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---5
6# Ahrefs MCP
7
8Access real-time Ahrefs SEO data directly through Model Context Protocol to analyze websites, research keywords, track rankings, and make data-driven SEO decisions.
9
10## First-Time Setup
11
12If 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`
15
16After setup, return here for usage guidance.
17
18## Core Capabilities
19
20Ahrefs MCP provides access to:
21
221. **Site Explorer** - Domain metrics, backlinks, organic traffic, referring domains
232. **Keywords Explorer** - Search volume, keyword difficulty, SERP analysis, related keywords
243. **Rank Tracker** - Position tracking, visibility metrics, competitor rankings
254. **Site Audit** - Technical SEO issues, crawl data, site health
265. **Content Explorer** - Top performing content, content gaps
27
28For detailed capability reference, see [references/capabilities.md](references/capabilities.md).
29
30## Usage Workflow
31
32### 1. Understand the Request
33
34Identify what SEO data is needed:
35- **Domain/URL analysis** → Site Explorer
36- **Keyword data** → Keywords Explorer
37- **Position tracking** → Rank Tracker
38- **Technical SEO** → Site Audit
39- **Content ideas** → Content Explorer
40
41### 2. Query Ahrefs
42
43Use natural language to request data. Examples:
44
45```
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```
52
53### 3. Analyze and Present
54
55- Present data in clear, actionable formats
56- Highlight key insights and opportunities
57- Suggest next steps based on findings
58- Cross-reference multiple data points when relevant
59
60## Common Workflows
61
62### Keyword Research + Cross-Reference
63
641. User provides keyword list
652. Query Ahrefs for each keyword's metrics (volume, difficulty, CPC)
663. Present consolidated analysis
674. Help prioritize based on criteria (difficulty vs. volume, intent, etc.)
68
69See [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md) for detailed workflow patterns.
70
71### Competitive Analysis
72
731. Identify target domain and competitors
742. Compare domain metrics (DR, organic traffic, referring domains)
753. Analyze top organic keywords
764. Identify content gaps
775. Recommend opportunities
78
79### Site Audit Review
80
811. Access site audit data for domain
822. Identify critical issues by severity
833. Prioritize fixes by impact
844. Provide technical recommendations
85
86## When Ahrefs Connection is Missing
87
88If 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 process
924. Test connection before proceeding
93
94## API Limits Awareness
95
96- Each plan has row limits per request and monthly API unit caps
97- Track usage in Account settings → Limits and usage
98- Enterprise users can purchase additional units
99- Design efficient queries to conserve units
100
101## Best Practices
102
103- **Be specific**: Include target domain, date ranges, or specific metrics needed
104- **Batch requests**: When analyzing multiple keywords/domains, request data efficiently
105- **Context matters**: Cross-reference data points for deeper insights
106- **Actionable output**: Always provide recommendations, not just raw data
107- **Verify before expensive queries**: Confirm the scope before running large dataset requests
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