Keyword difficulty

Tools mostly base it on how many strong backlinks the pages already ranking have. Each tool uses its own formula, so a score of 30 in one tool means something else in another. It is an estimate, not a rule.

A new site has few backlinks, so start with low-difficulty keywords that still bring the right buyers, even if search volume is small. Look at the SERP yourself: if small sites and forum posts rank, you can too. Build your list with free keyword research.