# Competitor Keyword Discovery via Google Keyword Planner

> Find competitor keywords by entering their URL into Google Keyword Planner.

This technique uses the 'Start with a website' feature inside Google Ads Keyword Planner to analyze a competitor's domain. Google scans the target site and extracts the keywords and search queries it associates with their content. It offers a fast, free way to uncover high-intent search terms to target in your own search ad campaigns.

## How it works

1. Go to Google Ads and open Tools & Settings \> Keyword Planner.
2. Click 'Discover new keywords'.
3. Switch to the 'Start with a website' tab.
4. Paste your competitor's website URL and select 'Use the entire site' (or a specific landing page).
5. Review the list of associated keywords, average monthly searches, and trends.
6. Add these keywords into your Google Search campaigns.

## What it is for

- Uncover target search terms that Google associates with a rival's website
- Identify high-intent keywords to bid on for Google Search campaigns
- Analyze monthly search volume and interest trends for competitor niches

## Key points

- Navigate to Tools & Settings \> Keyword Planner in Google Ads
- Select 'Discover new keywords'
- Switch to the 'Start with a website' tab
- Input a competitor's domain or specific landing page URL
- Choose whether to scan the entire site or only that page
- Review search terms, average monthly search volumes, and competition metrics

## Pricing

Free to use with a Google Ads account

## Details

- Type: Tip
- Category: [Marketing & Sales](https://xiry.app/topics/marketing-sales.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: Web
- For: Search engine marketers and advertisers
- Alternative to: Semrush, Ahrefs, SpyFu
- Tags: google ads, keyword research, competitor analysis, sem, ppc

## Why it was saved

- [@beardpreneur, 8 June 2024](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C79YDkzIS3K/): Quickly generates a targeted list of high-intent keywords that your competitor ranks for or associates with so you can compete directly in search ads.

## Compare

- [Alternatives to Semrush](https://xiry.app/alternatives/semrush.md)
- [Alternatives to Ahrefs](https://xiry.app/alternatives/ahrefs.md)

## Related

- [Competitor Custom Segment & Login Page Targeting](https://xiry.app/resources/competitor-custom-segment-and-login-page-targeting): Target active competitor customers using Google Ads custom URL segments (Tip, Free)
- [Competitor Brand Name Bidding Campaign](https://xiry.app/resources/competitor-brand-name-bidding-campaign): Google Ads tactic to capture search traffic targeting competitor brand terms (Tip, Paid)
- [Competitor Keyword Gap Analysis Workflow](https://xiry.app/resources/competitor-keyword-gap-analysis-workflow): Find competitor search queries your site misses to guide new content. (Tip, Freemium)
- [Competitor Keyword Gap Traffic Strategy](https://xiry.app/resources/competitor-keyword-gap-traffic-strategy): Workflow to find low-difficulty competitor keywords using Feedspot and Semrush (Tip, Paid)
- [Low-KD Competitor Keyword Gap Strategy](https://xiry.app/resources/low-kd-competitor-keyword-gap-strategy): Workflow to find and target low-difficulty competitor keywords using Semrush and Feedspot (Tip, Freemium)
- [Semrush](https://xiry.app/resources/semrush): All-in-one search marketing, SEO intelligence, and brand visibility platform. (Web app, Paid)

Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/competitor-keyword-discovery-via-google-keyword-planner

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