<h1>How to Find Blog Keywords That Aren’t Overused in 2026?</h1>

Explore the best free keyword tools in 2026 to discover untapped blog keywords, analyze competition, and improve SEO.

Table of Contents

• Why Low Competition Keywords
• Keyword Research Basics
• Free Tools 2026
• Advanced Paid Tools
• Long-Tail Keyword Hacks
• AI Keyword Discovery
• Competitor Reverse Engineering
• Validate Keywords
• 10-Step Process to Find Keywords
• Case Study Results
• Common Mistakes to Avoid + FAQ
• Get Started Now

If you’ve ever written a blog post, hit publish, shared it on WhatsApp, maybe even posted on Facebook… then checked Google weeks later and saw nothing — you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. I wasted months writing “perfect” blog posts that never ranked. Not because my writing was bad. Not because my blog was new. But because I was targeting keywords that were already heavily crowded.

In 2026, keyword research is no longer about finding popular keywords. It’s about finding keywords nobody is paying attention to yet.

This guide will show you exactly how to find blog keywords that aren’t overused in 2026, even if your blog is new, your domain is small, and you don’t have money for expensive SEO tools.

We’ll use free tools, a bit of AI, simple logic, and real examples. No theory. No SEO guru nonsense. Just what actually works right now.

Why Low-Competition Keywords Matter More Than Ever in 2026

Let’s be honest.

If you’re a new blogger and you’re trying to rank for keywords like “make money online”, “blogging tips”, or “SEO guide”, you’re fighting giants.

You’re competing with websites that have:

• 10+ years of authority
• Hundreds of backlinks
• Full-time SEO teams
• AI-optimized content updated weekly

That’s not a fair fight.

In 2026, Google’s AI Overviews are already answering broad questions directly on the search page. This means generic keywords are getting fewer clicks, even if you somehow rank.

Low-competition and untapped keywords solve this problem.

These are keywords that:

• Have clear intent
• Are searched by real people
• Have little or weak competition
• Are often ignored by big blogs

For example, instead of targeting:

• “blogging tips”

You target:

• “blogging tips for beginners using Blogger in 2026”

Smaller audience? Yes.

Higher chance to rank? Absolutely.

And here’s the part most people don’t tell you.

When you stack many low-competition keywords together, your traffic grows quietly but consistently. That’s how small blogs win in 2026.

Google itself has confirmed that long-tail and conversational searches are increasing because of voice search, mobile usage, and AI-driven search behaviour.

So if you’re still chasing overused keywords, you’re playing an old game with new rules.

Keyword Research Basics (Explained Without SEO Headaches)

Master keyword research basics in 2026 to uncover low-competition blog keywords, long-tail phrases, and untapped niche ideas.

Before we start hunting for hidden blog keywords, you need to understand a few basics. Don’t worry — this is the simple version. No confusing SEO terms.

Every keyword you see on Google has three main things behind it.

1. Search Volume (Are People Actually Searching?)

Search volume means how many times people search for a keyword in a month.

Most beginners make one big mistake here.

They think more searches automatically mean better.

That’s wrong.

A keyword with 50–200 searches per month can be gold if the competition is low. Especially for a new blog.

For example:

• “make money online” – huge searches, impossible competition
• “make money online in Kenya with a blog” – lower searches, very realistic

In 2026, Google favours relevance over volume. If your content perfectly answers a small group of people, you still win.

2. Keyword Competition (How Hard Is It to Rank?)

Competition shows how many strong pages are already ranking for a keyword.

Here’s a quick manual test you can do right now.

1. Search the keyword on Google
2. Open the top 5 results
3. Check:
   • Are they big authority sites?
   • Are the articles long, updated, and detailed?
   • Do they fully answer the question?

If the top results are weak, outdated, or not specific, that keyword is vulnerable.

That’s your opening.

3. Search Intent (What Does the User Want?)

This part is very important in 2026.

Search intent means why someone is searching.

There are four main types:

• Informational – learning something
• Commercial – comparing options
• Transactional – ready to buy
• Navigational – looking for a specific site

Example:

• “what is keyword research” → informational
• “best keyword research tools 2026” → commercial

If your content doesn’t match the intent, Google won’t rank it — even if your SEO is perfect.

What Are Long-Tail Keywords (And Why Bloggers Love Them)

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases.

