Marketing Strategy #1: Steal Competitor Keywords Using SEMrush or Ahrefs and Outrank Them with Better Content

Action Plan:

This step-by-step action plan will help you identify, analyze, and capitalize on competitor keywords using SEMrush or Ahrefs, then create superior content to win more organic traffic.

Step 1: Identify Your Top Competitors

·        List 3–5 main competitors in your niche.

·        If unsure, use SEMrush’s Organic Research or Ahrefs’ Site Explorer to view suggested competitors.

·        For local businesses, include both national and local competitors.

Step 2: Find Competitor Keywords

Using SEMrush:

·        Go to “Organic Research” and enter a competitor’s domain.

·        Click the “Positions” tab to see their ranking keywords.

·        Use the “Keyword Gap” tool to compare your site with competitors and find keywords you’re missing.

Using Ahrefs:

·        Enter a competitor’s domain in Site Explorer.

·        Check the “Organic Keywords” report for their top keywords.

·        Use the “Content Gap” tool to find keywords competitors rank for that you don’t.

Step 3: Filter and Prioritize Keyword Opportunities

·        Exclude branded keywords (those with competitor names).

Prioritize:

o   High-volume, low-difficulty keywords.

o   Keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t (content gaps).

o   Long-tail keywords that are specific and less competitive.

·        Ensure keywords are relevant to your business and audience.

Step 4: Analyze Search Intent and SERP

·        For each target keyword, determine the search intent: informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational.

Review the top-ranking pages for these keywords:

o   What type of content ranks (blog, product page, guide)?

o   How in-depth is the content?

o   What questions are answered?

o   What media (images, videos, infographics) are included?

·        Use SEMrush or Ahrefs to preview the SERP and analyze what’s working.

Step 5: Create Better Content

·        Be more comprehensive: Cover the topic in greater depth and address user intent thoroughly.

·        Enhance readability: Use headings, bullet points, short paragraphs, and visuals.

·        Add unique value: Include original research, expert quotes, or case studies.

·        Optimize for SEO: Use target keywords in titles, headings, meta descriptions, and naturally throughout the content.

·        Target featured snippets: Structure answers to common questions in concise formats (lists, tables, definitions).

·        Update existing content: Refresh old posts with new keywords and updated information.

Step 6: Monitor and Iterate

·        Track rankings and traffic for your new and updated content using SEMrush or Ahrefs.

·        Repeat this process regularly, as competitor strategies and keyword opportunities change over time.

·        Refine your content and keyword targeting based on performance data.

Quick Reference Table

Step	Tool/Action	Outcome
Identify competitors	SEMrush/Ahrefs Competitors report	List of target competitors
Extract keywords	SEMrush Organic Research/Keyword Gap, Ahrefs tools	List of competitor keywords
Filter & prioritize	Apply filters for volume, difficulty, intent	Shortlist of best opportunities
Analyze SERP	Review top-ranking pages for each keyword	Understand content requirements
Create better content	Write, optimize, and enhance	Outperform competitors in SERPs
Monitor & iterate	Track results, update content	Continuous SEO improvement

Tips for Success

·        Don’t copy—aim to outdo your competitors by adding more value and insight.

·        Stay consistent and keep updating your strategy as the market evolves.

·        Focus on quality and user experience to build lasting SEO results.

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