How to Use Ahrefs: Rank #1 on Google in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Ahrefs feature:

• Aan de slag — Create account and basic setup
• How to Use Keywords Explorer — Find high-value keyword ideas with search volume and difficulty
• How to Use Site Explorer — Analyze any domain’s backlink profile and organic traffic
• How to Use Site Audit — Find and fix technical SEO issues on your site
• How to Use Rank Tracker — Monitor your Google rankings over time
• How to Use Content Explorer — Discover top-performing content in any niche
• How to Use Backlink Analysis — Build links by studying competitor strategies

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Probleemoplossing | Prijzen | Alternatieven

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Ahrefs for over 3 years and tested every feature covered here. This how to use Ahrefs tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Ahrefs is one of the most powerful SEO-tools Vandaag beschikbaar.

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

This guide shows you how to use every major feature for search engine optimization.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips from my SEO training experience.

Ahrefs-handleiding

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

Ahrefs

Dominate search engines with the industry’s most accurate backlink gegevens and keyword research tools. Ahrefs helps you uncover competitor strategies, find lucrative keywords, and track your Google rankings. Start your 7-day trial today.

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Getting Started with Ahrefs

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

It takes about 3 minutes.

Watch this quick overview first:

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the Ahrefs website at ahrefs.com.

Click “Start trial” or “Sign up” in the top right corner.

Enter your email and create a password to begin your SEO journey.

✓ Checkpoint: Controleer uw inbox for a confirmation email from Ahrefs.

Step 2: Add Your First Project

After logging in, you’ll see the main dashboard.

Click “Add project” and enter your website domain.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your project listed in the dashboard.

Step 3: Connect Google Search Console

Navigate to “Settings” and find the Google Search Console integration.

Click “Connect” and authorize Ahrefs to access your GSC data.

This unlocks webmaster tools data directly inside Ahrefs for deeper insights.

How to Use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Trefwoordenverkenner lets you discover keyword ideas with accurate search volume and keyword difficulty scores.

This is your primary keyword research tool for finding target keywords your audience is searching for.

Here’s how to use it step by step for your keyword research process.

Watch Keywords Explorer in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enter Your Seed Keywords

Click “Keywords Explorer” in the top navigation menu.

Type one or more seed keywords that define your niche or topic.

Seed keywords are the foundation — think of terms like “coffee machines” if you sell espresso makers.

Select your target country and click “Search” to analyze keywords.

Step 2: Review Keyword Metrics

You’ll see keyword metrics including monthly search volume, keyword difficulty (KD), and clicks data.

Focus on keywords with high search volume but low difficulty keywords for easier wins.

The traffic potential metric shows estimated traffic potential based on search intent analysis.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of keyword suggestions with search volume data.

Step 3: Explore Related Keywords

Click “Matching terms” to find keyword ideas that contain your seed keywords.

Try “Related terms” for keyword suggestions based on what top ranking pages also rank for.

Look for long tail keywords with lower competition and clear search intent.

Filter by keyword difficulty to find low difficulty keywords you can rank for quickly.

How to Use Ahrefs Site Explorer

Siteverkenner lets you analyze any domain’s organic traffic, backlink profile, and top ranking pages.

This is essential for competitor research and understanding what pages rank highest on search engines.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Site Explorer in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enter a Domain to Analyze

Click “Site Explorer” in the main navigation.

Enter your competitor’s domain or your own site to see where you stand.

Select “Exact URL,” “Domain,” or “Prefix” based on what you want to analyze.

Step 2: Review Domain Overview

The overview shows domain rating (DR), referring domains, and organic traffic estimates.

Check “Organic keywords” to see how many organic keywords the site ranks for.

Review search traffic trends to understand their growth or decline.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see backlinks pointing to the domain and organic traffic data.

Step 3: Study Top Pages and Backlinks

Click “Top pages” to see which web pages drive the most search traffic.

Check “Backlinks” to see all backlinks pointing to the domain.

Look for referring domains you could also target for your own link building efforts.

How to Use Ahrefs Site Audit

Locatieaudit lets you crawl your website to find and fix over 100 technical SEO issues.

This tool monitors your site’s technical health and catches problems before they hurt your rankings.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Site Audit in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Start a New Crawl

Go to “Site Audit” and select your project (or create a new one).

