I didn’t think competitor keyword analysis mattered until my blog hit a wall. I was writing often, but no one seemed to care. Then I looked at what my competitors were doing. That changed everything.
They weren’t working harder. They were just using smarter keywords. In this guide, I’ll show you how to do competitor keyword analysis the easy way. No fancy tools. No big budget. Just clear steps that work. Let’s get started!
What Is Competitor Keyword Analysis?
Competitor keyword analysis means looking at which words your competitors rank for on Google. You use this info to find better keyword ideas for your site.
I like to think of it like this: you’re not copying homework—you’re learning what the smart kids are doing. When I did this for the first time, I saw I was targeting random words. My competitors? They were using terms people searched for.
In simple words, it’s finding out what search terms send traffic to your competitors, so you can use them too. This helps you stop guessing and start ranking.
It’s not the same as regular keyword research. Keyword research means starting from scratch. Competitor keyword analysis shows you what’s already working.
You don’t need fancy tools or a big budget. I started with free tools and a notepad, and it worked.
So, when should you do competitor keyword analysis? When your traffic is low. When your content isn’t ranking. Or when you just need a fresh idea.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
I didn’t think I needed competitor keyword analysis. I was already writing blogs and doing my keyword research. But nothing was working. My posts weren’t ranking. Then I checked what others in my niche were doing, and it all made sense. Competitor keyword analysis helps you identify what’s working for others, so you can replicate it.
At the time, I didn’t want to spend money. So I tried a few free tools. Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, and even just Google Search. I was shocked. These free tools gave me real keywords, terms my competitors were ranking for that I hadn’t even considered.
You can do competitor keyword research for free and still get great results. Once I used these keywords, my traffic grew. Old posts got a boost. New ones ranked faster. It felt good to stop guessing and finally have a plan that worked.
Checking your competitor’s keywords helps you build smarter content that ranks. And here’s the best part: you’re not copying. You’re learning. It’s like seeing the playbook others are using and writing a better one for yourself.
This strategy saves time, gives ideas, and helps you grow without wasting effort.
How to Do Competitor Keyword Analysis (My Exact Process)
When I first searched how to do competitor keyword analysis, I felt overwhelmed. Too many tools. Too many steps. So I made it simple. I’ve broken it down into five small actions that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to SEO.
Competitor keyword analysis is easy when you break it into small steps and use free tools. This process works even if you’re on a tight budget. I started with a notebook, a free Google Sheet, and tools that cost nothing. And it worked. My traffic climbed without me spending a dime.
You don’t need paid tools to find great keywords, just a smart process and consistency. I’ll walk you through the exact steps I still use. It’s the same system I recommend to friends who blog or run small businesses. From finding real competitors to turning keyword gaps into traffic, this is the good stuff.
Following a step-by-step method saves time and helps you get real SEO results faster.
Let’s dive in. This is how I do competitor keyword analysis, the simple way.
Step 1: Identify Real Competitors (Not Just Big Brands)
A real SEO competitor is someone ranking for the same keywords your audience is searching, not just big names.
When I first started this, I made a classic mistake: I looked at massive sites like Forbes and HubSpot. But they weren’t my real competition. My actual SEO competitors were smaller blogs with similar traffic goals and topics. Your true competitors are the ones showing up on the first page of Google for the keywords you want to rank for.
So, how do you find them? Start with Google. Search for one of your main topics and look at the top 10 results. Who’s ranking? Are they blogs? Niche websites? These are your people. I also use Bing; it shows slightly different results and sometimes uncovers hidden gems.
You can use Google and Bing to find real competitors by simply searching your core topics. Then I go a step further. Tools like SEMrush (free version) and SpyFu give you lists of competitors based on shared keywords. I plug in my site, then look at the “Competitors” tab. These tools aren’t perfect, but they’re a helpful shortcut.
Free SEO tools like SEMrush and SpyFu can show your closest keyword competitors in seconds. Next, I apply filters. I ignore sites with huge domain authority (DA 80+), massive brand names, or unrelated topics. I want to compare apples to apples, people close to my level, publishing similar content.
Filter out big brands and unrelated sites, focus on small-to-mid players in your niche. Once I’ve found 3 to 5 solid competitors, I jot them down in a simple spreadsheet. These are the folks I’ll keep checking on when I plan new content.
Keep a small list of real competitors so you can revisit and update it as your site grows.
Step 2: Collect Key SEO Stats (Using Free Tools)
To do effective competitor keyword analysis, you need to look at your competitors’ SEO stats, like keywords, traffic, and backlinks.
Once I had my competitor list, the next step was understanding their strengths. I wanted to know: Where does their traffic come from? Which keywords are bringing people in? How strong is their site overall? You can find a lot of this information for free using tools like Ubersuggest, SEMrush, and SpyFu.
I usually start with Ubersuggest (free tier). I paste in the competitor’s URL and look at three things: estimated traffic, number of keywords, and backlink count. These numbers give me a quick idea of how well they’re doing. Look at traffic, keywords, and backlinks to spot what’s working for your competitors.
Then, I switch to SpyFu or SEMrush (free version). These tools show me which keywords are driving the most traffic to that site. I also check domain authority (DA) using free browser extensions like MozBar or SEOquake.
Use tools like SEMrush and MozBar to collect keyword and DA data, no payment required. To keep things organized, I made a simple spreadsheet. One row per competitor. Columns for traffic, DA, top keywords, and notes. I color-code things: green for strong areas, red for weak ones. It helps me see trends at a glance.
A basic spreadsheet is your best friend; track key data so you can plan smarter. I don’t try to match big numbers. That’s not the point. I just want to understand where I can compete. If a competitor has low DA but still ranks well, I know their content is strong. That’s a good sign.
