How to Use Ahrefs for Keyword Research in 2026 — Step-by-Step

Ahrefs has the largest backlink index in SEO and one of the most accurate keyword databases. But most users only scratch the surface. This is the keyword research workflow we use at WriteTested to find rankable opportunities in competitive niches.

Before You Start: What Ahrefs Actually Measures

Ahrefs' Keyword Difficulty (KD) score measures how many backlinks the top-ranking pages have — not how hard it is to outrank them with better content. A KD 20 keyword with weak content in the top 10 is easier to rank for than Ahrefs suggests. A KD 5 keyword dominated by Wikipedia is harder.

Always check the actual top-ranking pages, not just the KD number.

The 5-Step Ahrefs Keyword Research Workflow

Step 1: Seed Keywords in Keywords Explorer

Go to Keywords Explorer and enter 5-10 seed keywords for your topic. Start broad.

For a site about AI writing tools, start with:

• ai writing tools
• chatgpt
• jasper ai
• ai content writer
• best ai writer

Set country to your target market (US if English). Click Search.

Step 2: Filter for Winnable Keywords

In the results, use these filters for a new or mid-authority site (DR 20-40):

• KD: 0-30 (competitive niches: 0-20)
• Volume: 100+ per month minimum
• Exclude: branded terms (competitor brand names you can't rank for)
• Include: words that indicate buying intent (best, review, vs, alternative, free)

Alternatively, click Matching terms → Questions to find all question-based searches. These often have featured snippet opportunities.

Step 3: Check the SERP

For each promising keyword, click the SERP button. This shows you exactly who's ranking.

Green flags (you can compete):

• Top results are generic directories or thin affiliate sites
• Domain Ratings (DR) of top 5 pages are under 60
• Featured snippets from sites with low DR
• Weak content (no specific data, outdated, thin)

Red flags (skip it for now):

• All top 5 are DR 80+ editorial sites (Forbes, Wired, NYT)
• Google shows its own tools or product pages
• Results are all large software company pages

Step 4: Use Content Gap for Competitor Keywords

This is Ahrefs' most underused feature.

Go to Site Explorer → enter a competitor's domain → click Content Gap → enter 2-3 competitor domains.

Ahrefs shows you keywords your competitors rank for that you don't. Filter by:

• Position: 1-10 (keywords they're actually ranking for)
• Volume: 200+
• Your site's position: Not ranking

This generates your content calendar in 20 minutes.

Step 5: Group Keywords by Topic Cluster

Don't create one page per keyword. Group related keywords and target them with a single comprehensive page.

Example cluster for "ai writing tools":

One page targeting 5-10 related keywords outperforms five thin pages targeting one keyword each.

Finding Low-Competition Keywords Fast

The fastest method: Keywords Explorer → enter a topic → Matching terms → sort by Traffic Potential (not Volume) → filter KD under 20.

Traffic Potential is more useful than Volume because it shows how much total traffic the #1 ranking page for that keyword gets from all its keyword variations — a much better estimate of real ranking potential.

Ahrefs Alternatives for Keyword Research

Ahrefs starts at $129/mo, which is expensive for new sites. Screaming Frog + Google Search Console is a free technical alternative. For cheaper keyword research, SE Ranking or Mangools offer similar keyword data at 30-50% of Ahrefs' price.

For the full Ahrefs vs. alternatives comparison, see our Ahrefs review.

Workflow Summary

1. Seed keywords → Keywords Explorer
2. Filter → KD under 30, volume over 100, buying intent words
3. SERP check → Are top results actually beatable?
4. Content gap → What are competitors ranking for that you're not?
5. Cluster → Group related keywords into single page targets
6. Prioritize → Traffic Potential, not raw Volume

Done weekly, this process takes 30-45 minutes and produces a month's content calendar.

See also: Ahrefs review → | Screaming Frog review → | Best AI SEO tools →