In today’s hyper-competitive local markets, businesses are not just fighting for foot traffic—they’re competing fiercely for online visibility. And when it comes to local SEO, understanding your competition is no longer optional—it’s essential.
If your competitors are ranking above you on Google Maps or in local search results, they’re getting more traffic, more clicks, and ultimately, more business. But here’s the good news: with a well-structured local SEO competitor analysis, you can identify gaps, build smarter strategies, and dominate your niche.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how to analyze your local SEO competitors—and how we can help you gain the competitive advantage you need.
Why Competitor Analysis is Crucial in Local SEO
Unlike traditional SEO, local SEO focuses on location-based search visibility, which means you’re often competing within a limited geographic area. That narrows the battlefield but intensifies the competition.
With a thorough competitor analysis, you can:
- Discover what’s working for top-performing competitors.
- Identify local SEO gaps you can capitalize on.
- Build tailored strategies that outshine your rivals.
Step-by-Step: How to Perform Competitor Analysis for Local SEO
1. Identify Your True Local Online Competitors
Not all offline competitors are your digital rivals. A competitor might rank well online without even being on your radar.
Pro Tip: Use tools like SEMrush, or Ahrefs, to find which domains are competing for the same keywords in your area.
You can also manually search your targeted keywords in incognito mode on Google to see the top-ranking local businesses and directories.
2. Audit Their On-Page SEO
- Analyze keyword usage in their titles, headings, URLs, and meta descriptions.
- Look for local landing pages targeting neighbourhoods or specific suburbs.
- Review their structured data/schema markup using Google’s Rich Results Test.
Ask yourself:
- Are they using location-based content smartly?
- Is their mobile experience smooth and fast (test with Google PageSpeed Insights)?
3. Examine Their Google Business Profile (GBP)
The GBP is critical for local pack rankings. Your competitor’s listing is a goldmine for insight.
Check for:
- Primary & secondary categories used.
- Frequency and quality of posts.
- Number and quality of photos.
- Q&A and response times to reviews.
According to BrightLocal, GBP optimisation is still the #1 ranking factor in local SEO.
4. Local Citations and NAP Consistency
Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) need to be consistent across local directories.
Use:
- Whitespark
- Moz Local
Check where competitors are listed and whether their NAP is consistent across:
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- JustDial
- Foursquare
- Apple Maps, etc.
Inconsistent citations = ranking drops.
5. Backlink Profile Analysis
Backlinks from local sources (blogs, media, associations) build authority.
Look at:
- Local news outlets.
- Chamber of Commerce listings.
- Local blogs.
- Industry-specific directories.
Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to find your competitor’s backlink sources and replicate high-value ones.
6. Review and Reputation Strategy
Reviews are a huge trust signal.
Review your competitors:
- Number of reviews.
- Star ratings.
- Recency and frequency.
- How they respond to both praise and complaints.
Pro Tip: Businesses with more than 50+ recent Google reviews have significantly higher CTR and conversion rates.
7. Analyze Their Local Content Strategy
The kind of content your competitors publish speaks volumes.
They might be producing:
- Blogs on local events.
- Customer stories.
- “Best of [city]” guides.
- Local news and FAQs.
If they aren’t, you should.
Action tip: Create hyperlocal content like:
- “Top 5 cafes near Connaught Place”
- “Best digital marketing strategies for Delhi NCR startups”
Strategies to Gain an Edge
Identify Gaps & Weaknesses
Where are your competitors underperforming?
- No blogs?
- Weak backlinks?
- Poor GBP optimization?
Prioritise these areas and capitalise.
Reverse Engineer What Works
Don’t just copy. Understand why it works and improve it.
Example:
If your competitor is ranking with a 500-word blog on “Digital Marketing in Gurugram,” create a 1,200-word authoritative guide with original data and visuals.
Build Local Partnerships
Collaborate with local vendors, influencers, and organizations for:
- Guest posts.
- Local backlinking.
- Cross-promotion.
Monitor & Adapt
Local SEO is not a “set it and forget it” game.
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console
- RankMath
- BrightLocal Local Rank Tracker
Keep track of competitor movements and algorithm shifts.
Tools to Use for Local SEO Competitor Analysis
- SEMrush (Competitor audit & keyword gap)
- Ahrefs (Backlink checker)
- BrightLocal (Citation tracker, review monitor)
- Google Business Profile Insights
- Google PageSpeed Insights
Final Thoughts
Competitor analysis is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process that fuels a smarter local SEO campaign.
By identifying what’s working for others, where the gaps are, and how to outdo them, DeroDigital helps you drive visibility, leads, and local dominance.
Ready to outrank your competitors and grow locally?
Contact us for a Free Local SEO Audit now!
References to Build EEAT:
https://moz.com/learn/seo/local-ranking-factors
https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-search-industry-survey/
https://ahrefs.com/blog/local-seo/
https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091