You don’t need expensive SEO tools to find high-ranking keywords. Most paid tools? They give everyone the same data. If a keyword shows up as "low competition" in Ahrefs or SEMrush, guess what → You’re already late to the party. I’ve ranked dozens of affiliate site with nothing but free tools, intuition, and manual digging. No backlinks. Just strategic targeting. Here’s the playbook. Amazon Knows What People Actually Want
Dig Up Buried Keywords From Affiliate Graveyards
Reddit and YouTube Comments = Untapped Keyword Gold
he 1-Page Rule (How to Know It’s Worth Targeting) Amazon Knows What People Actually Want Dig Up Buried Keywords From Affiliate Graveyards Reddit and YouTube Comments = Untapped Keyword Gold he 1-Page Rule (How to Know It’s Worth Targeting) 1. Amazon Knows What People Actually Want Actually Forget keyword difficulty scores. Amazon autocomplete is a direct window into purchase intent. direct window into purchase intent. direct window into purchase intent. Here’s what to do: Start typing a product: “noise-canceling headphones”
Let Amazon suggest variations
Add intent modifiers:


“noise-canceling headphones for studying”


“noise-canceling headphones with long battery life”


“best noise-canceling headphones under $100” Start typing a product: “noise-canceling headphones” Let Amazon suggest variations Add intent modifiers:


“noise-canceling headphones for studying”


“noise-canceling headphones with long battery life”


“best noise-canceling headphones under $100” “noise-canceling headphones for studying”


“noise-canceling headphones with long battery life”


“best noise-canceling headphones under $100” “noise-canceling headphones for studying” “noise-canceling headphones for studying” “noise-canceling headphones with long battery life” “noise-canceling headphones with long battery life” “best noise-canceling headphones under $100” “best noise-canceling headphones under $100” These aren’t just searches: they’re buying decisions in real time. These aren’t just searches: they’re buying decisions in real time. buying decisions in real time. Now, cross-check Google. If the top results are weak (forums, low-quality blogs, outdated posts), you’ve found a low-competition goldmine. 2. Dig Up Buried Keywords From Affiliate Graveyards Want to find keywords that should’ve ranked but didn’t? keywords that should’ve ranked but didn’t? Find a niche affiliate site.


Check their sitemap.


Skip the high-traffic pages—scroll straight to the ones getting 0-10 visits/month. Find a niche affiliate site. Find a niche affiliate site. Check their sitemap. Check their sitemap. Skip the high-traffic pages—scroll straight to the ones getting 0-10 visits/month. Skip the high-traffic pages—scroll straight to the ones getting 0-10 visits/month. These are pages someone wanted to rank for, but either abandoned or failed. Your job? Do it better. Do it better Sharper headline


Clearer intent


Better formatting


More visuals


Stronger skimmability Sharper headline Sharper headline Clearer intent Clearer intent Better formatting Better formatting More visuals More visuals Stronger skimmability Stronger skimmability I’ve taken “dead” keywords and ranked them in a week just by making them easier to consume. in a week just 3. Reddit and YouTube Comments = Untapped Keyword Gold Forget keyword planners. Real people ask real questions on Reddit and YouTube. Real people ask real questions on Reddit and YouTube. Here’s how to mine them: Search Reddit: site:reddit.com “best [product] for”
Sort by recent. Look for posts where people say: “I’m looking for X but I need it to do Y”:


“I need a gaming mouse that works well for big hands”


“Looking for a standing desk that fits in a small apartment” Search Reddit: site:reddit.com “best [product] for” site:reddit.com “best [product] for” Sort by recent. Look for posts where people say: “I’m looking for X but I need it to do Y”:


“I need a gaming mouse that works well for big hands”


“Looking for a standing desk that fits in a small apartment” “I’m looking for X but I need it to do Y” “I need a gaming mouse that works well for big hands”


“Looking for a standing desk that fits in a small apartment” “I need a gaming mouse that works well for big hands” “I need a gaming mouse that works well for big hands” “Looking for a standing desk that fits in a small apartment” “Looking for a standing desk that fits in a small apartment” Now, check Google. If no blog has covered that exact phrase? Jackpot. If no blog has covered that exact phrase? Jackpot. Same thing with YouTube: Find a popular product review
Sort comments by Newest or Top
Look for buyer concerns:


“Will this work for people with arthritis?”


“Does this fit a MacBook Pro?”


“Looking for a wireless version with the same features” Find a popular product review Sort comments by Newest or Top Look for buyer concerns:


“Will this work for people with arthritis?”


“Does this fit a MacBook Pro?”


“Looking for a wireless version with the same features” “Will this work for people with arthritis?”


“Does this fit a MacBook Pro?”


“Looking for a wireless version with the same features” “Will this work for people with arthritis?” “Will this work for people with arthritis?” “Does this fit a MacBook Pro?” “Does this fit a MacBook Pro?” “Looking for a wireless version with the same features” “Looking for a wireless version with the same features” Each one? A rankable, buyer-intent keyword no one’s touching. buyer-intent keyword buyer-intent keyword 4. The 1-Page Rule (How to Know It’s Worth Targeting) Before writing, I ask: Can I rank with just one solid page? Can I rank with just one solid page? Top 10 results are weak (forums, low-DR sites, outdated blogs)
No one is targeting the exact phrase in the title
Clear buyer/problem-solving intent
I can answer every sub-question in one article Top 10 results are weak (forums, low-DR sites, outdated blogs) No one is targeting the exact phrase in the title Clear buyer/problem-solving intent I can answer every sub-question in one article If it passes? I go all in. No link-building.
No topical clusters.
No authority needed. No link-building. No topical clusters. No authority needed. Just sniper content on zero-competition, high-intent keywords. Final Thoughts Paid tools have their place. But if you’re starting out or tired of chasing the same keywords as everyone else: this approach is faster, easier, and brutally effective. It still works today. faster, easier, and brutally effective

Walkthroughs, tutorials, guides, and tips. This story will teach you how to do something new or how to do something better.

Amazon

Hire Me

Read My Stories

Marketing and Brand Development

Creative Director

Founder

Too Long; Didn't Read

Claim your SEMrush All-in-one SEO tool FREE trial today

SEO Pros Are Using Reddit and YouTube to Rank—Here's How You Can Do It Too

About Author

Comments

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN

Related Stories

Untitled Story

104 Stories To Learn About Marketing Strategy

10 Unforgivable Sins of Growth Marketing

101 Stories To Learn About Influencer Marketing

10 Tips to Help You Become a Digital Marketing Professional Without a Degree

10 Tips to Drive Up Your Website’s Conversion Rate

104 Stories To Learn About Marketing Strategy

10 Unforgivable Sins of Growth Marketing

101 Stories To Learn About Influencer Marketing

10 Tips to Help You Become a Digital Marketing Professional Without a Degree

10 Tips to Drive Up Your Website’s Conversion Rate

Light-Mode

Classic

Newspaper

Dark-Mode

Neon Noir

Minty

HN StartUps