---
type: method
slug: competitor-analysis
title: "Run a competitor analysis"
category: "Business Strategy & Planning"
subcategory: "Market & industry research"
level: starter
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/competitor-analysis
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Before positioning a new product or entering a market.
- When a competitor launches something and you need to respond.

## Prompt

# 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.

## Evidence you can attach
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)
- E-Commerce Share of US Retail: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/us-ecommerce-share (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/us-ecommerce-share.md)
- Global EV Adoption: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-ev-adoption (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-ev-adoption.md)

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