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How I Choose the Right Competitor for SEO Analysis

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| Read in 日本語

Choosing the right competitors for SEO analysis can make or break your content strategy. I’ve seen too many people waste time analyzing the wrong competitors. Here’s how I approach competitor analysis to get the best results.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in SEO is picking the wrong competitors to analyze. When using AI-powered content tools like Kafkai, who you compare yourself to matters a lot.

You'll find that it is pretty common that branded name keywords cover a big portion of the top ranking keywords especially if you're in a competitive, high-margin industry with big, established players. If you focus on these competitors that are stuffed with branded keywords (like their company name or other branded names of big companies), your keyword research and content strategy won’t be as effective.

I get this question all the time: How do I find the right competitors to analyze? So, I figured it was time to break it down in a way that’s easy to understand and actually useful.

Two marketers collaborating on SEO competitor analysis in a modern office, discussing keyword rankings and content strategy while reviewing data on a laptop.

What Makes a Good Competitor for SEO Analysis?

Not all competitors are created equal. The best ones to analyze are those that:

  • Attract the same audience as you – Their visitors should have similar interests, needs, and search behaviors.
  • Solve the same problem – If they offer solutions that align with what you do, they’re worth studying.
  • Operate in the same niche – They don’t have to be identical, but their products or services should be in the same ballpark.
  • Are comparable in size and traffic – If you’re just starting out, don’t waste time analyzing massive industry leaders. Look at smaller competitors who are just a few steps ahead of you.
  • Use a similar business model – If they make money the same way you do (ads, subscriptions, product sales), their content strategies will be more relevant to you.

Stop Thinking Only About Direct Competitors

Here’s something I’ve learned: the best insights don’t always come from your direct competitors. Some of the best keyword and content ideas come from websites that influence your audience’s search behavior. Here are a few places I look:

1. Industry Research and Insight Hubs

Sites that publish in-depth research, trends, and industry news are great sources for keyword ideas. They tend to rank well, and their SEO strategies are usually solid.

2. Educational and Knowledge Platforms

Websites that focus on professional development and thought leadership often rank for competitive keywords. They can help you identify content gaps and opportunities.

3. Comparison and Review Sites

If your audience does a lot of research before buying, pay attention to sites that review and compare products or services. These sites rank for high-intent keywords that you might be missing.

4. Discussion Forums and Communities

I can’t stress this enough: Your audience is talking about their problems somewhere. Whether it’s Reddit, Quora, or niche forums, these are goldmines for long-tail keywords and trending topics.

You must be careful to focus on forums that are within your industry though. Unless you are subscribed to a plan that covers a lot of keywords, taking general forums like Reddit or Quora might not get you the long-tail keywords that you're looking for.

Adjusting Your Content Strategy for Better SEO Results

If your current competitor research is only leading you to branded keywords, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Instead of just trying to catch up to competitors, focus on:

  • Doubling down on what’s already working – Strengthen and expand content in areas where you’re already ranking well. Focus more on the "Consolidate" strategy where you're already outshining your competitors.
  • Finding underserved topics – Identify gaps in your industry and become the go-to source for those topics. For this, the "Complement" strategy would be a good way forward.

Expanding Your Keyword Strategy for Long-Term Growth

SEO isn’t just about chasing high-volume keywords. A balanced strategy should include:

  • Long-tail keywords – Less competition, higher conversion rates.
  • Topic clusters – Build authority by covering multiple angles of a subject instead of just one-off blog posts.

Want to level up your keyword strategy? Check out Kafkai’s other plans that can supercharge your content creation.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, choosing the right competitors isn’t just about picking the ones that look like you. It’s about identifying content sources that influence your audience’s behavior. Every business is unique, but the core principles of finding relevant competitors (not just direct ones) can be applied across industries.

If you start thinking beyond just your industry peers and explore these alternative competitor types, you’ll be way ahead of the game.

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