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Spying the competition

by upgraded
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi
I was wondering what would be the most reliable, free way to check your serp competition on keywords.
I've read the 'tips' on how to search for optimized keywords and easily rank number 1 on keywords with less than x optimized results. I finally discovered this is bs. I know I should simply check out the top 10-20 competing websites.
Now my question is: how do I do this?
I know this info can be found somewhere on here and I've been looking for this, but I always get overwhelmed by the amount of interesting threads and kind of get distracted from my original search goal.
Thanks for your help
#competition #spying
  • Profile picture of the author Scott Rankin
    Here is my thought process when dominating a new keyword:

    1) Look at everyone currently ranking on the first page

    2) Analyze their SEO skills in terms of:

    - Link Building

    - Domain Age

    - Site Size

    - Basic On-Page Structure

    In most cases, they have weak links somewhere in the middle and I can easily leverage that weak link to my advantage and cover my basis in the other areas.

    If they have a ton of low quality links, I can get some highly trusted authority links and win. If their domain is a million years old, I can buy one that has some good age already. There's a lot of short cuts you can take that are very sustainable.

    Analyze the four factors above and get a feel for if you can compete effectively or not. Like I said in most cases you can, it's just a matter of putting in enough time, effort, and energy into your SEO processes.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheProdigy
      Backlinks Checker Tool - Backlink Watch is a very useful and free tool.
      Signature

      Let the Head of SEO for a Billion Dollar Company Handle Your SEO
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    • Profile picture of the author upgraded
      Originally Posted by Scott Rankin View Post


      2) Analyze their SEO skills in terms of:

      - Link Building

      - Domain Age

      - Site Size

      - Basic On-Page Structure

      In most cases, they have weak links somewhere in the middle and I can easily leverage that weak link to my advantage and cover my basis in the other areas.

      If they have a ton of low quality links, I can get some highly trusted authority links and win.
      Thanks, how do I recognize those 'weak links in the middle' ? can I find them by using a tool like backlink watch? Are there any special things I should look out for when analyzing
      the competition?

      best regards
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      • Profile picture of the author Scott Rankin
        Originally Posted by upgraded View Post

        Thanks, how do I recognize those 'weak links in the middle' ? can I find them by using a tool like backlink watch? Are there any special things I should look out for when analyzing
        the competition?

        best regards
        Tools are great but I think you're giving them more value then they deserve. They are just tools, they don't have artificial intelligence, you have to think for yourself when finding weak areas.

        Look at the four factors I gave you and see where they are lacking. Then ask yourself if you can do better. If the answer is yes, go for it. If the answer is no, keep looking.
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        • Profile picture of the author upgraded
          Ok, thanks for clearing that up for me.
          The big seo guru's trying to sell me their secrets might have given me a false image of what can be done with tools.
          At least now I know how I should go about this.

          Thanks for your time and explanation, I know what to do now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mountainmotorman
    I just check there BACKLINKS and this will tell you if you should even look at it further.
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Dmitryguru
    Lol spying on competition you snake!
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    • Profile picture of the author upgraded
      No more help?
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