Introduction to Surfer SEO Content Editor
Surfer SEO stands out as a leading tool for creating search engine optimized content. A significant highlight is its content editor, which serves not just as a tool to optimize content but also as an efficient medium for outlining content to share with writers.
Recently, Surfer SEO unveiled BRIEF, an innovative feature powered by AI. This AI-based content outline tool is developed in collaboration with Jasper (formerly Jarvis). With this, content outlining is now faster, more precise, and seamlessly automated.
Diving into the Content Editor
Once you initiate the Content Editor, your first step involves inputting the search term for which you intend to create content. As an instance, consider the term “Grammarly vs ProwritingAid.” Based on this keyword, Surfer SEO’s Content Editor dispenses comprehensive insights like:
Content Score (out of 100): An assessment of content optimization.
Content Structure: Includes data on word count, headings, paragraphs, and imagery.
LSI keywords: Recommendations for further optimization.
From a user standpoint, this Content Editor is invaluable, especially its LSI keyword suggestions, which can enrich content effectively.
However, a balanced approach is essential. Sometimes, the editor might suggest inserting specific LSI keywords multiple times, which might not always be practically implementable. Thus, while optimization is key, ensuring the content remains human-friendly is equally critical.
Another exciting feature is the “Page to Include” option. This tool empowers you to juxtapose and assess your content against your competitors. While many may argue that most SEO tools today possess similar features, it’s the intuitive user interface of Surfer that stands out. Creating content feels as effortless as working on Google Docs or MS Word.
You can either draft directly on Surfer Content Editor or transfer pre-written content onto its dashboard. Handy features let you monitor the frequency of specific LSI terms, overall content score, word counts, and headings. Based on the editor’s suggestions, you can refine your content to perfection.
But the standout feature? Surfer’s ability to recommend potential questions or headings sourced from Google’s “People Also Ask” – an asset for any content creator.
Pro Tips from the Trenches
For DemandSage Content: After content creation, the team at DemandSage uses the content editor to enhance optimization, ensuring a competitive edge in search results.
Content Outlining: The editor has revolutionized the process of crafting and disseminating outlines to writers, eliminating manual hassles.
Surfer SEO Keyword Research
Surfer’s keyword research capability is commendable, but many might prefer stalwarts like Ahrefs and Semrush for this purpose. However, to understand Surfer’s potential, a three-month trial revealed some interesting findings:
Once you input a primary keyword, Surfer provides relevant details and keyword suggestions, akin to other tools. But what makes it unique is the “SERP similarity” metric. This illustrates how your primary keyword aligns with the suggested ones, offering insights into overlapping content opportunities.
For a more tangible example, consider a primary keyword “sampleA”. Pages ranking for “SampleA” might also rank for associated terms like “SampleB”. Here, the “SampleB” keyword would exhibit a high SERP similarity, hinting at optimizing content for similar long-tail variations to maximize visibility.
However, Surfer’s keyword research tool does have a downside: the absence of a keyword difficulty score. This omission can make it challenging to ascertain which keywords to prioritize.
Comparing Surfer SEO Pricing with Other Market Tools
The digital landscape is awash with numerous SEO tools, and a clear understanding of their pricing can guide your investment decisions.
While tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Mangools have solidified their status as one-stop SEO solutions, Surfer primarily focuses on on-page optimization.
Let’s take a closer look:
| Tool | Price | Features & Limitations |
| Surfer SEO | $59/month | Features Limitations* |
| Clearscope | $350/month | Features Limitations* |
| Page Optimizer Pro | $22/month | Features Limitations* |
This table provides a snapshot of Surfer SEO’s pricing against its competitors. Each tool boasts a unique pricing structure tailored to its feature set. Notably, Surfer used to have a free trial offering, but it was discontinued some time ago.
For a more comprehensive comparison, stay tuned for a detailed evaluation on DemandSage.
Exploring Direct Competitors of Surfer
The digital world isn’t short of tools that offer services akin to Surfer SEO. Notable mentions include Frase, Page Optimizer Pro, and Clearscope. While they all vie for the same audience, each brings its unique spin to the SEO table:
Frase: Beyond on-page optimization, Frase integrates AI-powered content creation capabilities, making it a favorite for many content creators.
Page Optimizer Pro: This tool takes a scientific approach to on-page SEO, leveraging data to pinpoint precise optimization strategies.
