How do I know who's ranking for a keyword?

vidIQ shows the top 5 videos for any keyword. Check: channel size, subscriber count, and video age. If it's all small channels with few subscribers, it's winnable.

Can I rank for a keyword if big channels already own it?

Difficult, not impossible. If the top videos have gaps or poor production, you can outrank them. But it's risky. Better to find uncontested keywords.

How to Find Low-Competition YouTube Keywords with vidIQ (2026 Method)

By Alan Spicer — Former vidIQ Creator Success Team (2020-2022), 20+ Year Creator, 6X YouTube Silver Play Button

Here’s the secret that separates channels that grow from channels that stall:

New channels don’t win by targeting popular keywords. They win by targeting keywords that are popular enough to matter, but unpopular enough to actually rank for.

This is the “sweet spot” of YouTube growth. And it’s the most underrated strategy I know.

When I was helping creators on the vidIQ team, the pattern was always the same. Growing channels were methodically researching low-competition keywords and building content around them. Stalled channels were either uploading random videos or trying to compete for massive keywords they had zero chance of ranking for.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to find these goldmine keywords using vidIQ.

What Makes a Keyword “Low Competition”?

Low competition doesn’t mean “nobody searches for it.” It means the keyword has:

Decent search volume — People actually search for this (500-5,000 monthly searches is ideal for growing channels)
Low competition score — Below 40% in vidIQ
Few existing videos — Less than 100K results on YouTube
Small-channel dominance — The ranking videos aren’t from massive channels
High keyword score — vidIQ rates it 40+ (meaning it’s winnable for smaller channels)

When all five of these are true, you’ve found a goldmine. That’s the keyword you build a video around.

The Alan Spicer Keyword Sweet Spot

Through years of testing and analysis, I’ve identified the ideal window for growing channels:

500-5,000 monthly searches + competition below 40% = goldmine

This is the Goldilocks zone. High enough volume to matter. Low enough competition to win.

A video targeting a 2,000-search keyword you can rank for will get you more views and growth than a video targeting a 100,000-search keyword you can’t.

Example: “how to edit YouTube videos on iPhone for free 2026” (1,500 searches, 35% competition) beats “video editing” (100,000+ searches, 95% competition). Every time.

Step-by-Step: Finding Low-Competition Keywords with vidIQ

Step 1: Start with a Broad Niche Topic

Open vidIQ’s keyword inspector. Don’t search for a specific keyword yet. Search for your broad niche.

Examples:

If you make cooking videos: “easy recipes”
If you make tech reviews: “laptop reviews”
If you do fitness: “home workouts”

vidIQ will show you dozens of related keywords. This is your starting point.

Step 2: Use Keyword Inspector to Find Related Terms

vidIQ’s keyword inspector shows “related keywords.” These are variations and long-tail versions of your broad topic.

Scroll through the related keywords. Look for phrases that sound like real questions people ask. For example:

“easy recipes for beginners”
“easy recipes for one person”
“easy recipes with 5 ingredients”
“easy recipes without oven”

These specific variations are far less competitive than the broad term.

Step 3: Filter by Keyword Score (Aim for 50+)

vidIQ gives every keyword a score from 0-100. This is crucial.

Filter for keywords scoring 40-70. Don’t chase 80-100 when starting (too competitive). Don’t touch 0-30 (too niche with no search volume).

The 40-70 range is where new channels rank. Live here for your first 50 videos.

Step 4: Check the Competition

vidIQ shows the top 5 videos ranking for each keyword. Click on them. This is crucial.

Ask yourself:

How many subscribers does the ranking channel have?
How old is the video?
Does it look professionally produced?
Could I make a better version?

If the top videos are from channels with 10K-100K subscribers and the videos are 6+ months old, this is a winnable keyword. The channel has moved on. Ranking positions are up for grabs.

If the top videos are from 1M+ subscriber channels uploaded last week with Hollywood-level production, skip it.

Step 5: Use the Questions Feature for Long-Tail Variations

vidIQ’s “Questions” feature shows actual questions people ask YouTube related to your keyword. These are pure gold for long-tail keywords.

If you search “healthy recipes,” vidIQ might show:

“healthy recipes for weight loss”
“healthy recipes for muscle gain”
“healthy recipes for diabetics”
“healthy recipes on a budget”

Each of these is a unique video opportunity. Each has lower competition than the broad term.

Step 6: Build a Keyword Bank of 20-30 Targets

Don’t pick one keyword. Build a library.