Click “New crawl” and configure your crawl settings.

You can import your websites from Google Search Console or add them manually.

Step 2: Review the Overview Report

The Overview report shows a high-level summary of all technical and on-page SEO issues found.

Ahrefs flags issues as Errors (red), Warnings (yellow), and Notices (blue) based on severity.

Prioritize red errors first — these have the biggest invloed on your technical SEO.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a health score and list of issues to fix.

Step 3: Fix Issues and Schedule Recurring Audits

Click on each issue type to see affected pages and instructions to fix them.

Look for broken links, slow pages, and duplicate content problems.

Schedule recurring audits to catch silent issues and protect your search traffic.

How to Use Ahrefs Rank Tracker

Ranglijsttracker lets you monitor your Google rankings over time and track performance against competitors.

This helps you see if your SEO efforts are working by tracking keyword rankings daily.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Rank Tracker in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Add Keywords to Track

Navigate to “Rank Tracker” and select your project.

Click “Add keywords” and enter your target keywords you want to monitor.

You can import keywords from Keywords Explorer or paste a list directly.

Step 2: Configure Tracking Settings

Select your target country, language, and device type (desktop or mobile).

Add competitors to track how you compare on specific keywords.

This shows where competitors rank for the same terms on search engine results pages.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your current rankings and historical data.

Step 3: Monitor Changes and Trends

Check the Overview tab to see ranking improvements and drops.

Use the “Competitors” view to see how you compare to rivals.

Set up email alerts for significant ranking changes so you never miss a movement.

How to Use Ahrefs Content Explorer

Content Explorer lets you search billions of web pages to find top-performing content in any niche.

Use it to discover content ideas, find link building opportunities, and analyze what works for competitors.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Content Explorer in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Search for Topics

Click “Content Explorer” in the main navigation.

Enter a topic or keyword related to your niche.

Choose “In title” for more targeted results or “Everywhere” for broader coverage.

Step 2: Filter and Sort Results

Sort by “Referring domains” to find content that attracts the most backlinks.

Filter by “Domain Rating” to focus on authoritative sources.

Use the date filter to find recently published content in your space.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of articles with traffic and backlink data.

Step 3: Analyze and Export Top Content

Click on any article to see its full backlink profile and referring domains.

Look for patterns in what makes content successful — length, format, angles.

Export results to create a content strategy based on proven performers.

How to Use Ahrefs Backlink Analysis

Backlinkanalyse lets you study any site’s link building strategy and find opportunities for your own site.

Understanding competitor’s backlinks is essential for building your own authority.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Backlink Analysis in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Analyze a Competitor’s Backlink Profile

Go to Site Explorer and enter your competitor’s domain.

Click “Backlinks” in the left sidebar to see all backlinks pointing to their site.

Sort by “Domain Rating” to find their highest-quality links from competitors websites.

Step 2: Use Link Intersect for Opportunities

Click “Link Intersect” under “More” in the navigation.

Enter multiple competitors to find sites linking to them but not to you.

These are your best targets — they already link to similar content in your space.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of domains linking to competitors but not your site.

Step 3: Find Broken Link Opportunities

Use the “Broken backlinks” filter to find dead links on competitor sites.

Reach out to linking sites and offer your content as a replacement.

This is called broken link building and it’s highly effective for earning quality links.

Ahrefs Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Ahrefs for over 3 years, here are my best tips for getting the most from these SEO tools.

Toetsenbord sneltoetsen

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• SEO Toolbar Extension: Installing the SEO Toolbar provides instant SEO metrics on Google search results pages. See domain rating and backlinks without leaving search results.
• SERP Overview Feature: The SERP Overview shows you exactly what pages rank for any given keyword. Click any result to direct analyze its backlink profile.
• Batch Analysis Tool: Upload a list of URLs or domains to analyze multiple sites at once. Perfect for audit a list of link prospects quickly.

Ahrefs Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Chasing Just a Single Keyword Instead of Topics

Mistake #2: Ignoring Search Intent

Mistake #3: Only Using Free Keyword Tools

Ahrefs Troubleshooting

Problem: Site Audit Not Crawling All Pages

Cause: Your robots.txt may be blocking the crawler, or your crawl budget is too low.

Repareren: Check crawl settings and increase the page limit. Verify robots.txt allows AhrefsBot. You can also whitelist the crawler in your server settings.

