What is Keyword Opportunity and How is it Calculated?

Keyword Opportunity is a simple metric we’ve developed to evaluate how valuable or "potentially profitable" a keyword is for your business. This score combines three critical factors into a single, easy-to-understand number: Search Volume, Competition, and Domain Rank. Here's a closer look at how it’s calculated:

1. Search Volume: How Many People Are Searching for This Keyword?

• What it means: Search volume measures how often a keyword is searched on Google. A higher search volume indicates more potential visitors.

• How we calculate it:

  • The actual search volume (e.g., 1,000 searches per month) is compared to a maximum potential search volume, capped at 100,000. This ensures the score isn’t overly inflated.

  • Larger countries with bigger populations have higher maximum search volumes.

• Why it matters: Keywords with high search volume are more valuable because they can attract more traffic.

2. Competition: How Hard Is It to Rank for This Keyword?

• What it means: Competition measures how many businesses are trying to rank for the same keyword. Higher competition makes it more difficult to achieve a top position.

• How we calculate it:

  • We subtract the competition level (scaled from 0 to 50) from a maximum value, giving easier keywords a higher score.

  • Extremely competitive keywords are capped at a value of 50 to avoid overly penalizing their potential.

• Why it matters: Keywords that are too competitive are less valuable. Targeting easier-to-rank keywords is usually a better strategy.

3. Domain Rank: How Strong Is Your Website?

• What it means: Domain rank reflects your website’s authority compared to others. A higher domain rank gives you a better chance to compete for challenging keywords.

• How we calculate it:

  • Your website’s domain rank is scaled relative to a maximum score of 500. You can find a more in depth explanation on this page.

Why it matters: A keyword may have great search volume and low competition, but if your site lacks authority, ranking for it can still be a challenge.

Combining the Factors: The Final Score

Once the three factors are calculated, they are combined using specific weights to produce the Keyword Opportunity score:

• Search Volume: 20% weight

  • Popular keywords matter, but only if they are realistic to target.

• Competition: 50% weight

  • The keyword's competition is the most critical factor, easier-to-rank keywords carry more importance.

• Domain Rank: 30% weight

  • The strength of your site plays a key role, making it a significant factor in the overall score. While important, it isn't the sole focus.

Interpreting the Keyword Opportunity Score

The final score ranges from 0 to 100:

• 0: This keyword offers little value (e.g., low search volume or too competitive).

• 100: The keyword is a golden opportunity—easy to rank for, high search volume, and well-aligned with your website’s authority.

Why This Calculation Works

This approach balances three essential aspects of keyword value:

1. Popularity: Avoid wasting time on keywords no one is searching for.

2. Competition: Focus on winnable opportunities rather than impossible battles.

3. Your Website's Strength: Direct your efforts toward keywords you have a realistic chance of ranking for.

By considering these factors, the Keyword Opportunity score helps you prioritize the right keywords and maximize the impact of your SEO strategy.