Build a competitor research brief before anyone starts researching.

This free tool structures the question, named competitors, evidence types and desired output. It does not search competitors or generate findings. Download the brief, run the free page scan, or ask about a separately scoped human review.

Run free public-page scan Send brief for review

Most people should run the free public-page scan, save this brief, and only request human research if it would materially improve a live decision.

No subscription or account setup. The brief builder and public-page scan are free.

No instant research checkout. Scope, sources, deliverable, turnaround and price are confirmed before payment or work starts.

Need human judgement? Email the brief first and ask whether a manual review would change the decision.

Have a free starter code?

Run the included public URL scan now, then save the result. Email is only for a human review or a question about the next sensible step.

Structured brief

Named evidence types

Decision question

Exportable output

Best when a live decision needs evidence.

Outputs support commercial decisions; they are not legal, procurement, investment, financial, SEO-guarantee, or conversion-uplift advice.

If a human review is agreed

The agreed sources are checked manually and the defined deliverable includes source links, confidence notes, implications and practical next actions. Nothing on this page claims that research has already happened.

Illustrative human-review output

One-page executive readout.
Top website clarity, proof, and CTA issues.
Competitor/context notes from public sources.
Three practical changes to test first.

Competitor research brief builder

Describe the decision and evidence needed, then keep a research-ready brief. No competitor research runs in this browser.

Free public-page scan

WebsiteNeeded

Competitors0

PackageFree public-page scan

AccessFree — no login

Recommended: Free public-page scan

Use the separate single-page scan for observable on-page signals. It does not perform competitor research.

This tool creates the brief only. Email it so scope, sources, exact deliverable, turnaround and price can be confirmed before any payment or research starts.

Run the free public-page scan Send brief for review

Nothing has been researched yet.This preview is a scope plan. Email or download it, then confirm whether human research is likely to be useful before any work starts.

First report coverage

Competitor 1: award and buyer trail plus offer and pricing language. First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 1.High

Competitor 2: offer and pricing language plus award and buyer trail. First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 2.High

Competitor 3: award and buyer trail plus offer and pricing language. First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 3.High

Requested output to scope

Executive readout with top findings and next action.
Public website clarity, trust, CTA, and friction check.
Source-linked competitor signal ledger.
Confidence and blind-spot notes.
Battlecard prompts for bids, sales, or positioning.

Copyable brief

Competitor research brief

Company/project: [your company]
Website URL: [public website URL]
Market/niche: [your market]
Competitors: [add competitors]
Priority signals: [add priority signals]
Cadence: snapshot
Decision to support: [decision to support]

Recommended package: Free public-page scan (Free — no login)

First useful report should answer:
- Does the public website make the offer, proof, and next action clear enough for a cautious buyer?
- Which of the named competitors are showing the strongest public movement in this market?
- What changed recently, what source proves it, and how confident is the signal?
- Which award and buyer trail should influence the next bid, sales message, or positioning decision?

Coverage preview:
- Competitor 1: award and buyer trail plus offer and pricing language; First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 1.
- Competitor 2: offer and pricing language plus award and buyer trail; First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 2.
- Competitor 3: award and buyer trail plus offer and pricing language; First report row: what changed, source link, confidence, buyer implication, and next action for Competitor 3.

Requested human-review output (confirm before work starts):
- Executive readout: top 3 website fitness findings, commercial implication, and recommended next action
- Public-site check: opening promise, trust proof, calls to action, buyer friction, and first-fix priorities
- Competitor signal ledger: competitor, source link, signal category, confidence, implication, next action
- Battlecard notes: bid/sales talk tracks, proof gaps, counter-positioning prompts
- Watchlist and blind spots: what to monitor next and where evidence is weak or absent
- Source appendix: public links checked, timestamp, and caveats

Example signal rows

A good report row does not just say what happened. It shows the source type, confidence, implication, and next practical action.

Award movement

Example Bid Adviser A

New local authority contract award found in public notices.

Evidence: High confidence: buyer notice and award trail.

Next action: Check positioning and proof against similar buyer needs.

Offer shift

Example Bid Adviser B

Service page now leads with AI-supported bid production.

Evidence: Medium confidence: public website copy, snapshot needed.

Next action: Prepare counter-positioning around quality gates and review.

Capability signal

Example Bid Adviser C

Senior bid role advertised with public-sector growth language.

Evidence: Medium confidence: public job advert only.

Next action: Monitor for matching framework wins or named awards.

A research-ready scope, not simulated intelligence.

This tool is for owners, agencies, consultants and commercial teams who need to define a competitor question before research starts. Its output is the brief itself. Any source-linked findings require a separate public-source review and are never invented from the form inputs.

View project proof See example output Shopify CRO sprint Read evidence note

Competitor Intelligence is one of Mark Hay's practical public product surfaces. For the full operator context, see the markhay.net organisation products and services.

What does this page do?

It creates a structured competitor-research brief: the decision, named competitors, evidence types, desired coverage and output standard. It does not perform research or create findings in the browser.

Which sources can a separately agreed review check?

Typical public sources include your website, competitor websites, public case studies, directories, reviews, Companies House, award notices, job adverts, news search, and relevant public pages where appropriate.

Does the brief builder search the web?

No. The current browser tool does not scrape, search or monitor competitors. A human public-source review is a separate, scoped enquiry.

Is the output advice?

No. Outputs support commercial decisions and are not legal, procurement, investment, financial, or compliance advice.

What happens after an enquiry?

The brief is reviewed and the sources, exact deliverable, turnaround and price are confirmed before payment or work starts. There is no instant research checkout.

What should a first-time user do?

Run the free Website Fitness public-page scan, save this brief, and request human research only if it would materially improve a live decision.