Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer is one of the most powerful tools in the SEO world for researching and analyzing keywords. It allows users to find profitable keywords, assess their competition, and get insights into search volume, keyword difficulty, and more. This guide will provide an in-depth look at how to use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, including tables, lists, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- How to Use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- Search Volume Analysis
- Keyword Difficulty
- Click Metrics
- SERP Overview
- Key Features of Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- Keyword Ideas
- SERP Features
- Parent Topic
- Search Suggestions
- Advanced Features and Analysis
- Advanced Search Filters
- Competitor Research
- Keyword Gap Analysis
- Best Practices for Using Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- FAQs about Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
1. Introduction to Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is a robust keyword research tool designed to help you find the best keywords for SEO. It supports a wide range of data to help marketers and SEO professionals make better decisions based on keyword search intent and competition analysis. The tool pulls its data from Ahrefs’ extensive database, which is updated regularly, ensuring you have access to fresh insights.
Key Benefits of Using Ahrefs Keywords Explorer:
- Comprehensive Data: Keyword search volume, keyword difficulty, click-through rates (CTR), and more.
- Global Coverage: It supports over 170 countries and different languages.
- SERP Analysis: View the top-ranking pages for each keyword and their SEO metrics.
2. How to Use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
When you first log into Ahrefs, navigate to the Keywords Explorer tool in the menu. Once you’ve entered a keyword, the tool will show you a wealth of information. Here’s a breakdown of the key sections you will encounter:
a) Search Volume Analysis
Ahrefs estimates the monthly search volume for a keyword based on data from search engines. This is an important metric for understanding how often a keyword is searched.
| Metric | Description | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| Search Volume | The number of times a keyword is searched per month | 2,000 |
| Clicks | How many clicks a keyword typically gets from organic search | 1,500 |
| Traffic Potential | The total organic traffic potential for a keyword | 1,800 |
How to Analyze Search Volume:
- Enter your target keyword in the search bar.
- Select the country and language (Ahrefs supports over 170 countries).
- Review the monthly search volume and clicks data.
- Use the “Click” metric to determine if search results provide traffic or if many people bounce back to the search results.
b) Keyword Difficulty
Keyword Difficulty (KD) is a metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank for a specific keyword based on the strength of the top-ranking pages.
| KD Range | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| 0-20 | Easy |
| 21-40 | Medium |
| 41-60 | Hard |
| 61-100 | Very Hard |
c) Click Metrics
These metrics help you understand the actual number of clicks that will come from ranking for a given keyword.
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Clicks | The number of organic clicks the top pages get. |
| CTR | The percentage of searchers who click on the top-ranking pages. |
d) SERP Overview
This section provides a snapshot of the top-ranking pages in the search results for your keyword. It displays the URL, page title, and several SEO metrics (e.g., Domain Rating, URL Rating, backlinks, etc.).
3. Key Features of Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
a) Keyword Ideas
Ahrefs helps you generate a variety of keyword ideas based on the seed keyword you enter. These include:
- Related Keywords: Keywords that are semantically related.
- Questions: Keywords phrased as questions.
- New Keywords: Keywords that you might not have thought of but are related.
- Phrase Match: Keywords that include your target keyword phrase.
- Having Same Terms: Keywords that include any of the words from your seed keyword.
Example of Keyword Ideas
| Keyword | Search Volume | KD | CPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| “digital marketing” | 22,000 | 45 | $4.20 |
| “online marketing” | 16,000 | 37 | $3.50 |
b) SERP Features
Ahrefs allows you to see what types of features appear in the search results for your keyword. This could include:
- Featured Snippets
- Video Results
- Knowledge Panels
- local pack
c) Parent Topic
The Parent Topic feature helps identify broader topics that your keyword is part of. For example, if you’re targeting the keyword “digital marketing,” the parent topic might be “online marketing.” This feature helps you optimize for broad themes.
4. Advanced Features and Analysis
a) Advanced Search Filters
Ahrefs offers several filters to narrow down your keyword search:
- Search Volume Range: Filter keywords by search volume.
- Keyword Difficulty Range: Narrow results by difficulty.
- Cost Per Click (CPC): Filter by CPC to find high-value keywords.
b) Competitor Research
By using the Competing Domains feature, you can analyze which websites are competing for the same keywords and learn their strategies.
c) Keyword Gap Analysis
The Keyword Gap tool allows you to compare the keyword profile of your website with competitors. This is useful for finding keyword opportunities that your competitors rank for, but you do not.
5. Best Practices for Using Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- Target Long-Tail Keywords: These are easier to rank for and often have higher conversion rates.
- Analyze SERP Features: Pay attention to which SERP features appear for your target keywords, as they can influence click-through rates.
- Use Parent Topics: Optimize content around broader themes to capture a wider audience.
- Focus on Click Metrics: It’s not just about search volume; understand how many clicks you’ll actually get.
6. FAQs about Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Q1: How accurate is Ahrefs’ search volume data?
Ahrefs’ search volume estimates are derived from the vast amount of data collected across various search engines, providing fairly accurate insights. However, it’s important to note that all search volume tools are estimates, and actual search volume may vary.
Q2: Can I track keyword rankings with Ahrefs Keywords Explorer?
Ahrefs itself is not designed as a ranking tracker, but you can integrate it with tools like Ahrefs Rank Tracker to monitor your keyword rankings over time.
Q3: How can I find keyword opportunities that my competitors are missing?
Use Ahrefs’ Keyword Gap tool to compare your website with competitors and identify keywords they rank for that you don’t.
Q4: Does Ahrefs Keywords Explorer support international keyword research?
Yes, Ahrefs supports over 170 countries and allows you to research keywords in different languages.
Q5: How do I use the Keyword Difficulty (KD) metric effectively?
Use the KD metric to assess the level of competition. A keyword with a KD of 40 might be medium difficulty, while one with a KD of 80 is extremely competitive. Aim for keywords that align with your site’s domain authority.
