In this Ahrefs Pros and Cons review, we’ll explore the key advantages and disadvantages of using this popular SEO tool, helping users decide if it’s the right choice for their SEO needs.

Ahrefs Pros

⦁ Extensive Data Coverage Across Multiple Search Engines
While most SEO alternatives limit their data to Google, Ahrefs allows for keyword research on eight other platforms, including YouTube, Bing, and Amazon.

⦁ Multiple Domain Support
Ahrefs allows you to utilize numerous domains effectively. This platform enables you to handle an unlimited number of verified domains, which are those you can demonstrate access rights to. Verification can be achieved by linking your Ahrefs account to Google Search Console, adding a DNS record to your domain, or incorporating specific HTML into your website.

⦁ Traffic Potential Feature
Ahrefs Traffic Potential Feature shows the full value of ranking for a keyword by factoring in variations of the search term. While many SEO tools only display search volume, Ahrefs adds a “traffic potential” metric, which shows how much traffic could be generated from related searches. For example, a keyword with 3,000 searches per month might generate 18,000 visits when variations are considered. This helps users identify high-value keywords that could otherwise be overlooked.

⦁ Broken Link Analysis
Ahrefs simplifies broken link building, a valuable SEO tactic. By finding broken links, recreating the content, and requesting backlinks to your new content, you can boost your website’s SEO. Ahrefs makes this process easier than many competitors. You simply enter a domain in Site Explorer, select “Broken Backlinks,” and see a list of broken inbound links and where they appear.

⦁ Ease of Use
The interface of Ahrefs is meticulously crafted, free of clutter, and simple to operate. While all SEO tools come with a learning curve, Ahrefs is undoubtedly one of the most straightforward choices available.

Ahrefs Cons

⦁ No Free Trial
Ahrefs does not provide a free trial. While the platform offers some complimentary tools, a free trial of the full service is not available. This limitation can complicate the process of determining if it meets your SEO requirements or not?
⦁ Limited Reporting
The reporting limits set by Ahrefs are quite limited, permitting only 500 queries per month, even for users on the most expensive plans. This is significantly less than what is available from key competitors such as Semrush and Moz. Nevertheless, Ahrefs does provide a ‘pay as you go’ option for additional queries, which can be a cost-effective solution for customers with varying reporting needs each month.
⦁ Expensive Entry Level Plan
The entry-level plan is costly relative to its offerings. Although Ahrefs’ entry-level plan is more affordable than similar plans from some competitors, it lacks several essential features. For instance, it does not provide access to broken backlink analysis, position history, or competitive analysis tools.
⦁ Lack of Daily Reports on Search Positions
Accessing daily updates on search positions necessitates an expensive add-on. The default rank tracking feature in Ahrefs only provides weekly reports on how your target keywords are performing in search results. To obtain daily updates, you will have to pay for a relatively high-priced add-on.
⦁ No Phone Support
While Ahrefs is generally more user-friendly than many SEO tools, new users may encounter a learning curve at the start of their subscription and may require assistance. Regrettably, this support cannot be accessed via phone; Ahrefs offers customer service exclusively through live chat and email.

Alternatives to Ahrefs

Our analysis of different SEO tools indicates that Semrush is likely the top alternative to Ahrefs. It excels in offering project management tools, advertising research insights, and content marketing resources. However, Ahrefs tends to be more accommodating regarding the number of projects you can manage and the volume of data available, particularly if you subscribe to one of its premium plans.

To sum up, Ahrefs presents a robust SEO tool with significant advantages, such as extensive data coverage and user-friendly features, but it also has notable drawbacks, including the absence of a free trial and limited reporting capabilities. Ultimately, users must weigh these pros and cons to determine if Ahrefs aligns with their specific SEO needs compared to alternatives like Semrush.

Let me know your thoughts—what did you find helpful, and where can it be improved? Drop your comments below!