Topical Cluster Comparison
Compare content structures against competitors to identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic priorities across clusters, topics, subtopics, and user intent.
Quick start
1. Select your project from the Content Analysis dashboard dropdown
2. Choose a competitor project from the Compare Against dropdown
3. Click Compare
4. Review Priority Actions in each analysis panel
5. Click + Add to Kanban on recommendations to action
Understanding the display
Clicking Compare triggers four simultaneous AI analyses. Results appear in collapsible panels, each focusing on a different level of content structure.
| Panel | What it analyses |
| Cluster Comparison | High-level content themes and pillar topics |
| Topic Comparison | Topic coverage within clusters |
| Subtopic Comparison | Detailed subtopic coverage within topics |
| Intent & Journey | User intent and customer journey stage mapping |
Each panel contains:
• Priority Actions: Actionable recommendations with Add to Kanban buttons
• Detailed Analysis: Expanded insights (click the accordion to view)
Priority levels
| Priority | Meaning | Timeframe |
| Immediate | Large gaps on high-impact areas | 1–2 weeks |
| Near-term | Moderate gaps or improvements | 1–2 months |
| Can-wait | Minor optimisations | When time permits |
What should I do next?
| Situation | Action |
| Multiple Immediate priorities | Focus on the first two. Add to Kanban and action before the rest. |
| No competitor gaps found | Content structure is competitive. Review Intent & Journey for optimisation opportunities. |
| Thin subtopic coverage | Expand existing topics before creating new clusters. |
| Missing intent types | Create content targeting the missing intent and journey stage combinations. |
| Overlapping clusters | Consider consolidation. The Cluster panel highlights fragmentation risks. |
Analysis panels
Cluster Comparison
Examines high-level content themes. Identifies:
• Cluster gaps: Themes competitors cover that your site lacks
• Fragmentation: Overlapping clusters that dilute topical authority
• Audience alignment: Which clusters serve which audience segments
Topic Comparison
Analyses topic distribution within clusters. Identifies:
• Missing topics: Specific topics competitors have within similar clusters
• Coverage gaps: Clusters with insufficient topic breadth
• Untapped opportunities: Topic areas neither site covers well
Subtopic Comparison
Examines granular subtopic coverage. Identifies:
• Missing subtopics: Detailed coverage gaps within parent topics
• Thin coverage: Topics with limited subtopic depth
• Expansion opportunities: Where deeper content adds value
Intent & Journey Comparison
Evaluates user intent and customer journey stage mapping. Identifies:
• Intent gaps: Missing intent types (informational, navigational, transactional, commercial)
• Journey coverage: Gaps in awareness, consideration, decision, or retention stages
• Alignment issues: Content where intent does not match the appropriate journey stage
Adding recommendations to Kanban
6. Find the recommendation to action
7. Click + Add to Kanban
8. Select the project board from the dropdown
9. Click Confirm Selection
10. Task creates with all details pre-filled
The button changes to Added (green) once the task is created.
Exporting results
Each panel includes an export button (file icon). Click to download results as a text file for offline review or sharing.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
| No projects in dropdown | Verify projects exist in the current workspace. Switch workspaces if needed. |
| Analysis takes too long | Large content structures require more processing time. Wait for completion or reduce project scope. |
| No competitor in dropdown | The same project cannot be compared against itself. Ensure multiple projects exist. |
| Empty results panel | The competitor may lack the data level being analysed (e.g., no subtopics). Check project content structure. |
| Add to Kanban fails | Verify project access permissions. Select a different project if the current one is inaccessible. |
FAQ
Can multiple competitors be compared at once?
No. Select one competitor per comparison. Run separate analyses for different competitors.
How are priority levels assigned?
SERP360 considers gap size, content volume, and strategic impact. Immediate priorities indicate clear competitive disadvantages.
Why do some panels have more results than others?
Each panel analyses a different content level. Sites with detailed subtopic structures show more Subtopic Comparison results. Sites with mapped intent data show more Intent & Journey results.
What if the recommendations seem basic?
Basic recommendations indicate strong existing coverage. Focus on Intent & Journey optimisation or consider comparing against a more competitive rival.
Can I run analysis on just one panel?
No. All four analyses run together. Review only the panels relevant to current priorities.
Getting help
Contact support for data access or technical issues