# Bulk Keyword Difficulty Checker - KD & Search Intent (`wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker`) Actor

Check SEO keyword difficulty (KD 0-100) and search intent for thousands of keywords at once, in 90+ countries and languages. Find easy keywords to rank for. Up to 1,000 keywords per request, $5 per 1,000 keywords.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker.md
- **Developed by:** [Wrenfield Data](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data) (community)
- **Categories:** SEO tools, Marketing
- **Features:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 5 total users, 3 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $4.00 / 1,000 keyword difficulties

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Bulk Keyword Difficulty Checker: KD score and search intent for thousands of keywords

**Bulk Keyword Difficulty Checker** gives every keyword an SEO **keyword difficulty (KD) score from 0 to 100** and its **search intent** (informational, navigational, commercial or transactional). Paste up to thousands of keywords, pick a country and get a sortable table in seconds. Use it to find **easy keywords to rank for** before you write.

- 🎯 **KD 0-100 plus a plain-English level**: very easy, easy, possible, difficult, hard, very hard.
- 🧭 **Search intent with confidence** so you can match content type to the query.
- ⚡ **Fast and bulk**: 1,000 keywords per request; a 1,000-keyword list takes a few seconds.
- 💸 **$5 per 1,000 keywords**, plus a small per-batch fee. Keywords without a score are free.
- 🆓 **Free Apify plan:** runs are limited to 10 keywords per run. Any paid Apify plan removes the limit and adds volume discounts.

#### Wrenfield Search Data: keyword and AI-search visibility data, priced per result

- **Keyword data:** [Keyword Search Volume](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-search-volume) · **Keyword Difficulty** · [Keyword Research](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-research-tool) · [Autocomplete Expander](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/google-autocomplete-keyword-expander) · [Google Trends](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/google-trends-scraper) · [People Also Ask](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/people-also-ask-scraper) · [Competitor Keywords](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/competitor-keywords) · [Keyword Gap](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-gap-report)
- **AI search visibility:** [AI Search Visibility Tracker](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/ai-search-visibility-tracker) · [Google AI Overview Scraper](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/google-ai-overview-scraper) · [AI Answer Scraper](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/ai-answer-scraper) · [Agency AI Visibility Reports](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/agency-ai-visibility-reports)
- **Site and domain SEO:** [Domain Authority & Traffic](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/domain-authority-traffic-checker) · [Bulk PageSpeed](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/bulk-pagespeed-checker) · [SEO Toolkit](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/seo-toolkit) · [SEO Agency Report](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/seo-agency-report)

#### Next step: get search volume and CPC for your easy keywords

A low KD only pays off if people search for the keyword. Take the keywords that score **very easy** to **possible** (KD under 50) and run them through **[Keyword Search Volume](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-search-volume)** for exact Google Keyword Planner monthly volume, a 12-month trend, CPC and Google Ads competition.

1. Sort this run's results by `keyword_difficulty` and copy the `keyword` column for the rows you want.
2. Paste them into [Keyword Search Volume](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-search-volume), pick the same country and click **Start**. It costs $4 per 1,000 keywords with data plus a small per-request fee, and keywords without data are free.
3. Keep the keywords with real demand, then see who already ranks for them with **[Competitor Keywords](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/competitor-keywords)**.

Starting from scratch? Run Keyword Search Volume first with **Keyword ideas** on, then score the ideas here.

### What data do you get?

| Field | What it is |
| --- | --- |
| `keyword_difficulty` | How hard it is to reach Google's top 10, from 0 (easy) to 100 (very hard) |
| `difficulty_level` | `very easy` (0-14), `easy` (15-29), `possible` (30-49), `difficult` (50-69), `hard` (70-84), `very hard` (85-100) |
| `search_intent` | Main intent: informational, navigational, commercial or transactional |
| `search_intent_probability` | Confidence of the main intent (0-1) |
| `secondary_intents` | Other likely intents |
| `found` | `false` when there's no difficulty score for the keyword (not charged) |

### How to check keyword difficulty in bulk

1. Paste your keywords, one per line.
2. Pick the **Country** and **Language**.
3. Keep **Add search intent** on (or turn it off to pay only for KD).
4. Click **Start** and sort the table by KD to find easy wins.

