Competitor research tools show what’s working for other businesses. They track keywords, popular content, and social media activity. (1)
These tools help find missing topics, good keywords, and ways to grow an audience. Whether it’s SEO, social media, or ads, they help businesses rank higher, improve marketing, and stay ahead of competitors.
Key Takeaways
- See SEO and Ad Performance – Check what keywords competitors rank for, how much traffic they get, and what ads they run.
- Find Winning Content and Social Media Posts – Spot the best articles and social media posts to improve your own marketing.
- Watch Competitor Changes – Get updates on their prices, new hires, and the tools they use to stay ahead.
1. Semrush
Semrush is a tool that helps businesses see what competitors are doing online. It tracks keyword rankings, backlinks, and website traffic. It also shows which search terms bring visitors and what ads competitors are running.
- Tracks keyword rankings and content gaps.
- Analyzes search engine rankings and backlink profiles.
- Monitors social media presence and marketing efforts.
Marketing teams use this tool to check how well competitors rank on search engines. It finds good keywords and the best places to get website visitors. Content marketers use it to see what posts work best on social media.
Great for businesses wanting better search rankings and ads. It helps track competitors and understand the market. Many say it’s a useful tool for watching other websites and making smart choices.
2. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a tool for SEO analysis, primarily used for backlink analysis and tracking organic traffic. It helps businesses evaluate their performance against competitors.
- Monitors backlink profiles and search rankings.
- Identifies content gaps for content marketers.
- Tracks keyword research tool performance.
SEO experts use Ahrefs to improve marketing and rank higher on search engines. It shows where competitors get their website visitors, helping businesses change their strategy to get more traffic.
Best for SEO competitor analysis, especially for backlink data. Digital marketers use it to analyze market share and improve their online presence. It’s a go-to for marketing teams focused on increasing their audience growth through organic searches.
3. Similarweb
Similarweb tracks competitor websites and provides insight into their online presence. It offers a detailed report on search traffic, user experience, and social media performance.
- Tracks website traffic and audience demographics.
- Measures engagement metrics across social networks.
- Analyzes competitors’ marketing tactics and customer sentiment.
Companies use Similarweb for market analysis and competitive research. It helps marketing teams understand audience behavior and refine marketing strategies.
Great for businesses that want to see how competitors get visitors and keep them interested. It helps find the best keywords and grow a bigger customer base.
4. BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is a content analysis tool that tracks top-performing content and social media activity. It identifies trends and measures engagement metrics.
- Analyzes content performance across social media channels.
- Identifies blog posts with high engagement.
- Tracks social media profiles of direct competitors.
BuzzSumo helps content marketers and social media managers create better posts. It shows what works best on social media for planning marketing.
Great for content creators and brands wanting more likes and shares. It also helps compare viral content and marketing strategies.
5. SparkToro
SparkToro helps businesses understand what their audience likes and how they behave online. It helps businesses refine their marketing strategies based on social media activity.
- Identifies audience preferences and social media presence.
- Tracks engagement on podcasts, blogs, and social platforms.
- Analyzes customer reviews to gauge brand perception.
Marketers use SparkToro for audience research and competitor research. It highlights social media performance and helps identify marketing opportunities.
Best for businesses wanting detailed audience insights. It’s great for content creators, email marketers, and social media managers who want to track and improve their online presence..
6. Rival IQ
Rival IQ is designed to monitor social media profiles and track competitors’ social media activity. It provides a competitive analysis tool for social media performance.
- Compares social media engagement metrics.
- Monitors marketing efforts across multiple social media platforms.
- Tracks share of voice in social networks.
Brands use Rival IQ for social media monitoring and competitive research. It helps social media managers improve engagement metrics and refine their marketing channels.
Best for businesses focused on social media presence and performance against competitors. It offers actionable insights into competitor websites and social media posts.
7. Brand24
Brand24 watches for brand mentions and customer opinions on social media and competitor websites. It helps businesses track what people are saying online.
- Analyzes social media presence and customer sentiment.
- Tracks marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.
- Provides engagement metrics for content strategy.
Companies use Brand24 for social media monitoring and tracking customer reviews. It helps businesses adjust their marketing tactics based on public perception.
Best for marketing teams focused on social media performance and audience growth. It’s a tool for SEO, brand monitoring, and competitor analysis.
8. Kompyte
Kompyte tracks competitor websites, Google Ads, and social media automatically. It shows what marketing strategies competitors are using.
- Tracks competitor updates across various digital channels.
- Analyzes content performance and pricing models.
- Uses AI to deliver detailed reports on marketing efforts.
Businesses use Kompyte for SEO competitor analysis and to refine their marketing strategies. It offers valuable insights into pricing strategy and search traffic.
Great for companies that want quick updates on competitors. It helps marketing teams see their market share and how they compare to others.
9. Crayon
Crayon provides real-time updates on competitors’ marketing activities. It helps businesses analyze marketing channels and pricing models.
- Tracks competitors’ social media platforms and job openings.
- Analyzes social media posts for performance insights.
- Monitors content gaps and keyword rankings.
Marketing teams use Crayon for competitor analysis and search engine rankings. It helps businesses adjust their content strategy based on audience growth.
Best for companies wanting detailed competitor research tools. It provides insights into competitors’ marketing efforts and digital presence.
10. Klue
Klue uses AI to summarize competitor reviews and conduct sentiment analysis. It provides detailed reports on competitor websites and social networks.
- Monitors competitor analysis features.
- Tracks SEO competitor analysis tool performance.
- Analyzes backlink profile and social media activity.
Marketing teams use Klue for content performance and competitive research. It helps brands refine their marketing tactics and social media monitoring.
