SEO competitors are other websites or businesses that are aiming to rank higher than you on search engine results pages (SERPs). They are targeting similar keywords, striving for backlinks, and competing to appear on the first page of search results. 

To beat your competitors at SEO with content writing, it is essential to focus on keyword competition, backlinks, ranking on the first page, driving high traffic, and producing high-quality content.

A study by Ahrefs found that 90.63% of pages get no organic traffic from Google, highlighting the importance of a solid SEO content strategy to stand out. 

Winning in SEO content writing isn’t just about producing any content; it’s about creating smart, optimized, and value-driven content that attracts both search engines and human readers. 

Here are 40 actionable ways to do that, combining proven tactics with practical examples to help you outsmart your competition.

How to Find Your Competitors in SEO?

To find your SEO competitors, Google search your targeted keyword and examine the top results on the first page. These websites are your direct competitors, as they are ranking for the same keyword. 

You can use tools like Ahrefs to analyze their domain authority, backlink profile, and keyword strategies. Ahrefs provides a detailed breakdown of your competitors’ rankings, allowing you to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Identifying these competitors helps you refine your content strategy and target the right keywords to compete effectively on search engine results pages.

How Do You Rate Against Your Competitors?

To rate your competitors, conduct a competitive analysis by comparing your website’s performance to theirs. Evaluate factors like competitive SEO rank, domain authority, and backlink profiles. 

Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR) is a metric that ranks websites on a scale of 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger backlink profiles. To gauge how you rank, assign a scale of 1 to 10, based on factors like your DR ranking and SEO performance compared to top competitors. 

This analysis provides a clear picture of where your site stands and what improvements are needed to outperform your competition.

40 Ways to Beat Your Competitors at SEO

Here are 40 ways to beat your competitors in SEO. Just to mention a few:

1. Conduct Detailed Keyword Research.
2. Optimize for Search Intent.
3. Create Unique Content.
4. Use the Skyscraper Technique.
5. Focus on Less Competitive Keywords.
6. Write Comprehensive, High-Quality Content.
7. Keep Your Content Up-To-Date.
8. Incorporate Internal Links.
9. Use Engaging Meta Descriptions and Titles.
10. Format Your Content for Skimming.

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your SEO and gain a competitive edge in search rankings.

Conduct Detailed Keyword Research

To beat your competitors in SEO, you must conduct detailed keyword research. It’s important to fully understand your topic and the intent behind what users are searching for. This helps you find relevant search keywords that will attract the right audience. 

Tools like Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner are perfect for discovering ranking keywords, analyzing keyword difficulty, and checking keyword search volume.

For example, if you’re writing about “best running shoes,” you might find that “best running shoes for flat feet” has lower keyword difficulty but a good search volume. 

Targeting that specific phrase could help you rank higher without competing with broader terms. The key is balancing competitive keywords with less competitive, high-potential ones to outsmart your competition and improve your SEO strategy.

Optimize for Search Intent

Search intent is all about understanding what users really need when they search for something online. Are they looking for information, a product to buy, or just trying to navigate to a specific site? To beat your competitors, you need to tailor your content to match that intent. 

Start by analyzing the content type that’s already ranking—are people looking for blog posts, product pages, or videos?

Another thing to consider is word length. If most top-ranking pages are long-form content, you’ll want to write something comprehensive. On the flip side, if short, snappy articles are winning, follow that lead. Also, think about how users are accessing your content—are they using their phones or computers? This can affect your formatting and mobile optimization. 

By matching your content to the search intent, you’ll satisfy both the search engines and your audience, improving your rankings over time.

Create Unique Content

Unique content will give you a competitive advantage in SEO, helping you stand out from the crowd. To create content that ranks, you need to focus on thorough research and original writing. 

Avoid simply rehashing what’s already out there—dive deep into your topic, offering fresh insights or a new perspective that your competitors might not cover.

Once you’ve written your piece, take the time to edit and proofread carefully. Well-polished content not only looks professional but also keeps readers engaged. Engaging content means you’re not just writing for search engines but for real people. 

