SERP Analysis
Analyze the search engine results page (SERP) for a set of target queries, capturing top competitors, ranking features, and content gaps into a structured report file.
When to use
- A content or SEO (search engine optimization) team requests a competitive gap analysis for a keyword set.
- You need to understand which content formats and features currently rank before drafting a new page.
- A campaign kickoff calls for a baseline snapshot of the competitive landscape for target queries.
- An existing report is stale and needs refreshing with current rankings.
Tools
browser-search: run each target query to surface the current SERP and identify ranking pages.browser-navigate: open each ranking result and any SERP feature (People Also Ask, featured snippet source, etc.) to inspect it directly.browser-extract: pull structured content (headings, word count signals, topics covered, schema/feature markers) from each opened page.write-file: save the compiled findings as the final SERP analysis report.
Playbook
- Confirm the query set and scope (target market, device/locale assumptions) before starting.
- For each query, run
browser-searchto capture the top-ranking organic results and any visible SERP features (featured snippets, People Also Ask, video/image packs). - For each of the top results (aim for the top 5-10 per query), use
browser-navigateto open the page. - On each opened page, use
browser-extractto capture title, headings/structure, approximate content depth, topics/subtopics covered, and any notable on-page elements (FAQs, tables, comparison charts). - Note recurring SERP features across queries (snippets, PAA, packs) and which competitors own them.
- Cross-reference extracted topics across competitors per query to identify content gaps: subtopics multiple top results cover that are candidates for inclusion, and unique angles no one has covered yet.
- Organize findings per query: ranking competitors, dominant content format, SERP features present, and the identified content gap list.
- Compile the full analysis, query by query, into a single readable report with a summary of cross-query patterns.
- Save the completed report using
write-file, then summarize the key gaps and recommended next actions via complete-task.
Failure modes
- If a search or page load returns no usable result, verify the query/URL and retry once with
browser-searchbefore skipping that query. - If a competitor page blocks or fails to load via
browser-navigate, note it as inaccessible in the report rather than fabricating its content. - If you hit repeated failures suggesting a rate limit or block, back off, continue with remaining queries, and note the gap for follow-up.
- If the SERP layout has clearly changed and extraction doesn't match expectations, fall back to a fresh
browser-searchpass to re-orient before continuing.
Done when
- A single report file exists (via
write-file) covering every query in the set with competitors, SERP features, and content gaps. - Each query section is backed by actual
browser-extractdata from navigated competitor pages, not assumptions. - The report ends with a clear, prioritized list of content gap recommendations.