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How to create content gap analysis on Semrush

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-30
Quick Answer

Content gap analysis in Semrush helps identify keywords your competitors rank for but you don't. Use the Content Gap tool under Competitive Research to compare your domain against up to 4 competitors and discover untapped keyword opportunities.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Semrush subscription
  • List of competitor domains
  • Your website domain
  • Basic understanding of keyword research

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access the Content Gap Tool

Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Competitive Research in the left sidebar. Click on Content Gap from the dropdown menu. This tool is located under the organic research section.
The Content Gap tool is available for paid Semrush plans only
2

Enter Your Domain

In the main search bar at the top, enter your website domain (e.g., yourwebsite.com). Select your target country from the dropdown menu next to the search bar. Click Search to proceed to the analysis setup.
Make sure to use the exact domain format without https:// or www prefixes
3

Add Competitor Domains

In the competitor section, add up to 4 competitor domains by typing them into the Add competitor fields. You can use the Find competitors button to automatically discover competitors, or manually enter known competitor URLs. Ensure all competitors are in the same geographic market.
Choose competitors that are similar in size and target audience for more relevant results
4

Configure Analysis Settings

Set your analysis parameters by selecting:
  • Keywords in common: Choose how many competitors should rank for the keyword (1-4)
  • Keyword difficulty: Set minimum and maximum KD% values
  • Search volume: Define minimum monthly search volume
  • Position: Filter by competitor ranking positions (1-100)
Start with broader filters and narrow down based on your content capacity and SEO goals
5

Generate and Review Results

Click Search to generate your content gap analysis. The results will show keywords where your competitors rank but you don't, organized by:
  • Missing: Keywords competitors rank for but you don't
  • Weak: Keywords where competitors outrank you significantly
  • Strong: Keywords where you outperform competitors
  • Untapped: High-opportunity keywords with low competition
Focus on the 'Missing' and 'Untapped' tabs for the highest-impact content opportunities
6

Analyze Keyword Opportunities

Review each keyword's metrics including Volume, KD% (Keyword Difficulty), CPC, and SERP Features. Click on individual keywords to see which competitors rank for them and their positions. Use the Intent column to understand search intent (informational, commercial, transactional).
Prioritize keywords with high volume, low difficulty, and intent that matches your content strategy
7

Export and Prioritize Keywords

Select relevant keywords using the checkboxes and click Add to Keyword Manager or Export to download as CSV/Excel. Create keyword clusters based on topic relevance and search intent. Use the Send to feature to export keywords directly to other Semrush tools like Position Tracking or Keyword Manager.
Group keywords by content themes to plan comprehensive topic clusters rather than individual keyword-focused pages
8

Create Content Strategy

Develop content pieces targeting your prioritized gap keywords. Use Topic Research and SEO Content Template tools in Semrush to create detailed content briefs. Set up tracking for your target keywords in Position Tracking to monitor progress as you publish new content.
Schedule regular content gap analyses (monthly or quarterly) to stay ahead of competitor content strategies

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

No results showing in Content Gap analysis

Verify that your domain and competitors are entered correctly without www or https prefixes. Ensure you're analyzing domains in the same country/language and broaden your filter settings (increase position range to 1-100, lower minimum search volume).

Competitor domains not found or showing limited data

Check that competitor domains have sufficient organic traffic and rankings. Semrush requires domains to have ranking keywords in their database. Try using the Find competitors feature to identify domains with better data coverage.

Too many irrelevant keywords in results

Narrow your filters by increasing minimum search volume, setting stricter keyword difficulty ranges, or using negative keywords. Focus on competitors that are more closely aligned with your niche and business model.

Cannot export or save keyword lists

Ensure you have sufficient export credits in your Semrush plan. Try reducing the number of selected keywords or upgrade your subscription plan. Use the Keyword Manager tool to save keywords if export limits are reached.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Semrush website before purchasing.
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