Content Gap Analysis — Phase 5

Executive Summary

Content gap analysis is the systematic identification of topics, formats, and pages that competitors have and your client doesn't — or where competitors outperform significantly in depth. In 2025, content gaps operate on 3 layers: (1) keyword gaps (traditional — competitor ranks for keyword, client doesn't); (2) topical cluster gaps (competitor has full pillar+cluster architecture on a service, client has one thin page); (3) AI visibility gaps (competitor's content is cited in AI Overviews or by ChatGPT/Perplexity, client's isn't). The third layer is new in 2025 and often the highest-value gap: AI Overviews appear for 20–35% of queries, and being excluded from AIO = losing 30–45% of potential CTR on those queries (Dataslayer 2025). FAQPage schema is the single highest-leverage fix: sites with FAQPage are cited in AIO at 3.2× the rate of pages without it (Amsive 2025).

2025 content gap benchmarks:

• AIO content gap: if competitor appears in AIO for core service queries and client doesn't — highest priority gap
• Format gaps: competitor has video (VideoObject schema), FAQ (FAQPage), HowTo (HowToSchema) — client has text only
• Cluster completeness threshold: competitor at 10+ pages per service cluster vs. client at 1–3 pages = full cluster gap
• Word count gap: competitor pillar page 3,000+ words vs. client 800 words = depth gap (flagged as High priority)
• INP gap: competitor pages INP <200ms vs. client >500ms = UX gap that affects rankings and AIO eligibility
• Freshness gap: competitor pillar updated in last 30 days vs. client not updated in 12+ months = AI citation disadvantage (76.4% freshness advantage)

Numbered Action Plan:

Immediate (Week 1, No New Content)

1. Run Ahrefs Content Gap — Competitive Analysis → Content Gap → enter client domain + 3 competitors → export all "Missing" keywords (all competitors rank, client doesn't). Sort by traffic value. Effort: 1 hr. Priority: 25 (5×5).
2. Run SEMrush Keyword Gap — apply Intent filter: Missing + Informational = missing educational content; Missing + Commercial = missing comparison pages. Focus: KD ≤40 + Volume ≥100/month. Effort: 30 min.
3. Map AIO citation gaps — for each main service keyword: check if AI Overviews appear (search in Chrome incognito). Is client cited? Which competitors are? Each uncited service = AIO content gap. Effort: 30 min.
4. Audit format gaps — check if competitors have: FAQPage schema (use Google Rich Results Test), HowTo schema, VideoObject (embedded video), price comparison tables, local stats. Effort: 20 min/competitor.
5. Cluster completeness audit — for each service topic: count client pages vs. competitor pages. Any cluster where competitor has 5+ pages and client has <2 = full cluster gap (Critical). Effort: 30 min.

Short-Term (Week 2–4)

6. Add FAQPage schema to all existing service pages — highest ROI fix: 3.2× AIO citation rate, minimal effort. Add 5 FAQ minimum per page, answers ≤50 words. Effort: 30 min/page. Priority: 20.
7. Create missing comparison/alternative pages — "X vs. Y in [city]", "Best [service] [city]" — competitor ranks, client doesn't. Effort: 2–3 hrs/page.
8. Build pillar pages for full cluster gaps — where competitor has full 10+ page cluster and client has nothing: create pillar page first (3,000+ words, Surfer Score ≥80), then build 3–5 cluster pages. Effort: 8–12 hrs/pillar.
9. Add HowTo schema to all process pages — "How to [service]", "How to fix [problem]" pages without HowTo schema = missed AIO + featured snippet opportunity. Effort: 30 min/page.
10. Fill PAA question gaps — AlsoAsked.com for each service → identify top 10 PAA questions → add unanswered ones as FAQ entries on relevant pages. Effort: 1–2 hrs. Expected: PAA box wins + AIO citations.

Output files:

• {AUDIT_DIR}/content-gaps.md — gap analysis with priority matrix
• {REPORTS_DIR}/phase-5-content-gaps.pdf — auto-generated PDF after phase completes

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Step 1: Read Project Context

Read {AUDIT_DIR}/intake-data.md — business name, services, location, goals. Read {AUDIT_DIR}/content-inventory.md — what client currently has (page list + word counts). Read {AUDIT_DIR}/competitor-profiles.md — competitor content strategies and page counts.

