How do I obtain a list of direct competitors?

Besides what others have answered, I'd consider to use a tool like ChatGPT to get started. I just asked it for competitors of anatomy.app and for "sites / apps targeted at medical students looking to learn anatomy" and it gave me a good and comprehensive answer in just a couple of minutes :)

These days, ChatGPT is a good tool to find competitors so long as you are descriptive about what such a competitor does as their core business. I find that if ChatGPT gives me a list and they are all real competitors, there are likely more, so I simply ask ChatGPT to produce more until those competitors I find are not so relevant.

Another, more tedious way is to pretend to be a customer searching for such a service, whether you are on Google, social media, etc.

To identify direct competitors for a niche site like anatomy.app targeted at medical students, you can use a combination of online research methods. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Google Search:

Start with a simple Google search using relevant keywords like "anatomy learning apps," "medical student anatomy resources," or "anatomy study tools." Examine the search results to identify potential competitors.

Social Media and Forums:

Explore social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as relevant forums like studentdoctor.net or Reddit. Engage with discussions to gather information about other platforms or apps that medical students recommend or use.

Professional Associations and Websites:

Visit websites of medical student associations, educational institutions, and professional organizations related to anatomy education. They might list recommended resources or tools for students.

Keyword Research Tools:

Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify websites or apps that rank for relevant anatomy-related keywords. This can help you discover competitors who are actively targeting similar search terms.

Industry Reports and Directories:

Look for industry reports or directories related to medical education technology. These may highlight key players in the field and provide insights into emerging competitors.

Networking and Conferences:

Attend industry conferences, webinars, or networking events related to medical education. These events can provide opportunities to learn about new players in the market and connect with professionals in the field.

Survey Your Target Audience:

Consider creating a survey for your target audience (medical students) to gather insights into the resources they use for anatomy learning. This can reveal hidden gems or lesser-known competitors.

Patent and Trademark Databases:

Search patent and trademark databases to identify companies or individuals with intellectual property related to medical education technology. This can reveal competitors who might not be immediately obvious through regular searches.

Competitor Analysis Tools:

Use competitor analysis tools like SimilarWeb, Compete, or Alexa to get insights into the traffic, audience demographics, and performance of potential competitors.

Owler is a great tool I've used in the past. I think their subscription is less than $20/month and you can review competitors in details (number of employees, revenue, leadership team, etc.).

Here are some suggestions for finding niche anatomy learning sites that compete with anatomy.app:

Search engine keyword research: Use Google's Keyword Planner or other keyword research tools to find related terms people are searching for. Look for anatomy, medical school, etc., plus terms like "flashcards," "atlas," and "3D.".

App/website directories: Search categories like "Medical Education" on platforms like the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Crunchbase to find similar apps.

Forum research: Search medical student forums like Student Doctor Network and Reddit medical subs for discussions around anatomy learning tools.

Competitor research: analyze anatomy.app's website and app pages for references to or mentions of competitors. Check their social profiles for engagement with similar companies.

Google/Bing site search: Search engines like "site:edu anatomy learning tools" to find university resource pages listing comparable study resources.

Amazon search: search anatomy categories and browse 'Frequently bought together' options.

Trade publication research: search articles on anatomy edtech in publications like MD Linx or College Planner for startups.

Investor/accelerator websites: Anthropic, Y Combinator, etc. have profiles of past edtech participants; search for anatomy-related.

The keyword and search engine approaches should surface the most direct and newest competitors for direct research purposes.