Step 3: Pull Their Top Keywords
This is where it gets exciting. You’re about to see the exact keywords your competitors rank for.
Start by typing their domain into free tools like SpyFu, SEMrush, or SERPstat. These tools will show you their top keywords. I usually look at the ones that bring in the most traffic. You can find a competitor’s best keywords for free using SEO tools.
Don’t try to collect every keyword. Focus on a small list. I go for about 50–100 keywords that are:
- – Getting good search volume
- – Ranking in the top 10
- – Relevant to what I write about
Only save the keywords that match your niche and show real traffic.
Now, skip branded terms like “Nike shoes” unless you sell or review Nike. I also ignore super broad words like “music” or “recipes.” They’re too hard to rank for and often too vague.
Avoid branded or broad keywords—they don’t help you rank better.
Next, I paste my list into a simple spreadsheet. I track keywords, search volume, and rank. If I don’t already rank for it, I mark it as a new idea.
Keeping a clean keyword list helps you find content ideas fast. One keyword I found this way was “easy rice cooker recipes.” It had low competition and was a perfect match for my niche. That post still brings in traffic today.
Step 4: Find the Keyword Gaps
This step shows you the keywords your competitors rank for, but you don’t. That’s the keyword gap. To do this, I grab my list of their top keywords (from Step 3) and compare it to the keywords I already rank for. You can use tools like Google Search Console or Ubersuggest to see your keywords.
A keyword gap means your competitor ranks for a term you don’t, but could. I drop both lists into a spreadsheet. One column for “their keywords,” one for “my keywords.” Then I use a simple formula to highlight the ones missing from my list.
You can find keyword gaps using a side-by-side comparison in a spreadsheet. Some tools like SEMrush or SE Ranking have built-in gap features, but I like doing it by hand first. It helps me spot patterns and think like a user, not just a bot.
You don’t need paid tools; Google Sheets works great for gap analysis. One time, I found a keyword like “kitchen storage ideas for small spaces.” My competitor ranked for it. I didn’t. But I had better photos and tips. So I wrote a post. Within weeks, I started ranking too.
Keyword gaps show you easy wins where you can beat your competition. This part is honestly kind of fun. It feels like mining for gold. And when you find a good one? It’s like striking SEO treasure.
Keyword gap analysis helps you find smart content ideas that others missed.
Step 5: Turn Gaps into Opportunities (Content Planning)
After you find keyword gaps, use them to plan your content. Pick keywords that fit your site and that people search for. I choose ones with low competition. These are easier to rank for.
Think about how you can make better content than your competitors. Don’t copy them. Make your posts clearer or more useful.
For example, one competitor had a post about “easy lunch ideas for remote workers.” I used that keyword too. But I added meal plans and photos. My post now ranks higher. Small changes like checklists or images can help you beat other sites.
If a keyword is too broad, add a twist. Try a local or niche angle. For example, “kitchen organization for small apartments in NYC.” This helps you reach the right people faster.
I keep a simple plan in a Google Sheet. It tracks keywords, post ideas, and publish dates. This helps me stay organized and see what works.
My Favorite Free Tools for Competitor Keyword Analysis
You don’t need fancy tools to do this. I started with zero budget and still found the right keywords. Here are the free tools I trust the most, and how I use them.
1. Google Search
Yep, just Google. Type in a topic and see who shows up. Look at the titles, meta descriptions, and content. That’s your first clue. Google helps you spot which keywords others rank for.
Also, check the “People also ask” box and the “Related searches” at the bottom. Those are pure keyword gold.
2. Ubersuggest
This one is simple and clean. You enter your competitor’s website, and it shows the top keywords they rank for.
Ubersuggest helps you find your competitors’ keywords fast. It also shows traffic and content ideas. Great for beginners who want quick wins.
3. Google Keyword Planner
This tool is made for ads, but it works well for SEO too. Enter a site or topic, and it gives you keyword ideas.
Keyword Planner shows real search terms and volumes. It’s free but needs a Google Ads account. You don’t have to run any ads to use it.
4. SEMrush (Free Version)
The free version gives limited data, but it’s still helpful. Paste in a domain, and see top keywords, traffic, and backlinks.
SEMrush helps you see what’s driving traffic to your competitors. Use the free trial if you want more results for a few days. It’s great for deep research.
5. SpyFu
SpyFu gives a clear list of competitor keywords. You also see what they’re paying for in ads. SpyFu shows both organic and paid keywords from any site.
It’s fast, free, and easy to use for basic research.
6. Bing Search
Don’t skip Bing. Sometimes it shows different keywords than Google. Less competition, too. Bing search gives fresh keyword ideas that others might miss. It’s quick, free, and sometimes surfaces hidden gems.
These tools helped me find great keywords, without paying a cent.
Read More: What Is Technical SEO? A Simple Guide
Final Thoughts: Learn from Your Competitors—Then Do It Better
Competitor keyword analysis is like having a cheat sheet for your SEO. But here’s the thing, you don’t want to just copy. You want to learn what works and then do it better. When I started, I copied some keywords blindly. It didn’t help much. But when I focused on improving content and adding my spin, things changed fast.
Simply put, competitor keyword analysis shows you where to focus, but your unique touch is what wins the race. Think of it like cooking: you can follow the recipe, but your secret sauce makes it special.
This method keeps working for me because it’s smart, simple, and budget-friendly. You don’t need expensive tools or a big team. You just need to be willing to look closely, learn, and improve step by step.
So, my advice? Try this with two or three competitors today. Find those keyword gaps. Then create content that’s clearer, more helpful, or just more you. That’s how you beat the competition, not by copying, but by being better.