Keyword Difficulty
A metric that estimates how difficult it would be to rank for a specific keyword in organic search results.
Keyword Difficulty (KD) is a metric used in SEO to estimate how challenging it would be to rank on the first page of search results for a particular keyword. It's typically expressed as a score from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating greater difficulty.
KD is calculated based on various factors including the authority of currently ranking pages, the number and quality of backlinks those pages have, the domain authority of ranking sites, and sometimes user engagement metrics. Different SEO tools calculate KD slightly differently, so scores may vary across platforms.
Understanding keyword difficulty helps you make strategic decisions about which keywords to target. As a new or smaller website, targeting high KD keywords might be unrealistic. Instead, focusing on lower difficulty keywords with decent search volume can help you gain traction and build authority over time.
When evaluating keywords, consider KD alongside other factors like search volume, relevance to your business, commercial intent, and your site's current authority. A balanced keyword strategy includes a mix of lower difficulty quick wins and higher difficulty aspirational targets that you work toward over time.