Problem: Keywords Showing Zero Search Volume

Cause: The keyword may be too specific, brand new, or misspelled.

Repareren: Try broader seed keywords first, then narrow down. Check spelling and try synonyms. Some niche terms legitimately have very low monthly search volume.

Problem: Rankings Not Updating in Rank Tracker

Cause: Rank Tracker updates daily but may show cached data temporarily.

Repareren: Wait 24-48 hours for fresh data. Check if the keyword is properly configured with the right location and device settings. You can also manually refresh.

📌 Opmerking: If none of these fix your issue, contact Ahrefs support through their help center.

Wat is Ahrefs?

Ahrefs is a popular search engine optimization (SEO) platform that provides in-depth data on keywords, backlinks, and competitive performance.

Think of it like a complete SEO command center for your digital marketing efforts.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features for search engine optimization:

• Keywords Explorer: Find keyword ideas with search volume, keyword difficulty, and traffic potential data.
• Siteverkenner: Analyze any domain’s organic traffic and backlink profile for competitor research.
• Locatieaudit: Crawl your website to find and monitor over 100 technical and on-page SEO issues.
• Ranglijsttracker: Monitor your Google rankings over time and track performance against competitors.
• Content Explorer: Search for content ideas and analyze SEO and social metrics for billions of pages.
• Backlinkanalyse: Study competitor’s backlinks and find link building opportunities.

For a full review, see our Ahrefs review.

Ahrefs-prijzen

Here’s what Ahrefs costs in 2026:

Gratis proefperiode: Yes, 7-day trial available for the Lite and Standard plans.

Geld-terug-garantie: No official guarantee, but you can cancel anytime.

💰 Best Value: Standard at $208/month — includes the most lucrative keywords data, higher limits on reports, and access to all core Ahrefs SEO tools most professionals need.

Ahrefs vs Alternatives

How does Ahrefs compare? Here’s the competitive landscape of SEO tools:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Ahrefs — Most accurate backlink data and powerful keyword research tool
• Best budget: Mangools — Great for beginners at $19/month
• Best for beginners: Moz — Simple interface and helpful learn SEO resources
• Best for content optimization: Surfer SEO — Real-time on page SEO recommendations

🎯 Ahrefs Alternatives

Looking for Ahrefs alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Semrush: Complete digital marketing suite with advertising tools, social media features, and content marketing alongside SEO. More features but steeper learning curve.
• 🎨 Surfer SEO: Specialized for on page SEO and content optimization. Shows exactly how to structure content to rank higher in search results for your target keywords.
• 💰 Inhoudelijke roofvogel: AI-powered content optimization with real-time suggestions. Great for writers who want to boost their search traffic without deep technical SEO knowledge.
• ⚡ Moz: Beginner-friendly with excellent educational resources. The Domain Authority metric is widely recognized in the SEO industry for measuring site strength.
• 🔒 SE-ranking: Budget-friendly alternative with solid keyword research and rank tracking. Good for kleine bedrijven watching their SEO tools spending.
• 🧠 Ubersuggest: Free keyword tools with limited daily searches. Neil Patel’s tool is great for beginners who want to learn SEO basics before investing.
• 👶 Mangools: Simple, affordable keyword research focused tool. Perfect for bloggers and small sites who don’t need enterprise-level data.
• 🏢 Ranktracker: Specialized rank tracking with daily updates. Strong on monitoring Google rankings but less powerful for backlink analysis.

For the full list, see our Alternatieven voor Ahrefs guide.

⚔️ Ahrefs Compared

Here’s how Ahrefs stacks up against each competitor:

• Ahrefs versus Semrush: Ahrefs has better backlink data while Semrush offers more marketing tools. Choose Ahrefs for SEO focus, Semrush for all-in-one digital marketing needs.
• Ahrefs versus Surfer SEO: Ahrefs excels at keyword research and backlink analysis. Surfer SEO wins for on page SEO optimization. Many professionals use both together.
• Ahrefs versus Content Raptor: Ahrefs is the established industry leader. Content Raptor uses AI for content optimization but lacks Ahrefs’ backlink database depth.
• Ahrefs tegen Moz: Ahrefs has more accurate data and larger index. Moz is more beginner-friendly with better SEO tutorials and educational content.
• Ahrefs versus SE-ranking: Ahrefs is more powerful but costs more. SE Ranking offers 80% of the features at 40% of the price for budget-conscious users.
• Ahrefs versus Ubersuggest: Ahrefs provides professional-grade data. Ubersuggest is good for basic keyword research but lacks depth for serious SEO work.
• Ahrefs versus Mangools: Ahrefs is more powerful across the board. Mangools is simpler and cheaper — great for beginners who don’t need enterprise features.
• Ahrefs versus Ranktracker: Ahrefs offers complete SEO coverage. Ranktracker specializes in rank tracking only but does that one thing very well.

