How to Find Zero-Low Competition Keywords for Affiliate Website? [NO Paid Tools]

The post provides actionable insights into finding untapped keywords for affiliate marketing without relying on paid tools. Below are the refined key takeaways, along with brief explanations:

1. Amazon Autocomplete as a Keyword Discovery Tool

Amazon’s autocomplete feature reveals buyer-intent keywords based on real searches. By tweaking phrasing (e.g., adding “for,” “with,” or pain points), marketers can uncover niche-specific keywords that often lack optimized content targeting them on Google. Cross-referencing these suggestions with Google’s search results can highlight low-competition opportunities.

SEO Insight: Keywords derived from Amazon reflect high purchase intent, making them ideal for affiliate marketing. This method bypasses generic keyword tools and focuses on real-world user behavior.

2. Mining Forgotten Pages of Affiliate Sites

By analyzing low-traffic pages (0–10 visits/month) on established affiliate sites, marketers can identify abandoned keywords that originally had ranking potential but were poorly executed. Revamping these topics with better headlines, clearer intent, improved formatting, and visuals can lead to rapid rankings.

SEO Insight: This approach repurposes neglected content ideas, allowing marketers to dominate keywords others have abandoned due to poor execution.

3. Reddit and YouTube Comments for Hidden Keywords

Reddit threads and YouTube comments are rich sources of unfiltered buyer questions and frustrations. Searching these platforms for specific product-related queries (e.g., “best [product] for [use case]”) can reveal long-tail keywords not covered in traditional tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.

SEO Insight: These platforms offer direct access to user-generated content, reflecting real needs and problems. Targeting these queries ensures high relevance and conversion potential.

4. The “1 Page Rule” Filter

This rule emphasizes focusing on keywords that can be ranked with a single well-optimized page. Marketers should target keywords where:

• Top 10 results are weak (forums, outdated posts, etc.)
• No one is directly targeting the exact phrase
• Search intent aligns with buyer-related or problem-solving queries
• Sub-questions can be addressed in one article

SEO Insight: This sniper-like strategy avoids building topical authority clusters and instead focuses on high-impact standalone content.

5. Leveraging AI for Keyword Expansion

Using AI tools like ChatGPT or free platforms like Keyword Sheeter can generate alternative keyword ideas quickly. For example, expanding “heated blanket for” into variations like “heated blanket for camping” or “heated blanket for arthritis pain relief.”

SEO Insight: AI tools streamline brainstorming processes, offering creative keyword expansions that align with buyer intent.

6. Cross-Referencing Keywords for Validation

After identifying potential keywords, cross-reference them using tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner to check search volume and CPC data. This ensures the selected keywords have measurable demand.

SEO Insight: Combining free discovery methods with validation tools ensures resources are spent on keywords with proven traffic potential.

Master-Level Strategy: Prioritize Buyer Intent Over Search Volume

The thread emphasizes targeting buyer-intent keywords over high-volume ones. Buyer-intent queries often convert better because they address specific needs or pain points directly.

Actionable Recommendations:

1. Focus on Low Competition Niches: Use Amazon Autocomplete and Reddit/YouTube comments to uncover untapped opportunities.
2. Optimize Content for Speed and Relevance: Outperform competitors like Amazon product pages or Reddit threads by offering concise answers tailored to user intent.
3. Leverage Free Tools Creatively: Combine manual methods with AI-driven keyword expansion to maximize efficiency without incurring costs.
4. Test Small Before Scaling: Apply the “1 Page Rule” to validate keyword viability before committing resources to broader strategies.

By mastering these approaches, marketers can effectively dominate niche markets faster while avoiding the pitfalls of saturated competition zones.

Reference: The Broke Man’s Guide to $2k/Month Affiliate Keywords (No Paid Tools)