If you’ve ever thought about starting a blog or building a website, you’ve probably asked yourself: How hard will it be to rank on Google? The answer depends a lot on the niche you choose. Some niches are flooded with established competitors, while others are surprisingly open for newcomers.
Let’s break down the 10 easiest niches to rank in (low competition, lots of long-tail keyword opportunities) and the 10 hardest niches to rank in (high competition, big-budget players, and strong authority sites dominating the space).
The 10 Easiest Niches to Rank on Google
These niches are easier to break into because they’re less competitive, more localized, or have under-served content gaps.
1. Local Hobbies and Crafts
Think “pottery classes in [your city]” or “DIY candle making tips.” These niches attract small but loyal audiences, and competition is usually low.
2. Pet Care for Specific Animals
General pet care is competitive, but narrow down to “hedgehog diet” or “parrot training” and you’ll find wide-open ranking opportunities.
3. Local Food & Restaurant Blogs
“Best brunch in Austin” or “hidden sushi spots in Portland” are easier to rank for because searches are tied to a location, and Google rewards localized content.
4. Niche Travel Blogs
“RV travel with kids” or “hiking in Iceland in winter” are much easier than trying to rank for broad travel terms.
5. Personal Finance for Specific Groups
General finance is tough, but something like “budgeting tips for college students” or “freelancer tax advice” is easier to carve out.
6. Sustainable Living & Eco-Friendly Hacks
Searches for zero-waste swaps, eco-friendly cleaning, and sustainable fashion are rising, but competition is still manageable.
7. Local Fitness & Wellness
Broad “fitness tips” is hard, but “yoga studios in Denver” or “home workouts for seniors” can rank quickly with well-optimized content.
Related: How Hard Is It for a Health and Wellness Blog or Website to Rank on Google?
8. Parenting for Niche Topics
Instead of competing with giant “parenting tips” blogs, focus on “raising bilingual kids” or “homeschooling high school science.”
9. Career Development in Specific Fields
“Job interview tips” is tough, but “how to land a UX designer job” or “resume tips for teachers” is much more doable.
10. Tech Help for Everyday Users
Instead of targeting “iPhone tips,” try “how to fix slow Chromebook” or “Zoom setup for seniors.” These long-tail queries often have weak competition.
The 10 Hardest Niches to Rank on Google
These niches are packed with heavy hitters – think billion-dollar companies, high-authority publishers, and websites that have been around for decades.
1. Health & Wellness
Medical advice, supplements, and even weight loss tips fall under Google’s YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) standards, making it nearly impossible for small blogs to rank without serious authority.
Related: How Hard Is It for a Health and Wellness Blog or Website to Rank on Google?
2. Finance & Investing
Credit cards, loans, stock investing – these keywords are dominated by banks, big finance sites, and affiliate giants.
3. Legal Advice
Law firms and high-authority legal websites hold most of the rankings. Google also treats this as YMYL, making trust signals critical.
Related: How Much Content Does Google Need to Trust Your Site?
4. Weight Loss & Diets
Keto, intermittent fasting, paleo – you name it, it’s competitive. Huge sites, influencers, and medical resources already dominate.
5. General Travel
Ranking for “best places to visit in Europe” is nearly impossible when you’re up against TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, and Expedia.
6. Tech News
Breaking into Google’s first page for topics like “latest iPhone updates” is a challenge when major outlets like The Verge, TechCrunch, and Wired own the space.
7. Personal Development / Motivation
Broad self-help terms like “how to be confident” or “morning routines” are saturated with high-traffic blogs and YouTube channels.
8. Fashion & Beauty
Major magazines, influencers, and retailers dominate “summer outfits” or “best mascara.” Unless you hyper-niche, it’s tough.
9. Recipes & Food Blogs
Competing with AllRecipes, Food Network, and mega-bloggers makes ranking for “chocolate chip cookies” a long shot.
10. Online Marketing / SEO
The irony: blogging about SEO and digital marketing is one of the hardest niches to rank in, because you’re competing against the very people who know exactly how to rank.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting a blog or website, your niche choice can make or break your SEO journey. The easiest niches tend to be localized, specific, or under-served – giving you room to grow authority. The hardest niches are usually broad, lucrative, or regulated – meaning the competition is fierce and well-funded.
The best strategy? Start narrow, go deep, and expand later. By focusing on an easy niche or a sub-niche of a hard one, you’ll have a much better chance of ranking on Google and building a loyal audience.
Or just forget about this list and work on your website and your content :-)
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