Competitor Visibility Scan

Extended definition

Competitor Visibility Scans measure how your top competitors perform across the same AI engines and query sets you're targeting. This comparative analysis reveals: relative citation share, topics where competitors dominate, engines where they're strongest, content types they use successfully, and entity recognition quality differences. The scan identifies threats (where are they winning?) and opportunities (where are they weak?). It also reveals market saturation levels—if top 3 competitors collectively hold 89% citation share, you face a different challenge than if it's fragmented across 20 players.

Why this matters for AI search visibility

AI visibility is zero-sum in the short term—citations going to competitors don't go to you. Understanding competitive positioning reveals whether you're fighting for scraps or have clear paths to leadership. Scans also prevent wasted effort: if a competitor has overwhelming authority in a topic, frontal assault may fail while flanking through adjacent topics succeeds. For boards and executives, competitive scans provide context—'we're #3 in AI visibility with 19% share, up from #7 with 4%'—that frames progress meaningfully.

Practical examples

• A competitive scan reveals #1 competitor holds 41% citation share across core topics, but zero visibility in emerging adjacent topics, identifying expansion opportunity
• Analysis shows competitors winning through structured comparison tables, informing immediate content format changes
• Scan identifies a smaller competitor with 67% citation share in one high-value niche, revealing an overlooked threat requiring response