What Is the Chance to Rank for Difficulty Keywords

I’ve been asked this question countless times: “Can I rank for this keyword if it’s labeled as having a high difficulty?” The short answer is: it depends. The longer (and more helpful) answer is that no keyword difficulty score can exist in a vacuum. It has to be weighed alongside your domain authority, your topical authority, the competitiveness of your niche, the strength of your backlink profile, and even your content’s quality and structure.

In this post, I’ll break down what you need to know about keyword difficulty, how it’s usually measured, and why it is only a starting point rather than the last word. Let’s get into it.

What Does Keyword Difficulty Even Mean?

Keyword difficulty is a metric calculated by various SEO tools to indicate how challenging it might be to rank on the first page of search results for a particular keyword. You’ll usually see a score from 0 to 100 (in many tools), where 0 or 1 suggests it is extremely easy to rank, and 100 implies you’re facing the toughest competition. The higher the score, the more competitive the keyword, but don’t take it at face value.

Most keyword difficulty calculations consider some or all of these factors:

1. Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA) of the top-ranking sites.
2. Page-level link metrics, such as the number and quality of backlinks pointing to a page.
3. Search intent and how well the top-ranking pages meet it.
4. Topical authority of the domains in that niche.

Some tools might give more weight to backlinks while others may focus on on-page signals. Still, these metrics are external estimates that cannot fully capture your particular situation.

Here’s the kicker: Just because a keyword scores high in difficulty does not mean it’s impossible to rank for your site. Conversely, a low difficulty score does not guarantee you a top position. Your own domain context and content quality count a lot.

Variables That Tools Can’t See

I rely on specialized tools, including solutions like SEO.AI’s keyword research instruments, to figure out whether I can realistically rank for a term. But tools only show part of the picture. They assess external factors such as:

• How many competitor sites are targeting that keyword.
• The authority of those competitor sites.
• Typical traffic figures, like average monthly searches.

Yet, tools cannot precisely measure:

• The level of trust you’ve established in a specific topic—your topical authority.
• How well your on-page approach meets your audience’s search query.
• What makes your content stand out, be it specialized expertise or a creative method.

If you are highly specialized in a niche, you can sometimes outperform larger players who cover the topic only at a surface level. I’ve seen many site owners rank highly for keywords marked as “high difficulty” simply because they produced the most detailed, relevant, and user-friendly content in that area.

Where Domain and Topical Authority Fit In

When a website has built a reputation for producing reliable, well-researched content around a specific subject, we often use the term “topical authority.” Think of it like this: if you post regularly and with expertise on vintage car restoration, Google starts to view you as a prime source for all things related to vintage cars. This results in better rankings whenever you release new content under that umbrella, even if the topic appears to have a high keyword difficulty.

Your overall domain authority also matters. A site with high authority typically has:

• A wide range of high-quality backlinks.
• A steady record of trusted content.
• Positive trust signals from users, such as low bounce rates and strong engagement.

Mixing domain authority with topical authority can make it possible to rank for keywords with difficulty scores of 60 or 70. However, if your site is new and lacks a proven track record in that area, you may have a hard time ranking for the same term.

Understanding the Numbers: Example Calculations

Let’s run through a quick hypothetical. Suppose you’ve found a keyword with a difficulty score of 60. This measure might be based on:

• Average referring domains (for example, 50–80 unique sites linking to each of the top-ranking pages).
• Domain Ratings of the top 10 results (ranging from 70 to 80).
• Content depth that is usually robust, like 2,500-word guides or well-researched articles.

For a site with a Domain Rating of 45 and only a moderate standing in that niche, it might initially seem like an uphill battle. If your content falls short or if you are tackling the topic for the first time, you’re likely out of the running. But if you have already built credibility with relevant content and solid backlinks, that 60 no longer spells trouble.

Potential Gains

Imagine you optimize your content well and earn a few contextual backlinks from niche-relevant sites. With each appropriate inbound link, your content’s authority and your site’s overall trust gradually improve. Before long, your site is approaching the top 10 results.

At that point, the raw difficulty score is less a fixed barrier and more an indication that you will need a thoughtful strategy—especially in content creation and link building—to land a top spot.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

People often look for a quick formula, so here is a rough guide:

1. Check your domain’s current authority metrics (Moz DA, Ahrefs DR, etc.).
2. Look at the average authority scores of the sites on the first page for your target keyword.
3. If the average domain on page one is more than 10–15 points higher than your own domain authority, consider the keyword challenging. You will need to invest extra effort in both content quality and backlinks.
4. If your domain is at or above the average of the top competitors, that is a good sign to pursue the keyword more aggressively.

It’s just a guideline. I have seen sites with much lower domain authority rank above bigger names thanks to strong topical focus, efficient on-page optimization, and regular content updates.

