How to Recover from an Algorithm Update with a Competitor Gap Analysis
When Google updates hit your rankings, use our competitor gap template to find and fix weaknesses fast.
Every algorithm update feels like a punch. But instead of panicking, run a competitor gap analysis to see exactly where you're losing ground.
Start by picking 3-5 competitors that gained visibility after the update. Use our template to list the keywords they rank for that you don't. Then categorize each keyword by intent: informational, commercial, navigational, transactional.
Focus on commercial-intent gaps first — those are the keywords driving revenue. Create content that fills those gaps, or optimize existing pages to target them better.
One client did this after the March 2024 core update and recovered 80% of lost traffic in six weeks. The key is speed: use the template to finish the analysis in one day.