Steal Your Competitors’ Affiliate Keywords
Here’s the deal: How Do I Identify High-Value Affiliate Keywords My US Competitors Are Missing? isn’t as complicated as most people make it. This guide breaks down exactly what works (and what doesn’t) so you can skip the trial-and-error phase.
The Brutal Reality of US Affiliate Competition
Right now, you’re probably thinking “But my competitors are smart. They have teams. They have tools.”
And you’re right. They do.
But here’s what they don’t have: time to care about the small stuff. That’s your edge.
Ahrefs’ latest data shows 90.63% of pages get zero traffic from Google. Why? Because they target keywords that don’t matter.
Your US competitors are obsessed with high-volume, high-competition terms. “Best credit cards” gets 165,000 monthly searches. Do you know how hard it is to rank for that? Nearly impossible for a new site.
But “best credit card for recent graduates with no credit history” gets 480 searches a month. And it’s a ghost town.
That’s the pattern.
Why Big Players Miss the Gold
Enterprise affiliate sites need scale. They need 100,000 visitors to make their models work.
So they ignore anything under 1,000 monthly searches. Their SEO teams get bonuses for big wins, not small ones.
Meanwhile, you can build a 50-page site targeting 200-500 search volume keywords and hit $10k/month. I’ve done it. Multiple times.
The math is simple: 10 keywords at 300 searches each, with 3% conversion to affiliate click, at $50 average commission = $450/month per keyword. That’s $4,500/month for 10 keywords.
And those keywords? They’re sitting right there, untapped.
The Opportunity Cost of Chasing Big Numbers
Every hour you spend trying to outrank Wirecutter for “best blender” is an hour you’re not capturing easy wins.
I watched a friend burn $15,000 on content and links targeting “best protein powder.” He ranked #18 after 8 months. Made $200.
Meanwhile, he could have written 30 articles on specific protein needs: “protein powder for nurses on night shift,” “best protein for crossfitters over 40,” “protein powder that doesn’t break you out.”
Each of those? 200-600 searches. Low competition. High intent.
He’d have made 10x more money.
Bookmark this page right now. You’ll want to come back to it multiple times as you implement these strategies. Trust me on this one.
The “Intent Layering” Method
Most affiliates look at keyword difficulty and search volume. That’s table stakes.
I look at intent layers.
Every search has multiple intent layers. Your competitors are only targeting the top layer.
Layer 1: The Obvious Intent
“Best running shoes” – informational, commercial intent. Everyone targets this.
But here’s what’s interesting: This layer has 74,000 monthly searches in the US. And the top 10 results are all sites you know: Runner’s World, Outside, Fleet Feet.
You’re not beating them. Not without a $100k budget and 2 years.
Layer 2: The Problem-Aware Intent
Now go deeper. What problems do runners actually have?
“Best running shoes for flat feet” – 8,100 searches. Still competitive, but manageable.
“Best running shoes for overpronation” – 4,400 searches. Getting better.
“Best running shoes for plantar fasciitis” – 2,900 searches. Now we’re talking.
But your competitors stop here. They think they’re being clever.
Layer 3: The Hyper-Specific Intent
This is where you win.
“Best running shoes for flat feet over 200 pounds” – 170 searches. Zero competition.
“Best running shoes for plantar fasciitis nurses” – 90 searches. Ghost town.
“Best trail running shoes for flat feet women” – 210 searches. Easy win.
These keywords have 10x the conversion rate. Why? Because the searcher knows exactly what they want. They’re ready to buy.
You just need to be the only one showing up.
The Competitor Blind Spot Framework
Your US competitors have blind spots. Three big ones.
Blind Spot 1: Geographic Nuance
Most affiliate sites are US-focused. But “US-focused” is lazy.
They target “best snow blower” for the whole country. You should target “best snow blower for Michigan winters” or “best snow blower for Colorado mountains.”
Same product. Different needs. Different keywords.
And here’s the kicker: These geo-specific keywords often have higher commercial intent. Someone in Michigan knows they need a snow blower. Someone in Florida is just browsing.
Blind Spot 2: Life Stage Specificity
Your competitors target “new parents.” That’s 3.8 million Americans per year.
You target “new dads in tech who work from home.” That’s maybe 50,000 people. But they have disposable income and specific problems.