Make sure your content stays relevant to user intent, answering the questions your audience is really asking. This relevance keeps visitors on your page longer, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.

By making your content both unique and relevant, you’ll build trust with your audience and outperform your competition in SEO rankings.

Use the Skyscraper Technique

The Skyscraper Technique is a powerful SEO strategy to help you outrank your competitors by building on existing content. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Find link-worthy content
Start by finding content that already ranks well and has lots of backlinks. This could be a popular blog post or an article that’s been shared widely. You can use tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to help you identify these pieces.

Step 2: Make something even better
Next, take that existing content and improve it. This could mean updating outdated information, adding more detailed insights, or including engaging visuals. The goal is to create a piece of content that’s better, more comprehensive, and more valuable than the original.

Step 3: Reach out to the right people
Finally, promote your content by reaching out to websites or influencers who linked to the original. Let them know you’ve created a superior version and suggest they link to your improved content.

This strategy can boost your SEO ranking and drive more traffic to your site.

Focus on Less Competitive Keywords

Find a keyword that has higher search volume but is less competitive, and you’ll have a much better chance of ranking higher in search results. Using SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, you can filter keywords based on search volume, domain rating (DR), and keyword difficulty. This way, you can target keywords that might not be as fiercely contested by your competitors.

For example, instead of aiming for a highly competitive term like “best running shoes,” you could focus on “best running shoes for beginners.” It’s more specific, less competitive, and still has decent search volume. 

By honing in on these less competitive keywords, you’ll not only boost your chances of ranking but also attract a more targeted audience. This strategy helps you grow your visibility without having to battle it out with top-ranking sites for those high-competition keywords.

Write Comprehensive, High-Quality Content

Google loves high-quality content that meets its users’ needs. High-quality content is informative, well-researched, and addresses the intent behind the search query. To ensure your content stands out, follow Google’s EEAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) factors. 

These guidelines prioritize content that demonstrates expertise, comes from reliable sources, and is trustworthy.

Avoid creating thin content, which lacks depth or useful information, and steer clear of spammy content filled with keywords but offering little value. Google penalizes such content because it doesn’t meet user expectations.

Instead, focus on creating comprehensive content that answers the user’s questions thoroughly. For example, if someone is searching for “how to start a blog,” write a detailed guide covering all the essential steps from choosing a platform to creating engaging posts. 

By delivering value and following Google’s guidelines, you’ll increase your chances of ranking higher and attracting more organic traffic.

Keep Your Content Up-To-Date

Competitive SEO strategies require constant content updating. Both users and search engines value up-to-date information that reflects current trends, facts, and data. If you want your content to continue ranking high, you need to revisit it regularly.

How often should you update? It depends on your niche, but doing a content audit every 6 to 12 months is a good start. This involves reviewing older posts to check for outdated information, broken links, and changing facts. 

For instance, if you’re writing about technology, updates may be needed more frequently due to fast advancements.

By keeping your content fresh, you signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant. Plus, users are more likely to trust and engage with content that feels timely and accurate. 

Staying on top of updates not only improves your SEO but also enhances the overall user experience.

Incorporate Internal Links

Internal linking is the practice of linking one page of your website to another, helping users navigate and allowing search engines like Google to crawl and index your site more efficiently.

When you use internal links, you’re guiding both your readers and Google through your site, making it easier to understand your content and structure.

Without internal links, you may end up with “orphan pages”—pages that aren’t connected to the rest of your site and are difficult for search engines to find and index. 

By incorporating internal links, you create a logical flow and structure, which helps Google crawl your site with ease and index pages faster.

For example, linking relevant blog posts or product pages together keeps users on your site longer, improving engagement. A well-structured internal linking strategy not only enhances user experience but also strengthens your SEO, helping you rank higher in search results.

Use Engaging Meta Descriptions and Titles

A meta description is a brief summary of your webpage that appears in search engine results pages (SERPs). It gives users a snapshot of what your content is about. A well-crafted meta description can convince users to click on your link, driving more traffic to your site.

