How Do I Find Keywords My Competitors Rank For?
You can find competitor keywords free by running a content gap analysis: list the topics a competitor covers, compare them against yours, and target the gaps where they rank and you do not. Paid tools automate this, but the underlying method is free.
The free method
- Identify two or three real competitors, the sites ranking above you, not the famous brands.
- Run their domains through the Domain Overview to see their topic coverage.
- Use the Content Gap Finder to list topics they cover that you don't.
- Prioritise gaps matching your expertise, and check each idea with the Keyword Generator.
What to do with the gaps
Do not copy their posts. Cover the topic better, answer the related questions in an FAQ section, and interlink to your stronger pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see competitor keywords without paying?
Yes for topics and coverage via content gap analysis. Exact search volumes for their pages generally need paid tools.
How many competitors should I compare?
Two or three is enough. More creates noise.
Related reading
Put these tactics to work
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