Enhancing Competitor Research with Category-First Queries

Last verified: February 12, 2026

What's New

The latest update introduces Category-First Queries to the competitor research feature. This enhancement allows B2B marketing teams to initiate research based on specific categories, rather than individual competitors. By focusing on categories, users can gain a broader perspective on market dynamics, identifying trends and opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. This capability addresses the need for comprehensive insights, ensuring that marketing strategies are informed by the full scope of competitive activity within a given sector.

Previously, competitor research often required a narrow focus on direct competitors, which could limit the scope of insights. The Category-First Queries feature expands this view, enabling users to analyze entire categories, thereby improving research coverage and providing more holistic insights. This shift is crucial for teams aiming to understand the broader competitive landscape and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Why This Matters

For B2B marketing teams, understanding the competitive landscape is essential for crafting effective strategies. The Category-First Queries capability addresses a significant pain point: the challenge of gaining comprehensive insights without being bogged down by the minutiae of individual competitor analysis. By focusing on categories, marketing teams can streamline their research process, saving time and resources while gaining a more strategic view of the market.

Before this update, teams often relied on piecemeal data from various sources, which could lead to fragmented insights. This new approach allows for a more integrated view, aligning with the industry's shift towards data-driven decision-making. In a landscape where AI-driven visibility is becoming increasingly important, having a robust understanding of category dynamics can significantly enhance a brand's ability to be recommended by AI assistants.

How It Works

The Category-First Queries feature leverages existing competitive intelligence capabilities to provide a category-wide analysis. Users can initiate queries based on predefined categories relevant to their industry, allowing the system to aggregate and analyze data across multiple competitors within that category. This approach ensures that insights are not only comprehensive but also relevant to the specific strategic needs of the marketing team.

By integrating this feature with existing tools such as automated daily scans and visibility score tracking, the platform ensures that category insights are continuously updated. This integration supports ongoing optimization and strategic adjustments, aligning with the platform's commitment to enhancing AI-driven visibility.

What to Consider

Scalability — As your business grows, the ability to analyze entire categories rather than individual competitors can scale with your needs, providing insights that remain relevant across different stages of growth.
Security and Compliance — Ensure that the data used in category analysis complies with industry standards and regulations. This is crucial for maintaining trust and avoiding potential legal issues.
ROI and Efficiency — Consider how the broader insights gained from category analysis can lead to more efficient marketing strategies, potentially increasing ROI by targeting the right opportunities within your sector.

Sources

Gartner: The Importance of Competitive Intelligence in B2B Marketing
Forrester: Leveraging AI for Market Insights
Harvard Business Review: The Strategic Value of Category Analysis