How to Use Dashword: A Beginner’s Guide in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Dashword feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and set up your first project
• How to Use Content Brief Builder — Build research-backed briefs in minutes
• How to Use Content Optimization — Get real-time scoring as you write
• How to Use Automated Page Import — Pull existing pages into the editor
• How to Use Content Monitoring — Track rankings after you publish
• How to Use Keyword Rank Tracker — Watch your keywords climb in search
• How to Use Content Grader — Score any page against top results
• How to Use Competitor Analysis — See what top-ranking pages do right
• How to Use Reporting — Generate keyword reports for any topic
• How to Use On-page Analysis — Audit your page SEO in one click

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Dashword for over a year and tested every feature covered here. This how to use dashword tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Dashword is one of the most powerful content tools for SEO writers.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Dashword Tutorial

This complete Dashword tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Dashword

Write SEO content that ranks without the guesswork. Dashword shows you exactly what to cover, scores your writing in real time, and tracks your results after publishing. First report is free — no credit card required.

TRY DASHWORD NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

DASHWORD ALTERNATIVES →

Getting Started with Dashword

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to dashword.com and click “Try for free.”

Enter your email and create a password.

No credit card is needed for the free trial.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Access the Dashboard

Dashword runs entirely in your browser.

Log in with your new account.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with the reports tab.

Step 3: Generate Your First Report

Type your target keyword into the search bar.

Pick the country you want to target.

Click “Generate report” and wait about 30 seconds.

How to Use Dashword Content Brief Builder

Content Brief Builder lets you create structured outlines based on what top pages cover.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Brief Builder

Go to any keyword report you’ve created.

Click the “Brief” tab at the top of the report.

Step 2: Build Your Outline

Browse the headings pulled from top-ranking pages.

Click any heading to add it to your brief.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your brief should show selected headings in the outline panel

Step 3: Share with Your Writer

Click “Share” to generate a public link.

Send the link to your writer or team member.

They can see the full brief without a Dashword account.

How to Use Dashword Content Optimization

Content Optimization lets you get real-time feedback and a content score as you write.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Content Editor

From your keyword report, click “Start writing.”

This opens the built-in content editor.

Step 2: Write and Watch Your Score

Start writing or paste your draft into the editor.

The sidebar shows recommended keywords and your live score.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a letter grade updating as you add content

Step 3: Hit Your Target Score

Keep adding the suggested keywords until your grade reaches A or A+.

Mute any terms that aren’t relevant to your topic.

How to Use Dashword Automated Page Import

Automated Page Import lets you pull any live page into the editor for scoring.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open a Keyword Report

Navigate to the report for the keyword your page targets.

Click “Start writing” to open the editor.

Step 2: Import Your Page

Click “Import” and paste your published URL.

Dashword pulls in the full text from that page.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your page content should appear in the editor with a score

Step 3: Review and Improve

Check the sidebar for missing keywords.

Edit your content right inside the editor to boost your score.

How to Use Dashword Content Monitoring

Content Monitoring lets you track how your pages perform after they go live.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Enable Monitoring

Go to the Content Monitoring section in your dashboard.

This feature is available on the Business plan.

Step 2: Add Your Pages

Enter the URLs of the pages you want to monitor.

Dashword starts tracking keyword rankings and traffic trends.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your monitored pages should appear in the tracking dashboard

Step 3: Act on Alerts

Dashword sends alerts when a page starts losing rankings.

Click on the alert to see which keywords are slipping.

Update your content based on the new recommendations.

How to Use Dashword Keyword Rank Tracker

Keyword Rank Tracker lets you watch your target keywords move up or down in search results.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Add Keywords to Track

Go to the Rank Tracker section in your dashboard.

Type in the keywords you want to monitor.

Step 2: Check Your Positions

Dashword shows your current ranking position for each keyword.

You can see which direction your rankings are trending.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your tracked keywords should show position numbers and trend arrows

Step 3: Take Action on Changes

If a keyword drops, open its report and check your content score.

Add missing terms or update your article to match fresh SERP data.

How to Use Dashword Content Grader

Content Grader lets you score any piece of content against the top search results.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Your Report

Navigate to the keyword report you want to check.

Your content grade appears at the top of the editor.

Step 2: Review Your Grade

Dashword gives you a letter grade from F to A+.

It also shows how your score compares to the top 3 and top 10 results.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your letter grade and the average scores of top pages

Step 3: Close the Gaps

Look at the “Relevant Terms” panel for missing keywords.

Add these terms naturally throughout your content.

How to Use Dashword Competitor Analysis

Competitor Analysis lets you see what the top-ranking pages do well so you can do it better.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Competitors Tab

In any keyword report, click the “Competitors” tab.

