Understanding What Constitutes a Good Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty Score
- Paolo Casula
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
In search engine optimization (SEO), selecting the right keywords can significantly impact your website's visibility. Ahrefs is one of the most trusted tools for measuring keyword difficulty. The keyword difficulty score is crucial for understanding the competitive landscape for a given keyword. In this blog post, we will break down what makes a good Ahrefs keyword difficulty score and how it shapes your keyword strategy.
What is Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty Score?
The Ahrefs keyword difficulty score is a metric that ranges from 0 to 100, indicating the level of competition for a keyword on Google. A score of 0 suggests an easy opportunity to rank, while a 100 indicates a challenging environment dominated by established players. This score is derived from various factors, including the number and quality of backlinks that point to the top-ranking pages for that keyword. For example, if the keyword "best running shoes" has a difficulty score of 75, it means that ranking for it may require a strong backlink strategy and exceptional content due to intense competition.
Understanding the Score Ranges
Ahrefs provides a helpful breakdown of keyword difficulty scores:
0-10: Excellent opportunity. Keywords in this range often have low competition. For example, "beginner running tips" might have a score of 8, making it easier for new or smaller websites to rank.
11-30: Manageable challenge. A score between 11 and 30, such as "affordable running shoes" with a score of 25, still presents a good chance for ranking with some quality content and backlinks.
31-50: Moderate difficulty. A keyword like "running shoe reviews" may fall into this range. Here, more effort and resources are often necessary, such as building backlinks and enhancing content quality.
51-70: High difficulty. Ranking for keywords like "top running shoes" with a score of 65 may require strategic planning and strong authority.
71-100: Extremely competitive. Keywords like "running shoe brands," often scoring above 80, are generally out of reach for smaller sites and are better suited for large, established websites.
What Makes a Keyword Good?
A good Ahrefs keyword difficulty score takes into account several factors unique to your specific scenario:
Your Domain Authority: If your site has a solid authority, you might consider targeting more competitive keywords. For example, websites with a domain authority above 30 could look at difficulty scores up to 40.
Niche and Relevance: A keyword closely related to your niche could merit a higher difficulty score. If you run a specialist running blog, targeting "elbow injury prevention for runners" (difficulty score of 35) may be worthwhile.
Search Volume: A low difficulty score is preferable, but it should align with search volume. A keyword like "running shoes for flat feet," with a score of 30 but a monthly search volume of 10,000, may be more valuable than a score of 5 with only 100 monthly searches.
Competitive Analysis: Analyze the strengths of top-ranking competitors. If competitors lack comprehensive content but hold strong backlinks, your high-quality article could outperform theirs.
Strategies for Targeting Keywords with High Difficulty Scores
If you want to target keywords with higher Ahrefs difficulty scores, consider these strategies:
Content Quality: Aim for outstanding content that offers unique insights. For instance, creating a comprehensive guide that combines expert opinions and user reviews can elevate your chances of ranking.
Backlink Strategy: Build a strong backlink profile by reaching out to reputable websites for guest posts or collaborations. For example, acquiring a backlink from a popular fitness blog can significantly improve your authority.
On-page Optimizations: Ensure your content is organized logically. Use headers effectively, include relevant internal links, and maintain a user-friendly layout.
Long-tail Variations: Explore long-tail keywords that relate to your high-difficulty keywords. For instance, while "running shoes" may be tough (score of 70), "best running shoes for beginners 2023" (score of 25) could attract focused traffic.
How to Find Keywords with a Good Difficulty Score
Using Ahrefs to find suitable keywords follows a structured approach. Here are steps to identify keywords with favorable difficulty scores:
Use the Keyword Explorer: Start by entering your base terms into the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer. Utilize filters to narrow down your results by region and language.
Sort By Difficulty: After retrieving a list of keywords, sort them by difficulty. This makes it easy to spot which keywords are more accessible for your site.
Check Search Volume: Look closely at the search volume. Balancing difficulty with potential traffic ensures that your efforts aren’t wasted on low-value keywords.
Analyze Clicks and Other Metrics: Pay attention to related metrics, such as clicks per search. A keyword with high clicks per search indicates strong interest, even if the difficulty score is moderate.
Summary
Understanding what constitutes a good Ahrefs keyword difficulty score is essential for an effective SEO strategy. While lower scores usually mean an easier path to ranking, important metrics such as search volume and your website's authority matter. By thoughtfully selecting your keywords based on difficulty and relevance, you can enhance your site's visibility and attract valuable traffic.
Considering keyword difficulty not only aids in achieving better rankings but also fosters sustainable growth for your online presence. It all revolves around strategic planning and making informed choices that lead to positive results.