This year has been challenging for SEOs as Google appears to favor big sites over smaller publishers. Quality content seems to be less important when competing with larger players targeting the same keywords. The question now is whether finding ultra-low competition keywords is the new strategy, or if it even matters at all. I have a new site focused on a niche keyword family with minimal competition in the SERPs, yet I am still being outranked by bigger sites with tangentially related content. Is this a common experience? Are ultra-low-competition keywords still effective in this ever-changing landscape, or is success now a gamble?
Yes, keyword relevance still matters, but it’s not the only factor determining your ranking. While finding ultra-low competition keywords can be a good strategy, it’s not a guarantee for success. You are not alone in experiencing being outranked by larger sites with tangentially related content, even when targeting niche keywords. This suggests that Google’s algorithm prioritizes factors beyond just keyword relevance, such as domain authority, backlink profile, and overall user experience. While ultra-low-competition keywords may offer a temporary advantage, it’s crucial to focus on building a strong foundation for your website.