Start Using Ahrefs Now

You learned how to use every major Ahrefs feature:

• ✅ Keywords Explorer for finding target keywords with keyword metrics
• ✅ Site Explorer for analyzing competitors and their organic keywords
• ✅ Site Audit for fixing technical SEO issues on your own site
• ✅ Rank Tracker for monitoring your keyword rankings over time
• ✅ Content Explorer for finding high-performing content ideas
• ✅ Backlink Analysis for link building opportunities

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Keywords Explorer to find their first target keywords.

It takes less than 5 minutes to run your first keyword research.

Veelgestelde vragen

How does Ahrefs work?

Ahrefs works by continuously crawling the web with its own bot, similar to how search engines do. It indexes billions of web pages and analyzes their backlinks, organic keywords, and search traffic data. When you use Ahrefs, you’re accessing this massive database to research keywords, analyze competitors websites, and track your own site’s performance.

How to use Ahrefs tool?

To use Ahrefs, start by creating an account and adding your first project. Then explore the main tools: Keywords Explorer to find keyword ideas with search volume data, Site Explorer to analyze any domain’s backlink profile, and Site Audit to check your site’s technical health. Each tool provides step-by-step guidance once you enter a URL or keyword.

Can you use Ahrefs for free?

Ahrefs offers some free tools including a Backlink Checker, Website Authority Checker, and Keyword Generator with limited queries. For full access to Keywords Explorer, Site Explorer, Site Audit, and Rank Tracker, you need a paid subscription starting at $108/month for the Lite plan. A 7-day trial is available to test the premium features.

Is Ahrefs good for SEO?

Ahrefs is excellent for SEO and is considered one of the best SEO tools by industry professionals. It provides the most accurate backlink data, powerful keyword research capabilities, and thorough technical SEO audits. The platform helps with on page SEO, link building, competitor research, and tracking Google rankings — all essential for search engine optimization success.

What is the 80/20 rule for SEO?

The 80/20 rule for SEO means that 80% of your organic traffic often comes from 20% of your content or keywords. In Ahrefs, you can identify these high-performing pages using Site Explorer’s “Top pages” report. Focus your efforts on creating more content similar to your winners and updating existing top performers to maximize your search traffic results.

What is the difference between Ahrefs and Semrush?

Ahrefs excels at backlink analysis and keyword research with the largest backlink index. Semrush offers a broader digital marketing suite including advertising tools, social media management, and content marketing features. Choose Ahrefs for pure SEO focus and superior link data; choose Semrush if you need an all-in-one marketing platform beyond just search engine optimization.

Is there a free alternative to Ahrefs?

Yes, several free keyword tools exist as alternatives. Google Search Console provides free data about your own site’s performance. Ubersuggest offers limited free searches. Google Keyword Planner is free with a Google Ads account. However, these free tools lack Ahrefs’ backlink database depth, competitor analysis features, and accurate keyword difficulty scores that professional SEOs rely on.

Can I learn SEO by myself?

Absolutely. Ahrefs provides excellent SEO training resources including their blog, YouTube channel with SEO tutorials, and Academy courses. Start by learning basics like keyword research, on page SEO, and link building fundamentals. Use Ahrefs’ free tools to practice, then upgrade to a paid plan as you advance. Many successful SEO professionals are self-taught using resources like these.

What are the 3 C’s of SEO?

The 3 C’s of SEO are Content, Code, and Credibility (links). Content means creating valuable pages targeting relevant keywords with proper search intent. Code refers to technical SEO — site speed, mobile-friendliness, and clean HTML that search engines can crawl. Credibility comes from backlinks pointing to your site from other authoritative domains. Ahrefs helps with all three through its various tools.