# Gap Analysis Frameworks

Compact frameworks for keyword, format, funnel, and prioritization gaps.

## 1. Keyword Gap Method

```markdown
## Keyword Gap Method

| Step | Required Inputs | Output |
|------|-----------------|--------|
| Define your universe | GSC queries, SEO tool positions 1-100, content audit topics | Current keyword/topic coverage |
| Profile competitors | Competitor keyword totals, Top 10/Top 3 counts, est. traffic | Benchmark table |
| Segment overlap | You-only, shared, them-only, no-one | Moat / battleground / gap / pioneer list |
| Filter gaps | Volume >100/mo, achievable KD, product relevance, feasible format | Qualified gap list |
| Categorize | Topic, depth, angle, format, freshness | Recommended content action |

| Segment | Strategic Meaning | Action |
|---------|-------------------|--------|
| Only you | Content moat | Protect and strengthen |
| Shared | Competitive battleground | Improve rankings |
| Only them | Content gap | Prioritize and create |
| No one | Untapped market | Evaluate and pioneer |
```

## 2. Format And SERP Gap

```markdown
## Content Format Gap

| Format | You | Comp A | Comp B | Proof / Top Performer | Gap |
|--------|-----|--------|--------|-----------------------|-----|
| Blog / guide / tutorial | [X] | [X] | [X] | [URL + traffic] | [Y/N] |
| Comparison / review | [X] | [X] | [X] | [URL + traffic] | [Y/N] |
| Case study / template / tool | [X] | [X] | [X] | [URL + traffic] | [Y/N] |
| Video / research / glossary | [X] | [X] | [X] | [URL + traffic] | [Y/N] |

| Content Format | Unlocks SERP Feature | Schema / Structure |
|----------------|---------------------|--------------------|
| FAQ sections | PAA, FAQ-style answers | FAQPage when eligible |
| Step-by-step tutorials | How-to snippets | HowTo when eligible |
| Review/comparison | Review stars, AI Overview | Review only with visible reviews |
| Video | Video carousel | VideoObject |
| Glossary/definitions | Featured snippet, AI Overview | DefinedTerm optional |
| Data tables | Table snippet | Clear table markup |
```

## 3. Funnel Gap

```markdown
## Funnel Stage Gap

| Stage | Content Need | Common Formats | Typical Keywords | Gap Severity |
|-------|--------------|----------------|------------------|--------------|
| Awareness | Education | Blogs, explainers | "what is", "how to" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |
| Interest | Deeper learning | Guides, webinars | "guide", "tutorial" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |
| Consideration | Evaluation | Comparisons, reviews, case studies | "best", "vs", "review" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |
| Intent | Decision support | Demos, pricing, ROI calculators | "pricing", "demo" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |
| Purchase | Conversion | Product pages, signup flows | "buy", "sign up" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |
| Retention | Enablement | Help docs, tutorials | "[product] how to" | [Low/Medium/High/Critical] |

Severity: Critical = zero content; High = far below competitors; Medium = somewhat below; Low = roughly on par.

| Transition | Signal | Content Gap Likely |
|------------|--------|--------------------|
| Awareness -> Interest | Bounce >70% | Missing next-step content |
| Interest -> Consideration | <2 pages/session | Missing comparison content |
| Consideration -> Intent | Low demos / leads | Missing trust content |
| Intent -> Purchase | High abandonment | Missing objection handling |
```

## 4. Opportunity Scoring

```markdown
## Opportunity Score

| Factor | Weight | 1 | 3 | 5 |
|--------|--------|---|---|---|
| Search demand | 25% | <100/mo | 500-2,000 | >5,000 |
| Competitive density | 20% | All competitors cover | 1-2 cover | No one covers |
| Business relevance | 25% | Tangential | Related | Core |
| Creation effort | 15% | New capability needed | Moderate | Quick |
| Conversion potential | 15% | Top-funnel | Consideration | Decision/transactional |

Gap Priority Score = Sum(weight x score).

| Tier | Score | Timeline |
|------|-------|----------|
| P0 | 4.0-5.0 | This week |
| P1 | 3.0-3.9 | 1-3 months |
| P2 | 2.0-2.9 | 3-6 months |
| P3 | 1.0-1.9 | Track quarterly |

Quick Win = (Search Demand + Business Relevance) - (Creation Effort + Competitive Density)
4+ = strong | 2-3 = moderate | 0-1 = weak | negative = avoid
```

## 5. Calendar Integration

```markdown
## Gap-To-Calendar Plan

| Cluster | Related Gaps | Combined Volume | Pillar Needed? | Cluster Pages |
|---------|--------------|-----------------|----------------|---------------|
| [cluster] | [gap IDs] | [sum] | [Y/N] | [count] |

| Order | Content Piece | Gap Addressed | Priority | Target Publish | Owner |
|-------|---------------|---------------|----------|----------------|-------|
| 1 | [pillar / quick-win] | [gap] | P0/P1 | [week] | [owner] |

| Checkpoint | Timeframe | Success Criteria |
|------------|-----------|------------------|
| Indexing | 1-2 weeks | Appears in index |
| Initial ranking | 2-4 weeks | Top 100 |
| Competitive ranking | 2-3 months | Top 20 or improving |
| Traffic impact | 3-6 months | Meets projection |
| Gap closure | 6 months | Comparable to competitors |
```

## Framework Selector

| Situation | Primary Framework | Secondary |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------|
| Need traffic | Keyword gap | Calendar integration |
| Competitors outrank broadly | Keyword + format gap | Opportunity scoring |
| Low conversion | Funnel gap | Format gap |
| Unsure what to write | All gap types | Scoring + calendar |
| Limited resources | Opportunity scoring | Filtered keyword gap |
| New market | Comprehensive keyword gap | Format + funnel gap |