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How to Do a Competitor Citation Gap Analysis

A competitor gap analysis finds every citation source your competitors have that you don't — then you go get listed there too. Here's the exact process.

3 hoursIntermediate

What is a Competitor Citation Gap?

A citation gap is a directory where your competitor appears but you do not. Every gap is a missed opportunity for AI engines to find and cite your business.

The Gap Analysis Process

  1. Identify your top 3 competitors by running AI prompts and noting who appears most
  2. Search for each competitor's name in quotes on Google to find all their listings
  3. Do the same search for your business
  4. Create a spreadsheet: Directory | Competitor listed? | You listed?
  5. Every row where competitors are listed but you are not is a gap to close

Tracking Progress

A healthy citation growth rate is 5-10 new citations per month. Check your citation count monthly and compare to competitors quarterly.

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