How to Research Competitors Using Semrush Keyword Research Tool

by Editorial Staff
Last Update 8 months ago
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What are the different ways you use to research competitors using semrush keyword research tool?

With the ever-changing market dynamics, it is important for you as a business person to always stay ahead of the game. This is best done by making sure that you are constantly visible to the consumers.

Reaching the targeted market is manageable as long as you have the right keywords. This is why having the knowledge of the right keywords is important.

For that, you require the right tool to give you the competitive intelligence you need to keep you ahead.

The right tool will help you find the best keywords and phrases that will make it easier for your audience to find you using any search engine. giving you a more competitive ranking. This tool is the SEMrush keyword research tool.

So how do you use the SEMrush Keyword Research tool to research your competitors?

There are several steps involved in ensuring that you use this tool effectively.

Step 1: Enumerate the topics or themes that best define what you do

The first step in this process is to make a list of any and all terms words, phrases or topics that describe what you are selling. To best do this think of yourself as the buyer and imagine any words that you may use to describe what you are selling.

Look for the currently trending words on the same. Look for words that the customers have referred to your products. Any words whether commonly used or not, will be relevant.

Step 2: Input each of the topics into the SEMrush

After making the list go to your SEMrush tool menu and select Keyword Research. when the menu pops up select Overview. Then type in the list, one word/phrase at a time and hit Search.

The tool will consequently show an outline of different data on the selected theme/ word/ phrase. These include

Organic search- this shows statistics about the organic traffic the keyword receives with the average monthly searches and the number of URLs that compete competing for the keyword.
Paid search – this shows the information on traffic data paid for, costing per cluck and number of competitors.
Trend- specifies monthly volume use of the keyword.

Step 3: Related Keywords and Phrase Match the keywords

The difference between the two is that Related keywords show different keywords that relate directly or indirectly to the keyword while the Phrase match keywords show variations of the keyword.

What you now need to do is on the menu, click View full report under the “Phrase match keyword report” to get the full list as generated by the SEMrush. Do the same for the “Related key words”.

This step is important because apart from the lists mentioned above, the tool also generates information on the trends, traffic volume, competition numbers etc., helping you better analyze the results.

An important point to note here is that sometimes the Related keyword report results may generate words which are not closely related to the main keywords because the report displays both the relevant and related terms.

Step 4: Work out keyword difficulty

Having a long list of keywords may be exciting, but it does not mean all will be as useful. That is why you need to make out which ones to use. The SEMrush’s Keyword Difficulty tool is able to sort you out.

This is because it is able to calculate an estimate in percentages of how easy it may be to topple a rival in terms of position in search rankings for given words.

On the SEMrush tool, go to “Tools” which is on the left side column then click “Keyword Difficulty”. Next type a single keyword per line and click “Show difficulty” this will immediately give a report on the keywords competitiveness.

Step 5: Research Competitors’ keywords

For any business that you run it is important to know what your rivals are doing. The SEMrush is not to be left behind in that area. It enables you to get a glimpse of your rivals’ keyword usage.

You can even compare phrases. This will enable you to make use of these keywords in a way that will optimize your presence.

This is made possible by the Domain vs. Domain tool that can compare a maximum of 5 domains to enumerate the distinctive and common keywords for each domain.

For this go to “Tools” on your SEMrush side bar menu then select “Domain vs. Domain”. List a maximum of 5 domains then click “Go”.

The results will show a table with keywords you inquired ranks for, plus additional data on volume, CPC, averages etc.

You will also get a Chart view which utilizes a Venn Diagram to show the distinctive and common keywords for each domain. Competitors domain comparisons is a great way to establish opportunities for keyword usage for your advantage.

Step 6: Rank tracking in SEMrush

Keeping a tab on your competitors is a good way of assessing where you stand. That is why the SEMrush has a tool to help you monitor where you stand in terms of keywords you want to use to optimize your presence.

To launch it, to “Tools” on the sidebar then select “Position Tracking”. There is a set of steps to follow to set up a monitor which will give daily reports on your rankings for the selected keywords.

And that is how simple it is to use the SEMrush research tool to research your competitors.

Final Words

When all is done, how you use the data for your gain is what will make a difference. Recognizing the most popular and most appreciated keywords for internet marketing is the most important step in internet ranking success.

Keyword research enables you to identify the right words to put to make your page as relevant as possible to allow it to rank for the most related queries in an internet search.

Using the SEMrush keyword research tool will help you research competitors and keep you relevant because of the up to date information.

It keeps you abreast with consumers’ behavior changes, competitors’ domain rankings and enable you to counter any changes in the organic search preferences.

You will also be able to compare these with your own statistics. This will give you leeway for improvement, keeping you constantly ahead of the game.

Editorial Staff

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