Overview
Search Atlas has two separate features that involve competitors and positioning. They look similar in name but work very differently. This article explains both so you can find the right tool for what you need.
The Competitive Positioning Map (Site Explorer)
The Competitive Positioning Map is a bubble chart located inside Site Explorer. It automatically plots your domain alongside competing domains based on organic traffic and keyword overlap data pulled directly from Search Atlas's database.
This chart cannot be manually edited. The domains that appear are determined automatically by Search Atlas based on shared keyword rankings and traffic signals — you cannot add, remove, or swap competitors shown in it.
Here is what you can expect from this chart:
- Competitors are selected automatically based on keyword overlap with the domain you enter.
- The chart updates as Search Atlas refreshes its underlying data.
If a competitor you expect to see is not appearing, it most likely does not share enough keyword overlap with the domain to qualify for inclusion at that point in time.
Manage Competitors (AI Visibility)
If you want to manually control which competitors you track, the right place is the Manage Competitors feature inside AI Visibility. Unlike the Competitive Positioning Map, this area allows you to define exactly which domains are tracked alongside yours.
If you are unsure how to add, remove, or update competitors in this section, our support team can walk you through the exact steps for your account setup.
This list is fully within your control and is separate from any automated data shown in Site Explorer.
Quick Comparison
- Competitive Positioning Map (Site Explorer): Automatic, data-driven, read-only bubble chart — cannot be edited manually.
- Manage Competitors (AI Visibility): Manual, editable list — you choose which competitors to track.
Which One Do I Need?
Use this guide to identify the right feature:
- If you want to see how your domain compares to automatically identified competitors based on keyword data, use the Competitive Positioning Map in Site Explorer.
- If you want to choose specific competitors to track over time, use Manage Competitors in AI Visibility.
When contacting support about either feature, please have ready: the domain you are analysing, the name of the feature you are using (Competitive Positioning Map or Manage Competitors), and a description of what you expected to see versus what actually appeared.
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.