Keyword Research · Tools

How to Use Ahrefs for Keyword Research

Ahrefs is a popular paid tool for keyword research, offering depth beyond the free options. Here is how to use it for finding and assessing keywords, its main features, and how it fits alongside free tools like Google Keyword Planner and Search Console.

Updated: July 2026
Written by: Andrew Odgers, Managing Director
Reading time: 8 minutes
The short answer

Use Ahrefs by entering a seed term to see related keywords, demand and difficulty, then filtering a shortlist. Its main features are keyword ideas, difficulty and volume estimates, and competitor analysis. As a paid tool it is optional; free tools manage well until your needs grow. It offers more depth while free tools cover the essentials. Its numbers are estimates, best used for comparison.

Depth beyond the basics

How to use it, and its main keyword features

You use Ahrefs for keyword research through its keyword tool by entering a seed term to see related keywords, estimated demand and difficulty, then filter and export a shortlist to target. Enter and explore; because it returns rich data, the work is filtering its suggestions down to what fits, the same skill as any keyword research tool. The main features are keyword ideas from a seed term, difficulty and volume estimates, and competitor analysis showing terms other sites rank for. Ideas, metrics, competitors; because it combines these, it supports both finding and assessing keywords in one place.

AH 01

Keyword ideas

From a seed term.

AH 02

Metrics and rivals

Difficulty, competitors.

AH 03

Optional, not required

Free tools cover basics.

Value, comparison and honesty

Whether it is worth it, how it compares with free tools, and how exact it is

Ahrefs can be worth it if you do a lot of research, but as a paid tool it is optional; many small businesses manage well with free tools until their needs grow. It suits heavier use; because free tools cover the basics, paid depth is a choice, not a must. Paid tools like this offer more data and features, while free tools such as Google Keyword Planner and Search Console cover the essentials, so the two complement each other. Depth versus essentials; because both have a role, using them together works well, and our free keyword research tools guide covers the no-cost side. Its volume and difficulty figures are estimates from its own model, so they are best used for comparison rather than treated as precise counts. They are approximate; because every tool estimates differently, compare within one tool rather than across them.

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Frequently asked

Ahrefs for keyword research

How do you use Ahrefs for keyword research?
You use its keyword tool by entering a seed term to see related keywords, estimated demand and difficulty, then filter and export a shortlist to target. Enter and explore. Because it returns rich data, the work is filtering its suggestions down to what fits.
What are the main features for keywords?
The main features are keyword ideas from a seed term, difficulty and volume estimates, and competitor analysis showing terms other sites rank for. Ideas, metrics, competitors. Because it combines these, it supports both finding and assessing keywords in one place.
Is Ahrefs worth it for small businesses?
It can be if you do a lot of research, but as a paid tool it is optional; many small businesses manage well with free tools until their needs grow. It suits heavier use. Because free tools cover the basics, paid depth is a choice, not a must.
How does it compare with free tools?
Paid tools like this offer more data and features, while free tools such as Google Keyword Planner and Search Console cover the essentials, so the two complement each other. Depth versus essentials. Because both have a role, using them together works well.
Are its numbers exact?
No, its volume and difficulty figures are estimates from its own model, so they are best used for comparison rather than treated as precise counts. They are approximate. Because every tool estimates differently, compare within one tool rather than across them.