Your meta description should be engaging and informative, clearly reflecting the content on the page. Studies show that 43% of users decide which result to click based on the meta description alone. That’s why it’s essential to make it compelling.

Additionally, your title is the first thing users see in the SERPs. It needs to be both descriptive and attention-grabbing. A good title, paired with an engaging meta description, can improve your click-through rate (CTR), signaling to Google that your content is valuable. The higher your CTR, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results, giving you a competitive edge.

Format Your Content for Skimming

With users’ short attention spans, formatting your content for skimming is crucial. Most readers don’t thoroughly read every word; instead, they scan for the key points that interest them. In fact, studies show that 55% of users spend less than 15 seconds on a webpage. To keep them engaged, you need to make your content easy to skim.

Use clear headings and subheadings to break up your information into digestible chunks. This way, users can quickly find the section they’re looking for. Bullet points, short paragraphs, and bolded text can also help highlight important details.

By making your content more accessible and organized, you’ll improve user experience and keep readers on your page longer. Not only does this increase engagement, but it also sends positive signals to search engines, boosting your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Add High-Quality, Original Images

Users are more visual than ever, and incorporating high-quality, original images into your content can give you an edge over your competitors. Clear, relevant images enhance the user experience, making your content more engaging and easier to understand. Instead of relying on stock images, consider using custom photos, infographics, or charts that directly support your content.

To fully optimize your images for SEO, be sure to use descriptive alt text. This not only helps visually impaired users but also allows search engines to understand what the image is about. Additionally, use relevant keywords in your image URLs to boost visibility.

By offering unique and optimized images, you stand out from competitors who may be using generic visuals. In competitive SEO, every little detail matters, and high-quality images can help drive more traffic to your site and improve your rankings in search results.

Include Schema Markup

Schema markup is a type of structured data you can add to your website’s HTML that helps search engines better understand your content. By adding schema, you give search engines more detailed information about your site, which can improve how your pages appear in search results. For example, schema markup can help display rich snippets like star ratings, FAQs, and product prices, making your content stand out.

Including schema is important in SEO competition because it enhances your visibility in the search engine results pages (SERPs). When your content features these rich snippets, users are more likely to click on your link over your competitors’. In fact, studies show that websites with schema markup rank four positions higher, on average, than those without it. By using schema markup, you’re giving search engines and users exactly what they need, increasing your chances of beating your competitors in SEO.

Run Plagiarism Checks

Running plagiarism checks helps ensure that your content is original and free from duplication, which is crucial in staying ahead in SEO competition. Search engines, like Google, prioritize unique content, and if your work is flagged as duplicate or too similar to other content online, your site could be penalized, leading to lower rankings.

Using tools like Grammarly or Copyscape allows you to quickly scan your content and identify any unintentional similarities with existing content. This is important not just for maintaining your reputation, but for boosting your SEO efforts.

When you consistently produce fresh, original content, search engines recognize your site as a valuable resource, which improves your visibility and rankings. Plus, unique content is more engaging for users, keeping them on your site longer and reducing bounce rates. Regularly running plagiarism checks helps you avoid penalties and ensures your content stays competitive in the SEO landscape.

Use Keyword Variations

Keyword variations are different forms or phrases related to your main keyword, and they are crucial for improving your SEO performance. By incorporating keyword variations, you help search engines understand the context of your content better, making it easier for you to rank for a range of related search queries.

Using variations also prevents keyword stuffing, which can negatively impact your SEO. Instead, you create more natural, engaging content while still targeting relevant search terms. By diversifying your keywords, you increase your chances of ranking higher in search results, giving you a competitive edge over others in your SEO niche.

Create Content for Featured Snippets

To beat competitors, you must research top snippets and create content optimized for featured snippets. Featured snippets are the answers Google pulls to the top of search results, giving you prime visibility. To target these snippets, write descriptive headers that contain long-tail and question-like keywords, such as “What is SEO?”

