Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Ryan Clark
In one of our previous blog, we extensively discussed SEO competitor analysis and how to conduct it.
Today, we will discuss SEO competitor analysis tools the world uses to drive inspiration from their competitors to stay relevant in this competitive online world. Before that, let me give you a quick feeler for a deeper connection to this blog.
When was the last time you exchanged a BBM PIN with somebody? Yes, that Blackberry messenger PIN. If you’ve ever been a Blackberry mobile phone user, you know the pain of not being able to use it anymore. Well, because its competitors overpowered it in the world of cellular phones.
So what happened? Sadly, Blackberry didn’t want to upgrade to touchscreen mobiles; the rest is history! Once, an insane brand to show off waned, and Apple Inc. changed everybody’s ‘taste.’
Had BB mended its ways, it might have been the ruling company today. So this, our dear readers, is enough to learn: never underestimate your competitors and always learn from them by watching their activities. It’s okay to imitate to create!
Having said that, knowing the complexities of conducting R&D on your competitors, you can rely upon tools. Competitor analysis tools for SEO are there for your rescue. More than half of your competitive research will be executed by the tools we will now discuss.
Best SEO Competitor Analysis Tools
Choosing the right tool for your business can be tricky. Hence, reviewing the features of many available tools and selecting one or two per your requirements is crucial.
You might want all in one SEO tools with competitor analysis. However, we can also go for tools that have specific, unique features. Let’s dive in.
1 – SEMRUSH
Often considered the industry leader, Semrush offers a wide range of tools for SEO, PPC, and competitor analysis. Its unique features include:
- Domain analytics: Track competitor’s website traffic, organic keywords, backlinks, keyword gap and more.
- Keyword research: Find high-volume keywords that your competitors are ranking for.
- Competitive intelligence: Track your competitors’ advertising campaigns and social media activity.
- Content marketing tools: Create and optimize content that will rank higher than your competitors.
Also read, Content Amplification: Improve Your Content’s Reach and Engagement
Pricing: Starts at $119.95 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 8 million users, trusted by Forbes, Bosch, and HP.
2 – Ahrefs
A close competitor to Semrush, Ahrefs is known for its powerful backlink analysis tools. Its unique features include:
- Backlink analysis: See which websites link to your competitors and how valuable those links are.
- Rank tracking: Track your competitor’s keyword rankings over time.
- Content Explorer: Find popular content that your competitors are linking to.
- Site audit: Identify technical SEO issues on your competitor’s website.
Pricing: Starts at $99 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 2 million users, trusted by Netflix, Spotify, and Deloitte.
Check out the video below to learn how to use Ahrefs for SEO and competitor research.
3 – Moz Pro
A preferred choice for beginners & small businesses, Moz Pro provides a good balance of features and affordability. Its unique features include:
- Domain authority scoring: See how authoritative your competitors’ websites are.
- Keyword research: Find high-quality keywords with low competition.
- Backlink analysis: Check out the sources of the backlinks that your competitors are using.
- On-page optimization: Get suggestions for improving your website’s on-page SEO.
Pricing: Starts at $99 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 500,000 users, trusted by Mailchimp, Hootsuite, and SEMrush.
Read more about getting quality backlinks, What Is SEO Skyscraper Technique: How to Get Quality Backlinks?
4 – SparkToro
This tool focuses on competitor analysis through audience intelligence. Its unique features include:
- Competitor audience analysis: See where your competitors’ website traffic comes from.
- Influencer identification: Find influencers who are discussing your competitors.
- Content insights: See what topics and formats are performing well for your competitors.
Pricing: Starts at $89 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 5,000 users, trusted by Unbounce, HubSpot, and CoSchedule.
Read more to know, 10 Ways Social Media Influencers Make Most Money
5 – BuzzSumo
If you want to see what content is performing well for your competitors on social media, BuzzSumo is a great option. Its unique features include:
- Content discovery: Find popular content that your competitors are sharing.
- Influencer identification: Find influencers who are sharing your competitors’ content.
- Analytics: See how well your competitors’ content is performing on social media.
Pricing: Starts at $79 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 100,000 users, trusted by BuzzFeed, National Geographic, and The Guardian.
‘Bonus tip: Competitor analysis is just one piece of the SEO puzzle. Use the insights to inform your overall strategy, not mindlessly copy your competitors.’
6 – SpyFu
This tool is a good option for budget-conscious businesses, as it offers a limited but affordable set of features. Its unique features include:
- Historical keyword tracking: See how your competitors’ keyword rankings have changed.
- Paid keyword research: See which keywords your competitors are bidding on for PPC ads.
- Domain history: See how your competitors’ websites have changed over time.
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 100,000 users, trusted by Wix, Hootsuite, and SEMrush.
7 – SE Ranking
This tool offers a good value for the price, with a wide range of features for SEO and competitor analysis. Its special features include:
- Rank tracking: Track your competitor’s keyword rankings for multiple search engines.
- Website audit: Identify technical SEO issues on your competitor’s website.
- Backlink analysis: Check out the sources of the backlinks that your competitors are using.
Pricing: Starts at $25/month, scales with features. Free trial available.
Stats: Over 800,000 users, trusted by HP, PayPal, and Philips.
Wondering how to start a website audit, read this blog, How to Audit Your Website for SEO?
