Keyword difficulty (KD) is a metric used by SEO tools to estimate how competitive a keyword is in organic search. A higher score means more established sites are ranking for the keyword and it will be harder to break into the top 10. Understanding how keyword difficulty is calculated — and how it differs between tools — is essential for effective keyword research. For a detailed comparison, see our guide to best rank tracking tools. For a detailed comparison, see our guide to SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool guide.
Keyword Difficulty Scores by Tool
| Tool | Score range | Easy | Medium | Hard | Accuracy rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | 0-100 | 0-10 | 11-30 | 31+ | Excellent |
| SEMrush | 0-100 | 0-29 | 30-69 | 70+ | Good |
| Moz | 0-100 | 0-30 | 31-60 | 61+ | Good |
| KWFinder (Mangools) | 0-100 | 0-29 | 30-49 | 50+ | Excellent |
| SE Ranking | 0-100 | 0-30 | 31-60 | 61+ | Good |
How Keyword Difficulty Is Calculated
Each tool calculates keyword difficulty differently, but most analyse the backlink profiles of the pages currently ranking in the top 10:
- Ahrefs: Estimates the number of referring domains needed to rank in the top 10. Based on the median DR of current top 10 results and their backlink profiles.
- SEMrush: Combines multiple factors including the number of backlinks to top-ranking pages, domain authority, and content relevance signals.
- Moz: Uses Page Authority of current top 10 results as the primary input.
- KWFinder: Analyses the link profiles of top-ranking pages weighted by the authority of linking domains.
Why Keyword Difficulty Differs Between Tools
The same keyword can have very different difficulty scores across tools. “SEMrush pricing” might be 45 in SEMrush and 8 in Ahrefs. These differences occur because:
- Each tool has a different backlink index size and freshness
- Each uses a different algorithm for calculating the score
- The scales are not calibrated against each other — a 40 in Ahrefs is not equivalent to a 40 in SEMrush
Always use keyword difficulty as a relative comparison within the same tool, not as an absolute measure or for cross-tool comparison.
What Keyword Difficulty Score Should You Target?
| Site stage | Recommended KD (Ahrefs) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| New site (0-6 months) | 0-10 | Target very low competition keywords with clear search intent |
| Growing site (6-18 months) | 10-30 | Mix of low and medium competition |
| Established site (18+ months) | 30-60 | Competitive terms with topical authority |
| Authority site | 60+ | High-competition head terms |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good keyword difficulty score?
For new sites, target keywords with Ahrefs KD below 10 and SEMrush KD below 30. For established sites, keywords up to KD 40-50 (Ahrefs) are achievable with good content and some link building. The right difficulty target depends on your site’s age, backlink profile, and topical authority.
Is Ahrefs keyword difficulty accurate?
Ahrefs keyword difficulty is generally considered the most accurate of any major SEO tool. It is based on the estimated number of referring domains needed to rank, which correlates well with actual ranking difficulty. KWFinder (Mangools) is rated similarly for accuracy, particularly for identifying genuinely low-competition keywords.
Can I rank for high difficulty keywords?
Yes, but it requires strong domain authority, high-quality content, and significant backlinks. High difficulty keywords (KD 70+) are typically dominated by established sites with years of content and thousands of backlinks. New sites should focus on low and medium difficulty keywords to build authority before targeting high-competition terms.
Why are keyword difficulty scores different across tools?
Each tool uses a different algorithm and backlink database to calculate difficulty. A keyword scored 60 in SEMrush might be scored 20 in Ahrefs — the scales are not comparable across tools. Always use keyword difficulty scores from the same tool for comparison, and treat them as relative estimates rather than absolute measures.
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Who It’s Best For
Understanding keyword difficulty is essential for various stakeholders in the digital marketing landscape. This includes SEO professionals, content creators, and business owners. For SEO professionals, knowing the difficulty of a keyword aids in strategic planning and prioritization. It allows them to allocate resources effectively, focusing on keywords that offer the best chance of ranking well. Content creators can use this information to tailor their content strategies, ensuring that they target keywords with a manageable level of difficulty that can still drive significant traffic. Finally, business owners, particularly those with limited budgets, can benefit from understanding keyword difficulty as it helps them make informed decisions about which keywords to pursue for their marketing efforts.
Key Things to Consider
When evaluating keyword difficulty, there are several important factors to take into account. Firstly, each SEO tool—be it SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz—uses its own algorithm to determine keyword difficulty, leading to variations in their assessments. Therefore, it’s wise to cross-reference multiple tools for a more comprehensive understanding. Secondly, consider the competitive landscape for the keywords you are targeting. Look not only at the keyword difficulty score but also analyze the quality of the current top-ranking pages. A high difficulty score may not be as daunting if the existing competitors have weak content or poor optimization. Lastly, think about your website’s authority and relevance. If your site is new or has low domain authority, you may want to focus on long-tail keywords or niche-specific terms that present lower difficulty but still align with your business goals.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, keyword difficulty is a critical metric that can significantly influence your SEO strategy. By understanding how it works across different tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz, you can make more informed decisions about which keywords to target. Remember that while a high keyword difficulty score might seem intimidating, it does not necessarily mean you should avoid the keyword altogether. Instead, consider your unique strengths, analyze the competitive landscape, and adapt your strategy accordingly. Ultimately, utilizing keyword difficulty effectively can lead to improved rankings, increased traffic, and greater success in your digital marketing efforts.
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