Best for businesses needing AI-driven competitive intelligence tools. It simplifies tracking competitor websites and market analysis.
11. SpyFu
SpyFu specializes in tracking competitors’ Google Ads strategies. It helps businesses optimize paid search campaigns.
- Analyzes keyword rankings and ad spend.
- Tracks marketing efforts in PPC advertising.
- Provides insights into competitors’ profitable keywords.
SEO specialists and digital marketers use SpyFu for SEO analysis and PPC tracking. It helps businesses refine their search engine rankings.
Best for companies investing in Google Ads and competitive research tools. It helps identify keyword research tool opportunities and pricing strategy.
12. Talkwalker
Talkwalker is a tool for tracking brand mentions and social media posts. It provides audience insights and engagement metrics.
- Analyzes social media presence and social media channels.
- Tracks customer reviews and search rankings.
- Provides insights into competitors’ marketing strategies.
Social media managers and email marketers use Talkwalker to refine marketing campaigns. It helps in audience growth and performance against competitors.
Best for brands focused on social networks and social media activity. It’s a tool for SEO, market analysis, and social media performance.
13. Competitors App
Competitors App monitors competitors’ social media, PPC ads, and email lists. It helps businesses refine their marketing strategies.
- Tracks competitor analysis features across multiple channels.
- Analyzes content gaps and marketing efforts.
- Provides SEO competitor analysis tool insights.
Marketing teams use Competitors App for data-driven decisions. It helps in understanding content performance and digital marketing channels.
Best for businesses needing competitive intelligence tools across various platforms. It improves market analysis and audience growth.
14. BuiltWith
BuiltWith identifies the technologies competitors use. It helps businesses analyze website development and market analysis.
- Tracks competitors’ tech stack and browser extensions.
- Analyzes performance against competitors.
- Provides insights into competitors’ job openings and pricing models.
Developers and marketers use BuiltWith to refine pricing strategy and marketing channels. It helps in search engine rankings and competitor analysis.
Best for companies focused on digital infrastructure. It provides valuable insights into competitor websites and marketing teams’ tech decisions.
FAQs
How do competitor research tools help with pricing strategy?
Competitor research tools track pricing models by scanning websites, product pages, and even job postings. Businesses can see when a competitor changes prices, offers discounts, or adjusts their subscription plans.
Some tools, like Kompyte, send real-time alerts about these updates. This helps businesses decide if they need to lower prices, create special deals, or add more value to their products.
For example, if a competitor suddenly drops their price, a company can check if it’s a limited-time sale or a permanent change. If it’s a sale, they might run their own short-term discount. If it’s a permanent cut, they might adjust their marketing to highlight better features instead of lowering prices.
Can these tools track competitor job openings, and why does it matter?
Yes, some competitor research tools track job postings. This might seem unrelated to marketing, but it’s actually a smart way to understand a competitor’s plans.
If a company suddenly hires a lot of engineers, they might be working on a big product update. If they’re looking for ad specialists, they might be investing more in paid marketing. (2)
By watching hiring trends, businesses can predict changes before they happen. For example, if a competitor starts hiring a lot of customer service reps, it might mean they’re expecting more customers soon.
That could be a sign of a big promotion or a new product launch. Tools like Crayon and BuiltWith help track these changes.
How do competitor research tools help find content gaps?
These tools analyze what topics competitors cover and compare them to what a business is missing. Ahrefs, for example, has a content gap feature that shows keywords competitors rank for but the user’s site does not. This helps businesses find new topics that could bring in more traffic.
For example, if a competitor has multiple blog posts ranking for “best email marketing tools,” but a business has none, that’s a missed opportunity.
The company can create better content on that topic, targeting similar keywords. This method helps businesses stay competitive by always covering the most important topics in their industry.
Can businesses track competitor social media ads with these tools?
Yes, some tools track competitor ads across social media platforms. SpyFu and Semrush, for example, show what paid ads a competitor is running on Google. Facebook’s Ad Library also allows businesses to check active ads from competitors.
This information helps businesses see what’s working for others. If a competitor is spending a lot on one ad, it’s probably performing well. Businesses can then study the wording, images, or promotions used and apply similar strategies.
They can also find gaps—if a competitor is heavily advertising on Instagram but not on Twitter, that might be a chance to stand out on Twitter instead.
How often should businesses check competitor research tools?
The frequency depends on the industry and goals. Fast-moving industries, like tech or fashion, may need daily updates, while others might check weekly or monthly. Most tools allow businesses to set alerts for major changes, like pricing updates or new keywords. (3)
A smart approach is to check SEO tools like Ahrefs or Semrush weekly to monitor rankings and content gaps. Social media tracking tools like BuzzSumo or Rival IQ can be checked every few days to watch trends.
PPC tracking tools should be checked before running new ads to avoid bidding against expensive keywords. Regular monitoring ensures businesses can quickly react to changes and stay ahead of competitors.
Final Thoughts – Choosing the Right Tool for Competitive Research
Picking the best competitor research tool depends on what a business needs to track. Some focus on SEO and keyword rankings, like Semrush and Ahrefs.
Others track social media performance, like BuzzSumo and Rival IQ. Tools like BuiltWith and Kompyte dig into tech stacks and pricing models.
Businesses that want better search rankings can use SEO tools to find missing content and get more visitors.
Social media managers may need tools to track likes, shares, and follower growth. Marketing teams running ads can use tools that study Google Ads and PPC results.
The best way to choose is to try different tools and see which one helps the most. Many offer free trials, so businesses can test before buying. The right tool can improve marketing, create better content, and stay ahead of competitors.
