Overview
When you run local heatmaps in Search Atlas, the tool surfaces nearby businesses competing for the same map positions as your client. These are high-value competitors — they are already beating you locally. This article explains how to take those competitor names and add them to your global SEO competitor tracking and keyword rankings strategy so that your local insights inform your broader SEO work.
Important note: The exact steps to move heatmap competitors into your SEO project depend on your specific account setup and the current version of Search Atlas you are using. The general workflow is outlined below, but the precise navigation path and button labels may differ from what you see in your account.
Step 1: Identify Your Competitors from Local Heatmap Results
After running a heatmap report for a GBP project, review the results to identify which businesses are ranking in local positions for your tracked keywords. Take note of the competitor business names and, where available, their associated websites — you will need these to add them to your SEO project.
Tip: Prioritise competitors who appear frequently across multiple points in your heatmap — these represent your strongest local threats and are the most valuable to track more broadly.
Step 2: Find the Competitor Root Domains
Before adding competitors to your SEO strategy, confirm their root domains (for example, competitorname.com), not just their business names. A quick Google search for each business name is usually sufficient to confirm the correct website URL.
Step 3: Add the Competitors to Your SEO Project
Once you have the root domains, navigate to your SEO project within Search Atlas and look for the option to add or manage competitors. Enter each competitor domain you identified from the heatmap. If you are unsure where to find this setting in your account, our support team can point you to the correct location.
Step 4: Use Competitor Data in Your Keyword Rankings Workflow
After adding competitors to your project, you can use their keyword data to identify ranking gaps and opportunities to strengthen your own strategy. Look for keyword overlap and gap analysis features within your SEO project to get the most value from the competitors you have added.
If you are having trouble locating the right section in your account, or if the workflow described above does not match what you see, please reach out so a team member can walk you through the exact steps for your setup.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.