How to Find Low-Competition Keywords for New Sites in 2026

How to Do Keyword Research for a New Blog with Free Tools in 2026

How to Find Low-Competition Keywords for New Sites in 2026

So, you’ve just started a new blog or maybe you’re planning to start one soon. That is awesome! But here’s the thing: even if your content is amazing, no one’s going to find it if you don’t use the right keywords.

That’s where keyword research comes in. Don’t worry, it’s not technical or complicated. I’ll explain it like I’m chatting with a friend over coffee.

What Exactly Is Keyword Research?

In simple words, keyword research means finding the exact words or phrases people type on Google when they’re looking for information related to your topic.

For example, if someone searches “best free keyword research tools 2026,” and your blog covers that topic, you have a better chance of showing up in search results.

Doing keyword research helps you:

• Understand user intent: Know what your readers are really searching for.
• Create targeted content: Write blog posts that perfectly answer those specific questions.
• Grow traffic organically: Bring more, free, quality visitors to your site, without spending money on ads.

Why Keyword Research Matters for New Bloggers

If you’ve just started a new blog, keyword research is your absolute best friend.

It’s what helps you write the kind of content people actually want to read, and more importantly, content that you have a chance of ranking for. When I started, I used to just write whatever came to mind. But after learning about keyword research and using a few free tools, my traffic slowly started to grow.

Also, once you start getting steady visitors, you can think about monetizing your blog through ads or brand deals. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check out my main guide, How to Monetize Your Blog in 2025, where I’ve shared all the easy and practical ways to start earning from your blog once you’ve built a little audience.

Free Keyword Research Tools You Can Use in 2026

How to Find Low-Competition Keywords 

Here’s the best part, you don’t need to buy expensive SEO software to start. Here are five powerful free tools, along with a crucial note on their 2026 limitations:

Tool	Best For	Crucial 2026 Note (Free Plan)
1. Google Keyword Planner (GKP)	Getting direct Google search volume estimates.	You need a free Google Ads account. It gives broad volume ranges (e.g., 1K-10K), not exact numbers, but the data is the most reliable.
2. Ubersuggest	Seeing a clear Difficulty Score (KD) for beginners.	The free version typically limits you to 3 searches per day. Use these searches wisely!
3. AnswerThePublic	Finding question-based keywords (What, Why, How).	Great for finding long-tail ideas, but the free plan has daily limits (usually 1-3 reports per day).
4. Google Trends	Checking a topic’s seasonality and long-term interest.	This tool shows relative popularity, not search volume. Use it to compare two keywords and check if a topic is trending up or down.
5. Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension)	Seeing instant search volume right in your Google search results.	Super handy, but results can sometimes be less accurate than GKP. Use it for quick validation of long-tail ideas.

Targeted Keyword Strategy: High-Value, Low-Competition

The key to fast growth is hunting for long-tail keywords (4+ words) that answer highly specific questions. These terms usually have lower competition but high intent.

Focusing on low-competition keywords does more than just get you easy traffic, it helps you quickly build the depth and coverage of content Google wants to see for your niche. That consistent volume is a massive signal of authority.

This effort is crucial for monetization. Building this content volume is the best way to ensure your site is not seen as "under construction" and helps you easily clear the [Google AdSense Requirements Guide] when you're ready to apply!

Here are three high-potential, low-competition keywords related to blogging and monetization that you can easily target right now:

Target Keyword Phrase	Why It's a Gold Mine	How to Use It in a Post
blog SEO checklist for new writers	Extremely clear user intent (they want an actionable list) and low difficulty, perfect for a new site.	Use this exact phrase as an H2 or H3 heading and create a dedicated checklist/template in your content.
AI writing tools for beginner bloggers 2026	Taps into a hot, emerging topic (AI) but narrows the focus to beginners, reducing competition.	Dedicate a section to how free AI tools can assist with the manual keyword research steps you listed.
monetize travel blog without ads	Highly specific and directly addresses a pain point, linking perfectly to your pillar post on monetization.	Use this in your FAQ section or as a dedicated H3 under "Bonus Tips" to drive traffic to your main monetization article.

Step-by-Step: How to Find Your First Keywords

Let’s break down the process into simple steps using the free tools.

Step 1: Start with a Seed Idea Think about what you want to write. For example, "blog monetization."

Step 2: Find Questions (AnswerThePublic) Go to AnswerThePublic and type "blog monetization." Note all the question-based phrases it provides, like "How to monetize a blog without selling products?" These are instant low-competition ideas.

Step 3: Check Volume (GKP) Take the best long-tail phrases you found in Step 2 and paste them into Google Keyword Planner. Look for terms with estimated volume in the sweet spot (e.g., 500–5,000 monthly) and Low competition/difficulty.

Step 4: Analyze the SERP (Google Search & Surfer) Search your final chosen keyword on Google itself. Use the Keyword Surfer extension to see how the top-ranking pages are structured. If the current top results are from low-authority sites (like another new blog or a forum), that keyword is easier to rank for!

Step 5: Write Naturally Add your chosen main keyword naturally in your title, first paragraph, and at least one heading. Add 2-3 related long-tail keywords (like the ones suggested above) into the body text. Do not force them in, make it sound like normal writing.

Bonus Tips for Finding Hidden Gems

• Scout Reddit and Niche Forums: People ask their most specific, low-competition questions on platforms like Reddit. Search subreddits related to your niche (e.g., r/blogging, r/contentmarketing) and turn any recurring question into a blog post.
• The Power of 'VS': Search for "Product A vs. Product B" (e.g., "Wordpress vs. Squarespace for bloggers"). Comparison posts are high-intent and often easier to rank for than general reviews.
• Use Google Autocomplete, People Also Ask, and Related Searches. These are still goldmines for real-time user searches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is keyword research for a new blog? 

Keyword research is finding the right words people type on Google related to your blog topic. It helps you create content that attracts the right, targeted audience.

2. What are the best free keyword research tools for beginners in 2026? 

The best free tools are Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest (for limited daily KD checks), AnswerThePublic (for questions), Google Trends, and the Keyword Surfer browser extension.

3. How do I find low competition keywords for my blog? 

Focus on long-tail, question-based keywords (4+ words). Use Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner and specifically look for keywords with low difficulty scores and decent search volume (around 500–5,000 searches per month).

4. How can I do keyword research without paying for tools? 

You can use Google autocomplete, the "People Also Ask" section, related searches, and free Chrome extensions like Keyword Surfer. Combining these with forums like Reddit and AnswerThePublic gives you plenty of ideas.

5. How many keywords should I target in one blog post? 

Ideally, focus on one main primary keyword and 2–3 highly related secondary keywords. Use them naturally throughout your content, especially in the title, introduction, and headings.

6. What’s the next step after doing keyword research? 

Once your posts start getting traffic, the next big step is monetization. If you want a full step-by-step guide, check out my main post How to Monetize Your Blog in 2025. It covers all the easy and practical ways to start earning.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research isn’t about being super technical; it’s about understanding what your audience wants and giving it to them. When you use free keyword research tools and pick smart, long-tail, low-competition keywords, your new blog can grow without you spending a single rupee.

Once you start getting some good traffic, that’s the perfect time to focus on monetizing your blog, and if you need help with that part, don’t forget to read my detailed guide: A Full Step-by-Step Guide to Blog Monetization. It’ll walk you through beginner-friendly ways to turn your content into income.

So, go ahead, pick a topic, find some low-competition keywords, and start writing! You’ll be surprised how quickly your blog begins to grow once you start applying this strategy.