What is an SEO Competitor Analysis Template?

An SEO competitor analysis template is a structured framework—typically a downloadable spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel), database, or dashboard—that helps you systematically evaluate your competitors' SEO performance. It guides you through collecting and comparing key metrics like:

• Keywords: Gaps, rankings, search volume.
• Content: Top pages, quality, user intent.
• Backlinks: Profiles, sources, authority.
• Technical SEO: Site speed, structure, traffic estimates.
• Other: Social engagement, SERP features.

The goal is to identify opportunities (e.g., low-competition keywords) and weaknesses in rivals' strategies to inform your own site improvements. Templates save time by providing pre-built sections for data input from tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console.

These are platform-agnostic, so they work perfectly for WordPress sites. Pair them with WP plugins like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or AIOSEO for on-site data export.

Recommended Free Templates

Here are the top free options based on recent resources (updated as of 2026). All are adaptable for WordPress—no WP-specific templates exist, but WP users can easily input data from plugins or free tools like Google Analytics.

1. Moz SEO Competitor Analysis Spreadsheet (Best Overall for Beginners)

• Link: Download here
• Format: Google Sheets/Excel.
• Sections: Competitors list, SEO metrics comparison, keyword gaps, top content, backlink sources.
• Pros: Step-by-step guide (identify competitors → keyword gaps → SERP intent → content/backlink analysis); fully customizable; no sign-up.
• Cons: Manual data entry (use free tools like Google Keyword Planner).
• WP Fit: Export WP keyword data from Rank Math or GSC.

2. Stackby SEO Competitor Analysis Template (Best for Automation)

• Link: Access here (Free sign-up required).
• Format: Collaborative database with tables, checklists, and views.
• Sections: Website structure/keywords/content/backlinks, rankings, traffic, social metrics, competitive matrix.
• Pros: Ahrefs API integration for auto-sync (if you have Ahrefs); real-time collaboration; filters for deep dives.
• Cons: Full automation needs paid Ahrefs (~$19/mo); basic version is manual.
• WP Fit: Great for tracking WP site vs. rivals; add WP plugin exports.

3. Gray Dot Co Competitor Templates (Best for Backlinks & Dashboards)

• Link: Full list here
• Formats: Google Sheets (e.g., Competitor Backlink Analysis, SEO Investment Competitor Dashboard).
• Sections: Backlink profiles, investment benchmarks, Core Web Vitals comparisons.
• Pros: No email/sign-up; multiple focused templates; instructions included.
• Cons: Narrower scope (pair with others for full analysis).
• WP Fit: Ideal with WP's built-in GSC integration for backlink/traffic data.

4. Inflow Free SEO Competitor Analysis Template

• Link: Download here
• Format: Spreadsheet (likely Google Sheets).
• Sections: Performance tracking, strategy improvements.
• Pros: Simple, report-ready; e-commerce focused but versatile.
• Cons: Less detailed than Moz (fewer sections).
• WP Fit: Quick for WooCommerce WP sites.

Paid Alternatives: Semrush My Reports (custom dashboards, ~$129/mo) or Ahrefs templates (integrated tools).

WordPress-Specific Tips

• Plugins for Data: Use GetGenie (free tier for H2H competitor analysis/SERP) or AIOSEO (competitor keyword tools, 3M+ installs) to feed data into templates.
• No Dedicated WP Template: Searches show checklists/plugins (e.g., Rank Math SEO checklist), but use general ones + WP's XML sitemaps/export features.
• Workflow: 1) Install Yoast/Rank Math. 2) Pull competitor data via free Ubersuggest/SEMrush trials. 3) Plug into template.

Start with Moz—it's the most comprehensive free option.

What niche or keywords are you targeting? Do you prefer Google Sheets, dashboards, or plugin integrations? Any budget for tools like Ahrefs? Let me know for more tailored recs!

An SEO competitor analysis template is a structured document (typically a spreadsheet or dashboard) used to compare your website’s search performance against your top rivals. It serves as a roadmap to identify "gaps" in your strategy—specifically keywords you aren't targeting, backlinks you're missing, and content types that are working for others.

For WordPress sites, you have two primary options: using external spreadsheet templates (best for deep research) or WordPress-integrated plugins (best for ongoing monitoring).

1. External Templates (Google Sheets/Excel)

These are best if you want to perform a manual, in-depth audit. They usually require you to pull data from tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Moz and paste it into the template for comparison.

• Moz’s Competitor Analysis Template: A popular, free Google Sheet that focuses on domain authority, keyword gaps, and top-performing content.
  • Where to find it: Moz SEO Competitor Analysis Guide
• HubSpot’s Competitive Analysis Template: A professional-grade Excel/Google Sheets file that includes a SWOT analysis section (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
  • Where to find it: HubSpot Marketing Resources
• Notion SEO Competitor Tracker: If you use Notion, there are several community templates that allow you to track competitor movements and content updates in a more visual way.
  • Where to find it: Search the Notion Template Gallery.

2. WordPress-Integrated Solutions (Plugins)

If you want to perform competitor analysis directly from your WordPress dashboard, these plugins offer built-in "mini-templates" and reporting tools.

• All in One SEO (AIOSEO):
  • Feature: Includes an "SEO Analysis" tool where you can enter a competitor’s URL.
  • What it tracks: It gives you an audit score of their site, showing their title tags, meta descriptions, and technical performance so you can replicate their setup.
• SEOPress (with SEOPress Insights):
  • Feature: SEOPress Insights is an add-on specifically designed for "off-site" SEO.
  • What it tracks: It monitors your competitors' keyword rankings and backlink profiles directly inside your WordPress admin area.
• Rank Math:
  • Feature: Uses its "Content AI" and SEO Analyzer.
  • What it tracks: While it doesn't offer a traditional spreadsheet, its analyzer compares your page’s SEO against top-ranking results for your target keyword to suggest improvements.
• ManageWP:
  • Feature: An "SEO Ranking" add-on.
  • What it tracks: If you manage multiple WordPress sites, this tool provides a dedicated tab to compare your keyword rankings against specific competitors over time.

Which should you choose?

Pro Tip: For a WordPress site, start by using AIOSEO’s free analyzer to look at 2-3 competitors. If you find you need more data, download the Moz spreadsheet and use a free tool like Ubersuggest to fill in the keyword data.

Are you looking to compare a specific number of competitors, or are you trying to find which keywords you are currently missing out on?