How Do I Find Local Competitors’ Keywords ? (A Step-by-Step Guide)

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    Want to outrank local competitors in Google? You need to know exactly which keywords they’re using to drive traffic. Whether you're an eCommerce business or a local service provider, discovering your competitors’ keywords can reveal powerful opportunities to improve your local SEO rankings.

    In this post, we’ll show you how to find local competitors’ keywords, and how to use those insights to grow your own traffic and sales.

Why Track Your Local Competitors’ Keywords?

Before we dive into the tools and tactics, here’s why this matters:

• Understand What’s Working: See what keywords are bringing them traffic.
• Spot Missed Opportunities: Find keywords they rank for that you don’t.
• Benchmark Your Performance: Compare keyword positions and traffic potential.
• Develop Better Content: Create more targeted landing pages and blog content.

 
How to Find Local Competitors’ Keywords – Step by Step

1. Identify Your Real Local Competitors

You’re not just competing with global brands—you’re competing with local businesses in your area, both online and offline.

How to Find Them:
    Google search your target keywords (e.g., “buy office chairs in Houston”)
    Look at the Google Map Pack and organic results
    List the top 5–10 businesses ranking above or near you

Pro Tip: Don’t just look at businesses exactly like yours—include marketplaces, niche players, and top local stores.

2. Use SEO Tools to Spy on Their Keywords

Use SEO tools that can analyze competitor domains and URLs for keyword data.

Recommended Tools:
Tool    ----    What It Does
Ahrefs    ----    Shows organic keywords, backlinks, and traffic value
SEMrush    ----    Tracks keywords, positions, and local competitors
Ubersuggest    ----    Budget-friendly keyword spying
SpyFu    ----    Great for seeing what keywords competitors buy and rank for
Google Keyword Planner    ----    Get keyword ideas by entering a competitor URL

What to Look For:
    High-ranking keywords
    Local intent keywords (city names, “near me” terms)
    Keywords with strong buyer intent
    Gaps where you don’t rank but they do
    
3. Check Competitor Pages Manually

Visit their top pages (especially local landing pages, product pages, and blogs).

Look at:
    Page titles and meta descriptions
    H1s and subheadings
    Product descriptions
    Internal links
    Image alt text

Note down any recurring location-based phrases (e.g., “custom t-shirts Chicago,” “same-day delivery in Phoenix”).

4. Use Google SERP Features

Search your main keywords and study:
    People Also Ask: Shows related questions your audience may search
    Related Searches: Great for long-tail local variations
    Auto-suggest: Type keywords slowly in Google and see suggestions

These often show local phrasing your competitors may target that you’re missing.

5. Analyze Their Google Business Profiles

Competitors’ Google Business Profiles are keyword-rich and easy to audit.

Check:
    Business description: Do they include keywords like city names or services?
    Reviews: Customers often mention products + location (e.g., “best shoes in Austin”)
    Posts: Google Posts often highlight seasonal keywords or promotions

6. Explore Local Directories and Citations

Sites like Yelp, YellowPages, and other local directories often show what keywords your competitors use in their descriptions or tags.

Search:
    Their business name on Yelp or a local directory
    Keywords in their tags or categories
    User reviews that mention keywords or product features
    
How to Use This Keyword Data to Boost Your SEO

Once you have a list of competitor keywords, here’s what to do with it:

➤ Create Local Landing Pages
If a competitor ranks for “outdoor furniture Tampa,” build your own localized page around that term.

➤ Improve Product Descriptions
Sprinkle relevant location-based keywords throughout your product listings.

➤ Write Local Blog Posts
Create blog content based on question-based keywords or long-tail local phrases you discovered.

➤ Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Update your GBP with the right keywords in your description, services, and posts.

Final Thoughts
Tracking local competitors’ keywords isn’t just spying—it’s smart strategy. It shows you what’s working, what’s missing, and how you can climb the local rankings. By combining smart tools with manual analysis, you’ll gain a clear roadmap to beat the competition in local SEO.