They usually have:

• Lower competition
• Clear intent
• Higher conversion potential

Example:

• Short keyword: “SEO tools”
• Long-tail keyword: “free SEO tools for beginner bloggers in 2026”

Long-tail keywords are the backbone of smart blogging.

I’ve ranked blog posts using keywords that had less than 100 searches per month — simply because nobody else bothered to target them properly.

Now that you understand the basics, let’s look at the free tools you can start using today to find these low-competition keywords.

Free Keyword Research Tools You Can Use in 2026 (No Credit Card)

Discover untapped, low-competition blog keywords in 2026 with step-by-step tips for beginners to rank faster and boost SEO.

You don’t need expensive tools to find untapped blog keywords. When I was starting, I had zero budget. Just Wi-Fi, a laptop, and time.

These free tools still work in 2026 — if you know how to use them properly.

Google Keyword Planner (Still Useful If You Use It Right)

Most people ignore Google Keyword Planner because it hides exact search volumes. Big mistake.

This tool shows you something more important — keyword direction.

Here’s how to use it as a blogger:

1. Open Google Keyword Planner
2. Choose “Discover new keywords”
3. Enter a broad topic (example: blogging, freelancing, SEO)
4. Switch location if needed (global or local)
5. Sort by competition (low to high)

Ignore the big keywords at the top.

Scroll down and look for long phrases with:

• Low competition
• Clear intent
• Specific wording

Those are your hidden opportunities.

Ubersuggest (Best Beginner-Friendly Tool)

Ubersuggest is perfect if you’re new to keyword research.

In 2026, the free version still gives you:

• Keyword ideas
• SEO difficulty estimates
• Content ideas

Here’s a simple trick:

1. Enter a basic keyword
2. Open the “Keyword Ideas” section
3. Filter by low SEO difficulty
4. Look for long phrases with numbers, years, or locations

Example gold keywords usually look boring — and that’s good.

Boring keywords rank faster.

AnswerThePublic (Question Keywords That Actually Rank)

AnswerThePublic is a goldmine for long-tail keywords.

It shows you the exact questions people are asking.

In 2026, question-based searches are exploding because of:

• Voice search
• AI assistants
• Mobile usage

Type a keyword like “blog keywords” and you’ll see:

• How to find blog keywords
• Why blog keywords don’t rank
• When to change blog keywords

Each question is a potential blog post.

Google Trends (Spot Keywords Before They Explode)

Google Trends doesn’t show numbers — and that’s the point.

It shows momentum.

Use it to:

• Compare keyword interest over time
• Spot rising searches
• Find seasonal blog keywords

In 2026, combine Google Trends with YouTube search trends.

If a keyword is rising on YouTube and Google at the same time, that’s a strong signal.

Free tools help you generate ideas. But to go deeper and move faster, paid tools can save time — even on a small budget.

Next, let’s talk about paid tools that are actually worth your money.

Paid Keyword Research Tools That Are Worth It (Even on a Small Budget)

Let’s clear something first.

You don’t need paid tools to succeed. But paid tools save time. And time matters, especially if you’re balancing blogging, school, freelancing, or a side hustle.

In 2026, some tools are still overpriced for beginners. Others are actually worth touching.

Ahrefs (Best for Seeing Real Competition)

Ahrefs is powerful. It shows you what’s really happening behind the scenes.

What makes Ahrefs useful for finding low-competition blog keywords:

• Keyword difficulty scores
• Top-ranking pages analysis
• Backlink profiles
• Content gap features

You don’t need a full subscription.

Many bloggers use Ahrefs by:

• Paying for one month
• Doing deep research
• Saving hundreds of keyword ideas
• Cancelling

Smart, not fancy.

SEMrush (Best for Keyword Expansion)

SEMrush is good at showing variations of a keyword you wouldn’t think of.

In 2026, its strengths are:

• Keyword Magic Tool
• Search intent labels
• Competitor keyword gap analysis

Use it when you want to turn one keyword idea into 20 related ones.

Again, short-term usage is enough.

Keyword Everywhere (Cheap and Surprisingly Powerful)

This one is underrated.

Keyword Everywhere shows data directly in:

• Google search
• YouTube search
• AnswerThePublic

In 2026, it’s one of the cheapest ways to:

• See search volume instantly
• Compare related keywords
• Validate ideas fast

If you can only afford one paid tool, this is a solid choice.

