How to Use Ahrefs

A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with Ahrefs in 2026.

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Best For seo professionals, agencies, content marketers

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Getting Started: Step by Step

Create your Ahrefs account

Visit Ahrefs's website and sign up for a trial. You'll need an email address to get started.

Set up your workspace

Once signed in, configure your Ahrefs workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.

Explore backlink-analysis

One of Ahrefs's key features is backlink-analysis. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore keyword-research

One of Ahrefs's key features is keyword-research. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore site-audit

One of Ahrefs's key features is site-audit. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Integrate with your existing tools

Connect Ahrefs with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.

Start using it for real work

Now that you're set up, start using Ahrefs for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.

Pro Tips

Start with the free plan or trial to explore Ahrefs's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
Check Ahrefs's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.