Search engines are competitive. Every day, new websites pop up in your niche and start ranking for the same keywords you’re targeting. If you’re not paying attention, these new rivals can take clicks and customers right from under you. That’s why competitor analysis is a must for any business that wants to grow traffic.
With Semrush, you can find out who your real SEO rivals are, spot new ones before they become a threat, and uncover content gaps that bring in more traffic. This tutorial shows you step by step how to use Semrush to track competitors and stay ahead.
Why Tracking New Competitors Matters
Most people know their business competitors, but those aren’t always the same as SEO competitors. Someone you’ve never heard of could be ranking above you on Google and taking potential customers.
By tracking new SEO rivals, you can:
- Spot fresh sites before they dominate.
- Find keyword opportunities you’ve missed.
- See what content is driving their traffic.
- Stay ahead by creating better, more helpful pages.
Step 1: Use Organic Research
Start with Organic Research inside Semrush.
- Enter your domain in the search bar.
- Click the Competitors tab.
- Review the list of sites that share keywords with you.
This shows your true SEO competitors. They might not sell the same product or service, but they’re competing for the same search traffic.
Step 2: Check the New Competitors Report
Semrush has a specific report that identifies new rivals.
- Go to Organic Research.
- Click on Competitors > New Competitors Report.
- This highlights sites that recently started ranking for your shared keywords.
This is a shortcut for spotting newcomers in your niche before they get bigger.
Step 3: Run a Keyword Gap Analysis
Once you know your competitors, use the Keyword Gap Tool to compare.
- Enter your domain and up to four rivals.
- Look for Missing keywords (ones they rank for but you don’t).
- Focus on low difficulty and high volume terms to go after first.
These are your content gaps. By filling them, you can grab traffic they’re currently winning.
Step 4: Track Positions in Real Time
Next, set up Position Tracking to monitor keyword rankings.
- Add your target keywords.
- Enter your competitors’ domains.
- Choose your device (desktop or mobile) and location.
- Track daily or weekly ranking changes.
This way, you’ll know when a new competitor jumps into your keyword space, and you can react quickly.
Step 5: Analyze Competitor Traffic and Top Pages
For deeper insights, use Traffic Analytics and Top Pages.
- Traffic Analytics shows where a competitor’s traffic comes from (search, social, referrals, etc.).
- Top Pages reveals the exact pages driving the most visits.
This helps you reverse-engineer their content strategy. If one blog post drives most of their traffic, you know it’s worth creating your own version.
Step 6: Weigh the Pros and Cons
Like any tool, Semrush has its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros:
- Comprehensive competitor data.
- Real-time tracking.
- Easy to compare multiple rivals.
Cons:
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners.
- Not the cheapest option on the market.
If you’re serious about SEO growth, the pros far outweigh the cons.
Step 7: Choose the Right Plan
Semrush offers three main plans:
- Pro: Best for individuals and small websites.
- Guru: Includes content marketing features for growing businesses.
- Business: For agencies and large teams managing multiple sites.
To save money, go with the annual plan. It’s cheaper than paying month to month.
Who Should Use Semrush Competitor Analysis?
If you’re trying to grow a blog, content site, or local business in a competitive niche, Semrush is worth it. Knowing who your rivals are and what keywords they rank for gives you a clear roadmap to win more traffic.
Starting from $10.83/month (yearly)
14 Days Free-Trial
Key Features
Extensive SEO toolkit with analytics and reporting.
Keyword research, site audit, and competitor analysis tools.
Content marketing and social media management features.
Why We Recommend It
Provides a comprehensive set of tools for digital marketing.
It helps improve website visibility and search engine ranking.
Supports a wide range of marketing activities beyond SEO.
Pros & Cons
- Very detailed and comprehensive data
- Regular updates with new features and improved capabilities
- Integrates with other digital marketing tools and platforms
- It can be overwhelming for beginners
- High subscription cost for advanced features
Final Thoughts
Spotting and tracking new SEO competitors is one of the smartest ways to grow in 2025. With Semrush, you can find your real rivals, uncover content gaps, and react fast before they take over your niche.
Start by running Organic Research, check the New Competitors report, and set up Position Tracking. Repeat this process regularly, and you’ll always stay one step ahead.