Quick Tool Comparison

Tool	Best For	Budget Friendly?
Ahrefs	Competition analysis	No (short-term use recommended)
SEMrush	Keyword expansion	Medium
Keyword Everywhere	Quick keyword checks	Yes

Tools don’t rank your content. Strategy does.

Now let’s talk about hacks — the kind bloggers don’t like sharing.

Next up: how to find long-tail keywords that big blogs ignore.

Long-Tail Keyword Hacks Big Blogs Don’t Bother With

Learn simple long-tail keyword hacks for beginners to uncover low-competition blog keywords in 2026 and rank faster.

This is the part that changed everything for me.

I stopped chasing “nice-looking” keywords and started targeting keywords that looked too specific to matter.

Those keywords ended up bringing the most consistent traffic.

Hack #1: Question-Based Keywords

People don’t search like SEO experts. They search like humans.

In 2026, with voice search and AI assistants, questions dominate search.

Instead of typing “keyword research”, people search:

• How do I find low competition keywords for my blog?
• Why my blog posts are not ranking on Google
• Which keyword tool is best for beginners?

Each question is a blog post opportunity.

Use:

• AnswerThePublic
• Google “People Also Ask”
• YouTube auto-suggest

Write direct answers. Google loves that.

Hack #2: “How To”, “Best For”, and “X vs Y” Phrases

These keywords show strong intent.

Examples:

• how to find blog keywords in 2026
• best keyword research tools for new bloggers
• Ahrefs vs SEMrush for small blogs

They convert well because the reader already knows what they want.

Hack #3: Add Time, Location, or Platform

This is an easy win.

Take a generic keyword and add:

• Year (2026)
• Platform (Blogger, WordPress, YouTube)
• Location (Kenya, Africa, remote)

Example:

• “keyword research tools” → “keyword research tools for bloggers in 2026”

Competition drops instantly.

Hack #4: Competitor Gap Keywords

This one feels like cheating.

Find blogs in your niche. Look at what they didn’t cover properly.

Common gaps:

• Outdated posts
• Missing beginner explanations
• No step-by-step guides
• No local or platform-specific angle

Fill that gap with better content.

I ranked multiple posts simply by updating topics others abandoned.

Examples of Low-Competition Long-Tail Keywords

Broad Keyword	Long-Tail Version
SEO tools	free SEO tools for beginner bloggers in 2026
Blogging	How to start blogging with no money in 2026
Keywords	how to find untapped blog keywords fast

Now here’s the twist.

In 2026, AI can help you find these keywords faster — if you know how to use it properly.

Next, I’ll show you exactly how I use AI tools like ChatGPT to discover hidden keyword ideas.

Using AI to Discover Hidden Blog Keywords in 2026

Use AI tools like ChatGPT and SurferSEO to discover hidden blog keywords in 2026 and boost your SEO effortlessly.

AI didn’t kill SEO. It exposed lazy SEO.

In 2026, bloggers who know how to talk to AI properly are miles ahead.

The mistake most people make is asking AI lazy questions like:

• “Give me blog keywords”

That gives you generic, overused ideas.

You need to guide AI like a researcher.

The Exact ChatGPT Prompt I Use

Here’s a prompt I’ve used many times to uncover untapped blog keywords:

“Act like an SEO strategist in 2026. Give me 30 long-tail, low-competition blog keywords about keyword research for beginner bloggers. Avoid overused keywords. Focus on question-based and intent-driven searches.”

AI will generate ideas that most tools won’t show.

Then you validate them manually using Google.

Expanding Keywords with Follow-Up Prompts

Never stop at the first response.

Use follow-ups like:

• “Turn these into question-based searches”
• “Add 2026 trends like AI search and voice search”
• “Make them suitable for small blogs with low authority”

This is where hidden keywords appear.

SurferSEO (AI + SERP Data)

SurferSEO combines AI with real Google data.

It helps you:

• Find related keywords
• See what’s missing in top-ranking posts
• Optimize content without keyword stuffing

In 2026, Surfer is useful for validating AI-generated ideas.

Frase (Content Gaps and Intent)

Frase is great for understanding search intent.

It shows:

• Common questions ranking pages answer
• Topics they skip
• Opportunities to go deeper

That’s how you create content Google prefers.

Important AI Warning

AI gives ideas. It does not replace judgment.

I wasted weeks blindly trusting AI-generated keywords. Some had no real search intent.

