How to Use a SERP Checker to Optimize Your Content

A SERP Checker provides detailed data on page- and domain-level performance and shows how your content is performing within a target keyword set.

In other words, it gives you a clear edge in positioning your website for optimal visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs).

This analysis goes beyond what manual searches can provide. The SERP checker tool reveals hidden data like:

• Authority Scores that indicate the overall trustworthiness of your site
• Backlink profiles to show what sites are linking to yours
• An approximation of traffic from organic sources

This information is invaluable for understanding how to improve your website’s ranking in the SERPs.

Checking SERPs: A Walkthrough

Here’s how to use a SERP Checker to get actionable insights and strategic adjustments to your SEO plan.

1. URL-Level Metrics

These metrics assess the strengths of individual pages that are ranking.

Acquiring this data is critical for understanding what makes top-ranking pages competitive:

• Authority Score: Indicates the trustworthiness of a page based on factors like backlinks and traffic. High scores suggest a well-established, authoritative page.
• Backlinks: Tracks the volume of external sites linking to a page, crucial for understanding its link-building success.
• Estimated Traffic: Offers an estimate of monthly organic visitors to gauge page popularity and reach.
• SERP Features: Shows the specific SERP features (e.g., snippets, carousels) a page is ranking for, helping to refine your own page’s strategy.

You can use this information to tailor your content and target specific ranking signals. This will increase your chances of outperforming competitors.

1. Go to Semrush.com and sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to the “SEO Toolkit” in the main dashboard, located in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Under the “Keyword Research” section, click “Keyword Overview.”
4. In the “Keyword Overview” tool, enter the specific keyword you want to analyze.
5. Choose the region and device type.

Once you run the report, scroll down to the “SERP Analysis” section. Here, you’ll see detailed metrics, including:

• Authority Score
• Backlinks
• Estimated traffic
• SERP features like snippets or carousels

2. Domain-Level Metrics

Analyzing individual pages is important. However, you should also analyze a website’s overall authority and influence.

Looking at the domain gives you a complete view of your standing in search results compared to your competitors.

Here’s how to find this data:

1. As above, log in to Semrush and navigate to “Keyword Overview.”
2. Scroll down to the SERP Analysis section and enter your domain.
3. After the search results load, click on “Domain Overview” in the report.

The Domain-Level Metrics report includes:

• Domain Authority Score: The relative strength of the entire domain – high scores suggest robust overall visibility across multiple pages
• Backlinks: The total number of domains linking to this website, providing a quick view of link-building success
• Estimated Traffic: An estimate of monthly traffic, useful for evaluating a competitor's reach

These metrics provide a comprehensive look at authority and traffic across an entire domain. Use this guidance to inform your SEO strategy.

Take Action: Applying Insights for Better SERP Visibility

Use data from the Semrush SERP Checker to adjust your SEO strategy. Each metric highlights specific areas for improvement, from optimizing content to finding backlink opportunities.

Below, we’ll show you how to apply these insights to boost your rankings and capture more traffic.

Identify Content Gaps

Use the SERP Checker to pinpoint where your content can potentially surpass competitors:

• Look for pages with lower authority scores or fewer backlinks but decent traffic—ideal targets for keyword and content optimization.
• Notice which keywords the competing pages target. These keywords will often be featured in headers, page titles, and meta descriptions.
• Identify gaps in their content, such as missing subtopics or limited keyword coverage. You could include these in your content to add depth.

The Semrush SERP Checker will even give you an indication of your ranking potential.

Discover Backlink Prospects

Explore competitor backlink profiles to find websites linking to similar content:

• Look for sites that frequently link to content similar to yours and have high authority scores.
• Ensure these linking sites are relevant to your niche or content theme—backlinks from related sites are more powerful.
• Compile a list of high-value linking domains from the competitor’s profile.

Once you have a list, develop a tailored outreach strategy for each site. When reaching out, focus on why your content would be valuable for their audience.

You can use Semrush’s Link Building Tool to help with your outreach efforts.

Optimize for SERP Features

Analyze which SERP features your competitors have. Then, create content optimized to rank in those same areas.

You’ll want to look at features like:

• Featured Snippets: Summarized answers or definitions at the top of the SERP
• Knowledge Panels: Informational boxes on the right side of the search results
• Local Packs: Maps and listings relevant to location-based searches
• People Also Ask: Ideas for questions to answer when people are searching for related content

Look for keywords that match your target topics. Notice which content elements (headings, FAQs, structured data, etc.) may be helping competitors appear in these SERP features.

Identify opportunities to improve upon or add unique value to your content. If you create content in a format that’s similar to these results, you’ll have a better chance of ranking.

Monitor Changes in SERPs

Track shifts in the SERP over time. Use this data to adjust your strategy as algorithms change, ensuring your site remains competitive.

You can do this in the Semrush Position Tracking tool under the SEO Toolkit:

• Check the “Overview” tab for insights into keyword ranking fluctuations and average position trends over time.
• Track the appearance of new SERP features that may impact click-through rates for your target keywords.

Improve Your Rankings With the Semrush SERP Checker

With Semrush’s SERP Checker, you can make informed choices about content optimization, backlink strategies, and SERP feature targeting.

You’ll gain the insights you need to strengthen your search presence and attract more organic traffic.

Sign up for Semrush now and take control of your position on the SERPs.