Get a quick 0–100 difficulty estimate for a keyword from its length, intent and modifiers, to sort a list before deeper research.
How to use the Keyword difficulty estimator
- Enter one or more keywords.
- Read the estimate and the reasons behind it.
- Target the easier phrases first.
A heuristic, not a SERP audit
The estimate uses the shape of the phrase: short, broad, commercial phrases are usually harder. For a real answer, search the phrase and look at who ranks: if the top results are big brands with high DR, it is hard.
How the score is built
Every phrase starts at 70, and each word after the first takes 12 points off, because longer phrases have fewer competitors. Commercial words (best, top, review, software, app, tool) add 12. Comparison words (vs, alternatives, compare) add 4. "Free" or "cheap" adds 5. Question words (how, what, why, can, is, does) take off 10, and a specific qualifier ("for agencies", "with", "without" or a year) takes off 8. The result is kept between 5 and 95. Up to 35 is Easy, 36–60 Medium and above 60 Hard. Each row also shows a guessed intent and the reasons that moved the score.
Checking the estimate against reality
Search the phrase in a private window. If the first page is full of forums, small blogs and thin pages, it is easier than the number says. If it is all big brands, review sites and pages with hundreds of linking domains, it is harder. Run the top results through the DR checker: when most ranking sites are far above your DR, add a qualifier to the phrase and target that version first.