How To Outrank Your Competition Using Keywords Of Competitors

Why Do Competitors Outrank You on Google?

Ever wonder why your competitors keep appearing above you on Google, even when your content is just as good (if not better)? The reason might be simpler than you think: they’re using keywords more strategically, specifically, competitor keywords.

By analyzing your competitors' keywords, you’ll gain insight into what’s working for them. More importantly, you’ll identify content gaps you can fill, allowing you to outrank them and capture their traffic.

This guide will teach you how to find and use your competitors’ keywords to boost your own SEO performance.

What Are Competitor Keywords?

Competitor keywords are search terms that bring organic or paid traffic to your competitors’ websites.

For example:
If your online store sells home decor, and a competitor ranks well for "modern wall art" or "affordable home decor," those are competitor keywords you might also want to target.

There are two main types:

• Organic Keywords – Earned via content and SEO
• Paid Keywords – Targeted via platforms like Google Ads

Analyzing both types can help you refine your keyword strategy and uncover areas your competitors haven’t fully optimized.

Benefits of Competitor Keyword Research

• Uncover Content Gaps: Find topics you haven’t yet covered
• Improve Existing Content: Enhance underperforming pages with better keyword alignment
• Discover Long-Tail Keywords: Target less competitive keywords with high conversion potential
• Understand Audience Needs: See what users are searching for and why
• Find Untapped Opportunities: Identify trending search terms or industry gaps

How to Perform Competitor Keyword Research

1. Identify Your Competitors

Start by searching your main keywords in Google and list the websites ranking on the first page. These are your SEO competitors.

Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to discover websites with overlapping keywords or shared traffic sources.

Check Google’s “Related Searches” section and analyze backlink profiles to uncover indirect competitors.

2. Use SEO Tools for Deep Analysis

Enter a competitor's domain into tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to:

• View all ranking keywords
• Find high-volume keywords they rank in the top 3 for
• Identify keyword gaps where you have no content
• Analyze keyword trends and historical rankings
• Study SERP intent and content formats

This process reveals where you can outperform your competitors with better or more relevant content.

Manual Competitor Keyword Research

Even without paid tools, manual research can be effective. Here’s what to look for:

• Page Titles and Meta Descriptions: Reveal primary keywords
• Headings and Subheadings: Show topic hierarchy
• URL Structures and Internal Links: Indicate keyword focus
• Alt Text and Image Captions: Provide additional keyword insight
• FAQs and Sitemaps: Help uncover hidden long-tail keywords

Manual review takes time but reveals strategic keyword placement your competitors rely on.

Gather the Right Keywords

When collecting competitor keywords, prioritize:

• Relevance: Align with your content and audience
• Search Volume + Difficulty: Choose manageable yet valuable keywords
• Intent: Informational, commercial, transactional, match your content type

Focus on high-value gaps terms your competitors rank for but you haven’t yet targeted.

Evaluate Keywords Before Using Them

Don’t just collect keywords analyze them. Ask:

• Is this keyword aligned with your product/service?
• Can your content better serve the searcher’s intent?
• Is the competition beatable with your current domain authority?
• Will this keyword likely convert into leads, sales, or engagement?

Choose keywords you have a realistic chance of ranking for and that offer real value.

Free Ways to Check Competitor Keywords

If you're starting out, here are some free options:

• Google Search Console: Find your own underperforming keywords
• Google Keyword Planner: Use competitor URLs for keyword ideas
• Answer the Public: Discover related questions and long-tail keywords
• Ubersuggest (Free Version): Limited but useful for quick competitor overviews
• Google SERP Features: Explore "People Also Ask" and "Related Searches" for keyword inspiration

These tools help identify keywords without needing expensive software.

Using Competitor Keywords Strategically

Finding the keywords is half the job. Next, you need to use them effectively:

Create New Content Around Keywords

Use keyword clusters from your competitors to develop comprehensive blog posts or landing pages. Fill gaps they missed such as comparisons, updated stats, FAQs, or deeper guides.

Add Keywords to On-Page SEO Elements

Include competitor keywords naturally in:

• Title tags
• Meta descriptions
• Headings (H1–H3)
• Image alt text
• First 100 words of your content
• Internal anchor links

Avoid keyword stuffing. Use natural phrasing and semantic variations.

Improve Content Quality

Even with the right keywords, your content must deliver value:

• Add new insights or data
• Update outdated info
• Expand underdeveloped points
• Answer real user questions

Better content earns higher dwell time and lower bounce rates key signals for SEO.

Use Keywords for Maximum Impact

Focus on:

• High-Intent Keywords: Convert-ready users (e.g., “buy,” “best,” “discount”)
• Broad Keywords: Drive awareness
• Niche Keywords: Convert in specific contexts

Group keywords by search intent and align content types accordingly blog posts for informational, landing pages for transactional.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Keyword Stuffing: Hurts readability and SEO rankings
• Poor Keyword Integration: Use keywords naturally in meaningful sentences
• Keyword Cannibalization: Avoid using the same keyword on multiple pages

Stick to high-quality, relevant, and varied keyword usage to support long-term SEO growth.

Final Thoughts: Outrank Your Competition

Understanding and using your competitors’ keywords can transform your SEO strategy. With proper research, keyword placement, and high-quality content, you can outrank them and attract targeted traffic.

Track your progress, continue monitoring competitors, and adapt your keyword strategy regularly. Stay consistent, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your search rankings and visibility.