**Tip:** add volume with [Keyword Search Volume](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-search-volume) (see *Next step* above) and target keywords with good volume and KD under 30.

### Use cases

- **Content planning**: prioritize topics you can actually rank for.
- **Keyword list cleanup**: score a big list from a brainstorm, autocomplete or a competitor export.
- **Client reporting**: add difficulty and intent columns to any keyword sheet.
- **Programmatic SEO**: score thousands of template keywords at once.

### Input example

```json
{
    "keywords": ["keyword research", "seo tools", "how to start a blog", "best running shoes for flat feet", "running shoes"],
    "location": "United States",
    "language": "English",
    "includeSearchIntent": true
}
```

### Output example

```json
{
    "keyword": "best running shoes for flat feet",
    "keyword_difficulty": 10,
    "difficulty_level": "very easy",
    "search_intent": "commercial",
    "search_intent_probability": 0.9178,
    "secondary_intents": [],
    "location": "United States",
    "language": "English",
    "found": true,
    "scraped_at": "2026-10-19T00:40:40Z"
}
```

### Pricing

This Actor uses **pay-per-event** pricing. Paid Apify plans get automatic volume discounts.

| Event | Price |
| --- | --- |
| Keyword difficulty (`keyword-difficulty`) | **$0.005** per keyword with a KD score |
| Search intent (`search-intent`) | **$0.0015** per keyword with intent (only when *Add search intent* is on) |
| Keyword batch (`keyword-batch`) | **$0.025** per data request of up to 1,000 keywords (search intent is a second request) |

| Example run | Cost |
| --- | --- |
| 10 keywords, KD + intent | $0.115 |
| 1,000 keywords, KD only | $5.03 |
| 1,000 keywords, KD + intent | $6.55 |

Set **Maximum cost per run** in the run options to cap your spend. **Free Apify plan:** 10 keywords per run.

### For agencies: run your whole client book

Checking difficulty for client sites? Add the AI-search side of the picture for every client in one run. [Agency AI Visibility Reports](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/agency-ai-visibility-reports) takes one CSV row per client and returns a finished, white-label packet per client (HTML + PDF): whether ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Mode name the client, competitor share of voice, Google rankings, quoted evidence and a ranked action queue, plus one portfolio page for the whole book. Save it as a task and schedule it weekly for week-over-week change.

```csv
client,domain,competitors,category,keywords
Help Scout,helpscout.com,Zendesk | zendesk.com; Freshdesk | freshworks.com; Intercom | intercom.com,help desk software,help desk software; shared inbox software
Pipedrive,pipedrive.com,HubSpot | hubspot.com; Salesforce | salesforce.com,CRM for small business,crm for small business
```

**$12 per client packet** ($8 each for books of 20-49 clients, $7 each at 50+). The Store price box lists this as "$12,000 / 1,000 packets"; that is the same $12 per packet. Turn on **Quote only** for a free count of packets and the maximum price before anything runs; only completed packets are charged.

### Keyword difficulty API: REST, Python, JavaScript, n8n and MCP

Actor ID for every client: **`wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker`** (in URLs: `wrenfield-data~keyword-difficulty-checker`). You need an [Apify API token](https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations); send it in an `Authorization: Bearer` header. Every example below sets `maxTotalChargeUsd`, a hard spend cap for the run.

**One request, rows back (runs up to 5 minutes):**

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/wrenfield-data~keyword-difficulty-checker/run-sync-get-dataset-items?maxTotalChargeUsd=5" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"keywords": ["crm software", "email marketing tools"], "location": "United States", "language": "English", "includeSearchIntent": true}'
```

**Python** (`pip install apify-client`):

```python
import os
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient(os.environ["APIFY_TOKEN"])
run = client.actor("wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker").call(
    run_input={'keywords': ['crm software', 'email marketing tools'], 'location': 'United States', 'language': 'English', 'includeSearchIntent': True},
    max_total_charge_usd=5,
)
for row in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():  # apify-client 1.x/2.x: run["defaultDatasetId"]
    print(row.get("keyword"), row.get("keyword_difficulty"), row.get("search_intent"))
```

**JavaScript / TypeScript** (`npm i apify-client`):

