As you learn SEO, it is important to grasp a quick understanding of SEOC (Search Engine Optimisation Competition). This refers to the amount of pages optimised for a particular phrase, that are indexed within Google. SEO Competition levels are important to understand, as they will be key in determining how high in Google you can rank, when optimised for a particular keyword.
It is important to consider the role that SEO Competition plays in Google ranking.
Google takes many elements into account when deciding what position to rank a site in on their results page. SEOC usually refers to the amount of indexed pages for one phrase, but deeper analysis of Competition is needed if you are to rank well. Google has a method to ranking results which isn't just based around on-site optimisation - other elements are considered.
Before you choose a keyword you should firstly compare the number of pages indexed within Google for that term with the amount of monthly searches that the keyword receives. Then, you should move on to a closer inspection of the top ten results displayed for the term within Google.
The next element that should be taken into account when considering SEO Competition is a site's Page Rank. There are many online platforms that can give you an idea of a site's Page Rank. Again, this will help to assess your competition's online authority.
Finding out how many back links a site has and comparing that figure to the number of external links pointing to your own site will give an idea of the competition levels you are facing within this area of optimisation. Google will take this all into account when deciding in which order to rank your sites. Keep in mind that even if a site has 1000s of back links, if they are from disreputable sites, such as link farms, Google will not hold them in high regard. If you have less back links, but they are from sites with solid reputations, then you win this round. Links from .edu and .gov websites will always be worth more than any other links.
If your competitors are listed with directories such as Dmoz or Yahoo, then Google will award them extra points. This can be difficult to find out but any SEO agency should be able to give you this information if you are their client.
And finally, take a look at the meta-tags belonging to your competitors and make sure that your meta-title, description, H1 tag and friendly URL are optimised to a higher level that theirs!