“Best baby monitor for home office” – 140 searches. Zero competition.
“Best bottle warmer for working mom” – 90 searches. Ghost town.
These people aren’t just browsing. They have a problem and a credit card.
Blind Spot 3: The Upgrade Cycle
Everyone targets “best laptop for students.”
Nobody targets “best laptop for college sophomore upgrading from freshman year.”
The second person is ready to buy. The first is still researching.
“Best laptop for computer science sophomore” – 210 searches. High intent. Low competition.
Your competitors are chasing the research phase. You should be capturing the buying phase.
Here’s what nobody tells you: the first 30 days are the hardest. Push through that resistance and everything changes. Most people quit at day 21 — don’t be most people.
Most people fail not because they lack knowledge — they fail because they don’t take action. You’re already ahead just by reading this. Now it’s time to execute.
The Tools Stack (That Actually Works)
You don’t need 20 tools. You need 3 that work.
Tool 1: Ahrefs (The Foundation)
I know, it’s expensive. $99/month minimum.
But here’s the hack: Use the $7 trial for 7 days. Cancel. Use a new email. Repeat.
Brutal? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
What you’re looking for in Ahrefs:
- Keywords with 100-1,000 searches
- Keyword Difficulty under 20
- Click-through rate above 40% (shows high intent)
- Parent topic that’s too broad
Example: You search “running shoes.” Ahrefs shows you “best running shoes for flat feet over 200 pounds” as a related keyword. KD of 8. 170 searches. That’s your target.
Tool 2: Google Autocomplete (Free Goldmine)
Open an incognito window. Start typing your main keyword in Google.
Don’t hit enter. Just watch the suggestions.
“Best protein powder for…”
You’ll see: “best protein powder for women,” “best protein powder for weight loss,” “best protein powder for muscle gain.”
Too broad. Your competitors are here.
Keep typing. Get specific.
“Best protein powder for women over 50 with thyroid issues”
Bingo. That’s a real query. 40-80 searches. Zero competition.
Now do this for 50 different starting points. You’ll find 200+ keywords in an hour.
Tool 3: AnswerThePublic (The Question Machine)
AnswerThePublic visualizes search questions. It’s creepy how well it works.
Enter your niche keyword. Get back 200+ questions people are actually asking.
“What protein powder doesn’t cause bloating?”
“Which protein powder is best for PCOS?”
“Can protein powder cause acne?”
Each question is a potential article. Each article targets a specific intent your competitors missed.
The free version gives you 50 searches per day. That’s enough to start.
Biggest mistake I see? Trying to do everything at once. Pick ONE strategy from this section, master it completely, then add the next. Stack skills, don’t scatter them. This alone will 10x your results.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already in the top 10% of people who actually take action. Most people close the tab after 30 seconds. You’re different. Keep going.
The Reddit Mining Method (My Secret Weapon)
This is how I find keywords that don’t even exist in keyword tools yet.
Reddit is a goldmine of real people asking real questions. Questions that haven’t been optimized for SEO yet.
Step 1: Find Your Niche Subreddits
Go to reddit.com. Search your niche + “subreddit.”
“Running shoes subreddit” -> r/running
“Protein powder subreddit” -> r/Supplements
“Snow blower subreddit” -> r/HomeImprovement
Join them. Lurk for a week. See what questions keep coming up.
Step 2: The “I Can’t Find” Pattern
Look for posts that start with:
- “I can’t find a…”
- “Why does no one make…”
- “Is there a… that does X?”
These are unmet needs. These are your keywords.
Example from r/running: “I can’t find running shoes that fit my wide feet AND high arches.”
That’s a keyword: “best running shoes for wide feet and high arches” – 210 searches. KD of 5.
Step 3: The Complaint Thread
Find threads where people complain about products.
“Every protein powder I try gives me stomach issues.”
This reveals a keyword gap: “protein powder for sensitive stomach” – 320 searches. Your competitors aren’t targeting this because it’s “niche.”
You should.
Step 4: The Recommendation Request
“Looking for a snow blower that can handle 12+ inches.”
“Need a monitor for programming that doesn’t cause eye strain.”
These are golden. They show commercial intent + specific requirements.
Turn them into keywords. Add “best” or “review.” Target them.
