Ahrefs vs SEMrush: Which SEO Tool Should You Use?
SEMrush and Ahrefs are among<br /> the most popular tools in the SEO industry. Both companies have been in<br /> business for years and have thousands of customers per month.<br /> <br /> If you're a professional SEO or trying to do digital<br /> marketing on your own, at some point you'll likely consider using a tool to<br /> help with your efforts. Ahrefs and SEMrush are two names that will likely<br /> appear on your shortlist.<br /> if (typeof atAsyncOptions !== 'object') var atAsyncOptions = [];<br /> atAsyncOptions.push({<br /> 'key': '8a426783aef805554f3d96c19f8beeb7',<br /> 'format': 'js',<br /> 'async': true,<br /> 'container': 'atContainer-8a426783aef805554f3d96c19f8beeb7',<br /> 'params' : {}<br /> });<br /> var script = document.createElement('script');<br /> script.type = "text/javascript";<br /> script.async = true;<br /> script.src = 'http' + (location.protocol === 'https:' ? 's' : '') + '://www.topcreativeformat.com/8a426783aef805554f3d96c19f8beeb7/invoke.js';<br /> document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(script);<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this guide, I'm going to help you learn more about<br /> these SEO tools and how to choose the one that's best for your purposes.What is SEMrush?<br /> <br /> SEMrush is a popular SEO tool with a wide range of<br /> features—it's the leading competitor research service for online marketers.<br /> SEMrush's SEO Keyword Magic tool offers over 20 billion Google-approved<br /> keywords, which are constantly updated and it's the largest keyword database.<br /> <br /> The program was developed in 2007 as SeoQuake is a<br /> small Firefox extension<br /> <br /> Features<br /> <br /> Most accurate keyword data: Accurate keyword<br /> search volume data is crucial for SEO and PPC campaigns by allowing you to<br /> identify what keywords are most likely to bring in big sales from ad clicks.<br /> SEMrush constantly updates its databases and provides the most accurate data.Largest Keyword database: SEMrush's Keyword<br /> Magic Tool now features 20-billion keywords, providing marketers and SEO<br /> professionals the largest database of keywords.<br /> All SEMrush users receive daily ranking data, mobile<br /> volume information, and the option to buy additional keywords by default with<br /> no additional payment or add-ons neededMost accurate position tracking tool: This tool<br /> provides all subscribers with basic tracking capabilities, making it suitable<br /> for SEO professionals. Plus, the Position Tracking tool provides local-level<br /> data to everyone who uses the tool.SEO Data Management: SEMrush makes managing your<br /> online data easy by allowing you to create visually appealing custom PDF<br /> reports, including Branded and White Label reports, report scheduling, and<br /> integration with GA, GMB, and GSC.Toxic link monitoring and penalty recovery: With<br /> SEMrush, you can make a detailed analysis of toxic backlinks, toxic scores,<br /> toxic markers, and outreach to those sites.Content Optimization and Creation Tools: SEMrush<br /> offers content optimization and creation tools that let you create SEO-friendly<br /> content. Some features include the SEO Writing Assistant, On-Page SEO Check,<br /> er/SEO Content Template, Content Audit, Post Tracking, Brand Monitoring.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Ahrefs<br /> <br /> Ahrefs is a leading SEO platform that offers a set of<br /> tools to grow your search traffic, research your competitors, and monitor your<br /> niche. The company was founded in 2010, and it has become a popular choice<br /> among SEO tools. Ahrefs has a keyword index of over 10.3 billion keywords and<br /> offers accurate and extensive backlink data updated every 15-30 minutes and it<br /> is the world's most extensive backlink index database.<br /> <br /> Features<br /> <br /> Backlink alerts data and new keywords: Get an<br /> alert when your site is linked to or discussed in blogs, forums, comments, or<br /> when new keywords are added to a blog posting about you.Intuitive interface: The intuitive design of the<br /> widget helps you see the overall health of your website and search engine<br /> ranking at a glance.Site Explorer: The Site Explorer will give you<br /> an in-depth look at your site's search traffic.Domain ComparisonReports with charts and graphsJavaScript rendering and a site audit can identify SEO<br /> issues.A question explorer that provides well-crafted topic<br /> suggestions<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Direct Comparisons: Ahrefs vs SEMrush<br /> <br /> Now that you know a little more about each tool, let's<br /> take a look at how they compare. I'll analyze each tool to see how they differ<br /> in interfaces, keyword research resources, rank tracking, and competitor<br /> analysis.<br /> <br /> User Interface<br /> <br /> Ahrefs and SEMrush both offer comprehensive information<br /> and quick metrics regarding your website's SEO performance. However, Ahrefs<br /> takes a bit more of a hands-on approach to getting your account fully set up,<br /> whereas SEMrush's simpler dashboard can give you access to the data you need<br /> quickly.