How to use Ahrefs for competitor analysis is a question every marketer asks when aiming to outsmart rivals. This guide shows step-by-step how to uncover competitor keywords, backlinks, content strategies, and traffic insights using Ahrefs — one of the world’s most powerful SEO tools.
1. Introduction
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How are my competitors ranking above me?”, you’re not alone. The answer usually lies in keywords, backlinks, and content strategy — and the best way to uncover that is by using Ahrefs, one of the most comprehensive SEO tools available.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to use Ahrefs for competitor analysis, covering every major feature: keyword research, backlink analysis, content gap identification, and more. You’ll see exactly how to turn Ahrefs data into insights you can use to outperform rivals.
By the end, you’ll know how to:
- Identify your true SEO competitors.
- Discover competitor keywords and traffic sources.
- Reverse-engineer backlink strategies.
- Find content gaps and new opportunities.
- Monitor growth trends and benchmark performance.
2. What Is Competitor Analysis in SEO?
Competitor analysis in SEO means studying rival websites to understand why they rank, what brings them traffic, and how you can compete.
It involves:
- Finding keywords competitors rank for.
- Understanding backlink sources that boost authority.
- Analyzing content types that bring engagement.
- Benchmarking technical SEO health.
Without competitor analysis, SEO feels like flying blind. With it, you gain a map to success.
3. Why Use Ahrefs for Competitor Analysis?
There are many SEO tools (SEMrush, Moz, SimilarWeb), but Ahrefs stands out because:
- Largest backlink index — over 400 billion pages.
- Accurate keyword database — huge coverage of Google SERPs.
- All-in-one toolkit — keywords, backlinks, content, PPC insights.
- User-friendly dashboards — actionable data at a glance.
Ahrefs helps you see exactly what competitors are doing, so you can build smarter campaigns.
4. Step 1: Identify Your True Competitors in Ahrefs
Not every business rival is your SEO competitor.
How to find them in Ahrefs:
- Enter your domain in Site Explorer.
- Go to the Competing Domains report.
- Ahrefs will list domains that rank for the same keywords.
Example:
- If you run a niche shoe store, Nike.com may not be a competitor. But smaller blogs or marketplaces ranking for “best trail running shoes” are.
5. Step 2: Analyze Competitor Organic Keywords
Keywords are the foundation of SEO.
How to analyze in Ahrefs:
- Open competitor domain in Site Explorer.
- Go to the Organic Keywords report.
- Filter by:
- Position 1–20 (real traffic drivers).
- Volume > 500 (popular searches).
- Keyword Difficulty (KD) < 30 (easy wins).
This reveals what keywords competitors rank for that you don’t.
Pro tip: Use the Content Gap tool to compare multiple competitors at once and see missed opportunities.
6. Step 3: Discover Content Gaps with Ahrefs
Content gaps = competitor keywords where you’re absent.
Steps:
- In Content Gap tool, enter your site + 3 competitors.
- See keywords all competitors rank for but you don’t.
- Prioritize by search intent and traffic potential.
Example: If competitors rank for “best wireless earbuds under $100” but you don’t, that’s a clear content opportunity.
7. Step 4: Backlink Analysis — The Heart of Ahrefs
Backlinks remain the #1 SEO ranking factor.
How to analyze competitor backlinks:
- Go to Backlink Profile in Site Explorer.
- Check:
- Referring domains (unique sites linking).
- Anchor text used.
- Link type (dofollow vs nofollow).
- Identify high-authority domains linking to competitors.
Action: Reach out to the same websites with better content, guest posts, or resource links.
Example: If 50 sites link to a competitor’s “Ultimate Guide,” create a better, updated guide and pitch those sites.
8. Step 5: Monitor Competitor Top Pages & Content Strategy
Content is king — but not all content works equally.
How to analyze in Ahrefs:
- Check Top Pages report.
- Sort by traffic value — shows which pages bring real results.
- Note content format: blog posts, product pages, guides.
Example: If competitor’s “How to clean sneakers” blog drives thousands of visits, consider creating your version with added value (videos, better tips).
9. Step 6: Paid Search & PPC Competitor Research
Ahrefs also reveals paid campaigns.