Spend an hour and identify 20-30 low-competition keywords in your niche using this process. Save them in a spreadsheet with:

Keyword name
Monthly search volume
Competition score
vidIQ keyword score
Video topic idea

This becomes your content calendar for the next six months. You’re not guessing what to make. You’re following data.

The Long-Tail Advantage Explained

Example: “video editing” vs. “how to edit YouTube videos on iPhone free 2026”Video editing: 500,000+ searches/month. 95% competition. Top ranking videos from 5M+ subscriber channels. You have zero chance of ranking.

How to edit YouTube videos on iPhone free 2026: 1,500 searches/month. 35% competition. Top videos from 50K-500K subscriber channels. You can rank in 4-8 weeks.

Which is the smarter video to make? The second one, every time.

One video targeting the specific keyword might get you 500 views. But it’s 500 TARGETED views from people in your niche. Those viewers are likely to subscribe, comment, and watch your other videos. That 500 turns into 1,000 subscribers. That 1,000 turns into 5,000.

Meanwhile, competitors chasing “video editing” get 50,000 views but zero subscribers because they can’t actually rank for that keyword.

Long-tail keywords have lower volume but higher intent. People searching “how to edit YouTube videos on iPhone free 2026” are serious. They’re ready to watch, learn, and subscribe.

Keyword Research Mistakes Small Channels Make

Mistake 1: Targeting Massive Keywords Too Early

New creators always chase “best video editing software” or “YouTube SEO” because those have huge search volume. They’re fighting for scraps against 500 existing videos and massive channels. Build authority first. Chase the big keywords later.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Search Volume

Some creators target keywords with 50 monthly searches and wonder why their videos get no views. A keyword this small won’t drive growth. Aim for 500+.

Mistake 3: Not Checking Competition

vidIQ tells you the competition score, but you have to actually click and check who’s ranking. Don’t be lazy. Spend 30 seconds reviewing the top 5 videos. It saves you from wasting days on unwinnable keywords.

Mistake 4: Targeting Keywords Outside Your Niche

A low-competition keyword is only valuable if it’s relevant to your channel. Don’t make a video about “plumbing tips” if you’re a cooking channel just because it has low competition.

Mistake 5: Making One Video Per Keyword

Build a library of 20-30 low-competition videos. You’re creating a foundation. One video won’t explode. A channel of 20+ targeted, well-optimised videos will.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s a good keyword score for a new channel?Aim for 40-70 when starting. These keywords have decent search volume but aren’t dominated by massive channels. As you grow and build authority, gradually target higher-difficulty keywords (70+).

Q: How many videos should I make on low-competition keywords?As many as possible. Build a library of 20-30 low-competition videos first. This establishes your channel’s authority and search visibility. Once you hit 10K+ subscribers, expand to medium-difficulty keywords.

Q: Should I ignore high-search-volume keywords entirely?Yes, initially. A 1,000-search keyword you rank for beats a 100,000-search keyword you can’t. Focus on winnable keywords first. Once you build authority, expand upmarket.

Q: How do I know if a keyword is truly low-competition?vidIQ shows the competition score and keyword score. Check the ranking videos: subscriber counts, upload dates, production quality. If it’s small channels or old videos, it’s winnable.

Q: Can I outrank a big channel’s video?Rarely. If a 5M subscriber channel just uploaded a video on a keyword, you’re competing uphill. But if they uploaded 8 months ago and their video is outdated or lower quality, you have a shot. Avoid direct competition with fresh, high-quality videos from major channels.

Your Next Steps

Today: Open vidIQ. Search your main niche. Identify 5-10 keywords scoring 40-70 with 500-5,000 monthly searches.

This Week: Check the ranking videos for these keywords. Build a spreadsheet of 20-30 low-competition keywords.

Next Month: Create videos targeting these keywords. Optimise each with the SEO scorecard. Upload consistently.

90 Days: Review which videos performed best. Double down on that keyword type. Build more.

Ready to find your goldmine keywords? vidIQ’s keyword inspector and questions feature make this process painless. Get Boost for $1 for your first month. I’ve tested every YouTube keyword tool. vidIQ is the most comprehensive. Start your free trial with my link.

What to Read Next

How to Use vidIQ for YouTube SEO: Complete Step-by-Step
YouTube Keyword Research Masterclass
How to Grow YouTube on a Budget (For Small Channels)
Competitor Analysis: Finding Content Gaps
The Ultimate Guide to YouTube Growth

Found a great low-competition keyword? Share it in the comments. I’d love to see what you’re targeting. And if you need help with keyword research, ask away — I reply to every comment. Don’t forget to grab vidIQ Boost with my $1 offer. Your channel will grow faster with data.