A Mathematical Shortcut to Rankings
The Keyword Golden Ratio (KGR) is one of those SEO concepts that sounds gimmicky but actually works.
Created by Doug Cunnington, it's a simple formula for finding keywords that are underserved — meaning there's demand but not enough quality content to meet it.
The Formula
KGR = (Number of Google results with keyword in title) / (Monthly search volume)
If KGR < 0.25: You should rank in the top 50 within days of your page being indexed.
If KGR is between 0.25 and 1.0: You should still rank relatively quickly.
If KGR > 1.0: Too much competition for the demand. Skip it.
How to Calculate It
Step 1: Find a keyword with search volume under 250/month. Google Keyword Planner or any keyword tool works for this.
Step 2: Search Google with allintitle: followed by the keyword.
Step 3: Note the number of results Google shows.
Step 4: Divide that number by the monthly search volume.
Example: "best CRM for wedding planners"
That's under 0.25. Green light.
Why It Works
Keywords with very few title-optimised pages and real search demand are genuinely underserved.
There's demand. There's no supply.
Economics 101. Fill the gap. These are often the same niche keywords we talk about in our niche keyword guide.
Limitations
KGR only works for lower-volume keywords (under 250/month). It's not designed for head keywords.
It also doesn't account for domain authority or content quality of existing results. A KGR of 0.1 doesn't help if the 8 results that DO exist are from DA 90 sites.
Always pair KGR with a common-sense SERP analysis. This is especially powerful for SEO for startups where quick wins build momentum.
The Quick-Win Machine
We've used KGR across hundreds of campaigns to find quick wins for new sites. It's one tool in the toolkit — not a silver bullet, but a reliable starting point.
Build these quick wins into your broader strategy with SEO Checkup. 113 tasks. Free. No credit card. 30 seconds.