Analyzing competitor keywords is a crucial aspect of an effective SEO strategy. By understanding which keywords your competitors are targeting and ranking for, you can identify opportunities, gaps, and strategies to improve your own search engine rankings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to analyse competitor keywords using various methods and tools.
Understand the Importance of Competitor Keyword Analysis
Understanding Market Landscape
- Identify Trends: Discover trends in your industry by analyzing the keywords your competitors target.
- Benchmarking: Measure your SEO performance against competitors to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Discovering Opportunities
- Keyword Gaps: Find keywords that your competitors rank for but you don’t, revealing new content opportunities.
- Content Ideas: Get inspiration for new content by seeing what topics your competitors cover.
Enhancing SEO Strategy
- Targeting Effective Keywords: Identify high-performing keywords to target in your own content.
- Improving Content: Understand what type of content ranks well and create better or more comprehensive content.
5 Steps to Analyze Competitor Keywords
Step 1: Identify Your Competitors
Direct Competitors
- List Competitors: Identify businesses offering similar products or services.
- Analyze Market Leaders: Focus on companies that lead the market in your niche.
Indirect Competitors
- Identify Related Competitors: Find businesses that operate in related areas but aren’t direct competitors.
- Consider Substitute Products: Look at companies offering substitute products or services.
Step 2: Use Keyword Research Tools
Ahrefs
- Access Ahrefs Site Explorer: Go to Ahrefs.
- Enter Competitor URL: Input a competitor’s website URL in the Site Explorer.
- Analyze Keywords: Go to the “Organic Keywords” report to see which keywords the competitor ranks for.
SEMrush
- Access SEMrush Domain Overview: Go to SEMrush.
- Enter Competitor Domain: Input a competitor’s domain to see an overview.
- View Organic Research: Click on “Organic Research” to view the keywords the competitor ranks for.
Moz
- Access Moz Link Explorer: Go to Moz.
- Enter Competitor URL: Input a competitor’s website URL.
- Analyze Keywords: Check the “Top Pages” and “Ranking Keywords” sections.
Step 3: Analyze Keyword Data
Metrics to Consider
- Search Volume: The average number of searches a keyword gets per month.
- Keyword Difficulty: How hard it is to rank for a keyword.
- Competition Level: The number of competitors targeting the keyword.
- Cost Per Click (CPC): The average cost advertisers pay for a click on an ad for the keyword.
Example: Analyzing Competitor Keywords
| Keyword | Search Volume | Keyword Difficulty | Competition Level | CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| digital marketing strategies | 12,000 | 45 | High | $3.50 |
| SEO tips for beginners | 8,000 | 38 | Medium | $2.80 |
| content marketing examples | 5,000 | 30 | Low | $1.20 |
| social media engagement tips | 7,500 | 40 | Medium | $3.00 |
Step 4: Identify Keyword Gaps
Using Ahrefs Content Gap Tool
- Access Content Gap Tool: Go to the “Content Gap” tool in Ahrefs.
- Enter URLs: Input your website and competitor websites.
- Analyze Gaps: The tool will show keywords your competitors rank for that you don’t.
Using SEMrush Keyword Gap Tool
- Access Keyword Gap Tool: Go to the “Keyword Gap” tool in SEMrush.
- Enter Domains: Input your domain and competitor domains.
- View Gaps: Review the list of keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t.
Step 5: Develop an Action Plan
Prioritize Keywords
- Low Competition, High Volume: Target keywords with high search volume and low competition first.
- Relevance: Focus on keywords that are most relevant to your business and audience.
Content Creation
- Optimize Existing Content: Update existing content to target new keywords.
- Create New Content: Develop new content based on keyword gaps and opportunities.
Monitor and Adjust
- Track Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor keyword performance.
- Adjust Strategy: Continuously refine your SEO strategy based on performance data.
Tools and Resources for Competitor Keyword Analysis
Recommended Tools
ALSO READ – 7 Popular Keyword Analysis Tools and Why You Should Use Them!
| Tool | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs Site Explorer | Competitor analysis, keyword data | Ahrefs |
| SEMrush Domain Overview | Competitor insights, organic keywords | SEMrush |
| Moz Link Explorer | Competitor backlinks, keyword rankings | Moz |
| Google Keyword Planner | Keyword research, search volume | Google Keyword Planner |
| Ubersuggest | Keyword ideas, competition analysis | Ubersuggest |
More on Competitor Keyword Analysis Tools
| Tool | Best For | Key Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs Site Explorer | Comprehensive SEO analysis | Search volume, keyword difficulty, competitor keywords | Ahrefs |
| SEMrush Domain Overview | In-depth competitor analysis | Organic keywords, keyword gap analysis, traffic data | SEMrush |
| Moz Link Explorer | Keyword and backlink analysis | Keyword rankings, competitor insights | Moz |
| Google Keyword Planner | Basic keyword research and planning | Search volume, competition, CPC data | Google Keyword Planner |
| Ubersuggest | Budget-friendly keyword research | Keyword ideas, competition data, content suggestions | Ubersuggest |
Conclusion
Analyzing competitor keywords is a vital part of developing a robust SEO strategy. By understanding the keywords your competitors are targeting, you can identify new opportunities, optimize your content, and improve your search engine rankings. Using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, Google Keyword Planner, and Ubersuggest, you can conduct thorough competitor keyword analysis and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
Ready to gain a competitive edge with effective keyword analysis? Let Silver Mantle Solutions help you uncover the right keywords to boost your SEO strategy. Contact us today to get started!