Steps:
- In Site Explorer, go to Paid Search.
- View competitor’s:
- Top paid keywords.
- Ad copy samples.
- Landing pages.
Action: Use insights to refine your own PPC campaigns.
10. Step 7: Track Domain Authority & SEO Health
Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR) indicates overall backlink strength.
- High DR = strong authority.
- Low DR = growth opportunity.
Use Ahrefs Site Audit to benchmark:
- Technical issues (broken links, slow pages).
- Crawl depth.
- Mobile optimization.
Regularly track competitors’ DR trends to measure long-term competitiveness.
11. Step 8: Benchmark Traffic & Growth Trends
In Ahrefs’ Site Explorer Overview, check:
- Organic traffic estimates.
- Traffic trend charts (6–12 months).
- Top countries driving traffic.
Example: If competitor traffic spikes after publishing “summer fashion trends,” you know seasonal content works.
12. Reporting & Business Impact
Competitor analysis isn’t just data — it must drive action.
Use Ahrefs insights for:
- Content planning → Create missing articles.
- Outreach campaigns → Target competitor backlink sources.
- PPC optimization → Learn from competitor ad spend.
- Board reporting → Show data-driven strategy.
Export reports from Ahrefs into Excel or Google Sheets for presentation.
13. Examples & Mini-Case Studies
Case A: SaaS Startup
- Competitors ranked for “free project management tools.”
- Action: Published optimized guide → ranked within 4 months, brought 10k+ visits.
Case B: Ecommerce Store
- Found 300+ backlinks pointing to competitor’s buying guide.
- Created a better guide → earned 120 new backlinks in 6 months.
Case C: Local Business
- Competitors dominated for “best dentist in Boston.”
- Discovered backlinks from local blogs → partnered with same blogs, boosted local SEO.
14. Industry-Specific Best Practices
- Ecommerce: Focus on product keywords + content gaps.
- SaaS: Analyze feature pages and backlinks from tech blogs.
- Local Business: Target local citation backlinks.
- Media/Publishing: Benchmark top content formats.
15. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Mistake: Tracking too many competitors.
Fix: Limit to 3–5 key rivals.
Mistake: Copying content blindly.
Fix: Always add unique value.
Mistake: Ignoring intent.
Fix: Focus on keywords with buying intent.
Mistake: One-time analysis.
Fix: Repeat competitor analysis quarterly.
16. Advanced Ahrefs Strategies for Competitor Analysis
- Content Explorer tool: Find trending competitor content.
- Alerts: Get notified when competitors gain new backlinks.
- Batch Analysis: Compare multiple domains side by side.
- Link Intersect: Discover sites linking to competitors but not you.
17. FAQs
Q1: Can I do competitor analysis with a free Ahrefs account?
A: Free access is limited. For full competitor research, a paid plan is best.
Q2: How often should I use Ahrefs for competitor analysis?
A: Quarterly is a good rhythm; monthly for fast-changing industries.
Q3: What’s the most valuable Ahrefs feature for competitor research?
A: Backlink analysis — it reveals authority and link-building opportunities.
Q4: How do I know which competitors to track?
A: Use Ahrefs’ Competing Domains report — it shows domains ranking for your target keywords.
Q5: Can Ahrefs help with PPC competitor research?
A: Yes — it shows competitor paid keywords, ads, and landing pages.
Q6: Do backlinks from the same site count multiple times?
A: No, unique referring domains matter more than total links.
Q7: Is Ahrefs better than SEMrush for competitor analysis?
A: Both are excellent; Ahrefs is stronger in backlinks, SEMrush in PPC. Many pros use both.
18. Conclusion
Understanding how to use Ahrefs for competitor analysis is a game-changer. With keyword insights, backlink data, and content gap analysis, you gain a competitive edge that transforms your SEO strategy.
Next steps:
- Open Ahrefs Site Explorer and enter your domain.
- Identify 3–5 key competitors.
- Run keyword, backlink, and content gap analysis.
- Turn findings into a concrete SEO action plan.
Ready to dominate your niche? Start with Ahrefs today and apply these strategies to stay ahead of your competitors.