Ahrefs MCP
Access real-time Ahrefs SEO data directly through Model Context Protocol to analyze websites, research keywords, track rankings, and make data-driven SEO decisions.
First-Time Setup
If this is your first time using Ahrefs MCP, read references/setup.md for complete connection instructions. You'll need:
- An Ahrefs account (Lite plan or higher)
- To connect via the remote MCP server URL:
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp
After setup, return here for usage guidance.
Core Capabilities
Ahrefs MCP provides access to:
- Site Explorer - Domain metrics, backlinks, organic traffic, referring domains
- Keywords Explorer - Search volume, keyword difficulty, SERP analysis, related keywords
- Rank Tracker - Position tracking, visibility metrics, competitor rankings
- Site Audit - Technical SEO issues, crawl data, site health
- Content Explorer - Top performing content, content gaps
For detailed capability reference, see references/capabilities.md.
Usage Workflow
1. Understand the Request
Identify what SEO data is needed:
- Domain/URL analysis → Site Explorer
- Keyword data → Keywords Explorer
- Position tracking → Rank Tracker
- Technical SEO → Site Audit
- Content ideas → Content Explorer
2. Query Ahrefs
Use natural language to request data. Examples:
"Get backlink profile for example.com"
"What's the search volume for 'best running shoes'?"
"Show me keyword difficulty scores for this list: [keywords]"
"Analyze competitor domains for example.com"
"Get current rankings from rank tracker project 'My Website'"
3. Analyze and Present
- Present data in clear, actionable formats
- Highlight key insights and opportunities
- Suggest next steps based on findings
- Cross-reference multiple data points when relevant
Common Workflows
Keyword Research + Cross-Reference
- User provides keyword list
- Query Ahrefs for each keyword's metrics (volume, difficulty, CPC)
- Present consolidated analysis
- Help prioritize based on criteria (difficulty vs. volume, intent, etc.)
See references/workflows.md for detailed workflow patterns.
Competitive Analysis
- Identify target domain and competitors
- Compare domain metrics (DR, organic traffic, referring domains)
- Analyze top organic keywords
- Identify content gaps
- Recommend opportunities
Site Audit Review
- Access site audit data for domain
- Identify critical issues by severity
- Prioritize fixes by impact
- Provide technical recommendations
When Ahrefs Connection is Missing
If the MCP connection is not configured:
- Provide setup instructions from references/setup.md
- Share the connection URL:
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp
- Guide through the authorization process
- Test connection before proceeding
API Limits Awareness
- Each plan has row limits per request and monthly API unit caps
- Track usage in Account settings → Limits and usage
- Enterprise users can purchase additional units
- Design efficient queries to conserve units
Best Practices
- Be specific: Include target domain, date ranges, or specific metrics needed
- Batch requests: When analyzing multiple keywords/domains, request data efficiently
- Context matters: Cross-reference data points for deeper insights
- Actionable output: Always provide recommendations, not just raw data
- Verify before expensive queries: Confirm the scope before running large dataset requests
1---2name: ahrefs-mcp3description: Access Ahrefs SEO data through Model Context Protocol (MCP) for comprehensive SEO analysis, keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and competitive intelligence. Use when users mention: (1) SEO-related queries about websites, domains, or URLs, (2) Keyword research, rankings, or search volume data, (3) Backlink analysis or link profiles, (4) Domain metrics (DR, UR, traffic), (5) Competitor analysis or site comparison, (6) Rank tracking or SERP analysis, (7) Content gap analysis, (8) Site Explorer data requests. When uncertain if a query is SEO-related, ask if Ahrefs should be used.4---56# Ahrefs MCP78Access real-time Ahrefs SEO data directly through Model Context Protocol to analyze websites, research keywords, track rankings, and make data-driven SEO decisions.910## First-Time Setup1112If this is your first time using Ahrefs MCP, read [references/setup.md](references/setup.md) for complete connection instructions. You'll need:13- An Ahrefs account (Lite plan or higher)14- To connect via the remote MCP server URL: `https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp`1516After setup, return here for usage guidance.1718## Core Capabilities1920Ahrefs MCP provides access to:21221. **Site Explorer** - Domain metrics, backlinks, organic traffic, referring domains232. **Keywords Explorer** - Search volume, keyword difficulty, SERP analysis, related keywords243. **Rank Tracker** - Position tracking, visibility metrics, competitor rankings254. **Site Audit** - Technical SEO issues, crawl data, site health265. **Content Explorer** - Top performing content, content gaps2728For detailed capability reference, see [references/capabilities.md](references/capabilities.md).2930## Usage Workflow3132### 1. Understand the Request3334Identify what SEO data is needed:35- **Domain/URL analysis** → Site Explorer36- **Keyword data** → Keywords Explorer37- **Position tracking** → Rank Tracker38- **Technical SEO** → Site Audit39- **Content ideas** → Content Explorer4041### 2. Query Ahrefs4243Use natural language to request data. Examples:4445```46"Get backlink profile for example.com"47"What's the search volume for 'best running shoes'?"48"Show me keyword difficulty scores for this list: [keywords]"49"Analyze competitor domains for example.com"50"Get current rankings from rank tracker project 'My Website'"51```5253### 3. Analyze and Present5455- Present data in clear, actionable formats56- Highlight key insights and opportunities57- Suggest next steps based on findings58- Cross-reference multiple data points when relevant5960## Common Workflows6162### Keyword Research + Cross-Reference63641. User provides keyword list652. Query Ahrefs for each keyword's metrics (volume, difficulty, CPC)663. Present consolidated analysis674. Help prioritize based on criteria (difficulty vs. volume, intent, etc.)6869See [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md) for detailed workflow patterns.7071### Competitive Analysis72731. Identify target domain and competitors742. Compare domain metrics (DR, organic traffic, referring domains)753. Analyze top organic keywords764. Identify content gaps775. Recommend opportunities7879### Site Audit Review80811. Access site audit data for domain822. Identify critical issues by severity833. Prioritize fixes by impact844. Provide technical recommendations8586## When Ahrefs Connection is Missing8788If the MCP connection is not configured:891. Provide setup instructions from [references/setup.md](references/setup.md)902. Share the connection URL: `https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp`913. Guide through the authorization process924. Test connection before proceeding9394## API Limits Awareness9596- Each plan has row limits per request and monthly API unit caps97- Track usage in Account settings → Limits and usage98- Enterprise users can purchase additional units99- Design efficient queries to conserve units100101## Best Practices102103- **Be specific**: Include target domain, date ranges, or specific metrics needed104- **Batch requests**: When analyzing multiple keywords/domains, request data efficiently105- **Context matters**: Cross-reference data points for deeper insights106- **Actionable output**: Always provide recommendations, not just raw data107- **Verify before expensive queries**: Confirm the scope before running large dataset requests
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