Work out keyword difficulty estimate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Difficulty combines the authority of the pages already ranking with how many referring domains they carry. What matters for planning is the gap between that field and your own authority, since it determines how much link acquisition is required.
Difficulty estimate
Score = average authority × 0.6 + log-scaled referring domain factor
Figures are estimates based on the inputs given. Marketing performance, platform fees and conversion behaviour vary by audience, channel and season. Use this as a planning guide, not a forecast.
Because the difference between 10 and 100 referring domains matters far more than between 900 and 1000.
Yes, on specific long-tail queries where intent match beats authority — that is where new sites should start.