Keyword Difficulty

Keyword difficulty is a metric estimating how hard it would be to rank for a specific keyword, typically based on the authority of currently ranking pages. Higher difficulty keywords face more competition from established, authoritative sites. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz calculate difficulty scores differently.

How This Applies to Home Care Marketing

Keyword difficulty helps prioritize SEO efforts. New home care websites with low domain authority shouldn’t immediately target highly competitive keywords like “home care” nationally. Instead, focus on lower-difficulty keywords where you can realistically rank—typically more specific, local, or long-tail variations.

Balance difficulty with value. Some high-difficulty keywords are worth pursuing long-term because of their volume and intent. Build toward these by first establishing authority through wins on lower-difficulty keywords.

Key Takeaway

Use keyword difficulty as one factor in prioritization. Target keywords where difficulty aligns with your current domain authority, while building toward more competitive terms over time. Quick wins on achievable keywords build momentum and authority.

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