What is a Content Gap Analysis?

3 min to read

A content gap analysis is a process for identifying the discrepancy between the content you have prepared and the content your audience wants to see.

This analysis aims to contribute to content creation relevant to your target audience and may impact attaining desired outcomes.

Key Takeaway:
  • Recognize and meet your audience's needs
  • Keep an eye on the results obtained
  • Explore every possibility
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What are the benefits of conducting a content gap analysis?

A content gap analysis helps in creating effective content as well as gaining a better understanding of the target audience. It discloses what the audience is interested in so that content can be developed to what your customers are looking for. Content gap analysis can lead to:

  • Better engagement;

  • Improved SEO;

Pro Tip: 
Check on what your competitors are putting out. This can help you to identify trends and learn what is working well for them and what isn’t.

When should you perform a content gap analysis?

Content gap analysis should be performed whenever you are reviewing or planning your content strategy, and it includes times like:

  • Refreshing existing content;

  • If you are experiencing a drop in website traffic. 

Example: Imagine you are planning to launch a new product. A content gap analysis can come in handy in terms of highlighting what kind of information already exists on the market about the product and what still needs to be created.

How do you conduct a content gap analysis?

Conducting a content gap analysis requires to:

  1. Define your target audience: Who do you aim to reach?
  2. Audit your existing content: What content do you need to create based on what you already have?
  3. Conduct keyword research: What are people searching for?
  4. Analyze competitor content: What are your competitors doing?
  5. Analyze website analytics: What content is performing well on your site?
  6. Spot content gaps: What’s missing or needs improvement?
  7. Create a content plan: How will you address the gaps?

What tools can you use for content gap analysis?

Popular options for content gap analysis include:

  • SEMrush

  • Ahrefs

  • Google Analytics.

With these tools, you get insights regarding keyword research, competitor analysis, and website analysis.

Pro Tip: 
Utilize free tools like Google Trends and Google Search Console, which will provide you with relevant data on search patterns and the performance of your website.

What are the different types of content gaps?

Content gaps can be determined in different ways, including:

  • Missing topics 

  • Lack of diverse formats (like videos or infographics)

  • Content that isn’t in-depth enough

  • Content that simply isn’t high-quality

Recognizing the kind of gap allows you to create the appropriate content for that gap.

Pro Tip: 
While blog posts can be a valuable tool, they may not always be the best format for meeting the expectations of video tutorials. Consider adjusting the format or approach to better align with the desired outcome.

How do you measure the success of a content gap analysis?

You can assess whether your goals of the content gap analysis have been achieved by considering:

  • Website Traffic

  • Search Engine Rankings

  • User Engagement 

Any progress made in these areas, following the implementation of the content plan, serves as an indication that the analysis was valid.

Pro Tip: 
First things first, specify the objectives you wish to achieve with your content. This will enable a more efficient evaluation of the work done and the effectiveness of the content analysis.

Conclusion 

A content gap analysis can help you identify areas where your content could be improved or expanded to better engage your audience. By knowing your audience, understanding what your competitors are up to, and measuring results, you can enhance the effectiveness of every piece of content you create. Therefore, consider content gap analysis to improve your marketing strategy!

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