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

Quick Start

This guide covers every Ahrefs feature:

• Bắt đầu — Create account and basic setup
• How to Use Keywords Explorer — Find profitable keywords fast
• How to Use Site Explorer — Spy on any competitor’s traffic
• How to Use Site Audit — Fix technical SEO issues
• How to Use Rank Tracker — Monitor your Google rankings
• How to Use Content Explorer — Discover high-performing topics
• How to Use Backlink Analysis — Build a stronger link profile
• How to Use Web Analytics — Track real visitor data
• How to Use Brand Radar — Track AI search visibility

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Khắc phục sự cố | Chạy | Các lựa chọn thay thế

Why Trust This Guide

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

Ahrefs is one of the most powerful Công cụ SEO Có sẵn ngay hôm nay.

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.

Hướng dẫn Ahrefs

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.

Ahrefs

Dominate search with the web’s most trusted SEO toolkit. Ahrefs gives you access to 28.7 billion keywords, 35 trillion backlinks, and the world’s second-most active web crawler. Start your SEO journey 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 ahrefs.com and click “Start Trial” or “Sign Up.”

Enter your email and create a strong password.

Pick a plan that fits your needs.

The Lite plan at $129/month works for most beginners.

✓ Checkpoint: Kiểm tra của bạn hộp thư đến for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Add Your First Project

Click “New Project” from the dashboard.

Enter your website domain or import from Google Search Console.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your project on the main dashboard.

Step 3: Connect Google Search Console

Go to Settings and link your Google Search Console account.

This gives Ahrefs real data about your search performance.

Set up email alerts for ranking changes and new backlinks.

How to Use Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Công cụ tìm kiếm từ khóa lets you find profitable keywords with search volume, difficulty, and traffic data.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Keywords Explorer in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enter Your Seed Keywords

Click “Keywords Explorer” in the top menu.

Type one or more seed keywords related to your niche.

Choose your target country and search engine.

Step 2: Analyze Keyword Metrics

Review search volume, keyword difficulty, and clicks data.

Check the Traffic Potential metric for real traffic estimates.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a full keyword overview dashboard.

Step 3: Filter and Export Results

Use filters to narrow results by difficulty and volume.

Click “Matching Terms” or “Related Terms” for more ideas.

Export your top keywords to a CSV or keyword list.

How to Use Ahrefs Site Explorer

Trình khám phá trang web lets you spy on any website’s traffic, backlinks, and top keywords.

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 or URL

Type any website URL into the Site Explorer search bar.

Choose between domain, subdomain, or exact URL mode.

Step 2: Review the Overview Dashboard

Check Domain Rating, organic traffic, and backlink count.

Scroll down to see organic traffic trends over time.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the full domain overview with all key metrics.

Step 3: Dig Into Specific Reports

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

Use “Organic Keywords” to find every keyword a site ranks for.

Check “Backlinks” to see who links to them.

How to Use Ahrefs Site Audit

Địa điểm Kiểm toán lets you find and fix technical SEO problems on your website.

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.

Click “New Crawl” and set how many pages to scan.

Step 2: Review the Health Score

Ahrefs gives your site a health score from 0 to 100.

Issues are flagged as Errors, Warnings, or Notices.

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

Step 3: Fix Issues by Priority

Start with red Errors first — these hurt your rankings most.

Then fix yellow Warnings and blue Notices.

Schedule regular crawls to catch new problems sớm.

How to Use Ahrefs Rank Tracker

Công cụ theo dõi xếp hạng lets you monitor your Google rankings and track progress over time.

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

Open Rank Tracker and select your project.

Add keywords manually or import from Keywords Explorer.

Step 2: Set Location and Device

Choose your target country, city, or region.

Select desktop or mobile tracking — or both.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your keywords with current positions listed.

Step 3: Monitor Changes and Competitors

Check the “Overview” tab for position changes and trends.

Add competitor domains to see how you stack up.

Use tags to organize keywords by topic or campaign.

How to Use Ahrefs Content Explorer

Trình khám phá nội dung lets you discover popular topics and find content ideas based on traffic and backlinks.

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 a Topic

Click “Content Explorer” and enter a broad topic keyword.

Choose “In title” or “In content” for your search mode.

Step 2: Filter by Performance Metrics

Sort results by organic traffic, referring domains, or social shares.

Filter by publish date to find fresh content trends.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of pages ranked by performance.

Step 3: Find Link Building Targets

Click on any result to see its backlink profile.

Look for pages with many backlinks but outdated content.

Create better content and reach out to those linking sites.

How to Use Ahrefs Backlink Analysis

Phân tích liên kết ngược lets you see every link pointing to any website and find link building opportunities.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Backlink Analysis in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enter a Competitor’s Domain

Go to Site Explorer and type in a competitor’s URL.

Click on the “Backlinks” report in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Analyze Their Link Profile

Review referring domains, anchor chữ, and link types.

Sort by Domain Rating to find their strongest links.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a full list of backlinks with quality metrics.

