Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner: A Brief Comparison

Which tool wins in a matchup between Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner? To answer, you should understand how each contributes to search engine optimization (SEO) because more than half of all website traffic comes from organic search.

Our guide shows how these two compare and when you need one or the other.

What Is the Difference Between Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner?

The main difference between Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs is that Google’s tool provides limited keyword information for pay-per-click campaigns with Google Ads. In contrast, Ahrefs is a comprehensive platform that offers more extensive data for SEO content marketing.

Each can provide you with keyword ideas to use in your content marketing and SEO strategy. For many users, both options are helpful tools for SEO. A closer look at Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner can help determine which one best suits your needs.

What Is Ahrefs? 

Ahrefs brands itself as an SEO marketing intelligence tool. It collects data about websites to show SEO performance and how its clients can improve to boost search engine results rankings and online visibility. The company has been around since 2011, and over 41,000 organizations use their services.

Like most modern business software, Ahrefs operates as a subscription service. You can start with a free account with limited features. Paid plans range from $29 for Starter to $1,499 for Enterprise.

Key features include:

• Keyword Generator: After entering a topic and target country, it displays up to 150 keyword ideas, their search volume, and the 50 most popular questions that include the keyword.
• Keyword Difficulty Score: The first 10 keywords in the Keyword Generator show whether they are Easy, Medium, or Hard to rank for.
• Webmaster Tools: This feature shows you the keywords you currently rank for in the top 100. 

Other top tools that pit Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner are Ahrefs’ average monthly searches and data on how many clicks each search gets. 

The main drawbacks of Ahrefs are its learning curve and price. To get over that learning curve, Ahrefs provides many resources to help you get up to speed quickly. You only need time and patience to figure out how to use it effectively. As far as price, you have to calculate whether the return on investment can justify the upfront expense.

What Is Google Keyword Planner? 

At its core, Google Keyword Planner is a research tool to use with Google Ads. It displays the number of keyword searches so you can target the best candidates in pay-per-click campaigns. However, the information can be useful for SEO, too. 

The primary benefit of using Google Keyword Planner is that you’re getting data directly from Google for search volumes. It also provides suggestions. Enter a keyword, and you receive options for other associated keywords. The program also provides average monthly searches and how strong the competition is for a keyword. You also get info on the high and low ranges for top-of-page bids for ads. 

Google Keyword Planner is available to anyone who has a Google Ads account. Though the service focuses on those who want to create PPC ads, you can use it without starting an ad campaign. 

Likely, one of your key considerations when evaluating Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner is price.  Fortunately, the primary benefit of Google Keyword Planner is it’s free. However, a significant drawback is that the information is very general and not as granular as most SEO experts require. 

How Accurate Is Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner?

When it comes to accuracy in a matchup of Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner, an Ahrefs study shows that it is 33% more accurate than its counterpart. 

One issue with Google Keyword Planner is that it combines the search volume for all keywords, no matter the user intent. That means data on the keyword “apple” includes information on the fruit, the tech company, and the record label the Beatles started. For that reason, Google Keyword Planner almost always overestimates search volumes. 

Of course, no SEO tool can be 100% correct. Millions of searches happen daily and nudge metrics in different directions. However, Ahrefs uses Google Keyword Planner and third-party sources to determine search intent and yield more accurate results.

Also, search volumes are only one set of data that you use in crafting an SEO strategy. For that reason, many businesses either rely on SEO tools such as Ahrefs or turn to digital marketing partners that utilize such tools.

Should You Use Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs?

Every company should use Google Keyword Planner to some extent because it’s free and provides helpful information. In fact, many SEO tools (including Ahrefs) integrate with Google Keyword Planner for data. 

If you’re concentrating on paid advertising, you can focus on Google Keyword Planner. Also, if you only want general information for SEO keywords, Google Keyword Planner may suffice. 

However, most businesses need a strong SEO marketing plan to stay competitive. In this case, select Ahrefs over Google Keyword Planner alone. You’ll need a tool like Ahrefs if you are serious about doing your own SEO and content marketing. 

What Other Tools Are There for Keyword Research?

Ahrefs isn’t the only show in town for SEO content tools. Many others can help you find keywords to target in your content and SEO strategy. Top competitors of Ahrefs include:

• Semrush
• Surfer SEO
• Moz Pro
• SERP Checker
• Ubersuggest

Each has its advantages. For example, Ubersuggest offers a free version that comes with limitations, but it’s worth examining if you’re just starting out. You can get a free trial of the other tools to see how you like them.

Expert Guidance for Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner, and Other SEO Tools

Deciding on your digital marketing tools is only part of the battle. You need to know how to interpret data and turn it into quality content that attracts your target audience. Far from being a one-and-done task, SEO marketing requires constant attention and fine-tuning to stay effective.

Is that too tall of an order for your team right now? BKA Content can help! Contact us to examine the advantages of Ahrefs vs. Google Keyword Planner for your company and learn what next steps you can take for successful SEO.