Ahrefs is a popular SEO toolset that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and competitive analysis. One of its most powerful features is the Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool, which helps users discover relevant keywords to target, assess search volume, competition, and much more. This guide will walk you through the key features of the Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool, how to use it, and some best practices.
1. Introduction to Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool
The Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool helps users find the best keywords to target for their SEO campaigns. It uses Ahrefs’ vast database of search engine data to provide insights into keyword search volume, difficulty, cost-per-click (CPC), and more.
Key Features:
- Keyword Explorer: The primary tool within Ahrefs to find keyword ideas.
- Search Volume: Displays the monthly search volume for each keyword.
- Keyword Difficulty (KD): Measures how hard it would be to rank for a keyword based on the competition.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): Provides insights into the likelihood of clicks for a particular keyword.
- SERP Overview: Shows the current search engine results pages (SERP) for the keyword, helping you understand the competition.
- Global Search Data: Get global keyword data, not just from a specific country or region.
2. How to Use Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool
Step-by-Step Guide
- Log into Ahrefs: First, you need an active Ahrefs subscription. Log into your account to access the tools.
- Go to the Keyword Explorer:
- Navigate to the “Keyword Explorer” tab.
- Enter the seed keyword you want to research.
- Choose your desired country or language (Ahrefs supports global keyword data).
- Analyze the Results:
Once you enter your seed keyword, Ahrefs will display a range of metrics, including:- Keyword Overview: Search volume, CPC, Keyword Difficulty (KD), and clicks.
- Keyword Ideas: Suggestions based on the entered seed keyword.
- SERP Overview: View top-ranking pages for that keyword.
- Filter and Sort Keywords:
- You can filter the keyword ideas based on Keyword Difficulty, Search Volume, and CPC.
- Sort results by Volume or KD to find the best keyword opportunities.
- Export Data:
Once you’ve gathered keyword ideas, you can export the results to CSV to further analyze them.
3. Key Metrics in Keyword Research
Below is a table explaining the key metrics provided by Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool:
| Metric | Description | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| Search Volume | The average number of searches for a keyword per month in a specific location. | Helps determine the overall popularity and potential traffic for a keyword. |
| Keyword Difficulty | A score from 0 to 100 indicating how difficult it is to rank for a keyword. | Helps assess the level of competition. A higher score means harder to rank. |
| Cost per Click (CPC) | The average cost an advertiser pays for each click on a keyword. | Helps determine the commercial value of a keyword, especially for PPC campaigns. |
| Clicks | The estimated number of clicks for the keyword in the search results. | Gives a better understanding of the traffic potential for a given keyword. |
| SERP Overview | The top-ranking pages for a given keyword. | Helps analyze the competition, the type of content ranking, and what it takes to rank. |
4. Types of Keyword Data You Can Analyze
Ahrefs offers several types of data related to keyword research. Here are some of the primary ones:
Keyword Ideas
- Phrase match: Keywords that include the seed keyword (e.g., “best digital marketing tools” for the seed keyword “digital marketing”).
- Having same terms: Keywords containing words similar to the seed keyword.
- Related keywords: Keywords related to the seed keyword but not necessarily containing it.
- Questions: Queries that are framed as questions (e.g., “What are the best marketing tools?”).
- New keywords: Keywords that have recently started gaining traction.
- Frequently bought together: Keywords that are often bought together in e-commerce searches.
Keyword Difficulty (KD)
- A keyword’s KD score is based on the strength of the current top-ranking pages. The higher the KD, the more effort it will take to rank for that keyword.
Search Intent
- Commercial Intent: Keywords with high commercial value and intent to purchase (e.g., “buy iPhone 13”).
- Informational Intent: Keywords aimed at gathering information (e.g., “how to fix a broken screen”).
- Navigational Intent: Keywords searching for a specific website or page (e.g., “Facebook login”).
5. Advanced Features of Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool
Keyword Difficulty (KD) Insights
Ahrefs’ KD score helps you evaluate whether it’s worth targeting a keyword. A higher KD means that the competition for that keyword is more difficult, and you may need more authority to rank.
SERP Analysis
Ahrefs shows the current SERP for each keyword, letting you analyze the current top pages ranking. You can:
- Check the domain authority of top-ranking websites.
- See the type of content that ranks (e.g., blog posts, e-commerce pages, videos).
- Identify featured snippets and other SERP features like People Also Ask, which can give you an edge.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Ahrefs estimates how often searchers click on the results for a particular keyword, even if it’s not the top result. This can help you identify keywords that are likely to drive clicks, even with lower search volume.
6. Tips for Effective Keyword Research with Ahrefs
- Target Low-KD Keywords: If you’re just starting out or working with a new website, it’s often better to target keywords with low KD (under 30) to quickly gain rankings.
- Leverage the “Questions” Filter: By targeting question-based keywords, you can capture featured snippets, a prime spot in SERPs.
- Check SERP Features: Always check if there are featured snippets, knowledge panels, or other SERP features for your targeted keyword. This could indicate a higher CTR opportunity.
- Focus on Search Intent: Ensure the keyword matches the intent behind the search. A keyword with high search volume may not be useful if the intent doesn’t align with your content.
- Monitor Competitor Keywords: Use Ahrefs to check what keywords your competitors are ranking for and see if you can compete for those as well.
7. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Keyword Difficulty (KD) in Ahrefs?
Keyword Difficulty (KD) in Ahrefs is a score that indicates how hard it would be to rank for a keyword. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the hardest. It’s based on the strength of the current top-ranking pages.
2. Can I use Ahrefs Keyword Tool for free?
Ahrefs is a paid tool and does not offer a completely free version. However, it provides limited access through a free trial or a freemium version of its tools for users to test.
3. How does Ahrefs calculate Search Volume?
Ahrefs calculates search volume by analyzing its vast data set of clickstream data, search engine results, and user activity, providing an estimate of the average monthly searches for a given keyword.
4. What is the best Keyword Difficulty (KD) range to target?
For beginners, targeting keywords with a KD score of 20-30 is ideal. As your website gains authority, you can target higher KD keywords.
5. How do I find long-tail keywords in Ahrefs?
You can use the “Having same terms” or “Phrase match” filters to uncover long-tail keywords. These tend to have lower search volume but are often easier to rank for and more specific to user intent.
8. Conclusion
Ahrefs Keyword Research Tool is a powerful asset for anyone looking to optimize their SEO strategy. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced marketer, Ahrefs offers detailed insights into keyword metrics, competition, and search intent to guide your keyword targeting decisions. By using Ahrefs’ features effectively, you can discover high-traffic, low-competition keywords to drive more organic traffic to your site.
If you follow the tips and best practices outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to conduct effective keyword research and improve your SEO performance.
