How to Use Ahrefs

Getting started with Ahrefs

In this guide, you will learn how to set up your Ahrefs account and perform essential SEO tasks like keyword research and backlink analysis. By the end, you’ll be ready to improve your website’s SEO performance effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to ahrefs.com.
2. Click on the Get Started button in the top right corner.
3. Choose a plan that suits you; Ahrefs does not offer a free tier, but you can select the Lite plan at $129/month.
4. Fill in your details and complete the payment process.
5. Once your account is created, log in to your dashboard.

Step 2: Your first keyword research

1. From the dashboard, click on the Keywords Explorer option in the left sidebar.
2. Enter a keyword related to your niche in the search bar and hit Search.
3. Review the results on the Overview page, which includes search volume, keyword difficulty, and clicks.
4. Scroll down to the Keyword Ideas section to find related keywords and questions.
5. Click on any keyword to see more details, including SERP analysis and traffic potential.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use filters in the Keyword Ideas section to narrow down results by search volume, keyword difficulty, or other metrics.
2. Save valuable keywords by clicking the Add to List button to create a custom keyword list for future reference.
3. Regularly check the Site Audit feature to identify issues on your website that could affect SEO performance. You can find this under the Site Audit tab in the left sidebar.

Pro tip

Take advantage of the Content Explorer feature. It allows you to find popular content in your niche and analyse backlinks to those pages. This can inspire your content strategy and improve your own link-building efforts.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid relying solely on the default metrics. Always explore the filters and settings to customise your results. Many beginners miss out on valuable insights by not adjusting these options.