How To Find Competitors’ Keywords: Tips & Tools
If you’re wondering why your competitors consistently rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), the secret might lie in their keyword strategy. By targeting the right keywords, they drive traffic, improve visibility, and convert visitors effectively.
This article dives into actionable ways to discover competitors’ keywords, tools that can help, and strategies to integrate these insights into your SEO plan.
Benefits of Analyzing Competitor Keywords
1. Close Keyword Gaps
Your competitors’ high-ranking keywords might reveal valuable opportunities you’re missing. You can integrate these keywords into existing content or create new content to attract traffic from overlooked areas.
2. Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Keyword shifts often indicate changing customer behavior or market trends. Monitoring these trends can keep your content strategy relevant and competitive.
3. Boost Your Rankings
Analyzing competitors’ keywords can reveal patterns in their successful strategies, such as preferred content formats, focus on user intent, and posting frequency. Use these insights to adapt your approach and climb the SERP ladder.
How To Identify Competitors’ Keywords
1. Using SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a comprehensive SEO platform ideal for competitive research. Its keyword database spans 5 billion terms across 188 regions, providing robust tools for analyzing both organic and paid traffic.
Steps to Discover Competitor Keywords:
- Use the Competitive Research Tool to input your competitor’s domain.
- Explore either the Organic Traffic Research or Paid Traffic Research tab for insights into traffic sources and keyword strategies.
- Use the Competitor Comparison feature to identify missing keywords, which are gaps in your strategy.
Key Advantages:
- Advanced keyword difficulty calculations using backlink and SERP competitiveness data.
- Multifunctional tools for website audits, local SEO, and content optimization.
Considerations:
- Some features, like historical keyword data, are available only with Pro and Business plans.
- Data is limited to Google searches.
2. Using Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner, available via Google Ads, is a free option for analyzing paid keyword strategies.
How To Use It:
- Log in to Google Ads, select Keyword Planner, and opt to discover new keywords.
- Enter your competitor’s domain or URL to analyze its keyword strategy.
Pros:
- Free to use and beginner-friendly.
- Displays basic keyword metrics like competition levels and bid estimates.
Cons:
- Focuses only on paid search data, excluding organic insights.
- Lacks precise keyword demand data and comparative analysis features.
3. Using SpyFu
SpyFu allows for in-depth keyword and PPC analysis with an emphasis on competitor insights.
How To Use It:
- Enter your competitor’s domain to access a list of their top-performing keywords and pages.
- Use the Keyword Gap Analysis to compare your site’s keyword profile to theirs.
Pros:
- Over a decade of keyword data for long-term trend analysis.
- Affordable pricing plans.
Cons:
- Monthly updates might result in slightly outdated data.
- Limited to 14 countries for keyword research.
Additional Tools for Competitor Keyword Research
1. Ahrefs
Ahrefs offers a powerful Content Gap feature, allowing you to compare multiple competitors’ rankings against your own.
2. SEMrush
A comprehensive tool for tracking both organic and paid keywords, SEMrush also highlights the keyword overlap between competitors.
3. Moz
Known for its Keyword Explorer, Moz is ideal for identifying keyword opportunities with difficulty metrics and SERP analysis.
Key Takeaways
- Competitor keyword analysis is essential for understanding gaps in your strategy and finding opportunities for growth.
- Use a mix of tools, such as SE Ranking, Google Keyword Planner, and SpyFu, for well-rounded insights.
- Regularly monitor market trends and competitor strategies to stay ahead in your niche.
Start optimizing today by choosing the right tools and aligning your strategy with the insights you gather.
This guide was inspired by insights from SE Ranking, Google Ads, and SpyFu.