<br /> <br /> In this section, we provide a brief overview of the elements<br /> found on each dashboard and highlight the ease with which you can complete<br /> tasks.<br /> <br /> AHREFS<br /> <br /> The Ahrefs dashboard is less cluttered than that of<br /> SEMrush, and its primary menu is at the very top of the page, with a search bar<br /> designed only for entering URLs.<br /> <br /> Additional features of the Ahrefs platform include:<br /> <br /> You can see analytics from the dashboard, including<br /> search engine rankings to domain ratings, referring domains, and backlinkJumping from one tool to another is easy. You can use<br /> the Keyword Explorer to find a keyword to target and then directly track your<br /> ranking with one click.The website offers a tooltip helper tool that allows<br /> you to hover your mouse over something that isn't clear and get an in-depth<br /> explanation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> SEMRUSH<br /> <br /> When you log into the SEMrush Tool, you will find four<br /> main modules. These include information about your domains, organic keyword<br /> analysis, ad keyword, and site traffic.<br /> <br /> You'll also find some other options like<br /> <br /> A search bar allows you to enter a domain, keyword, or<br /> anything else you wish to explore.A menu on the left side of the page provides quick<br /> links to relevant information, including marketing insights, projects, keyword<br /> analytics, and more.The customer support resources located directly within<br /> the dashboard can be used to communicate with the support team or to learn<br /> about other resources such as webinars and blogs.Detailed descriptions of every resource offered. This<br /> detail is beneficial for new marketers, who are just starting.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> WHO WINS?<br /> <br /> Both Ahrefs and SEMrush have user-friendly dashboards,<br /> but Ahrefs is less cluttered and easier to navigate. On the other hand, SEMrush<br /> offers dozens of extra tools, including access to customer support resources.<br /> <br /> When deciding on which dashboard to use, consider what<br /> you value in the user interface, and test out both.<br /> <br /> Rank Tracking<br /> <br /> If you're looking to track your website's search engine<br /> ranking, rank tracking features can help. You can also use them to monitor your<br /> competitors.<br /> <br /> Let's take a look at Ahrefs vs. SEMrush to see which<br /> tool does a better job.<br /> <br /> Ahrefs<br /> <br /> The Ahrefs Rank Tracker is simpler to use. Just type in<br /> the domain name and keywords you want to analyze, and it spits out a report<br /> showing you the search engine results page (SERP) ranking for each keyword you<br /> enter.<br /> <br /> Rank Tracker looks at the ranking performance of<br /> keywords and compares them with the top rankings for those keywords. Ahrefs<br /> also offers:<br /> <br /> You'll see metrics that help you understand your<br /> visibility, traffic, average position, and keyword difficulty.<br /> <br /> It gives you an idea of whether a keyword would be<br /> profitable to target or not.<br /> <br /> SEMRUSH<br /> <br /> SEMRush offers a tool called Position Tracking. This<br /> tool is a project tool—you must set it up as a new project. Below are a few of<br /> the most popular features of the SEMrush Position Tracking tool:<br /> <br /> All subscribers are given regular data updates and<br /> mobile search rankings upon subscribing<br /> <br /> The platform provides opportunities to track several<br /> SERP features, including Local tracking.<br /> <br /> Intuitive reports allow you to track statistics for the<br /> pages on your website, as well as the keywords used in those pages.<br /> <br /> Identify pages that may be competing with each other<br /> using the Cannibalization report.<br /> <br /> WHO WINS?<br /> <br /> Ahrefs is a more user-friendly option. It takes seconds<br /> to enter a domain name and keywords. From there, you can quickly decide whether<br /> to proceed with that keyword or figure out how to rank better for other<br /> keywords.<br /> <br /> SEMrush allows you to check your mobile rankings and<br /> ranking updates daily, which is something Ahrefs does not offer. SEMrush also<br /> offers social media rankings, a tool you won't find within the Ahrefs platform.<br /> Both are good which one do you like let me know in the comment.<br /> <br /> Keyword Research<br /> <br /> Keyword research is closely related to rank tracking,<br /> but it's used for deciding which keywords you plan on using for future content<br /> rather than those you use now.<br /> <br /> When it comes to SEO, keyword research is the most<br /> important thing to consider when comparing the two platforms.<br /> <br /> AHREFS<br /> <br /> The Ahrefs Keyword Explorer provides you with thousands<br /> of keyword ideas and filters search results based on the chosen search engine.