competitor-research v1.0.0A

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---
name: competitor-research
description: When the user wants to analyze competitors for SEO, content, backlinks, or positioning. Also use when the user mentions "competitor analysis," "competitor research," "competitor keywords," "competitor backlinks," "link gap," "content gap," "competitor content," "competitive analysis," or "competitor comparison."
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
---

# SEO Content: Competitor Research

Guides competitor research for SEO, content, backlinks, and positioning. Use when planning content, auditing articles, building links, or evaluating market position.

**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

## Research Types

| Type | Purpose | Output |
|------|---------|--------|
| **Keyword/topic** | Topics competitors rank for; gaps | Keyword opportunities; content ideas |
| **Content** | Structure, length, gaps vs top rankers | Length target; H2 structure; content gaps |
| **Backlink** | Link profile; sites linking to competitors | Link gap; outreach targets |
| **Pricing** | Competitor pricing, positioning | Pricing context; differentiation |
| **SEO metrics** | Organic traffic, rankings vs competitors | Benchmark; opportunity areas |

## Competitor Keyword / Topic Analysis

| Method | Practice |
|--------|----------|
| **Reverse engineering** | Analyze competitor titles, H1, URL; identify topics they rank for |
| **SERP overlap** | Keywords with overlapping top-ranking pages → same cluster; #4–10 = opportunity |
| **site: operator** | `site:competitor.com` to see indexed pages |
| **Tool** | Ahrefs, Semrush—competitor keyword overlap, gap analysis |

**Output**: Keyword opportunities; topics competitors cover that you don't.

## Competitor Content Analysis

| Element | Check |
|---------|-------|
| **Word count** | Top 10 average; length target for your content |
| **H2 structure** | Topics covered; structure to adopt |
| **Content gaps** | What top rankers cover that you miss |
| **Keyword placement** | Primary keyword in title, H1, first 100 words |
| **Format** | Lists, tables, FAQ; match or improve |

**Use when**: Auditing or creating articles; see **article-page-generator** for Research Phase integration.

## Competitor Backlink Analysis

| Action | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| **Compare profiles** | Your backlinks vs competitors |
| **Link gap** | Sites linking to competitors but not you |
| **Opportunity** | Outreach to those sites; content they might link to |

**Tools**: Ahrefs, Semrush—Link Intersect, competitor backlink reports. See **backlink-analysis**.

## Competitor Pricing

| Use | Practice |
|-----|----------|
| **Positioning** | Where you sit vs competitors |
| **Differentiation** | Value prop when price differs |
| **Alternatives pages** | Who to include; how to position |

See **pricing-strategy**, **alternatives-page-generator**.

## Output Format

- **Competitors** identified
- **Research type** (keyword, content, backlink, pricing)
- **Findings** (gaps, opportunities, benchmarks)
- **Recommendations** (content to create, links to pursue, positioning)

## Related Skills

- **keyword-research**: Competitor reverse; keyword discovery
- **article-page-generator**: Competitor article analysis in Research Phase
- **content-strategy**: Competitor analysis for topic mapping
- **content-optimization**: Competitor length and structure as reference
- **backlink-analysis**: Competitor backlink comparison; link gap
- **seo-monitoring**: Competitive comparison; organic vs competitors
- **alternatives-page-generator**: Competitor selection; comparison framing
- **migration-page-generator**: Competitor migration paths
- **pricing-strategy**: Competitor pricing context
- **affiliate-marketing**: Find affiliates promoting competitors
- **directories**: Competitor info for directory submissions