Measure competitor visibility across a fixed keyword sample with a stable denominator. A domain appearing on sampled SERPs is an observed presence, not a traffic estimate or a complete keyword inventory. Keep the market and checked depth with every keyword result.
Define the sampled visibility calculation
| Input | Rule |
|---|---|
| Keyword cohort | Freeze the included query identities |
| Market | Keep engine, country, language and device comparable |
| Depth | Record the result range actually observed |
| Domain match | Use an explicit hostname policy |
| Failures | Exclude from valid-observation denominator and report separately |
| Output | Report presence in the defined sample only |
Do not turn missing collection into a ranking loss
A successfully collected SERP with no matching domain is a valid absence within the checked depth. A timeout is not. Store both outcomes, report collection coverage and keep any visibility ratio conditional on the defined sample.
When the cohort changes, create a new cohort version rather than presenting the change as a direct period comparison. Use the same source URLs to inspect whether competitors answer a different user task or simply appear in the same broad topic.
Use the sample to prioritize review
Hostname and missing-rank fixtures validate the collection boundary. The keyword-gap guide turns these observations into editorial candidates; this page defines the sampled measurement.
- Identify queries where an existing owner is close to the observed competitor set.
- Check current search intent and page types before proposing content.
- Review evidence and internal entry points for the specific page job.
- Do not infer market share, search volume or competitor revenue from the presence ratio.
Reference documentation: www.searchcans.com — /google-search-api.
