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- ahrefs-mcp
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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