How to Analyse Competitor Keywords: Step-by-Step Guide
Ever wondered how your competitors rank so highly on Google? Analysing competitor keywords gives you a window into their SEO strategies, helps you find content gaps, and identifies new keyword opportunities for your site. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to analyse competitor keywords, step by step, with actionable tips and a real-world example.
Why Analyse Competitor Keywords?
Understanding which keywords drive traffic to your competitors is invaluable. It allows you to:
Step-by-Step: How to Analyse Competitor Keywords
1. Identify Your Main Competitors
Start by listing your direct competitors. These are:
Use Google’s search results or a tool like the KeywordNumbers Competitor Finder to help build your list.
2. Collect Competitor URLs
Once you have a list, note each competitor’s website address. For larger sites, focus on specific product or service pages relevant to your niche.
3. Use Free Tools to Find Competitor Keywords
There are several free and paid tools for this purpose. For a free approach, try the KeywordNumbers Competitor Keyword Tool. Here’s how:
For more advanced features, some marketers also use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz, but these often require paid accounts.
4. Analyse Keyword Metrics
Focus on metrics such as:
5. Spot Content Gaps and Opportunities
Compare competitor keywords with your own rankings. Look for:
Prioritise these as targets for your next content pieces or landing pages.
6. Build Your Action Plan
Create a spreadsheet or use a tool to track:
| Keyword | Competitor Rank | Your Rank | Search Volume | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| best running shoes | 2 | 10 | 20,000 | 32 |
| jogging trainers | 4 | — | 1,400 | 28 |
| cushioned sneakers | 5 | — | 900 | 24 |
Highlight keywords where you’re missing or trailing behind, then plan new content or page improvements around them.
Worked Example: Analysing Competitor Keywords for a Running Shoe Shop
Let’s say you run an online running shoe shop in the UK. Your competitor, runnersparadise.co.uk, ranks highly for many relevant terms. You want to analyse their keyword strategy.
| Keyword | Rank | UK Volume | US Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| best running shoes | 2 | 20,000 | 30,000 |
| men’s running trainers | 3 | 8,500 | 12,000 |
| cushioned running shoes | 4 | 1,200 | 2,100 |
Tips for Analysing Competitor Keywords Effectively
Questions People Are Actually Asking
How do I analyse competitor keywords?
To analyse competitor keywords, identify your main competitors, use a free tool like KeywordNumbers Competitor Keyword Tool to reveal the keywords they rank for, then compare these to your own rankings to spot gaps and opportunities.
How do I find what keywords my competitors are targeting?
You can discover your competitors’ target keywords by entering their website or specific URLs into a competitor keyword tool. Review the list of keywords where they appear in search results, focusing on those relevant to your niche.
How can I see the keywords competitors are ranking for?
Use a competitor keyword analysis tool to view the keywords driving traffic to their site. Many tools show ranking position, search volume, and other useful metrics, helping you prioritise which keywords to target.
How can I find competitors’ keywords in their content?
Analyse their top-performing pages and review headings, meta titles, and repeated terms. Tools like KeywordNumbers can automate this process, showing you the exact keywords embedded in their content.
How do I find competitors’ keyword strategies?
Look at their highest-ranking keywords, the content types they produce (blogs, guides, product pages), and which keywords they target in clusters. Note if they’re focusing on informational or transactional searches, and how they structure their content around these terms.
How can I see a competitors’ keyword report for free?
Many free tools, including KeywordNumbers Competitor Keyword Tool, provide basic keyword reports for any public website. These reports list rankings, search volume, and keyword difficulty for competitor sites.
How do I know which keywords competitors are ranking highly for?
Check competitor keyword tools for each domain’s top-ranking keywords. You’ll see a list sorted by ranking position or estimated traffic, making it easy to spot which terms bring them the most visibility.
Conclusion
Analysing competitor keywords is one of the most effective ways to boost your SEO strategy. By identifying the terms your rivals rank for, you can close content gaps, target new opportunities, and improve your own rankings. Start today by using the KeywordNumbers Competitor Keyword Tool – it’s free, quick and helps you stay one step ahead in search.
Free tools to put this into practice
Reading is one thing — testing your own pages is what moves the needle. Here are the free KeywordNumbers tools that pair best with this guide:
Every one of our free SEO tools is genuinely free to use, with no sign-up required.
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