How can a keyword has very low search volume (<10) and high competition?

[Personnel_Concept]

Sometimes I notice in Google keyword tool that a keyword has very low search volume (<10) and high competition? Why would anyone go for a keyword with very less search volume ??

(note: If Checked in Google keywords tool with Exact match)

Though I understand this tool doesn't always have exact data but still any explanation to that question?

[CMC-SD]

Because you only pay if they click. There's no reason not to target anything you think could convert.

[Personnel_Concept]

Yeah that's very true that for some industries search volume might be low but margin is high!

[Personnel_Concept]

That's a good point you mentioned there! Though I wonder why would someone pay money and go for low volume keywords esp, not necessarily low volume keywords has high conversion rate!

[CMC-SD]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the obvious: The Google AdWords keyword tool assesses competition based on AdWords, not based on SEO. A high competition keyword is a keyword that many advertisers are bidding on. It's common practice in AdWords to bid on low-volume high-conversion keywords. Those can actually get you the best ROI sometimes.

[gcdtechnologies]

Hi Vikas, I think there are a number of factors. I would agree with Explainafide about the main one - lots of webmasters don't even consider SEO or keywords. Also as Christopher says, the potential ROI could make a low volume, highly competitive keyword worth optimising for. And as you say, the keyword tool isn't totally accurate and webmasters may be seeing different results from what Google estimates.

Unless the keyword is highly valuable with a good conversion rate,I wouldn't put too much effort into optimising for low volume, highly competitive keywords. However the worth of that keyword is different to different sites.

[Robin_Jennings]

There are many website owners that know little to no SEO and keywords aren't even a consideration.

I work with a lot of artists and this is true in many cases. The competition for sculptor City XYZ is huge but the volume is relatively minor. It just means there's A LOT of sculptors in that city.

[ChristopherGlaeser]

It is my understanding the search volume and keyword competition are independent.  For example, many people purchase socks, but the potential for profit is relatively low which limits the pricing competition.  In contrast, awards for medical malpractice could be quite high, but the search volume for a rare medical procedure could be very low.

Best,
Christopher

[SEO5Team]

Your keyword selection should depend on the conversion probability related to the keyword combined with the search volume. You dont want to put too much SEO effort on a keyword with very little search volume however as you mentioned correctly, Google's keyword tool info is not always accurate.

Low volume search terms might be very valuable for some industries as even one sale resulting from those keywords can mean a lot of revenue for the client.