How to run a search gap analysis in 30 minutes.
Using the SERP tools you already pay for. End the day with a ranked list of 10–20 keywords your competitors own and you could reasonably steal — not a 2,000-row spreadsheet nobody will read.
- ▸Most search gap analyses fail because they produce unreadable output. Constrain the output to 10–20 keywords.
- ▸The 30-minute version works because it aggressively filters rather than comprehensively surveys.
- ▸Pick three direct competitors, not aspirational ones. Aspirational comps drown the analysis in noise.
- ▸The deliverable is a one-page doc, not a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets don't get acted on.
Three competitors. One tool. Clear filters.
Pick three direct competitors — same business model, similar funding stage, comparable size. Ahrefs, SEMrush, or any tool with a 'keyword gap' feature works. Set the filter aggressively: keywords where competitors rank top 10 and you rank 20+ or not at all.
- ▸Three direct competitors. Not aspirational — direct.
- ▸Tool: anything with a keyword gap export.
- ▸Filter: top 10 for competitor, 20+ or none for you.
Kill the noise.
The raw export will have 500–2,000 keywords. Most are noise. Filter aggressively: volume >100/mo (lower is not worth writing for), KD <40 (higher takes 6+ months to rank for), and language/country matching your ICP. You'll land at 100–300 keywords.
- ▸Volume >100/mo.
- ▸KD <40.
- ▸Language/country matching ICP.
- ▸Target output: 100–300 keywords.
Business value × ease of capture.
Score each keyword on two axes: business value (1–5, based on commercial intent) and ease of capture (5 minus KD/20, lower KD = higher score). Multiply. Sort descending. Keep the top 10–20. The rest are a distraction.
- ▸Business value (1–5): does this keyword convert?
- ▸Ease of capture (1–5): 5 minus (KD / 20).
- ▸Priority = value × ease.
- ▸Keep top 10–20. Discard the rest.
One page. Not a spreadsheet.
The output is a one-page doc with the 10–20 keywords, target page URL (existing or 'create new'), rough content structure, and an effort estimate. Call out the top 3 as a starting sprint. Share with content + growth. Done.
- ▸One-page doc. Never a spreadsheet for stakeholders.
- ▸Each keyword: target URL, content structure, effort estimate.
- ▸Highlight top 3 for immediate pickup.
- ▸Total time: 30 minutes.
Related for your role
ALL RESOURCES →Stack Consolidation ROI Calculator
Enter what you pay Optimizely, Crayon, Hotjar, and Ahrefs today. See what Optimize Pilot would cost instead — and how many headcount the delta covers.
2026 State of Growth Stacks
We surveyed 340 growth and CRO leaders at Series A–C companies. The average stack costs $5,142/mo and nobody can name what it's testing this week.
Free SaaS Growth Stack Audit
A founder records a 20-minute Loom reviewing your current tool stack with concrete consolidation recommendations. No pitch — just the numbers.
Stop re-running this. Automate the gap.
SEO Suite tracks competitor gaps continuously — not quarterly. New opportunities appear in your dashboard within 24 hours of a competitor ranking.