Step 3: Find Your Own Opportunities

Use “Link Intersect” to find sites linking to competitors but not you.

Check “Broken Backlinks” for broken link building targets.

Export your best prospects and start tiếp cận cộng đồng.

How to Use Ahrefs Web Analytics

Web Analytics lets you track real visitor data on your website without slowing it down.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Web Analytics in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Install the Tracking Script

Go to Web Analytics and select your project.

Copy the lightweight tracking script to your site’s header.

Step 2: View Traffic Data

Check visitors, pageviews, bounce rate, and session duration.

Break down traffic by source, country, and device type.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see real visitor data flowing into the dashboard.

Step 3: Analyze Top Pages and Sources

Click “Top Pages” to see which content gets the most visits.

Check “Sources” to see where your traffic comes from.

Link your Google Analytics to import historical data.

How to Use Ahrefs Brand Radar

Radar thương hiệu lets you track how your brand appears in AI search results across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Brand Radar in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Set Up Your Brand

Go to Brand Radar and enter your brand name.

Add competitor brands you want to track alongside yours.

Step 2: Review AI Mentions

See how often Trợ lý AI mention your brand in responses.

Compare your share of tiếng nói against competitors.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see mention counts and share of tiếng nói dữ liệu.

Step 3: Track Cited Sources

Check which of your pages get cited in AI responses.

See the actual AI-generated answers that mention your brand.

Use custom prompts to test specific buyer questions.

How to Use Ahrefs SEO Reporting Tool

COMMENT Báo cáo Dụng cụ lets you create custom reports to share with clients or your team.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch SEO Reporting in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open Report Builder

Go to “More” in the top menu and click “Report Nhà xây dựng.

Choose a blank report or start from a template.

Step 2: Add Widgets and Data

Drag widgets for organic traffic, keywords, and backlinks.

Filter each widget by date range and specific metrics.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a visual report with your chosen data.

Step 3: Schedule and Share

Set automatic delivery on a weekly or monthly schedule.

Export to PDF or share via a direct link.

You can also export reports to Google Docs with formatting.

Ahrefs Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Ahrefs for over 3 years, here are my best tips.

Phím tắt

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• SEO Toolbar Extension: Install the free Chrome extension to see SEO metrics on every Google search result page. This saves time switching between tabs.
• Link Intersect Tool: Find sites that link to two or more competitors but not you. These sites are highly likely to link to your content too.
• Batch Analysis: Paste up to 200 URLs at once and get Domain Rating, traffic, and backlink data for all of them in seconds.

Ahrefs Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Chasing High Volume Keywords Only

Mistake #2: Ignoring Site Audit Results

Mistake #3: Not Using Ahrefs for Competitor Research

Ahrefs Troubleshooting

Problem: Credits Running Out Too Fast

Cause: Every report you open uses credits. Heavy browsing burns through them quickly.

Sửa chữa: Plan your research sessions in advance. Use Batch Analysis for bulk lookups instead of checking URLs one by one. Export data instead of re-running the same reports.

Problem: Organic Traffic Estimates Don’t Match Google Analytics

Cause: Ahrefs estimates traffic from its own keyword database. It doesn’t have real access to your actual visitor data.

Sửa chữa: Use Ahrefs traffic estimates for relative comparisons, not absolute numbers. Cross-reference with Google Search Console for accurate traffic data on your own site.

Problem: Site Audit Not Finding All Pages

Cause: The crawl limit on your plan restricts how many pages get scanned.

Sửa chữa: Increase the crawl limit in project settings. Submit your XML sitemap to help Ahrefs find all important pages. Check that robots.txt isn’t blocking the Ahrefs crawler.

📌 Ghi chú: If none of these fix your issue, contact Ahrefs support at support@ahrefs.com.

Ahrefs là gì?

Ahrefs is an all-in-one SEO platform that helps you rank higher in search engines and grow organic traffic.

Think of it like a GPS for your website’s search engine performance.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Keywords Explorer: Find keywords with search volume, difficulty, and traffic potential across 28.7 billion keywords.
• Công cụ tìm kiếm trang web: Analyze any website’s traffic, backlinks, and top-performing content.
• Kiểm tra hiện trường: Crawl your site to find and fix 100+ technical SEO issues.
• Công cụ theo dõi thứ hạng: Monitor your Google rankings daily across locations and thiết bị.
• Content Explorer: Discover top-performing content ideas based on traffic and backlinks.
• Brand Radar: Track your brand’s visibility in AI search results across ChatGPT, Sự bối rốivà hơn thế nữa.
• Web Analytics: Track real visitor data with a privacy-friendly analytics tool.
• SEO Reporting: Build custom reports with automated delivery for clients and teams.

For a full review, see our Ahrefs review.

Bảng giá Ahrefs

Here’s what Ahrefs costs in 2026:

Dùng thử miễn phí: No traditional free trial. Ahrefs offers free Webmaster Tools with limited Site Explorer and Site Audit access.

