Digital Marketing for Small Business
Introduction: Understanding Zero Search Volume Keywords
Are you familiar with zero search volume keywords?
Not low-volume keywords—zero search volume keywords.
If this concept is new to you, ask yourself: Are your content marketing efforts generating measurable results, or do they feel ineffective?
Despite your best efforts, do your competitors dominate search rankings while your website struggles to gain visibility?
The issue may not be your content—it may be your keyword strategy.
In SaaS content marketing, businesses often focus on high-volume keywords, assuming they drive the best traffic. However, this strategy is fundamentally flawed. Competing for high-competition keywords requires strong domain authority, which means either securing a significant number of backlinks or committing to an extensive paid advertising strategy.
Without these, ranking for those keywords is nearly impossible.
A more effective approach?
Shifting focus to low-competition keywords and long-tail keywords in SaaS marketing, particularly zero search volume keywords. While they may not appear valuable at first glance, they attract high-intent users, improve organic traffic growth, and provide an easier path to ranking—without the constant battle for visibility.
Struggling to generate traffic with traditional SEO?
Let's explore how zero search volume keywords can transform your SaaS marketing strategy.
What Are Zero Search Volume Keywords?
For SaaS companies, zero search volume keywords offer a strategic way to attract high-intent users while avoiding intense competition.
But what exactly are zero search volume keywords?
These are long-tail or highly specific search queries that keyword research tools often classify as having little to no search demand. However, such tools have limitations—they rely on historical data and may not detect emerging trends or niche searches. Just because a keyword appears to have no reported volume doesn’t mean real users aren’t searching for it.
Despite their low or seemingly nonexistent search volume, these keywords can drive qualified leads, organic traffic growth, and conversions.
Your small SaaS company will be among the few actively targeting these keywords.
Meaning, less competition and a greater chance of ranking at the top of search results—as long as the content is high-quality and relevant.
This blog explores the importance, benefits, and strategies behind leveraging zero search volume keywords in SaaS marketing. It also covers how to implement them effectively and measure their impact.
The first five organic results in search engine results pages (SERPs) receive 69.1% of all clicks. Effective keyword research helps in optimizing content to achieve these top positions, thereby driving substantial traffic (Backlinko)
Why Zero Search Volume Keywords Matter for Small SaaS Companies
As an SEO content marketing agency specializing in small SaaS and IT businesses, we often advise our partners to minimize reliance on paid campaigns.
Larger businesses with dedicated marketing teams can afford to invest heavily in both organic and paid strategies. However, small SaaS companies often struggle to maintain this balance.
Once the ad spend stops, traffic drops sharply, leaving the website vulnerable to ranking losses. Without a strong organic strategy, most businesses end up reinvesting in paid campaigns just to maintain visibility. This cycle leads to continuous spending with no long-term growth.
That’s why small SaaS companies must prioritize organic marketing before turning to paid campaigns. A well-executed SEO strategy, particularly one that leverages zero search volume keywords, can build sustainable growth without excessive ad spend.
Why Do Zero Search Volume Keywords Matter?
- Lower Competition – Unlike broad SEO for SaaS companies, zero search volume keywords face minimal competition, making it easier to rank and gain visibility without the need for extensive backlinks.
- Higher Intent – These keywords attract users with specific pain points who are actively searching for niche solutions, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
- Content Precision – They allow SaaS businesses to create highly targeted content that speaks directly to decision-makers and specialized audiences, improving engagement and building trust.
Example: Instead of targeting a broad, competitive term like “SaaS project management software“, a zero search volume keyword could be: “Best SaaS project management tools for remote fintech teams.”
This level of specificity attracts high-intent users looking for tailored solutions, supports organic growth, and provides a competitive advantage—without requiring extensive backlinks or paid campaigns.
Benefits of Targeting Zero Search Volume Keywords
For Small SaaS companies, SEO is often a challenge—competing for high-volume keywords against well-established brands requires significant resources. However, ranking for popular keywords does not always translate into meaningful results.
The goal of SEO isn’t just traffic; it’s attracting relevant traffic that converts.
This is where zero search volume keywords become valuable.
While they may not show measurable demand in keyword tools, they help small SaaS businesses reach the right audience, improve search visibility, and build a sustainable organic growth strategy.
Why Zero Search Volume Keywords Should Be Part of Your SaaS Keyword Strategy
- Reaching the Right Audience Instead of Broad Traffic: High-volume keywords attract a general audience, many of whom may not be interested in your solution. Zero search volume keywords, however, target specific user needs, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.
- Ranking Faster With Less Competition: High-competition keywords take time, backlinks, and authority to rank. In contrast, zero search volume keywords face less competition, making it easier for smaller SaaS companies to appear in search results without requiring extensive SEO efforts.
- Identifying Emerging Topics Early: Many SaaS industry trends do not appear in keyword research tools until they gain mainstream attention. By targeting niche and industry-specific search terms, SaaS companies can publish content early and establish authority before competitors.
- Strengthening Content Depth and Topical Relevance: Search engines prioritize websites that provide in-depth coverage of a topic. Using zero search volume keywords allows SaaS companies to build comprehensive, authoritative content, improving relevance and rankings for related queries over time.
Not sure where to start?
Our SEO experts can help identify high-impact zero search volume keywords tailored for your SaaS business.
How to Find Zero Search Volume Keywords
Most keyword research relies on SEO tools, but what happens when a valuable search term doesn’t appear in the data? If zero search volume keywords aren’t always listed, how do you find them?