Start with a “What is” heading, and use an “is” sentence structure for the definition. For example, “What is content marketing?” followed by “Content marketing is the process of creating valuable content to attract an audience.” Fully define the topic in clear, concise language, making it easy for Google to pull your answer.

By structuring your content this way, you’re more likely to land in the coveted snippet spot, driving more traffic to your site and giving you an edge over your competitors. Snippets are powerful tools for boosting SEO rankings, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Link to Authoritative External Sources

To beat competitors in SEO, linking to authoritative external sources is a powerful strategy. When you link to trusted websites, it shows search engines that your content is valuable and reliable. This practice, called external backlinking, helps demonstrate that you’re providing well-researched information and not just relying on your own words.

For example, if you’re writing about SEO techniques, referencing a well-known site like Moz or HubSpot can strengthen your content. It also builds trust with your audience, showing that you’re providing accurate information supported by industry experts.

Google rewards sites that link to reputable sources because it sees them as more trustworthy. So, by linking to high-quality external sources, you boost your content’s credibility and increase your chances of ranking higher in search results. This simple tactic can give you a competitive edge, helping you stand out in the crowded SEO landscape.

Use Alt Text for Images

Alt text is the descriptive text you add to images on your site, helping search engines understand what the image is about. By using relevant keywords in your alt text, you gain an SEO edge over your competitors. It improves accessibility and boosts your chances of ranking higher.

Apply the Skyscraper Approach for Backlinks

The Skyscraper Approach for backlinks involves finding popular content with lots of links, creating an even better version, and reaching out to those who linked to the original. By offering more valuable content, you increase your chances of earning high-quality backlinks, giving your SEO a competitive boost.

Encourage User Engagement With CTAs

Encouraging user engagement with clear calls-to-action (CTAs) is crucial for staying ahead of your SEO competitors. When you guide your readers with phrases like “Sign up now” or “Learn more,” you boost interaction and keep users on your site longer, improving your competition SEO and ranking potential.

Improve Page Loading Speed

Improving your page loading speed is essential if you want to beat your SEO competitors. Faster loading times enhance user experience, reduce bounce rates, and signal to search engines that your site is well-optimized. In fact, Google reports that 53% of users will leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load.

To stay ahead of your competition in SEO, use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix any issues. Optimizing images, reducing server response times, and using browser caching are just a few ways to improve your site’s loading speed and boost your rankings.

Implement Mobile Optimization (Mobile-Friendly)

If you want to stay competitive in SEO, mobile optimization is crucial. With more than 60% of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, your site needs to be mobile-friendly to keep up with SEO competitors. Google prioritizes mobile-optimized sites in search rankings, meaning a poor mobile experience could push you behind your competition.

To optimize your site for mobile, make sure it loads quickly, has responsive design, and offers easy navigation. A mobile-friendly site improves user experience and boosts your chances of ranking higher in search results, helping you stay ahead of the SEO competition.

Make Content Easily Shareable

To gain an edge over your SEO competitors, make your content easily shareable. When users can quickly share your articles or posts on social media, you boost your content’s visibility and increase traffic. Research shows that content shared via social media generates up to 3.5 times more exposure.

To do this, incorporate social sharing buttons on your blog or website. Ensure these buttons are visible and easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices. When users share your content, it signals to search engines that it’s valuable, helping you improve your SEO rankings and outshine the competition.

Avoid Keyword Over-Optimization

Avoiding keyword over-optimization is key to staying competitive in SEO. While it’s important to use relevant keywords, stuffing your content with them can hurt your rankings. Google’s algorithm penalizes keyword-stuffed pages, recognizing them as spammy and unnatural.

Instead, focus on using keywords naturally and strategically. Studies show that keyword density between 1-2% is ideal for SEO without triggering penalties.

When you avoid over-optimization, your content reads better, provides more value to users, and ranks higher. This balanced approach helps you outshine your SEO competitors while keeping your site in Google’s good graces.

Use Structured Data

Using structured data is a powerful way to enhance your SEO strategy and outshine competitors. Structured data, like schema markup, helps search engines understand and display your content in more detailed ways, such as rich snippets. Websites that use structured data rank, on average, 20-30% higher than those that don’t.