Dashword shows the top 30 search results for that keyword.

Step 2: Analyze Their Content

Click on any competitor to see their headings and word count.

Look at their content score and readability level.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of competitors with scores and word counts

Step 3: Extract Their Outlines

Use the heading extraction feature to pull their outline.

Add the best sections to your own brief.

How to Use Dashword Reporting

Reporting lets you generate detailed keyword reports that power all other features.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Create a New Report

Click “New Report” from the dashboard.

Enter your target keyword and select the country.

Step 2: Review the Results

Dashword scans the top 30 results and pulls key data.

You’ll see average content scores, word counts, and relevant terms.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your report should show SERP data with keyword recommendations

Step 3: Use Bulk Report Creation

On the Business plan, you can create multiple reports at once.

Upload a list of keywords and Dashword generates all reports together.

How to Use Dashword On-page Analysis

On-page Analysis lets you audit your page SEO elements in one view.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Run an On-page Check

Open a report and navigate to the on-page analysis section.

Enter the URL of the page you want to audit.

Step 2: Review SEO Elements

Dashword checks title tags, headings, internal links, and more.

Each element gets a pass or fail status.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of on-page SEO checks with pass/fail status

Step 3: Fix the Issues

Click on any failed check to see what needs fixing.

Make the changes on your actual page and re-run the check.

Dashword Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Dashword for over a year, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Mute irrelevant terms: Click the “X” next to any keyword suggestion to remove it from your score. This stops you from stuffing unrelated words into your content.
• Google Docs add-on: Install the Dashword add-on for Google Docs. You can write in Docs and see your content score without switching tabs.
• FAQ section in reports: Scroll down in any report to find common questions people ask. Add these to your article to cover more search intent.

Dashword Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Chasing a Perfect Score

Mistake #2: Skipping the Brief

Mistake #3: Ignoring Content Monitoring

Dashword Troubleshooting

Problem: Report Takes Too Long to Generate

Cause: High search volume keywords need more SERP data to process.

Fix: Wait 1–2 minutes. If it still stalls, refresh the page and try again. Contact support if it fails repeatedly.

Problem: Content Score Seems Too Low

Cause: You may have missed important subtopics that top-ranking pages all cover.

Fix: Check the “Relevant Terms” sidebar. Add the red (missing) terms naturally throughout your article. Don’t just pile them at the end.

Problem: Page Import Shows Blank Content

Cause: The page uses JavaScript rendering that Dashword’s crawler can’t read.

Fix: Copy your content manually and paste it into the editor. Then run the scoring as normal.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Dashword support.

What is Dashword?

Dashword is an AI-powered SEO content tool that helps you write articles that rank higher in search.

Think of it like a writing coach that watches the scoreboard while you play.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Content Brief Builder: Create structured outlines from top-ranking page data
• Content Optimization: Get a real-time content score as you write
• Automated Page Import: Pull any live page into the editor for scoring
• Content Monitoring: Track rankings and get alerts when pages drop
• Keyword Rank Tracker: Watch your keyword positions over time
• Content Grader: Score any page against the top search results
• Competitor Analysis: See headings, word count, and scores for top pages
• Reporting: Generate keyword reports with SERP data and recommendations
• On-page Analysis: Audit your page SEO elements in one click

For a full review, see our Dashword review.

Dashword Pricing

Here’s what Dashword costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes — your first content report is free, no credit card required.

Money-back guarantee: No formal guarantee, but you can cancel anytime with no contract.

Annual discount: Save 20% with yearly billing.

💰 Best Value: Startup plan — it includes 30 reports, 5 seats, and the AI Writer for most small teams.

Dashword vs Alternatives

How does Dashword compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Surfer SEO — most complete content tool with NLP scoring and Google Docs plugin
• Best budget: NeuronWriter — full content editor starting at just $19/month
• Best for beginners: Frase — clean interface and fast brief generation
• Best for large teams: MarketMuse — deep content planning with topic clusters

