Using Ahrefs for Keyword Research
Find profitable keywords with Ahrefs Keywords Explorer. Search volume, difficulty scores, click data, and SERP analysis for SEO strategy.
Overview
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is widely considered the gold standard for keyword research. It combines search volume data with unique click metrics — showing not just how many people search, but how many actually click a result — helping you prioritize keywords that drive real traffic.
Benefits
Why use Ahrefs for keyword research?
Click metrics show actual click-through potential, not just search volume
Keyword Difficulty (KD) score based on actual backlink data of ranking pages
Parent topic grouping helps you identify the main topic to target instead of individual keywords
SERP overview shows exactly who ranks, their DR, backlinks, and traffic for each keyword
How it works
Getting started
- 1
Open Keywords Explorer and enter a seed keyword or topic
- 2
Review the keyword overview: search volume, KD, clicks, and CPC
- 3
Explore 'Matching terms' and 'Related terms' for expanded keyword ideas
- 4
Filter by KD (start under 30 for new sites), volume, and clicks
- 5
Check the SERP overview for each target keyword to assess competition
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