By implementing structured data, you can highlight key information like reviews, FAQs, or product details, giving you an edge in SERPs and improving click-through rates. This added visibility makes your content more appealing to users and strengthens your position against SEO competitors.

Run Grammar and Spell Checks

Running grammar and spell checks is crucial for maintaining professionalism and improving your SEO. Poorly written content can drive users away, and studies show that 59% of people avoid sites with obvious spelling or grammar mistakes. Flawless content enhances user experience and keeps you competitive in SEO rankings.

Target Different Content Types

To stay ahead of your SEO competitors, diversify your content types. Use blogs, videos, infographics, and podcasts to engage a broader audience. Research shows that video content increases organic traffic by 157%. By offering different formats, you can reach more users and improve your SEO competitiveness across platforms.

Use Clear Headings and Subheadings

Using clear headings and subheadings improves readability and helps search engines understand your content’s structure. Users often scan pages, and 73% prefer content that’s easy to navigate. By organizing your content with descriptive headings, you enhance user experience and boost your SEO rankings, keeping you competitive in search results.

Revamp Old Content

Revamping old content is a smart way to boost your SEO performance. Updating outdated posts can increase traffic by up to 111%, according to HubSpot. When you refresh your content with current information, better keywords, and updated links, you maintain relevance and outshine your SEO competitors in search rankings.

Cater to Different Stages of The Buyer Journey

To stay ahead in SEO, cater to all stages of the buyer journey—TOFU (Top of Funnel), MOFU (Middle of Funnel), and BOFU (Bottom of Funnel). By offering targeted content for each stage, you can nurture leads effectively. Research shows that businesses using buyer-focused content see a 72% increase in conversions.

Use Conversational Language

Using conversational language helps you connect with your audience, making your content more relatable and engaging. Instead of formal wording, try phrases like “you’ll love this” or “here’s why it matters.” For example, instead of saying “one must,” say “you should” to create a friendly, approachable tone.

Include Testimonials and Reviews

Including testimonials and reviews boosts your credibility and builds trust with your audience. Research shows that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from others. By featuring customer feedback, you give potential clients real-world proof of your product or service’s value, helping you stand out in SEO competition and driving conversions.

Monitor Competitor Rankings

Monitoring competitor rankings helps you stay ahead in SEO. By keeping an eye on your competitors, you can identify which keywords they’re ranking for and adjust your strategy accordingly. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush let you track these rankings, ensuring you maintain your edge and improve your search visibility.

Optimize Your Site’s Technical SEO

Optimizing your site’s technical SEO is key to improving performance and rankings. This includes ensuring fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and proper indexing. When you focus on these elements, search engines can better crawl and rank your site, giving you an edge over competitors and boosting overall visibility.

Add Multimedia Elements

Adding multimedia elements like videos, images, and infographics enhances your content’s engagement and user experience. These elements keep visitors on your site longer, which can improve your SEO rankings. By making your content more dynamic and visually appealing, you’ll stand out from competitors and attract a wider audience.

Use Contextual Anchor Text (Tags-Anchor)

Using contextual anchor text helps search engines understand the relevance of the linked content. When you link naturally within your text using keywords related to the destination page, you improve your SEO. For example, instead of “click here,” use “learn SEO techniques” to boost your ranking and user experience.

Optimize Content for Voice Search 

Voice search is quickly becoming a dominant way people find information online. In fact, by 2024, it’s estimated that over 50% of all searches will be voice-based. To stay ahead, you need to optimize your content for voice search by focusing on conversational language and long-tail keywords. People tend to use more natural phrases when speaking, so your content should reflect that. For example, instead of targeting “best restaurants,” optimize for “What are the best restaurants near me?” By adapting to this growing trend, you’ll improve your chances of ranking and outshine competitors in voice search results.

Repurpose Content into Different Formats

Repurposing content into different formats helps you reach a broader audience. You can turn a blog post into a video, infographic, or podcast to engage users in various ways. By doing this, you maximize the value of your content and improve your SEO performance across multiple platforms.

