Why do some websites always rank higher? What’s their secret? It’s not luck, it’s strategy.
SEO competitor analysis is all about uncovering what works for them and using it to your advantage.
- Which keywords bring them traffic?
- Where do they get backlinks?
- What content keeps them ahead?
These answers can reshape your own SEO strategies.
Instead of trial and error, you learn from those already winning. No guessing, just smart moves. It’s about staying ahead, not catching up.
Have a look at how to do SEO competitor analysis the right way using Semrush and Ahrefs!
Know Your Competitors First
Not all competitors are the same. Some fight for the same customers, others just steal your traffic.
Direct competitors sell what you sell. Think Nike vs. Adidas. Indirect competitors target the same audience but with different offers, like a fitness blog ranking for sneaker-related keywords.
How do you find them?
- Google Search – Type in your main keywords. Who’s ranking on top? They’re your competition.
- Industry Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Similarweb reveal who’s winning the SEO battle.
- Social Media helps you check who’s active in your niche, running ads, and grabbing attention.
Spot them, study them, and outsmart them. Time to crack SEO competitor analysis!
How to Do SEO Competitor Analysis
Analysing Competitors Manually
The simplest way? Just Google it. Seriously, that’s where it all starts.
Take your niche keywords, the words people would search to find a business like yours. Type them into Google one by one.
Now, don’t just glance at the results. Pay close attention. Look at which websites consistently show up in the top positions.
These are the players dominating your space. If they keep showing up, Google clearly trusts them. That means you need to study them.
Now, grab a notepad or open a spreadsheet. Make a list of these websites. Don’t just stop at the first page. Dig a little deeper. Some hidden gems are sitting on page two or three, just waiting for their moment to shine.
Also, look at who they are, what they do, and why they might be ranking.
Notice any patterns? Are big brands taking over, or do smaller niche sites have a chance? Are the top results blogs, product pages, or service pages?
This gives you a roadmap. You now know what type of content works for your keywords.
Manually doing this takes time, but it’s worth it. It helps you see SEO through Google’s eyes, understand the competition, and uncover opportunities to outshine them.
But You Need Tools for Deep Analysis
Google searches are a great start, but they only scratch the surface. To truly break down what’s working for your competitors, you need SEO tools.
There are a lot of them out there, but two of the biggest names are SEMrush and Ahrefs. We’ll discuss these two today for doing SEO competitor analysis!
Also Read: Implement Our Tested 3 month SEO plan for success
Competitor Analysis Using SEMrush
SEMrush is one of the most powerful SEO tools out there. It helps you:
- Analyze competitors
- Find keyword opportunities
- Track rankings
- Improve your website’s visibility
The best part? You can use it for free with limited features or get a 7-day free trial to explore premium tools. Now, let’s break down how to use SEMrush for competitor analysis.
So first, you need to create an SEMrush account and sign up using your email. Then follow the steps below:
1. Access the Domain Overview
- Navigate to the SEO section.
- Click on Domain Overview to analyze a competitor’s website.
- Enter the competitor’s domain and click Search to get insights.
2. Analyze Website Authority & Traffic
- Review Authority Score to assess domain strength.
- Check Organic Search Traffic and Paid Search Traffic.
- Look at Total Backlinks to see linking domains.
3. Examine Keyword Performance
Next, you need to scroll down to see various aspects of the website. Below, we have mentioned some of these features to you. Have a look.:
- Scroll down to view the ranking of the top organic keywords.
- Check Keyword Intent (Informational, Transactional, etc.).
- Identify Keyword Gaps by comparing your site with competitors.
4. Check Competitor’s Paid Search Strategy
- View Paid Search Traffic details.
- Analyze Ad keywords and Competitive Position Mapping.
5. Explore Backlink Profile
- Go to the Backlinks section.
- Check Follow vs. No-Follow links and backlink sources.
- Use the Backlink Gap Tool to find linking opportunities.
6. Analyze Organic Competitors
- View the Main Organic Competitors list.
- Identify overlapping keywords and missing opportunities.
7. Use Traffic Analytics
- Go to Traffic Analytics to view Total Visits & Unique Visitors.
- Check visit duration and country-wise distribution.
8. Identify Keyword Ranking Opportunities
- Use Keyword Overview to analyze high-ranking competitor keywords.
- Find Untapped Keywords your competitors are missing.
9. Develop a Keyword & Content Strategy
- Use Keyword Strategy Builder for suggestions.
- Select Transactional Keywords for higher conversions.
- Optimize content with well-ranking, relevant keywords.
10. Compare Domains
- Use Compare Domains to analyze your performance against competitors.
- Check for Growth Reports and regional ranking differences.
By analyzing these key areas, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s working for your competitors and where you can do better. Use these insights to refine your strategy.
Also Read: AI-Powered Keyword Research Strategies
Using Ahrefs for Competitive Analysis
Ahrefs is another great SEO tool for competitor analysis. If you want to know what’s driving traffic to your competitor’s site, Ahrefs has you covered.
From keywords and backlinks to top-performing pages, it gives you deep insight into what’s working for others – so you can use that to improve your own strategy.
The catch? It’s a premium tool, so you’ll need a paid account to receive the full benefits. But once you’re in, the data is worth it. Now, let’s go step by step on how to use Ahrefs for competitor analysis.
1. Go to Site Explorer
- Enter your competitor’s domain URL.
- Once inside, you’ll see an overview of their traffic, keywords, backlinks, and more.
- Just like SEMrush, Ahrefs gives you global insights.
2. Analyze the Overview
- You’ll see data on traffic, keyword distribution, and geographical reach.
- Key metrics to check: Domain Rating, URL Rating, Backlinks, Referring Domains, Keywords, and Traffic.
3. Navigate to the Organic Search
Click on Top Pages.
Here, you’ll see:
- Their highest-ranking pages
- The keywords bringing them the most traffic
Use this to discover new keyword opportunities and content ideas.
4. Use Keyword Explorer
You can also go to Keyword Explorer to get the list of keywords that you can target. To do so:
- Think about what you want to rank for.
- Enter that keyword.
Ahrefs will show:
- Keyword difficulty
- Search volume
- Traffic potential
- Global search trends
- Scroll down to see the top-ranking websites for that keyword.
Apply Your Insights
- Use the competitor’s keywords on your own site.
- Create better content around those keywords.
- Optimize your pages to compete with top-ranking sites.
These powerful strategies will help you uncover what’s driving your competitors’ success. You’ll see exactly what’s working, what’s not, and where you have room to improve.
So, explore them and take your SEO strategy up a notch!
FAQs
1. How to check your competitors’ SEO?
Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs. Check their keywords and backlinks. See how fast their site is. Look at their content strategy.
2. What is the best tool for SEO competitor analysis?
Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz, are great options. They show rankings, backlinks, and keyword gaps. Each helps you learn from competitors.
3. What is competitor analysis in technical SEO?
It’s about checking their site speed, mobile-friendliness, and SEO errors. This helps you spot weaknesses and improve your own site.
Final Words
SEO competitor analysis isn’t about copying. It’s about learning. Your competitors have already done the hard work. Now, you just need to study their moves, pick what works, and make it even better.
Don’t waste time guessing. Use the right tools, track their keywords, analyze their backlinks, and create smarter content. Small tweaks can make a big impact.
Need help with SEO, especially keyword research? Our experts at Brand ClickX are here to guide you. Let’s boost your rankings together. Contact Now.
