How to Find Low Competition Keywords with Reddit

Discovering low competition keywords is essential for SEO success, especially for niche sites or startups competing against big players. Using Reddit as a keyword research tool uncovers hidden search terms with real user intent and minimal competition.

This guide walks you through a step-by-step process to extract valuable keywords directly from Reddit communities.

Why Reddit Excels for Low Competition Keyword Research

Reddit hosts over 100,000 active subreddits where millions discuss problems, tools, and solutions daily. These conversations reveal long-tail queries that search engines pick up but lack heavy optimization from competitors.

User-generated threads often match exact searcher pain points, leading to keywords with decent volume but low keyword difficulty scores. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush later confirm these as golden opportunities when Reddit data shows organic discussion without branded dominance.

Step 1: Identify Relevant Subreddits for Your Niche

Start by pinpointing subreddits aligned with your target audience and industry.

Search Reddit’s main page for your broad topic (e.g., “SEO” or “digital marketing”).
Sort by “Top” or “Rising” to spot active communities like r/SEO, r/bigseo, r/marketing, or niche ones like r/SaaS or r/Entrepreneur.
Use tools like RedditList or subredditstats.com to find subscriber counts and growth trends—aim for subreddits with 10k–500k members for balanced traffic without oversaturation.
Subscribe and observe for a week to understand common questions and jargon.

This uncovers subreddit-specific phrases that translate to low-competition searches.

Step 2: Search for Pain Points and Questions Within Subreddits

Dive into discussions to mine raw keyword ideas.

Use Reddit’s search bar with operators: “keyword” (exact match), keyword OR synonym, or “how to” + niche.
Filter by “Posts” and sort by “New” or “Top Past Year” to find trending queries like “how to rank without backlinks” in r/SEO.
Scan comments for follow-ups—these often yield ultra-specific long-tails like “best free tools for keyword difficulty under 20.”
Export threads using Reddit’s API or tools like Pushshift.io (via wrappers like PMAW library) for bulk analysis.

Focus on unanswered or low-upvote questions; they indicate underserved topics with search potential.

Step 3: Extract and Cluster Keywords from Threads

Turn conversations into actionable keyword lists.

Copy top questions and phrases into a Google Sheet.
Use free extensions like Keywords Everywhere or Google Keyword Planner to check volume and competition.
Apply keyword clustering: group similar terms (e.g., “low kd keywords reddit” clusters with “easy rank keywords free”).
Prioritize phrases with 100–1,000 monthly searches and KD under 30 in tools like Ahrefs.

Example cluster from r/SEO: “reddit keyword research,” “find low competition keywords free,” “seo keywords from forums.”

Step 4: Validate and Refine with SEO Tools

Confirm Reddit finds perform in real search results.

Plug keywords into SEMrush or Ahrefs for metrics: target search volume >50, KD <25, and CPC under $2.
Analyze top 10 SERP results—if mostly forums, Reddit threads, or thin content, it’s low competition.
Check Google “People Also Ask” and Related Searches for expansions.
Test intent match: informational queries like “how to” suit blog posts; transactional fit tools pages.

Track with Google Search Console post-publication to measure quick wins.

Step 5: Scale with Automation and Monitoring

Build a repeatable system for ongoing discovery.

Set up Google Alerts for subreddit keywords or use IFTTT for RSS feeds from target subs.
Python scripts with PRAW library automate thread scraping: fetch titles, filter by upvotes >10, and output CSVs.
Monitor competitor mentions—low brand presence signals opportunity.
Refresh monthly as trends shift; Reddit’s real-time nature keeps keywords fresh.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of pitfalls that waste time.

Ignoring subreddit rules: lurking prevents bans during research.
Over-relying on popular subs like r/all—niche ones yield better gold.
Skipping validation: Reddit volume doesn’t always match Google.
Neglecting mobile: many Reddit searches start on phones, influencing voice queries.

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FAQ

What are the best subreddits for SaaS keyword research?

r/SaaS, r/indiehackers, and r/startups top the list for product and growth discussions.

Can I use Reddit keywords for YouTube SEO too?

Yes, video titles from question threads convert well to low-competition YouTube searches.

How often should I check Reddit for new keywords?

Weekly scans in 5–10 core subreddits suffice for most niches.

Is Reddit data free and accurate for keyword volume?

It’s free for ideas, but pair with Ahrefs/SEMrush for precise volume and competition.

What if a keyword looks good on Reddit but ranks high difficulty?

Pivot to long-tail variations or questions from comments for easier entry.

Mastering Reddit keyword hunting positions your content to rank faster in underserved spaces. Start with your niche subreddits today and watch organic traffic grow—try it on one keyword this week.

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