MethodBusiness Strategy & PlanningMarket & industry researchStarter

Run a competitor analysis

A competitor landscape with comparison matrix, positioning map, and the gaps you can exploit.

This is a practical, copy-paste process for before positioning a new product or entering a market.. Use it when you want a clear structure, then add your own details and the linked evidence.

Published by Deepstory Research. Reviewed Sep 2026.

How to use this method

1. Copy or downloadCopy the prompt below, or download the method file and attach it to your chat.
2. Paste into any AIChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot. Replace each [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, or let the AI ask you.
3. Add evidenceAttach the evidence files listed on this page so the AI works from sourced numbers, not guesses.

The prompt

Paste it as-is. The AI will ask for anything still in [BRACKETS].

Download .md

# Run a competitor analysis
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/competitor-analysis

You are a competitive-intelligence analyst. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A competitor landscape with comparison matrix, positioning map, and the gaps you can exploit.

## My inputs
- Your company or product: [YOUR_COMPANY_OR_PRODUCT] (example: a meal-kit delivery service)
- Known competitors: [KNOWN_COMPETITORS] (example: HelloFresh, local players)
- Market: [MARKET] (example: Dubai)
- What decision this informs: [WHAT_DECISION_THIS_INFORMS] (example: pricing and positioning)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. List direct, indirect and substitute competitors; add any obvious ones I missed and say why.
2. For each, capture target customer, offer, pricing, channels, strengths and weaknesses.
3. Build a feature and price comparison matrix.
4. Draw a two-axis positioning map in text and place each competitor.
5. Identify under-served segments or unmet needs.
6. Recommend 3 positioning moves with the trade-off of each.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Competitor list by type
- Comparison matrix
- Positioning map
- White-space opportunities
- Recommended moves

## Quality rules
- Mark anything you could not verify as UNVERIFIED.
- Date-stamp pricing, it changes.
- Do not invent competitor revenue figures.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

What you need to give the AI

Input	Placeholder	Example
Your company or product	[YOUR_COMPANY_OR_PRODUCT]	a meal-kit delivery service
Known competitors	[KNOWN_COMPETITORS]	HelloFresh, local players
Market	[MARKET]	Dubai
What decision this informs	[WHAT_DECISION_THIS_INFORMS]	pricing and positioning

Use it when

Before positioning a new product or entering a market.
When a competitor launches something and you need to respond.

What you get

Competitor list by type
Comparison matrix
Positioning map
White-space opportunities
Recommended moves

The procedure, step by step

Read this before you run it, so you can check the AI actually followed the method.

1
List direct, indirect and substitute competitors; add any obvious ones I missed and say why.
2
For each, capture target customer, offer, pricing, channels, strengths and weaknesses.
3
Build a feature and price comparison matrix.
4
Draw a two-axis positioning map in text and place each competitor.
5
Identify under-served segments or unmet needs.
6
Recommend 3 positioning moves with the trade-off of each.

Quality checks built into the prompt

• Mark anything you could not verify as UNVERIFIED.
• Date-stamp pricing, it changes.
• Do not invent competitor revenue figures.
• Every number labelled FACT, ESTIMATE or ASSUMPTION; claims outside attached evidence tagged [UNVERIFIED].

Evidence to use with this method

Methods tell the AI how to think. Evidence gives it sourced numbers to think with. Download a context file and attach it with the prompt.

EvidenceFinance

Six-Economy Macro Baseline

A common-country, common-period baseline for real growth, inflation, modeled unemployment and trade exposure across the United States, China, India, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Open evidence Download context file

EvidenceRetail

E-Commerce Share of US Retail

Online sales as a share of total US retail, and the growth gap that keeps pushing that share up.

Open evidence Download context file

EvidenceAutomotive

Global EV Adoption

Electric vehicles as a share of new car sales worldwide, and the year-on-year pace of change.

Open evidence Download context file

Run next

Methods that chain well after this one.

MarketingWrite positioning and a messaging frameworkA positioning statement, value pillars, proof points and messages per audience.MarketingSet a pricing strategyPricing model, price points, packaging tiers and a test plan grounded in value and competition.Business Strategy & PlanningTurn a SWOT into strategy (TOWS)A SWOT analysis converted into concrete SO, WO, ST and WT strategies with priorities.Business Strategy & PlanningWrite a business report on any industryA structured industry report: size, growth, value chain, key players, economics, regulation and outlook.

Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment decisions need a qualified professional.