Participate in Guest Blogging

Participating in guest blogging helps you expand your reach and build authority in your niche. By writing for reputable sites, you gain backlinks that boost your SEO and drive traffic to your site. Plus, guest blogging exposes you to new audiences, helping you grow your brand and improve rankings.

Analyze Competitors’ Content Gaps 

Analyzing competitors’ content gaps helps you discover opportunities they’ve missed. By identifying topics or keywords your competitors aren’t covering, you can create content that fills those gaps. This gives you an advantage, attracting traffic they’re missing and improving your SEO rankings by offering more comprehensive content.

Build Domain Authority Through Backlinks and Quality Content

You can build domain authority by earning high-quality backlinks and consistently producing valuable content. Backlinks from reputable sites signal to search engines that your content is trustworthy, improving your rankings. Focus on creating in-depth, original content that others will want to link to, boosting your SEO and authority over time.

Benefits of Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis comes with the following benefits to SEO:

1. Identifies content gaps – Helps you discover opportunities your competitors have missed.
2. Improves keyword targeting – Find and target less competitive keywords.
3. Reveals backlink opportunities – Discover where competitors are earning links and target similar sources.
4. Tracks ranking performance – Monitor how your site ranks compared to competitors.
5. Enhances content quality – Learn from your competitors’ best-performing content to improve your own.
6. Optimizes for search intent – Understand what’s driving your competitors’ traffic to better meet user needs.
7. Improves site structure – Learn how competitors use internal linking to improve SEO.
8. Uncovers new content formats – See what content types (videos, blogs, etc.) your competitors use effectively.
9. Boosts domain authority – Find strategies competitors use to gain backlinks.
10. Improves technical SEO – Identify areas where your competitors are optimizing their site performance.

What Is the Best SEO Tool for Competitor Site Analysis?

The best competitor analysis tools are:

1. Ahrefs – Offers extensive competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and keyword research. Price: Starting at $99/month.
2. SEMrush – Comprehensive for keyword research, site audits, and competitor tracking. Price: Starting at $119.95/month.
3. Moz – Great for SEO insights, keyword analysis, and competitor monitoring. Price: Starting at $99/month.
4. Ubersuggest – Offers keyword research and competitor analysis with some free features. Price: Free (with limited access) or $12/month for paid.
5. SpyFu – Ideal for keyword and competitor research. Price: Starting at $39/month

Should I Write Longer Content Than My Competitor?

Yes, you should write longer content than your competitor, but it must also be higher quality. Longer content allows you to cover topics more comprehensively, which can improve your SEO ranking. However, simply adding length won’t help if the content lacks depth or value. Google prioritizes content that provides real answers and addresses user intent. If your longer content is well-researched, insightful, and better than your competitor’s, you’re more likely to rank higher in search results. Quality is key, so ensure your content remains engaging and useful to readers, not just lengthy.

Should I Use Paid SEO to Beat Competitors?

No, organic traffic is the best long-term strategy for beating your competitors. While paid SEO, such as Google Ads, can drive immediate traffic, it’s costly and stops once you stop paying. Organic SEO, on the other hand, builds lasting authority and generates consistent traffic over time. By focusing on high-quality content, backlinks, and proper optimization, you can rank naturally and gain sustained visibility. Paid SEO can complement your efforts, but relying solely on it won’t provide the long-term value that strong organic traffic delivers in the competitive SEO landscape.

Should I Hire SEO Content Writing Agencies to Help Me Beat My Competitors?

Yes, SEO writing agencies can significantly help you beat your competitors. Professional SEO writers and editors understand the latest trends, strategies, and best practices to create content that ranks. They are skilled at crafting optimized, high-quality content tailored to search engines and user intent, improving your site’s visibility. Hiring an SEO agency such as seovines.com allows you to focus on other aspects of your business while experts handle your SEO content needs. With their knowledge and tools, you can produce content faster and more effectively than trying to do it all in-house, giving you a competitive edge.