SEO content brief generator
Turn a keyword into an outline, question list, research checklist and quality checklist.
Use ToolFree tool · Research
Judge keyword difficulty from the real results page.
Search your keyword, look at the first page, and rate seven factors. The tool weights them with a formula you can see and gives a difficulty band with what it means for your plan.
Rate the first page
Free · no sign-upDifficulty band
Updates when you run the toolFill in the inputs and run the tool to see results here.
How it works
What the tool does.
Rate the live search results on seven factors and get a weighted difficulty band.
- Search the keyword in a private browser window, in the location you care about.
- Rate each factor from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard) based on what you see in the top 10 results.
- The tool multiplies each rating by its weight, adds them, and converts the total to a 0 to 100 index and a band.
- It explains what the band usually means for the type of page and effort you would need.
Methodology
The rules behind the result.
Nothing is hidden. These are the exact rules the tool applies.
- Weights: domain strength 20%, backlink strength 20%, content quality 15%, intent match 15%, topical authority 15%, SERP feature crowding 10%, forums and user content 5%.
- Forums and user content are scored in reverse: more forum results means an easier keyword, because the results show no strong dedicated page exists.
- Index = (weighted average rating − 1) ÷ 4 × 100.
- Bands: below 30 is Low, 30 to 54 is Medium, 55 to 74 is High, 75 and above is Very high.
| Factor | Weight | 1 means | 5 means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain strength of ranking sites | 20% | Small sites | Major brands |
| Backlink strength | 20% | Few links | Heavily linked |
| Content quality and depth | 15% | Thin, dated | Excellent |
| Intent match of ranking pages | 15% | Poor match | Exact match |
| Topical authority of competitors | 15% | One-off pages | Deep coverage |
| SERP feature crowding | 10% | Plain results | Very crowded |
| Forums and user content ranking (scored in reverse) | 5% | None | Many |
| Bands: Low 0–29 · Medium 30–54 · High 55–74 · Very high 75+ | |||
Reading the result
What the result means.
- Low: a well-made page on a relevant site has a realistic chance without much link building.
- Medium: you need a page that is clearly better than what ranks, plus solid internal links and some authority.
- High: expect to need strong topical coverage around the keyword and earned links before this page competes.
- Very high: usually dominated by major brands. Often better approached through narrower, longer variations first.
Example
How someone might use it.
Choosing between two keywords for a new page
A solar installer compares “solar panels” and “solar panel installation cost in Phoenix”. The first is full of national brands, map packs and guides with many links. The second shows local installers, a forum thread and thin pages.
The framework puts the first in Very high and the second in Low to Medium, which helps them write the local cost page first.
Limitations
What it cannot tell you.
Every tool has blind spots. These are this one’s.
- It is a structured judgement, not data. It does not include search volume, real backlink counts or click-through rates.
- Ratings are subjective. Two people can rate the same results differently, so keep notes on why you chose each rating.
- Results change by location, device and over time. Re-check before committing to a big piece of work.
- It does not account for your own site’s authority, which matters as much as the competition.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Why not just use a keyword difficulty score from an SEO tool?
Those scores are useful but mostly based on backlinks, and each tool calculates them differently. This framework makes you look at the actual results, including intent and SERP features, which link-based scores miss.
Does this tool show search volume?
No. It uses no external data at all. Pair it with search volume from Google Keyword Planner or Search Console impressions.
How should I rate domain strength without a tool?
Use what you recognize. National brands, major publishers and government sites are a 5. Established niche sites are a 3 or 4. Small local businesses and new blogs are a 1 or 2.
Why do forum results make a keyword easier?
When Google ranks Reddit threads or Quora answers on page one, it is often because no dedicated page answers the query well. A focused, useful page can compete.
Privacy
What we collect
No forms, no email gate. The results are yours.
- Everything is calculated in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to our server.
- Nothing is emailed, and you do not need an account.
- We record anonymous usage events (for example, that the tool was used) without any of the values you entered.
Understand the terms behind this tool.
Search volume
Search volume is an estimate of how often people search a keyword during a stated period in a defined market. It is not a forecast of website visits.
SERP
A SERP is a search engine results page. Its links, map listings, and other features change with the query and the searcher's context. A SERP is the environment where a customer decides which answer or business to investigate.
Keyword gap
A keyword gap is a difference between the queries covered by your website and those covered by competing sites. Each gap still needs a business and intent check.
SEO · Content · Local · Web Design
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