How To Find Low Competition Keywords For Affiliate Marketing

Introduction.

When I started with affiliate marketing, I quickly realized one truth: it’s a jungle out there. One of the toughest challenges is finding keywords that will help your content stand out—without battling against high-authority websites for the top spot.

That’s where low-competition keywords come in. These are the hidden gems that can boost your SEO and get your content in front of the right audience without the steep competition.

In this article, I’ll break down how to find low-competition keywords for affiliate marketing, why they’re crucial for success, and some tips to help you get started.

Why Low-Competition Keywords Matter in Affiliate Marketing

The reason low-competition keywords are so important boils down to visibility. Even if your content is well-written, it won’t drive traffic unless it appears on the first page of search results.

High-competition keywords are already dominated by well-established sites with hefty SEO budgets, making it difficult for smaller affiliates to get noticed.

Low-competition keywords, on the other hand, have fewer pages fighting for that same slice of the search engine pie.

This gives you a better shot at ranking higher, attracting organic traffic, and, ultimately, converting that traffic into affiliate sales.

In short, they provide a path of less resistance for generating income in the highly competitive world of affiliate marketing.

How Do I Find Low-Competition Keywords?

Now, let’s get to the actionable stuff: finding those low-competition keywords. Here are a few strategies I’ve found most effective:

1. Use Keyword Research Tools.

One of the easiest ways to spot low-competition keywords is by using specialized tools. Platforms like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest, and Google Keyword Planner allow you to check keyword difficulty scores, search volume, and other useful metrics.

The goal here is to look for keywords with moderate search volume (ideally between 500 and 5,000 monthly searches) but lower difficulty scores. A keyword difficulty score under 40 on Ahrefs or SEMrush is generally a good starting point.

For example, let’s say you’re in the fitness niche. Instead of targeting high-competition keywords like “best protein powder,” you might target a long-tail keyword like “best protein powder for beginners.” This keyword has a narrower focus but less competition.

2. Leverage Long-Tail Keywords.

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search queries that usually have lower search volumes but are more likely to convert. In affiliate marketing, these are often the sweet spot because the people searching for these phrases are usually closer to making a purchase.

For instance, someone searching for “best hiking boots under $100” is likely much further along in the buying process than someone searching for “hiking boots.”

While the search volume might be lower, the intent to purchase is higher, making these keywords valuable for conversions.

3. Analyze Competitor Keywords.

Another solid strategy is to analyze your competitors’ content to see which keywords they’re ranking for, but aren’t targeting heavily.

Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to plug in competitor websites and analyze their top-performing keywords. From there, you can identify opportunities where their keywords have moderate traffic but less competition.

If they’re not optimizing for certain keywords or niches, that’s your opportunity to slide in and grab a piece of the action.

4. Google Autocomplete & “People Also Ask”.

This might sound too simple to be effective, but Google itself is a fantastic resource. When you type in a keyword or phrase, Google will automatically suggest related queries. These often include less competitive, more specific search terms that people are already using.

Additionally, check the “People Also Ask” section on the search results page. These questions can offer great insights into long-tail keywords that might have lower competition.

5. Use Forums, Reddit, and Social Media.

Where do people go when they want to ask a question or solve a problem? Forums, Reddit, and social media platforms like Quora are hotbeds for keyword ideas.

By sifting through posts, you can identify common questions and pain points that people are searching for answers to—many of which haven’t been fully tapped by your competitors.

Pros and Cons of Targeting Low-Competition Keywords

Before you jump headfirst into hunting for low-competition keywords, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of this approach.

Pros:

• Easier to Rank: Since fewer sites are targeting these keywords, your chances of ranking higher increase.
• Lower SEO Costs: You don’t have to spend as much time or money on SEO strategies to compete.
• Higher Conversion Potential: Long-tail and low-competition keywords often target users who are further along in the buying cycle, leading to better conversion rates.
• Less Intense Research: The process of finding these keywords tends to be less competitive, making research simpler.

Cons:

• Lower Search Volume: Many low-competition keywords don’t bring in as much traffic, so you may need to target more of them to see significant results.
• Time-Consuming: It takes time and effort to find the right mix of low-competition keywords that still generate decent traffic.
• Risk of Over-Optimization: In the pursuit of ranking for low-competition keywords, you might end up focusing too much on SEO and lose the natural flow of your content.

Conclusion

Finding low-competition keywords is an excellent strategy for affiliate marketers who want to maximize their visibility and drive traffic without getting lost in the sea of high-authority competitors.

With the right mix of keyword research tools, long-tail phrases, and competitor analysis, you can carve out a niche for yourself in the affiliate marketing world.

But is targeting low-competition keywords alone enough to drive long-term success? Or should it be balanced with other strategies to ensure sustained growth?