How to Find Competitor Keywords on Google
Uncovering your competitor's top-performing keywords is a game-changer for SEO. By analyzing their strategy, you can identify gaps in your own and capitalize on untapped opportunities. Here’s how to find competitor keywords on Google like a pro.
1. Use Google’s ‘Related Searches’
At the bottom of Google’s search results, you’ll find a ‘Related searches’ section. These are keywords Google deems relevant to your query. Enter your competitor’s domain or a top-ranking page, and note the suggested terms.
2. Leverage Google Ads Keyword Planner
Google Ads Keyword Planner is a powerful (and free) tool. Enter your competitor’s URL, and it will generate a list of keywords they’re targeting, along with search volume and competition data.
3. Analyze Competitor Backlinks with Ahrefs or SEMrush
Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush provide detailed keyword reports for any domain. Simply enter your competitor’s URL, and you’ll see their organic keywords, ranking positions, and traffic estimates.
4. Spy on Paid Keywords with SpyFu
SpyFu specializes in competitor keyword research, showing both organic and paid keywords. Enter a competitor’s domain to uncover their most profitable terms.
5. Check ‘People Also Ask’ Boxes
Google’s ‘People also ask’ boxes reveal long-tail questions related to your competitor’s content. These are goldmines for uncovering keyword intent and creating better-optimized content.
6. Use Google Trends for Seasonal Insights
Google Trends compares keyword popularity over time. Enter your competitor’s top keywords to identify seasonal trends and capitalize on rising searches.
7. Reverse-Engineer Competitor Content
Manually review your competitor’s blog posts, product pages, and meta tags. Tools like Screaming Frog can scrape their site and extract keyword-rich content for analysis.
8. Monitor Competitor SERP Changes
Track your competitor’s ranking fluctuations with tools like Moz or SERPWatcher. Sudden jumps may indicate newly targeted keywords.
Final Thoughts
Finding competitor keywords isn’t about copying—it’s about learning. Use these insights to refine your SEO strategy, create better content, and ultimately outrank the competition. Start with free tools like Google Keyword Planner, then scale up with paid solutions for deeper analysis.