8 – Similarweb
This tool analyzes website traffic, offering deep insights into your competitors’ audience and market share. Its unique features include:
- Website traffic analysis: See how much traffic your competitors get, where it comes from, and what devices they use.
- Market share analysis: See how your competitors rank in market share for your industry.
- App analytics: Analyze the performance of your competitors’ mobile apps.
Pricing: Freemium plan available, paid plans start at $249 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 2 million users, trusted by Uber, Amazon, and eBay.
9 – Surfer SEO
This tool focuses on on-page optimization, helping you create optimized content for search engines & users. Its unique features include:
- Content audit: Analyze your existing content and identify areas for improvement.
- Topic cluster builder: Create content clusters that target related keywords.
- Serp analysis: See how your content compares to the top-ranking pages for your target keywords.
Pricing: Starts at $29 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 100,000 users, trusted by Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz.
Read more, How To Do Keyword Research for SEO- 10 Proven Ways
10 – Majestic
This tool is known for its strong backlink analysis capabilities, offering a unique perspective on your competitor’s link profiles. Its special features include:
- Backlink Explorer: See all the websites that link to your competitors.
- Citation flow: Analyze the quality and authority of your competitor’s backlinks.
- Historical backlink analysis: See how your competitors’ backlink profile has changed.
Pricing: Freemium plan available; paid plans start at £39 per month.
Stats and facts: Over 2 million users, trusted by Backlinko, HubSpot, and Neil Patel.
“Tip: Remember, the best tool for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider the most important features and compare pricing plans before deciding.”
Other Types of Competitor Analysis Tools
Many tools are available to know your competitors’ activities, apart from tools for analyzing competitors in SEO. For instance:-
- Tools for managing social media
- Monitoring competitors and listening to social media
- Analyzing analytics
- Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI)
- Analyzing competitors on social media
- Leveraging AI-driven tools for competitor analysis
- Analyzing competitors’ written content
- Monitoring videos they produce
- Competitor analysis in email and ads
Why Should You Invest in SEO Competitor Analysis Tools?
Stay ahead & identify new opportunities:
- Spot emerging trends: Be the first to capitalize on new keyword trends and content formats before your competitors.
- Find untapped keyword potential: Discover keywords with high search volume that your competitors neglect, giving you a chance to dominate the niche.
- Stay informed about algorithm updates: Track how your competitors adapt to search engine algorithm changes and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Improve your SEO efforts & achieve better results:
- Benchmark your performance: Compare your website’s SEO metrics to your competitors and identify areas for improvement.
- Set realistic goals: Use competitor data to set achievable SEO targets based on what others in your industry are accomplishing.
- Focus your efforts: Prioritize optimization tasks based on the areas where you can make the most significant impact and outrank your competitors.
- Improve efficiency: Allocate resources effectively by focusing on strategies with the highest potential for success based on competitor insights.
Ultimately, investing in SEO competitor analysis tools empowers you to:
- Make data-driven decisions: Avoid guesswork and optimize your website based on concrete competitor data and industry trends.
- Gain a competitive advantage: Stay ahead by understanding your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
- Boost your organic traffic and revenue: Improved SEO leads to higher search engine rankings, driving more qualified visitors to your website and ultimately increasing sales.
Over To You
Numerous beneficial SEO competitive analysis tools are accessible today. While they do not execute SEO tasks on your behalf, they streamline the process, enabling you to achieve improved results more efficiently. Additionally, these tools offer efficient access to extensive data, a task that would typically require days to compile. The common thread among these SEO tools is their emphasis on time-saving, increased productivity, and providing data for well-informed decision-making. An SEO marketing company can help you with all the hassles of using SEO tools. Contact us if you want to focus on your business, and let us do all this for you!
FAQs.
- What are SEO competitor analysis tools, and what do they do?
These tools help you gather data and insights about your competitor’s SEO strategies, including their keywords, content performance, backlinks, and technical SEO.
- What are the benefits of using these tools?
Understanding your competitors’ strengths & weaknesses helps you improve your SEO performance, identify new opportunities, and stay ahead of the curve.
- What are some famous SEO competitor analysis tools?
Some popular options are Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz Pro, SpyFu, Similarweb, SERPstat, Majestic SEO, Screaming Frog, Buzzsumo, and Mangools.
- Are these tools expensive?
Some tools offer free plans with limited features, while others have paid plans with varying pricing structures. The decision depends on your specific needs & budget.
- What features should I look for in an SEO competitor analysis tool?
Keyword research, backlink analysis, content analysis, technical SEO audit, competitor tracking, and reporting features are essential.
- How often should I use these tools?
Regularly monitoring your competitors’ SEO performance is crucial. Depending on your industry and competition, monthly or quarterly analyses are recommended.
- Can I use these tools for competitor analysis, or are there other uses?
Many tools have additional features for keyword research, on-page optimization, backlink building, and content planning.
- Do I need any SEO expertise to use these tools?
While having SEO knowledge helps, most tools offer user-friendly interfaces and tutorials. Consider starting with a beginner-friendly option.
- How can I ensure the data from these tools is accurate?
Look for reputable tools with transparent data sources and methodology. Compare data from multiple tools for different perspectives.
- Are there any limitations to using SEO competitor analysis tools?
These tools don’t offer a complete picture of your competitors’ strategy and may only capture some data points. They should be used alongside other SEO techniques.
