Keyword difficulty checker
Paste your keywords, one per line, and see how hard each one is to rank on Google, from 0 to 100. Spot the easy wins before you write. No sign up.
One per line, up to 20
How to read keyword difficulty
Keyword difficulty is a score from 0 to 100 that estimates how hard it is to reach Google's first page for a term organically. The higher the score, the stronger the sites already ranking and the more authority you need to compete.
What keyword difficulty is
The score looks at the sites already sitting at the top for that term: their domain strength, backlinks and content quality. It answers a practical question: can I rank for this? A low score means the first page has weak competitors, so well-made content already has a real shot.
The 0 to 100 scale and the bands
Difficulty runs from 0 (any decent page can rank) to 100 (only very strong sites show up). Here is what each band means:
| Band | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 | Very easy | Minimal competition; ranks fast even with a new site |
| 15–29 | Easy | Great target; solid content usually reaches the top |
| 30–49 | Medium | Rankable with better content and some time |
| 50–69 | Hard | Needs authority, backlinks and in-depth content |
| 70–100 | Very hard | Reserved for established sites; avoid early on |
How to use the score in practice
- Aim low with decent volume: low-difficulty terms that still get searches are the fastest wins.
- Pair it with volume: difficulty tells you if you can rank; use our Keyword Generator to see search volume and prioritize.
- Respect your site's authority: a new site should start with the Very easy and Easy bands and climb as it gains strength.
- Lean on long tail: more specific terms almost always have lower difficulty and clearer intent.
Low difficulty is not a guarantee
The score is an estimate based on current competition. It improves your odds, but ranking still depends on content that answers the search intent better than what already sits at the top.
Keyword difficulty questions
Is the tool free?
Yes, free and no sign up. Paste up to 20 keywords, one per line, and see the difficulty of each one instantly.
How is difficulty calculated?
The score analyzes the sites already ranking for each term on Google, weighing domain strength and backlinks. The data comes from DataForSEO in real time.
Which score counts as easy to rank?
Terms up to 29 (Very easy and Easy) are the best targets for new or low-authority sites. From 30 to 49 you can rank with good content and some time.
Difference between difficulty and competition?
Difficulty here is the organic battle (natural ranking). The competition in our Keyword Generator reflects advertiser bidding (paid ads).
Why do some keywords show no score?
When Google lacks enough data for a term, difficulty comes back empty and we show a dash. This usually happens with very rare or brand-new terms.
Is there a usage limit?
There is a daily limit per user to keep the tool free and stable. For continuous, high-volume analysis, Automarticles handles it for you.
You found the easy keywords. Who writes the articles?
Automarticles finds the right keywords and produces articles optimized for each one, ready to rank on Google and be cited by AIs like ChatGPT. With no manual work.