Tools for this phase:

Tool	Purpose	Cost
Ahrefs Content Gap	Shows keywords competitors rank for that client doesn't — by topic cluster	Paid
SEMrush Keyword Gap	Side-by-side keyword comparison with traffic estimates	Paid
BuzzSumo	Identify top-performing competitor content by shares and backlinks	Paid
AlsoAsked.com	PAA-based question mapping — identify unanswered questions per topic	Freemium
AnswerThePublic	Visualize question clusters around service topics	Freemium
Google PAA boxes	Live "People Also Ask" questions — free, real-time	Free
Google Search	Manual SERP analysis per topic — identify AIO presence	Free
Google Search Console	Which queries get impressions but poor CTR — existing gap opportunities	Free

2025 Content Gap Context:

• AI Overviews (AIO) now appear for ~20–35% of local service queries — content gaps aren't just "not ranking" but "not cited by AI"
• FAQPage schema + direct standalone answers = primary AIO citation trigger → each identified gap should consider AIO optimization
• Google's Helpful Content System penalizes thin coverage of many topics — better to dominate 3 clusters than lightly cover 10

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Section 1: Topic Gaps vs. Competitors

Use Ahrefs Content Gap (enter client vs. top 3 competitors):

Table-Stakes Gaps (All Competitors Cover, Client Doesn't)

Topics all top competitors rank for = table stakes. Missing these = immediate priority:

Topic/Keyword	Comp 1 Rank	Comp 2 Rank	Comp 3 Rank	Client Rank	Monthly Volume	Priority
[topic]	P[X]	P[X]	P[X]	Not ranking	[est.]	Critical
[topic]	P[X]	P[X]	P[X]	Not ranking	[est.]	High

Advantage Topics (Only Leader Covers)

Topics only the #1-ranking competitor addresses = replication opportunity:

Topic	Competitor	Comp URL	Page Type	Est. Volume	Opportunity
[topic]	[comp]	[url]	Blog/Service/FAQ	[vol]	High/Med

Competitor-Specific Content Audits

For each competitor (from competitor-profiles.md), list their top 10 pages by traffic (Ahrefs → Organic Pages):

Competitor	Top Content	Traffic/Month	Content Type	Client Equivalent?
Comp 1	[page title]	[est.]	Pillar/Blog	Yes/No
Comp 2	[page title]	[est.]	Service/FAQ	Yes/No

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Section 2: Content Format Gaps

Beyond topics — are the right content FORMATS missing? Identified from competitor analysis:

Format	Client Has?	Competitors Have?	AIO Eligible?	Impact	Priority
"How much does [service] cost in [city]?" pricing guide	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	High
"[Service A] vs. [Service B]" comparison page	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	High
"Signs you need [service]" diagnostic guide	Yes/No	Yes/No	Medium	Medium
"DIY vs. Professional [service]" guide	Yes/No	Yes/No	Medium	Medium
"[Service] process: step-by-step" explainer	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	High
"How long does [service] take?" FAQ	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	Medium
"Emergency [service] [city]" — intent page	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	Critical
Local guide: "Complete guide to [service] in [city]"	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	High
"Best [service] in [city]" owned list (client-authored)	Yes/No	Yes/No	High	High
Seasonal: "[service] in winter/summer"	Yes/No	Yes/No	Low	Low
Video: before/after showing [service]	Yes/No	Yes/No	Medium	High

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Section 3: Golden Opportunities (Blue Ocean)

Topics with Real Demand + No Strong Competitor Coverage

Identify through: low-KD keywords in Ahrefs, PAA questions with poor answers, AlsoAsked.com questions with no direct client/competitor content:

Topic/Question	Search Volume	KD (1-100)	Best Existing Answer	Quality Gap	Opportunity
[topic]	[vol]	[KD]	[site.com]	Poor/Fair	Win featured snippet

Rising Trends (Emerging Demand)

Use Google Trends + Ahrefs Explorer → filter for growing keywords:

Emerging Topic	Trend Direction	Current Volume	Projected Volume	First-Mover Opportunity
[topic]	Rising ↑	[vol]	[proj.]	High/Medium

Unanswered PAA Questions

For target keywords, check PAA boxes — identify questions where no result fully satisfies:

Question	Source	Current Answer Quality	Content Type Needed	AIO Priority
[question]	Google PAA	Poor/Fair	FAQ + HowTo schema	High/Med

Unowned Featured Snippets

Use Ahrefs → SERP Features → filter for "Featured Snippet" in keywords client doesn't own:

Query	Current Snippet Owner	Snippet Quality	Win Strategy	Effort
[query]	[site]	Thin	Direct answer + table/list	1–2 hrs

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Section 4: AI Overview Gap Analysis (2025 Critical)

AIO appears for 20–35% of local service queries. Being absent from AIO = invisible to AI-first searchers.

For top 30 target keywords, test AIO presence:

Keyword	AIO Appears?	Client Cited in AIO?	AIO Format	Content Fix Needed
[keyword]	Yes/No	Yes/No	List/Paragraph/Table	FAQPage + direct answer

AIO content requirements to win citation:

1. Direct standalone answer in first 50 words of the page
2. FAQPage schema with question/answer matching the AIO query pattern
3. Business rated ≥4.3 stars (review signal for local AIO)
4. Content updated within 90 days (freshness = AIO citation bias)
5. HowTo schema for process-based queries

AIO Gap Summary:

Service Cluster	AIO Appears?	Client Cited?	Pages Needed
[service 1]	Yes for X/10 queries	No	[specific pages]

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Section 5: Existing Page Improvement Opportunities

Don't just create new content — improving existing pages often delivers results in 2–4 weeks vs. 3–6 months for new pages.