```js
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });
const run = await client.actor('wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker').call(
    {"keywords": ["crm software", "email marketing tools"], "location": "United States", "language": "English", "includeSearchIntent": true},
    { maxTotalChargeUsd: 5 },
);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
```

**Long or scheduled jobs (async + webhook):** start with `POST https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/wrenfield-data~keyword-difficulty-checker/runs?maxTotalChargeUsd=5` (returns at once with `data.id` and `data.defaultDatasetId`), wait with `GET /v2/actor-runs/{id}?waitForFinish=60`, then read `GET /v2/datasets/{defaultDatasetId}/items?clean=true&format=json` (or `csv`, `xlsx`). To be called back instead of polling, add `&webhooks=` with the base64 of `[{"eventTypes":["ACTOR.RUN.SUCCEEDED"],"requestUrl":"https://your-app.example/hook"}]`. For recurring pulls, save the input as a task and put it on an Apify schedule.

**n8n:** Apify node → Resource *Actors* → *Run an Actor and Get Dataset* → Actor `wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker` → custom input `{"keywords": ["crm software", "email marketing tools"], "location": "United States"}`. Make and Zapier have the same "run Actor" + "get dataset items" steps. Or call the `run-sync-get-dataset-items` URL above from any HTTP node.

**MCP (Claude, Cursor, VS Code, any MCP client):** `https://mcp.apify.com?tools=wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker`. The tool exposes the input schema and output fields to the agent.

#### Output fields

Main fields (the Output tab and the dataset schema list every field with its type):

| Field | Type | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `keyword` | string | Keyword (normalized, lower-case) |
| `keyword_difficulty` | integer or null | SEO keyword difficulty, 0-100 (higher = harder to rank). null when the keyword is not in the database |
| `difficulty_level` | string or null | Difficulty band: very easy, easy, possible, difficult, hard or very hard |
| `search_intent` | string or null | Main search intent: informational, navigational, commercial or transactional |
| `search_intent_probability` | number or null | Confidence of the main intent, 0-1 |
| `secondary_intents` | array or null | Other likely intents |
| `location` | string or null | Country the data is for, e.g. "United States" |
| `language` | string or null | Language name, e.g. "English" |
| `found` | boolean | True when a difficulty score was found (only these rows are charged) |
| `note` | string or null | Explanation when no score was found |
| `scraped_at` | string or null | When this row was produced (ISO 8601, UTC) |

Field names and types stay stable within version 1.x: we add fields but don't rename or remove them. Anything that changes a field will be announced in this README first. Optional fields can be `null` or absent depending on the options you set, so read them with a default.

#### Cost per 1,000 results

| Volume | Cost (free plan prices) | How it adds up |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1,000 keywords, KD only | **$5.03** | 1,000 × $0.005 + one $0.025 batch fee |
| 1,000 keywords, KD + search intent | **$6.55** | adds 1,000 × $0.0015 and a second batch fee |
| 10,000 keywords, KD only | **$50.25** | 10 batches of 1,000 |

Keywords without a score (`found: false`) are free. Paid Apify plans pay less per keyword (down to $0.004).

#### Pipeline tips

- Batch up to 1,000 keywords per run: the $0.025 batch fee is per 1,000, so many tiny runs cost more than one big one.
- `includeSearchIntent: false` skips the intent call when you only need KD.
- Join on `keyword` with Keyword Search Volume output: both Actors return keywords lower-cased and trimmed.

### Use it from an AI agent (MCP)

Add one line to Claude, Cursor, VS Code or any MCP client and the agent gets this Actor as a tool (it appears as `wrenfield-data--keyword-difficulty-checker`):

```text
https://mcp.apify.com?tools=wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker
```

Try asking: *For these 20 blog topics, give me keyword difficulty and search intent and keep only the ones under 30.*

**Fields your agent reads:** `keyword_difficulty` (0-100), `difficulty_level`, `search_intent`, `search_intent_probability`, `found`.

**Real output** (one row from a run on Oct 27, 2026, trimmed):

