# AI search competitor analysis: find the evidence behind the recommendation. - working worksheet

Reviewed alongside the Eli guide: https://hireeli.io/resources/ai-search-competitor-analysis

## Decision to make

Find why competitors are recommended in AI answers

Owner: ____________________
Review date: ____________________
Canonical page or destination: ____________________

## Buyer questions

- [ ] How many competitors should be tracked?
- [ ] Should I copy a competitor's content?
- [ ] What if no competitor is consistently recommended?

## Evidence-led work plan

### 1. Compare the same buying situation

Use questions that reflect a real decision, such as alternatives, category fit, implementation, security or pricing.

Evidence or artifact: ____________________
Status: [ ] not started  [ ] working  [ ] verified  [ ] blocked

### 2. Trace the recommendation to evidence

Inspect which pages were cited, what claims were repeated and whether the source was owned or independent.

Evidence or artifact: ____________________
Status: [ ] not started  [ ] working  [ ] verified  [ ] blocked

### 3. Choose the smallest effective intervention

If a strong revenue page already exists, improve it before creating another article.

Evidence or artifact: ____________________
Status: [ ] not started  [ ] working  [ ] verified  [ ] blocked

### 4. Separate competitor presence from its cause

A competitor mention is the start of an investigation, not proof that one tactic caused the result.

Evidence or artifact: ____________________
Status: [ ] not started  [ ] working  [ ] verified  [ ] blocked

## Source ledger

- [ ] Google: optimizing for generative AI features: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/ai-optimization-guide
- [ ] Google: creating helpful, reliable, people-first content: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content
- [ ] OpenAI: publishers and developers FAQ: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/12627856-publishers-and-developers-faq

## Measurement boundary

Baseline date and exact context: ____________________
7-day observation: ____________________
14-day observation: ____________________
30-day observation: ____________________
Known limitations: ____________________

Keep technical eligibility, citations, recommendations, visits, leads and revenue as separate evidence. This worksheet does not guarantee an external ranking or commercial result.