The reality is that search behavior evolves faster than keyword tools can track. Many niche queries—especially in SaaS marketing—go unnoticed simply because they are too new, too specific, or not yet widely searched. Yet, these terms still drive real traffic and can be crucial for ranking ahead of competitors.
Finding zero search volume keywords requires a different approach—one that focuses on user intent and real-world search behavior rather than relying solely on SEO metrics. Fortunately, it’s easier than it seems.
1. Google Autocomplete & Related Searches
Start by typing SaaS-related terms into Google. The autocomplete suggestions reveal real user queries, many of which aren’t tracked by SEO tools. Scroll to the bottom of the search results to check Related Searches for additional keyword ideas.
2. People Also Ask & Industry Forums (Quora, Reddit, SaaS Communities)
Google’s People Also Ask section provides direct insight into how users phrase their questions. Similarly, SaaS-specific forums like Quora, Reddit, and niche SaaS communities contain detailed, high-intent queries that often have zero reported search volume but real user engagement.
3. Competitor Content Analysis
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze competitor blogs. Look for articles that rank despite low reported search volumes—these topics may include valuable hidden keywords. Reviewing comments and discussions on competitor content can also reveal untracked search patterns.
4. Google Search Console (GSC) & Analytics
Your own website may already be ranking for zero search volume keywords without you realizing it. Check Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics to identify queries that are bringing traffic despite not appearing in SEO tools. These queries are proof of demand and can be expanded into new content opportunities.
A significant 94.74% of keywords receive 10 or fewer monthly searches. Identifying these low-volume, low-competition keywords can uncover niche opportunities for targeted content (Ahrefs)
Implementing Zero Search Volume Keywords in Your Content Strategy
Finding zero search volume keywords is just the first step—how you implement them determines their effectiveness. Unlike high-volume keywords that already have established search demand, these keywords require strategic execution to gain traction.
Google prioritizes content that is valuable, authoritative, and aligned with user intent. This means simply inserting low-competition keywords into a blog won’t be enough. To see results, your SaaS content strategy must incorporate them intelligently, ensuring they contribute to both SEO visibility and user engagement.
Here’s how to implement zero search volume keywords effectively:
1. Create Niche, Authority Content:
Google ranks content based on relevance, depth, and usefulness, not just keyword inclusion. Your content should:
- Fully answer user intent rather than focusing on keyword density.
- Include data, statistics, and examples to reinforce credibility.
- Follow a clear structure with H2s and H3s to enhance readability.
2. Optimize On-Page SEO for Maximum Visibility:
To improve ranking potential, optimize key on-page elements:
- Place the primary zero search volume keyword in the H1, URL, and first 100 words.
- Integrate LSI keywords naturally to support topic relevance.
- Add structured data (FAQ schema) where applicable to enhance search visibility.
3. Strengthen Internal Linking:
Since low-competition keywords don’t immediately gain traction, internal linking helps Google understand content relationships and improves indexation.
- Link to related blogs and service pages to reinforce topical authority.
- Use contextual anchor text to guide users and search engines toward key pages.
4. Repurpose Content for a Wider Audience:
Zero search volume keywords often target specific user segments, making them ideal for multi-channel distribution:
- Convert insights into LinkedIn & Twitter posts to reach SaaS professionals.
- Adapt content into short-form videos for SaaS marketing insights.
- Leverage email newsletters for lead nurturing and audience engagement.
Implementing Zero Search Volume Keywords in Your Content Strategy
Implementation is key. Let’s build a content strategy that maximizes visibility with low-competition keywords.
Measuring the Success of Zero Search Volume Keywords
Unlike high-volume keywords, zero search volume keywords rarely yield instant traffic gains. Their success depends on long-term tracking and optimization. Here’s how to measure their impact:
- Organic Click-Through Rate (CTR): If a keyword gains impressions but few clicks, refine the meta description and title to make them more compelling.
- Engagement Metrics (Bounce Rate, Time on Page, Scroll Depth): High engagement indicates relevance—if users spend time on your page and scroll through the content, it means the keyword is attracting the right audience.
- Conversions & Lead Generation: Track sign-ups, demo requests, or downloads from pages optimized for zero search volume keywords to assess their business impact.
- Google Search Console (GSC) Data: Analyze new search queries where your content ranks—it’s possible to rank for untracked variations of your target keywords.
Final Thoughts: Why SaaS Companies Should Embrace Zero Search Volume Keywords
Many SaaS companies overlook zero search volume keywords, assuming they provide little value. However, these keywords present a strategic advantage, allowing businesses to target niche, high-intent audiences without competing for oversaturated search terms.
Traditional SEO strategies prioritize high-volume keywords, but ranking for them requires significant domain authority, backlinks, and ad spend—resources that many small SaaS businesses lack. In contrast, a well-executed low-competition keyword strategy isn’t about chasing immediate traffic spikes. It’s about:
- Sustained organic growth
- Higher conversion potential
- Improved topical authority
By prioritizing content depth, search intent, and user engagement, SaaS companies can establish a sustainable SEO foundation that continues to generate results over time.
Why This Approach Matters for SaaS Companies
SEO is a long-term investment, and zero search volume keywords offer a unique opportunity to:
- Rank early for emerging queries
- Capture demand before competitors
- Gain organic visibility with less effort
By implementing a structured research process, strategic content creation, and continuous tracking, small SaaS businesses can generate high-quality traffic without the struggle of competing in oversaturated keyword spaces.
Ignoring low-competition keywords means missing out on organic leads, authority building, and long-term SEO success. The SaaS companies that embrace them early position themselves ahead of the curve—long before competitors recognize their value.
Start Ranking Where Others Aren’t Looking.
Contact us to create a data-driven SaaS SEO strategy today.