```json
{"keyword": "how to start a podcast", "keyword_difficulty": 15, "difficulty_level": "easy", "search_intent": "informational", "search_intent_probability": 1, "found": true}
```

Flat typed fields, so an agent can filter rows without reading text. Set a maximum cost per run (`maxTotalChargeUsd` over the API, call options over MCP) so an agent loop cannot overspend.

### FAQ

**How is keyword difficulty calculated?**
It's based on the strength (backlink profiles) of the pages that currently rank in Google's top 10 for the keyword, on a logarithmic 0-100 scale.

**Is this the same as Google Ads "competition"?**
No. Google Ads competition measures advertiser demand. Keyword difficulty measures how hard it is to rank organically.

**Why is a keyword returned with `found: false`?**
It's too rare or new to have a score yet. You aren't charged the KD fee for it.

### Related SEO tools

A complete keyword research and SEO toolkit from the same developer. Every tool exports flat JSON, CSV or Excel, so one dataset feeds the next:

- [Keyword Search Volume & Keyword Research](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/keyword-search-volume): bulk Google Keyword Planner search volume, CPC, competition, trends and keyword ideas
- [Competitor Keywords](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/competitor-keywords): every keyword a domain ranks for, with position, URL, volume and traffic
- [Google Autocomplete Keyword Expander](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/google-autocomplete-keyword-expander): hundreds of long-tail ideas from Google and YouTube autocomplete
- [People Also Ask Scraper](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/people-also-ask-scraper): Google PAA questions, related searches and AI Overviews
- [Domain Authority & Traffic Checker](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/domain-authority-traffic-checker): bulk domain authority, backlinks and organic traffic
- [AI Search Visibility Tracker](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/ai-search-visibility-tracker): check if ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and AI Overviews mention your brand
- [Google Trends Scraper](https://apify.com/wrenfield-data/google-trends-scraper): interest over time, by region, related queries and Trending Now

### Feedback and support

Missing a field, hit an error, or need another country or option? Open an issue on the **Issues** tab and include the run ID. We read every issue and reply there.

### Acceptable use

- This Actor is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Google or DataForSEO.
- Don't use the data to build a competing search engine, or otherwise to compete with or harm Google or the other search engines the data comes from.
- The Actor may not be used from, or for people or organizations in, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Syria, Myanmar, North Korea, Crimea or the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
- You are responsible for using the results lawfully, including privacy laws such as GDPR for any personal data they contain.

# Actor input Schema

## `keywords` (type: `array`):

Keywords to check, one per line (thousands are fine; they're sent in batches of 1,000). Keywords are trimmed, lower-cased and de-duplicated.

## `location` (type: `string`):

Country to measure difficulty in: name (<code>United States</code>), 2-letter code (<code>DE</code>) or location code (<code>2840</code>).

## `language` (type: `string`):

Language name or code (<code>English</code>, <code>es</code>). Leave empty for the main language of the country.

## `includeSearchIntent` (type: `boolean`):

Also classify each keyword as informational, navigational, commercial or transactional (small extra charge per keyword, see Pricing).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "keywords": [
    "keyword research",
    "seo tools",
    "how to start a blog",
    "best running shoes for flat feet",
    "running shoes"
  ],
  "location": "United States",
  "language": "English",
  "includeSearchIntent": true
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `keywords` (type: `string`):

No description

## `allFields` (type: `string`):

No description

## `summary` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "keywords": [
        "keyword research",
        "seo tools",
        "how to start a blog",
        "best running shoes for flat feet",
        "running shoes"
    ],
    "location": "United States",
    "language": "English"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "keywords": [
        "keyword research",
        "seo tools",
        "how to start a blog",
        "best running shoes for flat feet",
        "running shoes",
    ],
    "location": "United States",
    "language": "English",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "keywords": [
    "keyword research",
    "seo tools",
    "how to start a blog",
    "best running shoes for flat feet",
    "running shoes"
  ],
  "location": "United States",
  "language": "English"
}' |
apify call wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,wrenfield-data/keyword-difficulty-checker"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/rpAunyA1gp27JEDRN/builds/AVG3JxA6Fo83teDSo/openapi.json