How to Run an SEO Competitor Analysis with AI Visibility

The article explains how to conduct a comprehensive SEO competitor analysis that now includes AI-generated answers from Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode, as well as other AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. It walks through four main steps: first, identify direct and organic competitors using Semrush’s Domain Overview tool and compile a list of 3–5 sites. Second, analyze traffic trends and sources with Semrush’s Traffic & Market Toolkit, looking at AI referrals, organic, paid search, social, email, and display ads to uncover overlooked channels. Third, perform a keyword gap analysis with Semrush’s Keyword Gap tool, filter for top‑10 positions and commercial intent, then cluster the missing keywords to spot content opportunities. Finally, evaluate AI visibility using Semrush’s AI Visibility Toolkit, compare prompts your competitors appear for, and identify the prompts you’re missing.

The guide stresses that the goal is not to copy rivals but to understand what works for them and apply it to your own strategy. By using the free template and Semrush’s My Reports, you can build a competitor analysis report that tracks AI visibility, organic positions, domain comparisons, backlinks, and more, and then create a content calendar based on the uncovered gaps.