How to Use Ahrefs for Keyword Research (2026 Beginner's Guide)

Ahrefs is the gold standard for keyword research. But with so many features, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

This guide shows you exactly how to find profitable keywords in Ahrefs - step by step.

🎯Step 1: Access Keywords Explorer

1. Log into Ahrefs
2. Click "Keywords Explorer" in the top menu
3. Enter a seed keyword (e.g., "AI tools")
4. Select your target country
5. Click "Search"

Pro Tip: Start with broad topics, then narrow down.

🎯Step 2: Analyze the Keyword Overview

When you search a keyword, Ahrefs shows:

What to Look For:

• Volume: 100-10,000/month (sweet spot for most sites)
• KD: Under 30 for new sites, under 50 for established sites
• CPC: Higher CPC = more valuable keywords

🎯Step 3: Find Easy-to-Rank Keywords

This is where Ahrefs shines. Here's my proven method:

Method 1: Filter by Difficulty

1. Click "Having same terms" or "Questions"
2. Set filters:
   • KD: 0-20
   • Volume: 100+
   • Word count: 3+ (long-tail keywords)
3. Click "Apply"

This finds keywords you can rank for even with a new site.

Method 2: Find Question Keywords

1. Click "Questions" tab
2. Filter by KD: 0-30
3. Look for:
   • "how to..."
   • "what is..."
   • "why does..."

Question keywords = easier to rank + great for featured snippets.

🎯Step 4: Analyze Search Intent

Before targeting a keyword, check what Google wants to rank:

1. Click on any keyword
2. Scroll to "SERP Overview"
3. Look at the top 10 results

Intent Types:

Match your content to the intent. If top results are listicles, write a listicle.

🎯Step 5: Spy on Competitors

Find keywords your competitors rank for that you don't:

1. Go to "Site Explorer"
2. Enter a competitor's URL
3. Click "Organic Keywords"
4. Filter by:
   • Position: 1-10
   • Volume: 100+
   • KD: 0-30

These are proven keywords with traffic - go after them!

🎯Step 6: Build Your Content Calendar

Now organize your keywords:

Priority Matrix:

Group by Topic Cluster:

Example cluster for "AI tools":

• Pillar: "Best AI Tools 2026" (high volume)
• Supporting: "AI writing tools comparison"
• Supporting: "free AI tools for students"
• Supporting: "AI tools for small business"

This creates topical authority in Google's eyes.

🎯Step 7: Track Your Keywords

After publishing:

1. Go to "Rank Tracker"
2. Add your domain
3. Add target keywords
4. Set tracking frequency (weekly for most)

Monitor positions over time to see what's working.

❓❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find low-competition keywords in Ahrefs?

Use Keywords Explorer, filter by KD 0-20 and Volume 100+. Click "Questions" for even easier keywords. Focus on long-tail (3+ words).

What's a good keyword difficulty for beginners?

For new sites (DR < 30), target KD 0-20. For established sites (DR 30-50), target KD 20-40. Avoid KD 50+ unless your site is very strong.

How many keywords should I target per article?

One primary keyword + 2-5 secondary/related keywords. Don't stuff keywords - Google is smart enough to understand related terms.

Is Ahrefs better than Semrush for keyword research?

Both are excellent. Ahrefs has better backlink data and a simpler interface. Semrush has more keyword ideas and intent data. See our comparison.

📌Quick Ahrefs Keyword Research Checklist

• Start with 3-5 seed keywords
• Filter for KD < 30, Volume > 100
• Check search intent (SERP overview)
• Analyze top competitors
• Group keywords into clusters
• Prioritize by difficulty/volume ratio
• Create content calendar
• Track rankings weekly

🎯Next Steps

1. Try it yourself: Open Keywords Explorer and search your main topic
2. Start small: Target 5-10 keywords first
3. Be patient: Rankings take 2-6 months to appear

Need the tool? Get Ahrefs (starts at $99/mo) or try free alternatives.

Related: Ahrefs Review 2026 | Free Ahrefs Alternatives | SEO Tools Comparison