The “Long Tails” That Look Artificially Difficult

One odd occurrence you might observe is encountering a very specific search phrase, for example “best vintage car seat foam replacement process.” An SEO tool might rate it with a difficulty of 50 or 60, but that number can be misleading.

Why does this happen?

• Major competitors might rank for various long-tail keywords because they have one comprehensive page targeting the shorter version (for example, “best vintage car restoration parts”).
• The tool notices these high-authority sites in the results and boosts the difficulty rating.
• Meanwhile, none of these top-ranking pages may directly answer the precise query.

In cases like this, a content piece specifically addressing “best vintage car seat foam replacement process” can fly under the radar and rank—and sometimes do well. You might not receive huge traffic (since the query is very specific), but you will attract focused visitors who are looking for that exact detail. As your site grows, these targeted pages add up and build your topical authority, helping your next post rank for broader topics in vintage car restoration.

How Long-Tail Keywords Can Rank More Easily

Not all high-difficulty keywords are truly competitive. Below is an example of a long-tail keyword where smaller niche sites rank, despite a tool showing it as ‘high difficulty.’

Format Matters: Structure, Clarity, and Relevance

I have noticed a solid connection between on-page optimization and the ability to overcome high keyword difficulty numbers. Once you target a keyword, make sure your content is organized in a reader-friendly fashion:

• Use clear headings and subheadings for easy navigation.
• Break up text with bullet points or numbered lists.
• Add relevant images or visuals to make the content engaging.
• Ensure the length matches the query (short content for quick questions, detailed guides for complex topics).

This method does not promise an instant top ranking, but it certainly gives you an advantage over competitors with poorly structured pages, even if they have higher authority.

Factors Affecting Your Keyword Difficulty “Fit”

Below is a simplified table I use to assess whether a keyword difficulty score signals a significant challenge. It is meant to show how different elements can influence outcome.

If you excel in several of these areas, you can often overcome a higher difficulty score.

Content Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide

Suppose you have done your research and decided to target a challenging keyword. What should you do next?

1. Investigate your user intent carefully.
   • What exactly is the user looking for?
   • Are they after how-to guides, reviews, or general information?
2. Plan your content with the user in mind.
   • Include headings that cover subtopics typically linked with the query.
   • Use bullet points to outline complex processes or steps.
3. Add original data or insights.
   • Sharing real numbers, benchmarks, or results from experiments can boost credibility.
4. Optimize your piece for easy reading.
   • This means short paragraphs, clear subheadings, and scannable elements like highlighted text and bullet lists.
5. Earn or build relevant backlinks.
   • Contribute guest posts that reference your content or obtain mentions from related sites.
   • Make sure each link is appropriate and natural.

Repeat this process until your content library is strong and your site becomes a trusted resource. Over time, you will increase your ability to rank for tougher keywords.

Why You Can’t Ignore External Metrics

Even though keyword difficulty is not an absolute measure, it does provide a snapshot of the likely effort required. A score above 70 combined with a low domain authority indicates that significant work is ahead. This often means:

• Creating a series of supportive articles to build depth in the topic.
• Running link-building campaigns—whether paid or organic—to boost your authority.
• Allowing time for search engines to index and trust your refreshed or new content.

Use these scores as a checkpoint to assess your site’s current strength. They should not stop you, but you must be ready to commit the necessary effort.

FAQ

How accurate are keyword difficulty scores?

They are educated estimates. Every tool computes difficulty differently. Use these scores as a starting point, and then review the top results along with your own site’s metrics.

Should I only pursue low-difficulty keywords if my site is small?

Not necessarily. Low-difficulty keywords can help generate early traffic, but don’t avoid more challenging terms if you can offer content that is unique and detailed. Keep in mind that success may take extra time.

What if I see a low monthly search volume for a keyword rated as high difficulty?

This might mean that the difficulty score is inflated. Big sites may rank for that keyword by chance. If the topic is relevant to your audience, give it a try. Focused content may secure a good rank even if the traffic volume is modest.

Do backlinks still matter when targeting difficult keywords?

Yes, strong backlinks enhance your authority. A solid, relevant link profile can improve your chances to rank for competitive queries.

Can I rank above major competitors if my niche is very specific?

Yes. If your content addresses angles that other sites overlook, you can earn a top spot—especially when you have built up expertise in that specialized niche.

What’s the fastest way to improve domain authority?

There is no instant solution. Strategic link building through guest posts, partnerships, and collaborative projects, along with content that naturally attracts links, will help. However, it takes time for a domain to gain significant trust in its niche.

Is topical authority more important than domain authority?

They work together. A site with high domain authority but without specialized content may still fall behind a lower-authority site that focuses deeply on a specific subject. Combining both strong domain authority and focused topical expertise is ideal.