First can mean several different things
A paid advertisement, a map listing and an ordinary website link can all appear near the top of a screen. They are not the same placement. A company first in the advertising section is not necessarily first in the unpaid website results.
Before drawing a conclusion, the type of appearance needs to be clear. Otherwise an owner can compare different products as though they were the same competition. A screen position is useful evidence of what was shown, but it needs an accurate description.
A search result is specific to a situation
The person’s wording and location can change what Google displays. A broad subject, a particular service and a business name can ask for different kinds of information. The same company can appear prominently in one situation and less prominently in another.
This is why one screenshot does not establish a permanent order among businesses. It records one result. A discussion that treats it as the entire market can exaggerate what is known and overlook customers searching for different services or from different places.
A familiar name can influence the customer separately
Google’s display and the customer’s decision are not identical events. Someone may recognize a company through a referral, previous work or a sign they have seen. Another may compare several providers despite the order of the results.
A higher position can create an introduction, but it does not settle whether the business offers the right project, appointment or terms. A company with fewer suitable openings may receive attention without turning it into additional work. Visibility alone does not explain those business circumstances.
Copying a competitor does not prove the cause
A visible feature on another website may be noticeable without explaining why the result appeared first. The owner cannot infer the complete cause from the design, a phrase or one badge. A confident claim about the reason needs more evidence than a visual resemblance.
A competitor’s visible pages, reviews and services give you useful information to compare. Focus the review on what customers can see and how the company presents the work it offers.
Focus on the actual gap in business
The relevant concern is whether suitable customers can discover and contact your company, and whether that contact develops into paid work. A competitor’s appearance can be a reason to ask questions without becoming the only definition of success.
A useful comparison identifies where the competitor appears, the service involved and the location. That keeps the review relevant to the people your business wants to reach.