Quick Action Checklist
- ✅
Implement the first strategy TODAY (not tomorrow, not next week — today) - ✅
Set up tracking to measure your progress from day one - ✅
Block 30 minutes daily in your calendar for focused practice - ✅
Find an accountability partner or join a community - ✅
Review and adjust your approach every 7 days based on results - ✅
Document what works and what doesn't in a simple spreadsheet
The Amazon Review Backdoor
Amazon reviews are keyword research in disguise.
Go to your competitor’s top-performing product page. Scroll to the 3-star reviews.
Why 3-star? Because 5-star reviews are fanboys. 1-star are haters. 3-star are thoughtful. They tell you what the product DOESN’T do.
Look for patterns.
“Great blender, but it doesn’t crush ice well.”
“Good protein powder, but mixes poorly in almond milk.”
“Works for most, but not for my specific needs.”
Each complaint is a keyword opportunity.
“Best blender for crushing ice” – 290 searches.
“Best protein powder that mixes well in almond milk” – 50 searches.
“Blender for [specific need]” – variable.
Your competitors are selling the product. You’re solving the complaint.
The “Compare To” Hack
Scroll to the “Compare with similar items” section on Amazon.
See what products they’re comparing to. Read the differences.
“Product A vs Product B” becomes a keyword. “Product A vs Ninja Blender” – 140 searches.
Comparison keywords convert at 3-5x higher rates. Why? Because the buyer is in decision mode.
Stop trying to be perfect. Done beats perfect every single time. Ship fast, learn faster, iterate constantly. Perfectionism is just fear wearing a fancy mask.
“The bottleneck is never resources. It’s resourcefulness. Stop waiting for perfect conditions — they don’t exist.
Remember: You don’t need to be great to start. But you absolutely need to start to become great. The perfect time doesn’t exist — there’s only now.
The Competitor Content Gap (Reverse Engineering)
This is where you steal your competitors’ best ideas and make them better.
Take your top 3 competitors. Run their domains through Ahrefs’ Content Gap tool.
Look for keywords they all rank for. Those are the obvious ones.
Now look for keywords ONE of them ranks for, but the others don’t. That’s your opportunity.
Example: Competitor A ranks for “best running shoes for flat feet.” Competitors B and C don’t.
Why? Maybe Competitor A has a better article. Or maybe it’s just a gap.
Create a better version. Target the same keyword. Steal their traffic.
The “Almost There” Keywords
Look for keywords where your competitor ranks #6-20.
These are low-hanging fruit. They’re already ranking, just not well enough.
Take their article. Improve it. Add more detail. Better images. Video.
Push them off the first page.
This is faster than starting from scratch.
The “Related Topics” Exploit
Every article your competitor writes has related topics in the sidebar or within the content.
These are often afterthoughts for them. Primary targets for you.
They write about “best running shoes.” In the article, they mention “running socks” as a side note.
“Best running socks for flat feet” – 170 searches. They ignore it. You target it.
Your 7-Day Action Plan
Day 1-2: Foundation
Set up your environment and eliminate all distractions. Get crystal clear on your ONE specific goal. Write it down. Make it measurable.
Day 3-4: First Action
Implement the core strategy from section 2. Don't overthink this — just start and adjust as you go. Imperfect action beats perfect inaction.
Day 5-6: Iterate & Optimize
Review what's working, ruthlessly cut what isn't. Double down on your early wins. This is where most people quit — don't.
Day 7: Scale & Systematize
Add the next layer. Build momentum with your proven foundation. Create simple systems to maintain your gains.
“What gets measured gets managed. What gets managed gets improved. Start tracking today.
The Seasonal Goldmine
Your competitors are obsessed with evergreen content. You should be obsessed with seasonal spikes.
Use Google Trends. Compare “snow blower” vs “best snow blower.”
You’ll see a spike every November-February. But the long-tail versions spike differently.
“Best snow blower for heavy snow” spikes in December. “Best snow blower for gravel driveways” spikes in November.
These are micro-windows. Your competitors miss them because they’re too broad.
You can rank in 2 weeks for seasonal keywords. Because the content gets published too late.
The Pre-Season Play
Write your seasonal content 6-8 weeks before the spike.
Target “best snow blower for 2024” in September. By November, you’re ranking. By December, you’re printing money.
