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Keyword Research
Keyword Metrics Explained: Search Vol, KD, Competition, CPC
Understand the four keyword metrics in RankFrame: search volume, keyword difficulty, competition, and CPC. Learn how to read each number and choose the right keywords for your Framer site.
Last Updated on
Read Time
4 min read
The Four Metrics at a Glance
Each metric answers a specific question about a keyword. Read all four together rather than acting on any single number in isolation.
1. Search Volume (Search Vol)
The average number of times per month people search for this keyword globally. Volume is the first filter: if nobody searches for a term, ranking for it delivers no traffic regardless of how well you optimize.
A volume of 100 to 1,000 can be very worthwhile for niche Framer audiences where the visitors are highly targeted. Volumes above 10,000 are competitive by default and usually come with high KD scores. Match your volume expectations to your site's current domain authority: a newer Framer portfolio targeting 200 monthly searches is far more realistic than chasing 50,000.
Volume figures are global estimates and can fluctuate month to month based on seasonal trends or industry news. Use the number as a directional signal, not an exact forecast.
2. Keyword Difficulty (KD)
A score from 0 to 100 estimating how hard it is to rank on the first page of Google for this keyword. The score factors in how many authoritative sites already rank for the term and how strong their backlink profiles are. A site with few backlinks competing against established domains with thousands of links will struggle at high KD, no matter how good the content is.
KD Range | Label | What it means for your site |
|---|---|---|
0 to 20 | Very Easy | Minimal competition. Good targets for brand new sites. |
21 to 40 | Easy | Achievable with quality content and some on-page SEO. |
41 to 60 | Medium | Requires consistent publishing and some backlinks. |
61 to 80 | Hard | Needs strong domain authority and link building. |
81 to 100 | Very Hard | Dominated by major brands. Not realistic for most Framer sites. |
Saved keywords with a high KD score show a red KD badge in the Saved Keywords list as a persistent reminder to set realistic ranking timelines for those terms.
3. Competition
Competition reflects advertiser demand in Google Ads for this keyword, expressed as a decimal from 0 to 1. It is not the same as organic search competition. A competition score of 0.9 means advertisers are heavily bidding on the term, which is a strong signal that people who search for it convert into customers.
Use competition as a commercial intent indicator: a keyword with moderate volume, medium KD, and high competition is often more valuable than a high-volume keyword with low competition and zero advertiser interest.
4. CPC (Cost Per Click)
The average amount in USD that advertisers pay per click on a Google Ad targeting this keyword. CPC is the clearest proxy for keyword value: if businesses pay $8 per click, each organic visit from that keyword is worth roughly the same to your bottom line for free.
Compare CPC between keyword options when deciding where to spend writing time. A keyword with 300 monthly searches and $5 CPC often outperforms a keyword with 3,000 searches and $0.10 CPC in real business impact.
Practical rule: Start with KD as your filter. Remove any keyword above your site's current competitive level. Then rank the remaining options by CPC. The highest-CPC keyword that clears your KD threshold is usually your best starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always pick the highest search volume keyword?
No. High volume usually comes with high KD, making the keyword hard to rank for. A lower volume keyword with low KD and high CPC often delivers better results for a newer site.