# semrush-research

Pulls domain metrics, keyword difficulty, backlinks, and competitor search data via the SemRush API. Useful for running SEO intelligence without leaving the terminal.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 486 installs · ★ 721
- Author: OpenClaudia
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/semrush-research

## What it does

This skill queries SemRush API endpoints with `curl` and parses the returned semicolon-delimited CSV data. It extracts domain overviews covering organic and paid traffic, analyzes keyword search volume, tracks keyword difficulty on a 0–100 scale, and checks backlink distribution across root domains.

It includes a complete competitive research workflow. When prompted, the agent gathers target metrics, discovers competing domains, inspects common keyword rankings, and summarizes the findings in a side-by-side comparison table. Supported regional databases include `us`, `uk`, `ca`, `de`, `fr`, and others.

Requests fail immediately unless `SEMRUSH_API_KEY` is configured in `.env`, `.env.local`, or `~/.claude/.env.global`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill semrush-research -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/semrush-research/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill semrush-research -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill semrush-research -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills semrush-research
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill semrush-research -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --path skills/semrush-research
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill semrush-research -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- pull organic and paid traffic estimates for any domain
- check keyword search volume, CPC, and ranking difficulty
- discover direct search competitors and shared organic keywords
- summarize backlink counts, referring domains, and link types

## Example prompts
- Run a full competitor analysis for notion.so against its organic rivals
- Check search volume and difficulty for project management in the us database
- Show backlink metrics and top ranking keywords for hubspot.com

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: e41dec2df1904a22.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE e41dec2df1904a22
````text
---
name: semrush-research
description: >
  SEO and competitive intelligence via the SemRush API. Use when asked to
  research competitors, analyze domains, find keyword opportunities, check
  backlinks, or estimate traffic. Trigger phrases: "competitor analysis",
  "domain overview", "keyword research", "backlink check", "traffic estimate",
  "SEO intelligence", "semrush", "competitive research".
---

# SemRush Research

Pull live SEO and competitive intelligence data from the SemRush API.

## Prerequisites

Requires `SEMRUSH_API_KEY` set in `.env`, `.env.local`, or `~/.claude/.env.global`.

```bash
# Verify the key is available
echo "SEMRUSH_API_KEY is ${SEMRUSH_API_KEY:+set}"
```

If the key is not set, instruct the user:
> You need a SemRush API key. Get one at https://www.semrush.com/api/
> Then add `SEMRUSH_API_KEY=your_key` to your `.env` file.

## API Base

All requests go to `https://api.semrush.com/` with the API key passed as `&key={SEMRUSH_API_KEY}`.

Responses are semicolon-delimited CSV. The first line is the header row. Parse accordingly.

---

## 1. Domain Overview

Get a high-level snapshot of any domain's organic and paid search performance.

### Endpoint

```
https://api.semrush.com/?type=domain_ranks&key={KEY}&export_columns=Dn,Rk,Or,Ot,Oc,Ad,At,Ac&domain={domain}
```

### Export Columns

| Column | Meaning |
|--------|---------|
| `Dn` | Domain |
| `Rk` | SemRush Rank |
| `Or` | Organic keywords count |
| `Ot` | Organic traffic estimate |
| `Oc` | Organic traffic cost ($) |
| `Ad` | Paid keywords count |
| `At` | Paid traffic estimate |
| `Ac` | Paid traffic cost ($) |

### Example curl

```bash
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=domain_ranks&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&export_columns=Dn,Rk,Or,Ot,Oc,Ad,At,Ac&domain=example.com"
```

### Parsing the Response

```bash
# Response format (semicolon-delimited):
# Dn;Rk;Or;Ot;Oc;Ad;At;Ac
# example.com;12345;8234;145000;234500;120;3400;5600

# Parse with awk
curl -s "..." | awk -F';' 'NR==2 {
  printf "Domain: %s\nSemRush Rank: %s\nOrganic Keywords: %s\nOrganic Traffic: %s\nOrganic Traffic Cost: $%s\nPaid Keywords: %s\nPaid Traffic: %s\nPaid Traffic Cost: $%s\n",
  $1,$2,$3,$4,$5,$6,$7,$8
}'
```

---

## 2. Keyword Overview

Get search volume, CPC, competition, and SERP features for a keyword.

### Endpoint

```
https://api.semrush.com/?type=phrase_all&key={KEY}&phrase={keyword}&database=us&export_columns=Ph,Nq,Cp,Co,Nr,Td
```

### Export Columns

| Column | Meaning |
|--------|---------|
| `Ph` | Keyword phrase |
| `Nq` | Search volume (monthly) |
| `Cp` | CPC (USD) |
| `Co` | Competition (0-1) |
| `Nr` | Number of results |
| `Td` | Trend (12 months, comma-separated) |

### Example curl

```bash
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=phrase_all&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&phrase=content+marketing&database=us&export_columns=Ph,Nq,Cp,Co,Nr,Td"
```

### Supported Databases
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE e41dec2df1904a22

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First 2882 of 8578 bytes. © OpenClaudia · MIT · https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/semrush-research/SKILL.md

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---
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