Position 4–10 Quick Wins (High Priority — Low Competition)

From GSC + Ahrefs → Organic Keywords → filter for positions 4–10:

Page	Current Position	Target Keyword	Monthly Volume	Action	Effort
[URL]	5	[keyword]	[vol]	Add FAQ section + schema	1–2 hrs
[URL]	8	[keyword]	[vol]	Add 500 words + internal links	2–3 hrs

Position 11–20 Opportunities (Page 2 → Page 1)

From GSC → filter positions 11–20 for high-volume keywords:

Page	Position	Keyword	Volume	Action	Effort
[URL]	13	[keyword]	[vol]	Expand + earn 3 links	3–5 hrs + link

High Impressions / Low CTR (GSC)

Pages generating many impressions but <2% CTR → title/meta problem, not ranking problem:

Page	Impressions/Month	CTR	Position	Recommended Title	Effort
[URL]	[X]	[X%]	[pos]	[new title — add emotional trigger]	15 min

Content Decay — Declining Pages (>20% YoY impressions drop)

From GSC YoY comparison:

Page	Prior Clicks	Current Clicks	YoY Change	Action	Priority
[URL]	[X]	[Y]	-[%]	Refresh stats/examples + schema	Critical if >50%

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Section 6: Local Content Gaps

Location-specific content gaps often have lower competition and high conversion intent.

City/Neighborhood Content Missing (Service × Location Matrix)

	[City 1]	[City 2]	[Neighborhood 1]	[Neighborhood 2]
[Service A]	✅	❌	❌	❌
[Service B]	✅	✅	❌	❌
[Service C]	❌	❌	❌	❌

Priority: red cells with highest population/search density first.

Emergency + High-Intent Local Gaps

Query Pattern	Volume	Client Page?	Action
"Emergency [service] [city]"	[vol]	Yes/No	Create dedicated emergency page
"[service] open now [city]"	[vol]	Yes/No	Add hours + GBP service markup
"Same day [service] [city]"	[vol]	Yes/No	Create/optimize service page
"24 hour [service] [city]"	[vol]	Yes/No	Create/optimize service page

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Section 7: Content Gap Priority Matrix

Score all identified gaps. Build/improve the highest-priority first:

Gap	Content Type	Est. Monthly Traffic	Competition (KD)	Time to Rank	Impact (1–5)	Feasibility (1–5)	Priority	Effort
[table-stakes topic]	Blog post	[vol]	Low (<20)	1–3 months	4	4	16	4–6 hrs
[missing service page]	Service page	[vol]	Medium (20–50)	2–4 months	5	4	20	6–10 hrs
[unowned snippet]	FAQ section	[vol]	Low	2–8 weeks	4	5	20	1–2 hrs
[AIO gap]	FAQ + schema	[vol]	N/A	2–6 weeks	5	5	25	1–2 hrs
[P4–10 quick win]	Expand existing	[vol]	Low	2–4 weeks	4	5	20	1–2 hrs

Top 10 Priority Content Pieces (ordered by Priority Score):

1. [Content title] — [keyword] — [format] — [est. traffic] — Effort: [X hrs]
2. [Content title] — [keyword] — [format] — [est. traffic] — Effort: [X hrs]
3. [Content title] — [keyword] — [format] — [est. traffic] — Effort: [X hrs]
4. [Content title] — [keyword] — [format] — [est. traffic] — Effort: [X hrs]
5. [Content title] — [keyword] — [format] — [est. traffic] — Effort: [X hrs]

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Output

Write complete findings to {AUDIT_DIR}/content-gaps.md with YAML frontmatter:

---
skill: research/content-gaps
phase: 5
date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
business: [Business Name]
url: [URL]
score: [X/100]
gaps_identified: [X]
quick_wins: [X]
aio_gaps: [X]
table_stakes_missing: [X]
---

Include:

• Score X/100 with gap severity breakdown
• Topic gaps table (all 3 competitors vs. client)
• Content format gaps checklist
• Golden opportunities list (blue ocean + PAA + snippets)
• AIO gap analysis table (30 target keywords)
• Existing page improvement opportunities (P4-10 quick wins)
• Local content matrix (service × location)
• Priority matrix (all gaps, Impact × Feasibility scored)
• Top 10 priority content pieces with effort estimates

Key consumers:

• research/keyword-gaps — keyword mapping for identified content gap topics
• research/topical-gaps — maps gaps to topical authority structure
• output/report-generation — feeds quick wins and 30/90-day content plans