Clearscope: Known for its content grading system, Clearscope is adept at content optimization, pushing your articles closer to the coveted ‘A’ grade.
Surfer SEO: A Glimpse at Its Pros and Cons
When considering Surfer SEO, it’s crucial to weigh its advantages against its limitations. Here’s a balanced look:
Pros:
Utilizes over 500 ranking metrics for in-depth content analysis.
Provides pertinent keyword suggestions to enrich content.
Allows competitor analysis with the SERP analyzer tool.
Integrates with Google Docs for streamlined SEO content creation.
Swift content auditing capabilities.
Pinpoints lucrative link-building opportunities.
Cons:
Occasionally delivers irrelevant suggestions.
Can be a bit overwhelming for SEO novices.
The base plan doesn’t offer Natural Language Processing (NLP) queries.
Delving Deeper into Surfer SEO’s Features
As we’ve established, Surfer SEO is primarily an on-page optimization tool. Here’s a closer exploration of its core features:
Content Editor: Integrated with Google Docs, Surfer’s content editor analyzes real-time inputs and provides optimization suggestions, ensuring you craft content that’s tailored for search engine success.
SERP Analyzer: This feature lets you delve into the search engine results pages (SERPs). You can study your competitors, identify the keywords they rank for, and get insights into their content strategy.
Keyword Research: Leveraging Surfer’s extensive data sources, you can uncover profitable keyword opportunities that resonate with your target audience.
Backlink Analysis: While its primary focus is on-page optimization, Surfer also offers insights into backlink profiles, allowing for a more rounded SEO strategy.
Site Audit: A vital tool for website owners, Surfer’s audit feature scans your website, identifies issues hindering its performance, and provides actionable recommendations for improvements.
Surfer SEO Browser Extension: An Overview
For those who prefer working directly from their browsers, Surfer SEO offers a nifty extension. This browser add-on:
Provides real-time content analysis as you browse the web.
Allows quick audits of any webpage, providing insights into its on-page SEO health.
Offers keyword suggestions and SERP analysis directly from the search results, ensuring you stay ahead of your competitors.
How Does Surfer Stand Out?
When juxtaposed with its competitors, several unique attributes make Surfer SEO an attractive proposition:
Data-rich Insights: Surfer’s analysis is backed by a massive dataset, making its recommendations precise and actionable.
Ease of Use: Despite its advanced features, Surfer’s interface is intuitive, catering to both novices and experts.
Integration Capabilities: With seamless Google Docs integration and browser extension support, Surfer melds effortlessly into your daily workflow.
Affordability: Given its expansive feature set, Surfer’s pricing offers remarkable value, especially when compared to some high-end competitors.
User Experiences and Case Studies
Diving into user experiences, it’s evident that Surfer SEO has garnered a following for its detailed and data-driven approach. Numerous users have shared their success stories, emphasizing the tool’s efficacy in improving website rankings and enhancing overall SEO strategy. Here are some highlights:
Rapid Content Audits: Users have appreciated the ability to swiftly audit content, gaining insights and recommendations within minutes rather than hours.
Competitor Analysis: The SERP analyzer tool has been instrumental for many in spying on competitors, understanding their strategies, and identifying areas for improvement.
Google Docs Integration: The seamless integration with Google Docs has facilitated real-time content optimization, a feature particularly lauded by content creators and marketers.
However, the journey with Surfer SEO is not without its challenges. Some users have pointed out occasional irrelevant suggestions and have found the wealth of features to be overwhelming, especially for beginners.
Final Verdict and Future Prospects
Given its robust feature set, affordability, and user-friendly interface, Surfer SEO certainly stands out as a valuable tool for on-page optimization. While it does have its cons, such as occasional irrelevant suggestions and a potential learning curve for beginners, the pros significantly outweigh them.
Moreover, Surfer SEO’s pricing, when compared to alternatives like Clearscope and Page Optimizer Pro, offers commendable value. It is particularly a strong contender for those who find the prices of tools like Ahrefs and Semrush steep.
Looking ahead, with continuous updates and feature enhancements, Surfer SEO is poised for a promising trajectory. The discontinuation of its free trial does raise questions, but the array of features and competitive pricing make it a worthwhile investment for those keen on elevating their SEO game.
