Here’s the honest guide. KGR keywords — keywords that pass the Keyword Golden Ratio — are low-competition terms you can often rank for fast, even with a newer site. Here’s how to find and use them.
The KGR is a simple formula for spotting keywords with demand but little competition. Here’s exactly how it works.
Last updated: July 2026.
Key takeaways
- KGR = allintitle results ÷ monthly searches, for keywords under 250 searches/month.
- A KGR under 0.25 signals a low-competition keyword you can rank fast.
- Great for newer sites and quick wins.
- Speed up keyword research with my free 200+ AI SEO prompts.
What Is the KGR (Keyword Golden Ratio)?
The Keyword Golden Ratio, created by Doug Cunnington, is a formula for finding under-served keywords: the number of Google results with the keyword in the title (allintitle), divided by the monthly search volume, for keywords with fewer than 250 searches a month. A KGR under 0.25 means few pages specifically target it — so you can often rank quickly.
How to Calculate KGR
- Find a keyword with under 250 monthly searches.
- Search
allintitle:"your keyword"in Google and note the result count. - Divide that number by the monthly search volume.
- If the result is under 0.25, it’s a KGR keyword worth targeting.
- Under 0.25 = great, 0.25–1 = okay, over 1 = skip.
How to Find KGR Keywords
- Start with long-tail, specific keywords (they have lower volume)
- Use a keyword tool to get search volumes under 250
- Check allintitle counts for each
- Filter to those under the 0.25 ratio
- Prioritise ones with buying or clear intent
Pros and Cons of KGR Keywords
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rank fast, even on new sites | Low individual search volume |
| Low competition | Time-consuming to find manually |
| Great for building momentum | Not for high-volume head terms |
| Often high-intent long-tails | Volume data can be imprecise |
KGR + AI = Faster Research
KGR is powerful but tedious by hand. AI speeds it up massively — use AI to brainstorm long-tail keywords and clusters, then check the ratio. My free 200+ AI SEO prompts include keyword-research prompts to get you started, and the SEO Elite Circle covers the full workflow.
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KGR Keywords + Content Strategy
KGR keywords work best as part of a wider strategy, not in isolation. Use them to win quick, easy rankings that build your site’s momentum and authority, then use that authority to go after bigger, more competitive terms. A cluster of KGR long-tails around a topic can also add up to meaningful traffic and signal topical depth to Google.
Do KGR Keywords Still Work?
Yes — the principle behind KGR (find demand with little competition) is timeless, even as search evolves. The formula is a shortcut to spotting under-served keywords, and those still exist in every niche. The one caveat is that search-volume and allintitle data are estimates, so treat KGR as a strong signal, not gospel — and always sanity-check the actual results for a keyword.
KGR for AI Search
The KGR idea extends to AI search too: long-tail, specific questions that few pages answer well are exactly what AI answer engines pull from. So a KGR-style hunt for under-served, specific questions — and content that answers them clearly — helps you show up in AI answers as well as Google. It’s a low-competition strategy that fits where search is heading.
FAQ
What are KGR keywords?
Keywords that pass the Keyword Golden Ratio — allintitle results divided by monthly searches (for keywords under 250/month) is below 0.25 — meaning low competition and fast ranking potential.
How do I calculate KGR?
Take a keyword under 250 monthly searches, search allintitle:”keyword” in Google, and divide that count by the search volume. Under 0.25 is ideal.
Are KGR keywords worth it?
Yes for quick wins and newer sites — they rank fast and build momentum. The trade-off is low individual volume, so you need several.
What’s a good KGR score?
Under 0.25 is great, 0.25 to 1 is okay, and over 1 means too much competition — skip it.
How do I find KGR keywords faster?
Use AI to generate long-tail keyword ideas, then check the ratio. My free 200+ AI SEO prompts help with the research.
The Bottom Line
Target KGR keywords for quick wins — and use AI to research them at speed. Get my free prompts.