How to Use Semrush for Market Research

Market research is a vital component to success in business, and as such, some companies spend millions of dollars each year on it.

However, market research doesn't have to be so expensive.

In fact, Semrush provides plenty of useful tools for free.

Below, we'll show you five simple ways to use Semrush for market research.

1. Analyze Competitors 

With Semrush traffic analytics tools, you can compare data for multiple domains.

For example, here's how Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok compare in terms of monthly visits:

And here's how those social media platforms compare in terms of traffic channels:

The Semrush Traffic Journey chart shows where site visitors are coming from and where they go next. 

It provides insight into both top sources and top destinations. Interestingly, twitter.com, facebook.com, and instagram.com each appear as top destinations for their competitors.

Under Traffic Analytics, it is also possible to compare international traffic.

As can be seen below, TikTok gets 22.48% of its traffic from the US. Facebook has a higher raw number of US visitors, but the percentage is slightly lower (22.02%). 

2. Track Organic Data

The Semrush organic research tab is the ideal starting point for organic keyword analysis. Results can be filtered by country for more in-depth regional insight.

Here, you can view the number of keywords bringing users to a given domain over time.

Alongside this, Semrush provides useful context for possible changes.

Keywords can be looked at individually and even sorted by intent for a deeper understanding of what users are searching for.

And SERP features can also be looked at in more detail.

3. Search for Keyword Gaps

Domains can be compared to uncover valuable information using Semrush's keyword gap tab.

For example, searches for "badminton shoes" and "black compression shirt" are key areas in which Adidas is missing out on traffic to their biggest competitors.

This can be explored further with data on rankings available.

Strong-performing keywords can also be highlighted and compared. Looking at the table below, it's clear that shoes are producing comparatively favorable results for Adidas.

4. Audience Overlap

Part of its Traffic & Market suite of tools, Semrush also offers a really helpful Audience Overlap tool.

This allows you to compare the crossover between your brand and competitors.

Once you've found this overlapping audience, you can even see which other domains they have visited. 

And you can perform the same analysis on the other segments of the Venn diagram. For example, here's a list of domains commonly accessed by visitors to hm.com, but not zara.com:

You can filter these results by industry too. Zara.com and hm.com are fashion retailers, but you can analyze where their overlapping audience likes to shop for beauty and cosmetics.

5. Combining Semrush With Other Market Research Tools

Semrush offers plenty of helpful resources for market research.

Yet combining it with Exploding Topics can help take your market research to the next level.

Exploding Topics scans through millions of websites, social feeds, and e-commerce searches to identify growing trends. Trends are then vetted by a team of experts.

Alongside Semrush, Exploding Topics can supplement deep market research.

Effortless Market Research 

In the Exploding Topics trends database, popular searches can be sorted by category. Other metrics can be adjusted to refine results, including timeframe, discovery date, and search volume.

Pro members receive access to curated reports as well as weekly newsletters featuring commentary from trend experts.

Deeper Trend Analysis with Meta Trends

Exploding Topics' meta trends helps you uncover data-packed deep dives into macro trends behind product growth.

Discover Rising Stars

The library for trending startups displays search interest and funding data for increasingly popular new companies.

More Control with a Flexible API

Use the flexible Exploding Topics REST API to retrieve topic data found in real-time.

• Build your own application to get topic growth volume by the hour or minute
• Quickly share reports and Exploding Topic findings with your team members
• Enable workflows or notifications when we find an “Exploding” topic

Maximize Market Research with Semrush and Exploding Topics

Semrush is an effective, user-friendly tool that makes it easy to find actionable market insights.

Paired with Exploding Topics, it’s a powerful way to uncover emerging trends and conduct advanced market research.

This combination offers deep visibility into market changes, helping you capture new opportunities before your competitors.

For a closer look, sign up for Semrush Pro and try Exploding Topics Pro here.