Đảm bảo hoàn tiền: Ahrefs generally does not issue refunds. Cancel anytime through Account Settings.

💰 Best Value: Standard plan at $208/month — it unlocks full historical data, more report credits, and the features most SEO professionals actually need.

Ahrefs vs Alternatives

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

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Ahrefs — strongest backlink database and keyword accuracy in the industry.
• Best budget: Mangools — solid keyword research at just $19/month.
• Best for beginners: SE Ranking — easy interface with all core SEO features included.
• Best for content creation: Surfer SEO — real-time content scoring and NLP-based tips.

🎯 Ahrefs Alternatives

Looking for Ahrefs alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Semrush: The closest all-in-one competitor with 27.3 billion keywords, PPC tools, and social media tracking built in.
• 🎨 SEO dành cho người lướt web: Best for on-page content scoring with a real-time editor that tells you exactly what to write to rank.
• 🧠 Nội dung Raptor: AI-powered content writing tool that generates SEO-ready articles with minimal manual editing needed.
• 👶 Moz: Beginner-friendly SEO suite with a strong community and excellent learning resources for new marketers.
• 💰 Xếp hạng SE: Budget-friendly all-in-one platform with daily rank tracking, site audit, and phân tích đối thủ cạnh tranh at half the price.
• ⚡ Ubersuggest: Neil Patel’s keyword tool with a simple interface and lifetime pricing option for budget-conscious users.
• 🌟 Mangools: Affordable keyword research tool with beautiful UI and the popular KWFinder for finding low-difficulty keywords.
• 🎯 Ranktracker: Dedicated rank tracking tool with daily updates, SERP feature tracking, and local ranking support at a low price.

For the full list, see our Các lựa chọn thay thế cho Ahrefs guide.

⚔️ Ahrefs Compared

Here’s how Ahrefs stacks up against each competitor:

• Ahrefs so với Semrush: Ahrefs wins for backlink data and speed. Semrush wins for PPC tools and broader marketing features. Pick Ahrefs for SEO-focused work.
• Ahrefs so với Surfer SEO: Different tools entirely. Ahrefs handles keyword research and backlinks. Surfer handles on-page content scoring. Many teams use both together.
• Ahrefs so với Content Raptor: Ahrefs is for research and analysis. Content Raptor is for AI content generation. They solve different problems in your workflow.
• Ahrefs đấu với Mozilla: Ahrefs has a larger backlink index and more accurate data. Moz is easier to learn and has better educational resources for beginners.
• Bảng xếp hạng Ahrefs vs SE: SE Ranking costs roughly half the price with similar core features. Ahrefs wins on data depth and backlink accuracy for serious SEO work.
• Ahrefs so với Ubersuggest: Ahrefs has far more data and features. Ubersuggest is simpler and cheaper. Choose Ubersuggest for basic keyword research on a budget.
• Ahrefs đấu với Mangools: Mangools costs a fraction of Ahrefs and nails keyword research. Ahrefs offers a full SEO suite. Mangools works for keyword-focused users.
• Ahrefs so với Ranktracker: Ranktracker is a dedicated rank monitoring tool at a low price. Ahrefs Rank Tracker is part of a bigger platform with more data and features.

Start Using Ahrefs Now

You learned how to use every major Ahrefs feature:

• ✅ Keywords Explorer
• ✅ Site Explorer
• ✅ Site Audit
• ✅ Rank Tracker
• ✅ Content Explorer
• ✅ Backlink Analysis
• ✅ Web Analytics
• ✅ Brand Radar
• ✅ SEO Reporting

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Keywords Explorer.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Câu hỏi thường gặp

How does Ahrefs work?

Ahrefs uses the world’s second-most active web crawler to scan billions of pages daily. It collects data on keywords, backlinks, and rankings. You use that data through tools like Site Explorer and Keywords Explorer to improve your SEO strategy.

Can you use Ahrefs for free?

Yes, partially. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is free and gives you limited access to Site Explorer and Site Audit for sites you own. The $29/month Starter plan offers basic paid access. Full features require the Lite plan at $129/month or higher.

Is Ahrefs good for SEO?

Ahrefs is one of the top SEO tools used by professionals worldwide. It excels at backlink analysis, keyword research, and competitive analysis. Its database of 28.7 billion keywords and 35 trillion backlinks makes it one of the most trusted data sources in the industry.

What is the difference between Ahrefs and Semrush?

Ahrefs has a stronger backlink database and faster index updates. Semrush offers broader marketing tools including PPC, social media, and content marketing features. Ahrefs is best for SEO-focused teams. Semrush is better for full-stack digital marketers who need everything in one place.

Is Ahrefs worth the money?

For agencies and businesses that rely on organic search traffic, yes. The backlink data alone can save hours of manual research. If you’re a solo blogger with a small budget, start with the free Webmaster Tools or consider a cheaper alternative like Mangools or SE Ranking.