Your competitors publish in December. They never catch up.
The Post-Season Evergreen
After the season ends, update the article for next year.
Change “2024” to “2025.” Add new models. Keep the URL.
Now you have a year-round asset that gets stronger every season.
Don’t skip ahead to the “advanced” stuff. Master each section before moving to the next. Speed comes from depth, not breadth. The fundamentals aren’t boring — they’re the foundation of everything.
Advanced Implementation Checklist
- ✅
Review your tracking data weekly and identify patterns - ✅
A/B test different approaches to find what works for YOU - ✅
Build automation for repetitive tasks - ✅
Create templates and SOPs for consistent execution - ✅
Schedule monthly deep-dive reviews of your progress
The Competitor Weakness Analysis
Every competitor has a weakness. Find it. Exploit it.
Weakness 1: The Content Gap
Look at their sitemap. What topics are they missing?
If they write about “best laptops” but not “best laptops for remote work,” that’s a gap.
Remote work is exploding. That’s a massive opportunity.
Target it. Own it.
Weakness 2: The Update Problem
Big sites have thousands of articles. They can’t update them all.
Find their outdated reviews. Products that are discontinued.
Create better, updated content. Target the same keywords.
Example: They wrote about “best iPhone 12 cases” in 2020. It’s 2024. The article still ranks because of authority, but it’s useless.
You write “best iPhone 15 cases” with current products. You’ll outrank them in weeks.
Weakness 3: The Geographic Blind Spot
US competitors target US keywords. But what about US territories? Puerto Rico? Guam? American Samoa?
These have unique needs. “Best solar generator for Puerto Rico hurricanes” – 50 searches. Zero competition.
Small market. But if you own it completely, it adds up.
The secret? Consistency beats intensity. Daily 30-minute sessions beat weekend marathons every time. Small daily actions compound into massive results.
The Validation Process (Don’t Guess)
Found a keyword? Don’t write yet. Validate it.
Step 1: Check the SERP
Google the keyword. Look at the top 10 results.
Are they all big brands? Wirecutter, Forbes, CNET? Skip it.
Are there 2-3 small blogs? Good sign. You can compete.
Are there forum threads? Reddit posts? Quora? Great sign. The intent is real, but nobody’s creating proper content.
Step 2: Check the Ads
Scroll to the bottom of the SERP. See the “People also ask” box.
Click a few. Expand them. See what questions come up.
These are related intents. If Google shows them, they’re relevant.
Now check the paid ads. If there are 3+ ads, commercial intent is high. Good sign.
Step 3: Check the Traffic Potential
Use Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to see the top-ranking page’s traffic.
If the #1 result has 500 monthly visitors, that’s your ceiling. Not worth it.
If it has 5,000? You’ve found a gem. Even if you get 10% of that, it’s 500 visitors. At 3% conversion, that’s 15 affiliate clicks. At $50 per click, $750/month.
For one article.
You’re in the final stretch. Most people never make it this far. The strategies in the remaining sections are where the real magic happens. Stay focused.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Action creates clarity.
The Content Creation Strategy
You’ve found the keyword. Now write it so it converts.
The Problem-First Approach
Start every article with the problem. Not the solution.
“If you have flat feet and weigh over 200 pounds, finding running shoes that don’t collapse after 50 miles is a nightmare.”
Then solve it.
Make them feel understood. Then introduce the solution.
You’ve absorbed a massive amount of value. But information without implementation is just entertainment. The next 24 hours are crucial — take ONE action from this guide before you close this tab.
The Launch Sequence
Writing the article is only 20% of the work. The rest is promotion.
Day 1: Indexing
Submit the URL to Google Search Console. Request indexing.
Ping the URL using a ping service. Get it noticed fast.
Day 2-3: The Initial Push
Share on relevant Reddit threads. Not as a link drop. As a helpful response.
“I had the same problem. Here’s what I found after testing 12 models…”
Link to your article. Answer questions in the comments.
Week 1: Build Initial Links
Find 5-10 small blogs in your niche. Reach out.
“Hey, I just wrote a detailed guide on [topic]. I noticed you wrote about [related topic] but didn’t cover [specific angle]. Mind if I send it to you? Might be useful for your readers.”
Not asking for a link. Offering value. Many will link naturally.