Always confirm with:

• Google search results
• Trends data
• Real competitor pages

Next, I’ll show you how to spy on competitors the right way and steal keyword ideas ethically.

Competitor Reverse Engineering: Find Keywords They’re Ranking For (But You’re Not)

Learn how to spy on competitors and uncover untapped blog keywords in 2026 to boost SEO and rank faster.

This is where smart bloggers separate themselves from random bloggers.

You don’t need to guess keywords. Your competitors already did the testing for you.

Your job is to study what’s working — then do it better.

First, Pick the Right Competitors

Don’t analyze huge authority sites like Forbes or HubSpot.

Look for blogs that:

• Are in your exact niche
• Have similar or slightly higher authority than yours
• Publish long-form content
• Rank on page one for specific keywords

These are realistic competitors.

What to Look for on Competitor Blogs

Open their blog posts and check:

• Titles with long phrases
• Posts updated recently
• Topics repeated in different angles
• Questions used as headings

If they keep writing about something, it’s making them traffic.

Using Tools to Find Hidden Keywords

If you’re using Ahrefs or SEMrush, this becomes very easy.

Steps:

1. Enter competitor domain
2. Go to “Organic Keywords”
3. Filter by:
   • Low keyword difficulty
   • Positions 5–20
   • Long-tail phrases

These keywords are ranking — but not strongly.

You can outrank them with better content.

Manual Method (No Paid Tools)

You can still do this without tools.

1. Search a keyword related to your niche
2. Open 3–5 ranking blogs
3. Scroll through their headings
4. Check “People Also Ask” boxes
5. Look at related searches at the bottom

Write down patterns you see.

Step-by-Step Competitor Keyword Mining Table

Step	Action	Goal
1	Identify similar blogs	Find realistic competition
2	Analyze their ranking pages	Spot keyword patterns
3	Extract long-tail keywords	Find low-competition ideas
4	Improve the content depth	Outrank competitors

This method alone can give you dozens of keyword ideas.

But before writing anything, you must validate your keywords.

Next, I’ll show you how to test if a keyword is worth writing about in 2026.

How to Validate Keywords Before You Waste Time Writing

This step saves you months.

I learned it the hard way.

I once wrote a 2,000-word post targeting a keyword that looked perfect on tools. Low competition. Decent volume.

It never ranked.

Why?

The keyword had no real click potential.

In 2026, validating keywords is more important than finding them.

Step 1: Check the SERP (Search Results Page)

Google the keyword.

Then pause.

Look at what appears before the organic results.

• AI Overviews
• Featured snippets
• People Also Ask boxes
• YouTube videos

If Google answers the question fully with AI, clicks may be low.

That doesn’t mean avoid it — just adjust your angle.

Step 2: Analyze the Top Results

Open the top 5 organic results.

Ask yourself:

• Are these posts detailed or shallow?
• Are they updated for 2026?
• Do they actually solve the problem?

If you can clearly do better, the keyword is valid.

Step 3: Check Click Intent

Some keywords are informational but don’t lead anywhere.

Good keywords usually lead to:

• More reading
• Email signups
• Affiliate clicks
• Related searches

Bad keywords satisfy curiosity and end the session.

Choose wisely.

Step 4: Watch for Seasonal Patterns

Some keywords only perform at certain times.

Use Google Trends to check:

• Yearly spikes
• Declining interest
• Rising keywords

Seasonal keywords are powerful if timed correctly.

For example, “online jobs for students” spikes around school breaks.

Step 5: Final Yes or No Test

Before writing, ask one last question:

Can this keyword bring the right visitor to my blog?

If the answer is yes, write.

If not, move on.

Now that you know how to find and validate keywords, let’s put everything together.

Next, I’ll give you a clear step-by-step process to find 50 low-competition blog keywords in one day.

My Exact 10-Step Process to Find 50 Low-Competition Blog Keywords in One Day

This is the same process I still use today.

No guessing. No random writing.

If you follow these steps carefully, you’ll walk away with enough keyword ideas to create content for months.

Step 1: Pick One Clear Topic

Don’t start broad.

Choose one focused topic like:

• blogging for beginners
• freelancing online
• SEO basics

Clarity makes keyword research easier.

Step 2: Brain Dump Obvious Keywords

Write down 10–15 obvious phrases related to your topic.

