit”?
A “low-hanging fruit” keyword often has lower keyword difficulty. This means there is less competition for it. At the same time, it still has a good search volume. This mix makes it much easier to rank well.
How Often Should I Review and Update My Keyword Strategy?
For best practices, look over and change your keyword strategy every 3 to 6 months. Do this or when you bring in new products or services. This helps you stay in line with market trends, changes in search behavior, and updates to algorithms.
Beyond the Basics: Next Steps After Capturing Low Hanging Fruit Keywords
After tackling easy keywords, think about adding more keywords through ongoing research. Aim for more competitive keywords, improve your current content, and try new types of content. This will help you reach a bigger audience.
Expanding Your Keyword Portfolio Through Continuous Research
- Keep looking for new keyword chances that relate to trends in your industry.
- Focus on competitive keywords by creating smart content.
- Make sure your content is relevant to keep a steady flow of traffic potential.