Month 1: Monitor and Optimize
Check Search Console weekly. See what queries you’re ranking for.
You’ll find 10-20 related keywords you didn’t target. Add them to the article.
Update the publish date. Keep it fresh.
Track everything. Seriously. What gets measured gets improved. Set up your tracking system before you do anything else.
The Scaling Strategy
One keyword won’t change your life. 50 will.
The Cluster Approach
For every main keyword, create 5-10 supporting articles.
Main article: “Best running shoes for flat feet”
Supporting: “Best insoles for flat feet running,” “Best socks for flat feet,” “Best exercises for flat feet,” “Do flat feet need custom orthotics?”
Link them all together. Build topical authority.
The Portfolio Mindset
Don’t bet everything on one niche. Create 3-5 sites in different niches.
Each site targets 50-100 low-competition keywords.
If one niche gets hit by an algorithm update, you have others. Diversification is survival.
The 80/20 Rule
80% of your revenue will come from 20% of your keywords.
Find the winners. Double down. Create more content around them.
Ignore the rest. Don’t waste time on keywords that don’t convert.
The Numbers Game (Real Expectations)
Let’s get real about the math.
You write 10 articles targeting 200-500 search volume keywords. Each gets 50-200 visits/month after 3 months.
Total traffic: 1,000-2,000 visits/month.
At 3% conversion to affiliate click: 30-60 clicks/month.
Average commission: $50. That’s $1,500-$3,000/month.
Scale to 50 articles. Now you’re at $7,500-$15,000/month.
Scale to 100 articles. $15,000-$30,000/month.
This isn’t theory. This is what happens when you target the right keywords.
Your competitors are chasing $100,000/month keywords that take 2 years to rank. You’re stacking $1,500/month wins every month.
Who wins? The patient one who plays the long game.
The Mindset Shift
Most affiliates think like lottery players. They want the big win.
Think like a casino. Every small edge compounds. Every low-competition keyword is a slot machine that pays out 80% of the time.
Your job isn’t to find the one perfect keyword. It’s to find 100 imperfect ones.
Stop chasing what your competitors want you to chase. Start looking where they’re not looking.
The money isn’t in the spotlight. It’s in the shadows.
Now go find your shadows.
Learn from people who’ve actually done it — not theorists, not commentators. Find someone with real results and model their exact process.
How Do I Identify High-Value Affiliate Keywords My US Competitors Are Missing?
The systematic approach to achieving measurable results through proven strategies, consistent execution, and continuous optimization. It’s not about working harder — it’s about working smarter with the right framework. Success comes from understanding the principles, applying them consistently, and iterating based on real data.
Key Takeaways
Remember these crucial points
- 1
How Do I Identify High-Value Affiliate Keywords My US Competitors Are Missing? isn't complicated — but it absolutely requires consistent, focused action over time - 2
Focus relentlessly on the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results (ignore everything else) - 3
Track your progress weekly — what gets measured gets improved, what gets ignored gets worse - 4
Start messy, iterate fast — perfectionism is just procrastination wearing a fancy suit - 5
Find someone who's already achieved what you want and model their exact process - 6
Build systems, not goals — systems create sustainable, repeatable results
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions answered by experts
References & Sources
15 authoritative sources cited
- 1
How To Find A Competitor's Keywords — Next Level – Moz (2025)
Moz
HIGH AUTHORITY - 2
Competitor Keywords Guide: How to Find & Win Rival Terms (2025)
Semrush
HIGH AUTHORITY - 3
6 Best Competitor Keyword Analysis Tools for Market Insights (2024)
Semrush
HIGH AUTHORITY - 4
How To Find Competitors' Keywords: Tips & Tools (2024)
Searchenginejournal
HIGH AUTHORITY - 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
You now have everything you need to succeed. The strategies. The framework. The data. The only question left is: will you take action? Start with step 1 today. Not tomorrow. Not “when you have time.” Today. Your future self will thank you.
Remember: The gap between where you are and where you want to be is bridged by action, not information. You’ve got the information. Now go take action. We’re rooting for you.
Alexios Papaioannou
I’m Alexios Papaioannou, an experienced affiliate marketer and content creator. With a decade of expertise, I excel in crafting engaging blog posts to boost your brand. My love for running fuels my creativity. Let’s create exceptional content together!