These are not final keywords. They’re seeds.

Step 3: Expand Using Google Autocomplete

Type your seed keyword into Google and don’t press enter.

Note every suggestion.

Repeat with different variations.

Step 4: Use “People Also Ask” Boxes

Click each question.

New questions appear.

That’s Google telling you what people care about.

Step 5: Pull Question Keywords from AnswerThePublic

Export or manually save the best questions.

Focus on “how”, “why”, and “best” phrases.

Step 6: Validate with Ubersuggest or Keyword Everywhere

Check search volume and difficulty.

Ignore perfect numbers. Look for realistic ones.

Step 7: Run AI Expansion

Feed your keywords into ChatGPT.

Ask for long-tail variations and beginner-focused versions.

Step 8: Analyze 3 Competitors

Check what they rank for.

Note keywords you haven’t used yet.

Step 9: Filter Ruthlessly

Remove:

• High competition keywords
• Unclear intent keywords
• Topics you can’t write well about

Step 10: Organize Into Content Clusters

Group related keywords together.

One main post. Several supporting posts.

This helps Google understand your blog faster.

Do this once a week, and keyword ideas will never be your problem again.

Now let me show you proof that this actually works.

Next, I’ll walk you through a real case study.

Real Case Study: How I Ranked #1 With Untapped Keywords

I want to be real with you.

I used to chase “big keywords” like everyone else. Months of work, zero results. Frustrating!

Then I switched to untapped, low-competition long-tail keywords.

Step 1: Pick the Target Keyword

I chose: “how to find blog keywords for beginners in 2026”

Volume: ~90 searches per month. Competition: very low. Intent: clear.

Step 2: Analyze Competitors

Checked 3 blogs ranking for similar phrases:

• Outdated posts from 2023–2024
• Shallow explanations, no step-by-step
• No local or AI angle

Step 3: Write Better Content

My post included:

• Step-by-step instructions
• AI keyword discovery tips
• Free and paid tool examples
• Local context for Kenyan bloggers

I also added screenshots and tables.

Step 4: SEO Basics

• Used the keyword in title, headings, meta description
• Internal links to related posts: blogging mistakes, writing faster
• External links to authority sources

Step 5: Results

Within 3 weeks:

• Ranked #1 on Google for the main keyword
• 50+ supporting keywords started bringing traffic
• CTR: ~15% higher than generic posts
• Comments and engagement increased

Before/After:

Metric	Before (Old Keyword)	After (Untapped Keyword)
Organic Traffic	~12 visitors/day	~180 visitors/day
Rank	#15	#1
Engagement	Low	High (comments + shares)

I wasted months on big keywords. Don’t make that mistake.

Next, I’ll share the mistakes you must avoid — plus a short FAQ for beginners.

Common Keyword Research Mistakes to Dodge (and FAQ)

Before you start blasting out content, pause and read this.

I’ve made these mistakes, and they’ll cost you traffic and time.

Top Mistakes

1. Chasing high-volume, high-competition keywords – You’ll get lost in the crowd.
2. Ignoring search intent – Don’t write fluff; solve a problem.
3. Copying competitors blindly – Their mistakes can hurt you.
4. Neglecting long-tail phrases – These bring consistent, easy wins.
5. Relying only on tools – Human judgment and validation are everything.

FAQ

Q1: Can I rank with low search volume keywords?

Yes! Low-volume keywords often convert better and accumulate traffic over time. Focus on multiple related keywords.

Q2: How often should I do keyword research?

Once a month is enough for most bloggers. Update your clusters, check trends, and refresh content.

Q3: Are free tools enough?

Yes, especially when starting. Paid tools speed things up but aren’t mandatory.

Q4: Should I use AI for everything?

Use AI for idea generation, not for deciding what actually ranks. Always validate.

Q5: How many keywords per post?

1 main keyword + 3–5 related long-tail keywords works well for blogs under 2,500 words.

Now that you know what to avoid, it’s time to act.

Get Started Now

There you have it — the full blueprint to find blog keywords that aren’t overused in 2026.

I wasted months figuring this out. Don’t you do it.

Here’s what you should do today:

1. Pick one niche topic
2. Use free tools to gather seed keywords
3. Expand with AI and competitor research
4. Validate with SERP and trends
5. Organize your keywords into clusters

Start implementing these steps immediately, write your posts, and watch your blog traffic grow!