Competitive Gap Analysis with SEMrush: Find Your Edge

Advanced NLP & AEO Techniques

Entity-First Keyword Expansion

1. Extract core entities (brands, products, functions) from SERPs using SEMrush Topic Research and NLP APIs.
2. Map entity relationships (e.g., brand → feature → pain point) to surface long-tail questions for People-Also-Ask boxes.
3. Feed entities into Keyword Magic Tool filters to generate semantically related terms and synonyms[14].

Answer-Targeted Snippet Optimization

• Rewrite H2s as direct questions (“What is a backlink gap?”) to increase Featured Snippet eligibility.
• Place concise 40-60-word definitions immediately below each question in plain language.
• Use unordered lists for steps <8 words each; Google tends to snippet bullet points.

Semantic Internal Linking

• Use SEO Writing Assistant to identify contextual link anchors that semantically match target pages.
• Insert schema.org/WebPage sameAs references for disambiguation.
• Ensure each linked anchor contains the primary entity once to reinforce topical authority.

Sample JSON-LD HowTo Mark-up

{

  “@context”:”https://schema.org”,

  “@type”:”HowTo”,

  “name”:”Competitive Gap Analysis with SEMrush”,

  “description”:”A step-by-step method to find keyword, backlink, and traffic gaps between your website and competitors.”,

  “totalTime”:”PT3H”,

  “tool”:[

    {“@type”:”HowToTool”,”name”:”SEMrush Keyword Gap”},

    {“@type”:”HowToTool”,”name”:”SEMrush Backlink Gap”},

    {“@type”:”HowToTool”,”name”:”SEMrush Traffic Analytics”}

  ],

  “step”:[

    {

      “@type”:”HowToStep”,

      “position”:1,

      “name”:”Define Your Competitive Set”,

      “text”:”Identify up to five direct and indirect competitors using SEMrush Organic Research.”

    },

    {

      “@type”:”HowToStep”,

      “position”:2,

      “name”:”Run Keyword Gap”,

      “text”:”Compare missing and weak keywords, then export opportunities to Keyword Manager.”

    }

    // …repeat for remaining steps

  ]

}

Common Pitfalls and Fixes

Mini Case Study (Fictional)

Scenario: SaaS startup “FinteX” vs. incumbents in online invoicing.

• Keyword Gap found 1,263 missing BOFU terms (e.g., “invoice API integration”) driving 22,000 monthly searches[2].
• Backlink Gap exposed 147 high-authority fintech blogs linking to competitors but not FinteX[3].
• Traffic Analytics showed rivals getting 35% more visits from India, a growth market for FinteX[4].

Actions:

1. Published 10 targeted articles for missing keywords.
2. Ran outreach to top 50 backlink prospects.
3. Launched localized landing page for India with paid ads.

ROI After 90 Days:

• +18,400 organic visits (Google Analytics).
• 92 new backlinks (avg. Authority Score = 41).
• CAC in India down 27%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keyword Gap only for organic search?

No. Switch the toggle to Paid or PLA to expose PPC keyword gaps[2].

How many competitors can I analyze at once?

Five per Gap report is the limit, but you can save multiple reports to cover dozens of rivals over time[3].

Does SEMrush Traffic Analytics include subdomain data?

Yes; drill down to subdomain or subfolder level for granular insights[4].

How often should I update my gap analysis?

Run a quick refresh monthly and a deep dive quarterly to align with content roadmaps[1].

What AEO elements matter most for gap-content pages?

Concise question headings, schema markup, and bullet steps under 8 words support voice and snippet results.

Is SEMrush’s Keyword Gap tool only useful for organic search analysis?

No, SEMrush’s Keyword Gap tool lets you analyze differences for both organic and paid search. You can switch the report to review Paid or PLA keywords and identify PPC gaps as well, making it highly versatile for various campaign types.

How many competitors can I compare in one SEMrush gap analysis report?

Each Gap Analysis report allows you to add up to five competitor domains at once. If you want a broader market perspective, you can run multiple reports and compile findings to cover dozens of rivals efficiently.

How frequently should a competitive gap analysis be updated?

For best results, refresh your gap analysis at least monthly to track evolving keyword and backlink opportunities. Plan a deeper quarterly review to align with your main content and SEO strategy roadmaps and stay ahead of shifting markets.

What are the top Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) elements for gap-content pages?

The most important AEO factors include:

• Structuring headings as questions.
• Adding schema.org HowTo or FAQ markup.
• Keeping answers concise and focused.
• Using bullet points and steps under eight words, which helps your content gain visibility in voice and featured snippet results.

Conclusion

Using SEMrush’s suite of competitive research tools, you can transform raw data into a precise roadmap for closing keyword, backlink, and traffic gaps. Follow the eight-step process, layer NLP insights for deeper topical coverage, and apply AEO principles to surface in answer engines. Repeat the cycle quarterly, and your digital visibility curve will mirror the growth quadrant’s Leaders segment—all while your competitors wonder how you found the edge they missed.

Citations

1. https://www.semrush.com/solutions/competitive-research/
2. https://www.semrush.com/features/domain-vs-domain/
3. https://www.semrush.com/features/backlink-gap/
4. https://www.semrush.com/kb/1506-traffic-and-market-traffic-overview
5. https://www.semrush.com/features/market-explorer/
6. https://www.semrush.com/features/competitor-website-analysis-tools/
7. https://www.semrush.com/kb/773-backlink-gap
8. https://www.semrush.com/blog/competitor-analysis-tools/
9. https://www.flyingvgroup.com/seotools/semrush-keyword-gap/
10. https://craigcampbellseo.com/semrush-backlink-gap-tool-tutorial/
11. https://www.flyingvgroup.com/seotools/semrush-traffic-analytics/
12. https://www.semrush.com/features/market-analysis-tools/
13. https://www.semrush.com/features/seo-competitor-analysis-tool/
14. https://www.infidigit.com/blog/keyword-gap-analysis/