In the world of digital marketing, keywords are the foundation of online visibility. If you want your website or business to perform better than others, you need to know not only your own keyword strategy but also what your competitors are doing. Understanding a competitor’s keywords gives you an edge—it’s like seeing the playbook of the opposing team before the match begins.
In this next-level guide, we will walk you through how to find a competitor’s keywords, why it’s important, and how to apply that knowledge to your own SEO or PPC campaigns. Plus, we’ll include examples to make this easier to understand. And if you’re serious about mastering digital marketing, remember that Digital Pundit is a leading digital marketing institute in Ahmedabad that teaches you all this and more in-depth.
Why Knowing Your Competitor’s Keywords Matters
Before we jump into the tools and tactics, let’s understand why this is even worth your time:
-
Identify missed opportunities: You might find keywords your competitor is ranking for but you’re not.
-
Understand user intent: By seeing what others are targeting, you get insights into what your audience is searching.
-
Better PPC campaigns: Target profitable keywords that already work for your competitors.
-
Content ideas: Find trending topics and create better, more informative content to outrank them.
Step-by-Step Guide To Finding Competitor Keywords
1. Identify Your True Competitors
Before spying on your competitors, you need to know who they are. Competitors fall into two categories:
-
Direct competitors – Businesses offering the same product or service in your niche.
-
Online competitors – Websites that may not offer the same service but rank for the same keywords.
Example: If you run an online shoe store, Nike and Adidas are direct competitors. But if a fashion blog is ranking higher for “best running shoes 2025,” that blog is an online competitor.
Use Google search to find who ranks for your primary keywords, and list them down.
2. Use SEO Tools To Analyze Competitor Keywords
There are several advanced tools available to dig deep into your competitor’s keyword strategy:
✅ SEMrush
-
Enter your competitor’s domain
-
Go to “Organic Research.”
-
View their top organic keywords, traffic, and ranking pages
✅ Ahrefs
-
Use the “Site Explorer” feature
-
Check “Organic Keywords” tab
-
See all the keywords bringing traffic to your competitor
✅ Ubersuggest (Free tool)
-
Enter the URL of your competitor
-
It will show keyword ranking data and even give you content ideas
- Ubber Suggest is a free tool.
✅ Google Keyword Planner
For PPC strategies, use Google’s Keyword Planner to see keywords your competitors might be bidding on.
3. Analyze Their Top-Performing Pages
Once you have a list of their top keywords, check which pages are ranking. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can also show which pages bring the most traffic.
Example: Let’s say you discover that your competitor’s blog post titled “10 Best Lightweight Running Shoes in 2025” is ranking for 10+ keywords like:
-
Best running shoes for beginners
-
Lightweight shoes for marathon
-
Running shoes 2025
You can now plan a better article with the same keywords but with more value—like reviews, videos, or expert opinions.
4. Look Into Their Paid Keywords (Google Ads)
If your competitor is running Google Ads, you can view which paid keywords they’re targeting.
Tools like SpyFu or iSpionage allow you to check:
-
Ad copies
-
Keywords targeted in PPC
-
Estimated ad budget
This information can help you create better Google Ads and save money by focusing on the right terms.
5. Check Keyword Gaps
This is a powerful feature offered by tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz. It shows the keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t.
Use the “Keyword Gap” tool and enter your domain alongside your competitor’s.
Example: Your website: www.myrunningshoestore.com
Competitor: www.shoebuzz.com
You might find that Shoebuzz ranks for “eco-friendly running shoes” and “best trail shoes for beginners” while you don’t. These are clear opportunities.
6. Monitor Competitor Blogs and Content
Many times, keywords are hidden in blog titles, headings, and meta descriptions.
Manually check their blogs and take notes of:
-
Titles and subheadings
-
Frequently used words and phrases
-
Blog categories
Then plug those topics into Google Keyword Planner to get related search volumes and keyword variations.
7. Use Google Trends and Search Console
Google Trends can give you an idea of what’s gaining popularity in your industry. Combine that with Search Console data from your site to compare what you’re ranking for versus what’s trending or what competitors are ranking for.
8. Organize and Prioritize the Keywords
Once you’ve collected all the keywords:
-
Sort them by intent – informational, navigational, or transactional
-
Check search volume and competition level
-
Group them by topic clusters for future content planning
Example: Topic Cluster: “Running Shoes”
-
Best running shoes 2025
-
Lightweight running shoes
-
Running shoes for flat feet
-
Trail running shoes
Now you can create a pillar content page and several supporting blog posts to build topic authority.
Bonus Tip: Reverse Engineer Their Backlinks
Why do keywords matter in SEO? Because they attract organic traffic, but backlinks boost those rankings. Use Ahrefs’ backlink checker to see:
-
Which websites are linking to your competitor’s top pages
-
Opportunities for outreach and guest posting
-
Authority of their linking domains
More quality backlinks = higher keyword rankings.
Learn This Hands-On at Digital Pundit
All this might sound a bit technical if you’re just starting out. But don’t worry—Digital Pundit, a leading digital marketing institute in Ahmedabad, offers practical training in SEO, SEM, and keyword research using real-time tools like SEMrush, Google Ads, Ahrefs, and more.
Their digital marketing course not only teaches how to find competitor keywords but also how to use that information to craft better content, drive traffic, and improve sales. Whether you’re a student, business owner, or freelancer, Digital Pundit helps unlock your digital potential with hands-on mentorship and real industry projects.
Conclusion
Finding your competitor’s keywords is not just about spying—it’s about being smarter and more strategic. From SEO to paid campaigns, keyword analysis opens up new avenues for growth. Use the tools, study their content, spot the gaps, and create something even better. In today’s competitive market, it’s not just about working hard but working smart.
And if you want to master the art of keyword research and competitor analysis, Digital Pundit in Ahmedabad is your go-to place to level up your digital marketing skills.