<br /> <br /> Ahrefs supports several features, including:<br /> <br /> It can search multiple keywords in a single search and<br /> analyze them together. At SEMrush, you also have this feature in Keyword<br /> Overview.Ahrefs has a variety of keywords for different search<br /> engines, including Google, YouTube, Amazon, Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, and other<br /> search engines.When you click on a keyword, you can see its search<br /> volume and keyword difficulty, but also other keywords related to it, which you<br /> didn't use.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> SEMRUSH<br /> <br /> SEMrush's Keyword Magic Tool has over 20 billion<br /> keywords for Google. You can type in any keyword you want, and a list of<br /> suggested keywords will appear.<br /> <br /> The Keyword Magic Tool also lets you to:<br /> <br /> Show performance metrics by keywordSearch results are based on both broad and exact<br /> keyword matches.Show data like search volume, trends, keyword<br /> difficulty, and CPC.Show the first 100 Google search results for any<br /> keyword.Identify SERP Features and Questions related to each<br /> keywordSEMrush has released a new Keyword Gap Tool that<br /> uncovers potentially useful keyword opportunities for you, including both paid<br /> and organic keywords.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> WHO WINS?<br /> <br /> Both of these tools offer keyword research features and<br /> allow users to break down complicated tasks into something that can be<br /> understood by beginners and advanced users alike.<br /> <br /> If you're interested in keyword suggestions, SEMrush<br /> appears to have more keyword suggestions than Ahrefs does. It also continues to<br /> add new features, like the Keyword Gap tool and SERP Questions recommendations.<br /> <br /> Competitor Analysis<br /> <br /> Both platforms offer competitor analysis tools,<br /> eliminating the need to come up with keywords off the top of your head. Each<br /> tool is useful for finding keywords that will be useful for your competition so<br /> you know they will be valuable to you.<br /> <br /> AHREFS<br /> <br /> Ahrefs' domain comparison tool lets you compare up to<br /> five websites (your website and four competitors) side-by-side.it also shows<br /> you how your site is ranked against others with metrics<br /> such as backlinks, domain ratings, and more.<br /> <br /> Use the Competing Domains section to see a list of your<br /> most direct competitors, and explore how many keywords matches your competitors<br /> have.<br /> <br /> To find more information about your competitor, you can<br /> look at the Site Explorer and Content Explorer tools and type in their URL<br /> instead of yours.<br /> <br /> SEMRUSH<br /> <br /> SEMrush provides a variety of insights into your<br /> competitors' marketing tactics. The platform enables you to research your<br /> competitors effectively. It also offers several resources for competitor<br /> analysis including:<br /> <br /> Traffic Analytics helps you identify where your<br /> audience comes from, how they engage with your site, what devices visitors use<br /> to view your site, and how your audiences overlap with other websites.<br /> <br /> SEMrush's Organic Research examines your website's<br /> major competitors and shows their organic search rankings, keywords they are<br /> ranking for, and even if they are ranking for any (SERP) features and more.<br /> <br /> The Market Explorer search field allows you to type in<br /> a domain and lists websites or articles similar to what you entered. Market<br /> Explorer also allows users to perform in-depth data analytics on These<br /> companies and markets.<br /> <br /> WHO WINS?<br /> <br /> SEMrush wins here because it has more tools dedicated to<br /> competitor analysis than Ahrefs. However, Ahrefs offers a lot of functionality<br /> in this area, too. It takes a combination of both tools to gain an advantage<br /> over your competition.<br /> <br /> Pricing<br /> <br /> Ahrefs<br /> <br /> Lite Monthly: $99/monthStandard Monthly: $179/month Annually Lite: $990/yearAnnually Standard: $1790/year<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> SEMRUSH<br /> <br /> Pro Plan: $119.95/monthGuru Plan:$229.95/monthBusiness Plan: $449.95/month<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Which SEO tool should you choose for digital<br /> marketing?<br /> <br /> When it comes to keyword data research, you will become<br /> confused about which one to choose.<br /> <br /> Consider choosing Ahrefs if you<br /> <br /> Like friendly and clean interfaceSearching for simple keyword suggestions<br /> <br /> Want to get more keywords for different search engines<br /> like Amazon, Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, Baidu, and more <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Consider SEMrush if you:<br /> <br /> Want more marketing and SEO featuresNeed competitor analysis toolNeed to keep your backlinks profile cleanLooking for more keyword suggestions for Google<br /> <br /> Both tools are great. Choose the one which meets your<br /> requirements and if you have any experience using either Ahrefs or SEMrush let<br /> me know in the comment section which works well for you.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />