When building a solid SEO strategy for your business in Los Angeles, one question inevitably arises: Should you focus on keywords with high search volume or high competition? The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. It depends on your business goals, resources, and how competitive your niche is in the Los Angeles market. Let's break down the pros and cons of each, and how you can find the perfect balance to boost your local SEO in LA.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive deeper, let's clarify what we mean by high search volume and high competition keywords:

  • High Search Volume Keywords are terms that users frequently search for. For example, "SEO services in Los Angeles" might get thousands of searches every month.

  • High Competition Keywords are terms many websites are trying to rank for, often because they are lucrative or directly tied to buyer intent.

The Benefits of Targeting High Search Volume Keywords

1. Greater Potential Traffic

Ranking for high search volume keywords can bring a large amount of traffic to your website. If even a small percentage of that traffic converts into leads or sales, the impact can be significant.

2. Brand Visibility

Appearing for popular searches in LA enhances your brand's visibility. When potential customers repeatedly see your name while searching for "local SEO in LA" or "LA SEO expert," it builds familiarity and trust.

3. Long-Term Authority

Consistently targeting and ranking for high-volume keywords can establish your brand as an authority in your niche. This boosts both SEO rankings and customer trust.

The Downsides of High Search Volume Keywords

1. Tougher Competition

The higher the volume, the more businesses are likely competing for it. In a tech-savvy city like Los Angeles, terms like "LA SEO" or "digital marketing in LA" are extremely competitive. Breaking into the top 3 results can take significant time and resources.

2. Slower Results

With greater competition comes a longer waiting period to see tangible results. If you're a newer business or have a limited SEO budget, you might struggle to gain traction with these keywords.

The Case for Targeting High-Competition Keywords

Sometimes, high competition keywords also represent high value. That's why businesses still chase them. Let's explore why:

1. High Buyer Intent

Many high-competition keywords are transactional. For instance, someone searching for "best SEO agency in LA" is probably ready to make a purchase decision. Ranking here means you're reaching people ready to act.

2. Market Validation

If a keyword is competitive, it's often because it converts well. SEO experts in LA know that competition can be a sign of demand, which means targeting those terms is worth the effort if done strategically.

3. Data-Driven Decisions

With proper analytics and A/B testing, you can refine your strategy over time. Even if you're not in the top spot, you can still learn and improve by competing.

Balancing Both: The Smart Strategy

Rather than choosing one over the other, the best SEO campaigns target a mix of both keyword types:

1. Go After Long-Tail Keywords

Instead of "LA SEO," try "affordable SEO services in Los Angeles for small business." These have lower competition but still strong intent. They're easier to rank for and can deliver steady traffic.

2. Use Geo-Modifiers

Add neighborhoods, zip codes, or landmarks to keywords to make them less competitive. Examples include:

  • "Local SEO in LA for Hollywood businesses"

  • "Downtown LA SEO agency"

3. Build Supporting Content

Create blog posts, FAQs, and service pages that support both high-volume and long-tail keywords. Google will begin to view your site as a hub for related terms, improving overall visibility.

4. Monitor and Adjust

SEO isn't static. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to track keyword rankings. If certain high-competition keywords are too slow to rank, pivot your strategy to ones that are gaining traction.

Local SEO in LA: Unique Challenges

Targeting keywords in a market like Los Angeles requires hyper-local focus. With such a diverse and densely populated area, optimizing your content and Google Business Profile to match local queries is essential.

Tips for Boosting Local SEO:

  • Optimize your Google Business Profile with accurate NAP info (Name, Address, Phone)

  • Get listed in local directories (Yelp, Foursquare, Angi)

  • Encourage and respond to Google reviews

  • Use schema markup to highlight local relevance

  • Build citations with consistent local details

Final Thoughts

High-volume keywords can drive massive traffic, but they often come with intense competition. On the other hand, lower-volume, long-tail keywords offer quicker wins and more targeted traffic. For your LA-based business, the smartest approach is a hybrid one: start with attainable, locally focused long-tail keywords while gradually working your way up to high-volume terms.

By staying consistent, creating valuable content, and optimizing for "local SEO in LA" and related phrases, your website will grow its visibility over time — not just in traffic, but in revenue too.

Need help ranking in LA? Reach out to our SEO experts and start dominating your local market today!