How to get real competition from a keyword?

[RatSeaExclusive]

Does metrics from keyword research tools show real competition range for a keyword?

I heard that you have to get a proven example of website actually climbing with a keyword rather than using a tool.

Please share your thoughts because I'm curious.

 

[BensenMum]

All the tools out there are doing their best to estimate Keyword Difficulty but that's exactly what KD is, an estimate (educated guess). Difficult for who? The New York Times or Joe's Pizza in Hogfart?

One of my clients has a real estate website and on occasion will write blogs about topics that are unrelated to real estate (such as "best restaurants" or "best schools" in the area). Often we outrank other, more topical websites (i.e. blogs about restaurants) due to the longevity and authority of my client's domain.

Keyword difficulty is relative.

I find it more effective to do a review of all the highest ranking websites for a specific, reasonable volume, keyword and see if I think there is a chance I can knock one of them out of the top 10.

 

[Thunder Digitals]

No tool is accurate. You have to check the SERPs manually for KD.

 

[HenryObi]

Does metrics from keyword research tools show real competition range for a keyword?

I heard that you have to get a proven example of website actually climbing with a keyword rather than using a tool.

Please share your thoughts because I'm curious.

If obviously stronger and older sites dominate page 1, it's enough evidence that you're dealing with a difficult keyword. It's one way to know.

Another method is to look at the sites on page 1, how well are they targeting the keyword? Some strong site might not ve actually targeting the keyword and they would be on page 1. If you come with a well targeted and optimized article and a bit of authority. You would dominate such big sites.

In summary, always look at the page 1 to understand what's going on.

 

[HustleTong]

You'll have to analyze the SERP to gauge the real competition
There's no way around it

 

[Kinu Actaz]

I don’t trust any tool when it comes to analysing the competition because no tool provides 100% accurate results. Manual method is best.