🎯 Dashword Alternatives

Looking for Dashword alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Surfer SEO: The most popular content tool with real-time NLP scoring, SERP analysis, and a Google Docs plugin for in-browser writing.
• 💰 NeuronWriter: Affordable content editor with AI writing and NLP keyword suggestions starting at $19/month.
• 🏢 MarketMuse: Enterprise-grade content planning tool with topic modeling and content inventory for large sites.
• 🧠 Frase: AI-first content tool that builds briefs and drafts fast with question-based research.
• ⚡ Scalenut: Budget-friendly content tool that combines keyword research, AI writing, and content scoring in one place.
• 🔧 SE Ranking: Full SEO platform with content editor, rank tracking, site audit, and backlink monitoring.
• 🎯 Page Optimizer Pro: Focused on-page tool that gives precise keyword placement recommendations for better search rankings.
• 🌟 Outranking: AI content tool with automated outlines, SEO scoring, and first-draft generation from SERP data.
• 🎨 WriterZen: All-in-one content platform with keyword clustering, topic discovery, and a built-in content editor.
• 📊 Content Harmony: Brief-first workflow tool that creates detailed content briefs with search intent analysis.
• 💼 Rytr: AI writing assistant for quick drafts and short-form content at a very low price point starting at $7.50/month.
• ⭐ GetGenie: WordPress-native AI writer with built-in SEO scoring and content generation starting at $6/month.
• 🔥 Rankwell: SEO content tool with AI-powered writing and content grading for search-focused teams.

For the full list, see our Dashword alternatives guide.

⚔️ Dashword Compared

Here’s how Dashword stacks up against each competitor:

• Dashword vs Surfer SEO: Surfer wins on features and integrations. Dashword is simpler to learn but has fewer tools overall.
• Dashword vs NeuronWriter: NeuronWriter costs 80% less and offers more AI credits. Dashword has a cleaner interface.
• Dashword vs MarketMuse: MarketMuse is better for content strategy at scale. Dashword is better for quick, single-article scoring.
• Dashword vs Frase: Frase offers stronger AI drafting and question research. Dashword has better content monitoring.
• Dashword vs Scalenut: Scalenut gives you more features at a lower price. Dashword is easier to pick up and use right away.
• Dashword vs SE Ranking: SE Ranking is a full SEO suite with rank tracking and audits. Dashword focuses only on content.
• Dashword vs Page Optimizer Pro: POP gives more precise on-page recommendations. Dashword has a better content editor experience.
• Dashword vs Outranking: Outranking has stronger AI draft generation. Dashword is better for real-time content scoring.
• Dashword vs WriterZen: WriterZen offers keyword clustering Dashword lacks. Dashword has simpler content scoring.
• Dashword vs Content Harmony: Content Harmony builds more detailed briefs. Dashword is faster for quick scoring and grading.
• Dashword vs Rytr: Rytr is cheaper and focused on AI writing. Dashword is focused on content scoring and SEO data.
• Dashword vs GetGenie: GetGenie works inside WordPress natively. Dashword is a standalone tool with deeper SERP analysis.
• Dashword vs Rankwell: Both focus on content grading. Dashword has a more polished interface and better monitoring tools.

Start Using Dashword Now

You learned how to use every major Dashword feature:

• ✅ Content Brief Builder
• ✅ Content Optimization
• ✅ Automated Page Import
• ✅ Content Monitoring
• ✅ Keyword Rank Tracker
• ✅ Content Grader
• ✅ Competitor Analysis
• ✅ Reporting
• ✅ On-page Analysis

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Content Brief Builder.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if my article is SEO optimized?

Open Dashword and create a report for your target keyword. Then paste your article into the content editor. Dashword gives you a real-time content grade from F to A+ based on how well your article covers the topics that top-ranking pages include. If your score is below the average of the top 10, add the missing terms from the sidebar.

How do you check the quality of your content?

Dashword checks content quality using three signals: keyword coverage, readability, and word count. The content grader compares your draft to the top 30 search results and tells you what’s missing. You can also check the readability score to make sure your writing is easy to read for your target audience.

What is a website content quality score?

A content quality score measures how well a page covers the topics search engines expect for a given keyword. In Dashword, this score is a letter grade based on keyword coverage, word count, and how your content compares to top results. A higher score means your page is more likely to match what searchers are looking for.

How do I check if my content is SEO optimized?

Use Dashword’s Automated Page Import feature. Paste your published URL and Dashword pulls in the content and scores it. You’ll see which keywords are missing and where your content falls short. Make the suggested changes and re-check until your score matches the top results.

How to optimize content for search engines?

Start by picking a target keyword and generating a Dashword report. Build a content brief based on what top pages cover. Write your article using the content editor with real-time scoring. Add the recommended keywords, answer related questions, and aim for a score that beats the top 10 average.

How can you optimize a page’s content for a specific keyword?

Create a Dashword report for that keyword. Import your existing page or start a new draft. The sidebar shows exactly which terms you need to add. Focus on the red (missing) keywords first, then work on the yellow (underused) ones. Check competitor headings to make sure you cover the same subtopics.

How to check low quality content?

Run your page through Dashword’s content grader. If it scores below a C, it’s likely missing important topics. Check the word count — content that’s too short often ranks poorly. Look at the readability score too. If it’s hard to read, simplify your sentences. Then compare your content against the top 3 results to find the biggest gaps.