With the current launch of our distant MCP server, anybody can now chat instantly with Ahrefs information to get actionable Search engine optimisation insights.
MCP, which stands for Mannequin Context Protocol, is an open commonplace that firms can use to combine their exterior instruments and information with suitable AI assistants.
Think about you’ve not too long ago launched a brand new clothes model and wish to discover eCommerce shops rating nicely for the forms of merchandise you’ll promote— a standard objective earlier than reverse-engineering what makes them profitable.
The usual Ahrefs interface lets you lookup any website to uncover issues just like the key phrases they’re rating for, their most linked-to content material, and the way general search visitors is trending.
Our new MCP server, which integrates with well-liked AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude, affords the flexibility to automate these and numerous different processes to achieve insights at scale.
Ask for recommendation as for those who’re speaking with a pal and, on this case, we now have an inventory of potential rivals to begin investigating additional.
Out there on Ahrefs Lite, Commonplace, Superior and Enterprise plans, you’ll now have the ability to faucet instantly into our API with no need to know how one can code.
The one downside you would possibly face is, “What ought to I ask subsequent?”.
This information goals to reply that very query.
Every time I’m engaged on Search engine optimisation tasks for shoppers, I sometimes use a number of instruments to carry out comparable duties.
For instance, I crawl web sites utilizing the Ahrefs Web site Audit instrument, Screaming Frog, and customized software program.
My course of for key phrase analysis contains Ahrefs, Google Tendencies, Google Autosuggest, and guide checks of search outcomes.
I discovered early on that a few of my finest insights come from having a number of views on associated information. Whenever you’re engaged on websites with tens of hundreds and even thousands and thousands of pages, it’s attainable to overlook finer particulars in a single instrument that stand out in one other.
I view utilizing the Ahrefs MCP server in an analogous method: I achieve new insights due to a special perspective that AI offers, and as a bonus, it permits me to scale operations that I already know how one can carry out.
It gained’t (and shouldn’t) totally exchange all guide checks and human intelligence.
At instances, you’ll obtain suggestions you’re already conscious of, and like many AI assistants, it would make issues sound less complicated than they’re in actuality.
However it may well additionally inform you a few cluster of unusual key phrases a website is rating for that sparks an concept of how one can compete with your individual take.
It is going to remind you that particular rankings a competitor has picked up are seasonal, and that it may be good to organize content material for the visitors “peak” coming in a number of months.
It is going to inform you concerning the small area of interest website you initially missed which has ramped up content material manufacturing in current months and, from an Search engine optimisation perspective, is getting outcomes.
And for those who’re nonetheless not satisfied, chatting instantly with Ahrefs information is simply plain enjoyable.
A observe on set-up and prompting
There are guides to 5 well-liked AI instruments together with Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot Studio. Alternatively, you should utilize our distant connection URL instantly: https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp.
Whereas you may get the identical nice performance from the ChatGPT integration as Claude, MCP connectors are in beta in ChatGPT, and that’s noticeable at instances.
I say this as a paying ChatGPT buyer for years and a Claude one for only a few weeks, I a lot desire the expertise in Claude.
Instruments don’t all the time know to make use of the Ahrefs MCP server versus looking the online, so it’s extremely advisable that you simply’re particular about that, beginning requests with “Use the Ahrefs MCP server” or “Utilizing the Ahrefs MCP server,…”.
Assume that I could have had so as to add that to the next prompts in the event that they didn’t route by way of the Ahrefs MCP connection robotically.
As a ultimate observe, your Ahrefs account degree determines what number of rows you’ll be able to pull again for every request.
15 immediate concepts throughout three ranges of insights
Easy prompts can present actionable responses in seconds, whereas others that require extra information (similar to analyzing the backlink profile of a number of websites) can take a couple of minutes to course of.
Typically, the extra in-depth your request, the extra models you’ll eat and the longer it’s going to take to complete your response.
Response time: sometimes underneath two minutes.
1. Establish websites rising natural search visitors in 2025
Word: This is only one a part of the reply. Particular websites within the response are hidden to be respectful.
Immediate:
Utilizing this checklist of 10 websites in my area of interest, inform me which have grown natural search visitors from January 2025 to September 2025:
[Domains 1-10].
Your AI assistant will rapidly lookup the estimated natural search visitors every website acquired over the urged timeframe.
It is going to additionally seemingly add commentary on general progress percentages and any fascinating stand-out months for a selected area.
2. Uncover the phrases rivals rank on the primary web page of Google for
Immediate:
Inform me concerning the rankings
[Competitor]has on the primary web page of Google that[My Site]doesn’t have first-page rankings for.
To strategy this manually, you can use Ahrefs’ Aggressive Evaluation instrument, with quite a few particular filters to hone in on what you’re searching for.
If a easy overview is all you want, the MCP will rapidly checklist phrases you’re not rating for in comparison with any rivals.
3. Discover essentially the most linked-to content material on any website or subfolder
Immediate:
Checklist the highest 10 pages on
[industry blog]ranked by what number of hyperlinks every has. Additionally embrace their estimated natural search visitors.
I wish to lookup how particular directories are performing — not simply domains as a complete. As an illustration, discovering essentially the most linked-to articles on Ahrefs.com/weblog/ offers very completely different insights from the general Ahrefs web site.
4. Discover natural search rivals for any website
Immediate:
Give me an inventory of the closest natural search rivals for
[My site, e.g. Docusign.com].
The Ahrefs API has a selected endpoint that reveals natural search rivals ranked by the variety of widespread key phrases every website shares. We are able to use the MCP to faucet into that.
Within the instance above, if we’re researching Docusign, we’ll get insights on websites like PandaDoc and SignWell.
You’ll be able to carry out this motion manually within the Ahrefs Dashboard by going to Web site Explorer > Natural Opponents.
5. Mix key phrase analysis with weblog submit headline concepts
Immediate:
My enterprise sells
[product type, e.g. coffee tables], and I’m trying to analysis extra weblog submit concepts. Assist me discover key phrases that individuals use for analysis earlier than making a purchase order.
This immediate will pull information instantly from Ahrefs’ key phrase database, trying up informational, comparability, question-based, and comparable question varieties related to your particular situation.
Response time: sometimes 2-10 minutes.
6. Uncover trending key phrases (and why they’re rising in recognition)
Immediate:
I’ve lined
[my niche e.g. gardening]with loads of evergreen content material angles. Are there any trending phrases carefully associated to my business that you can advocate contemplating? Ideally as much as 20 phrases with the potential to extend in recognition in 2026.
The MCP can make the most of Ahrefs Key phrase Explorer to analyse related insights for every key phrase, similar to search quantity over time, visitors potential, and key phrase problem.
I particularly just like the descriptions as to why a time period may be more and more well-liked.
7. Batch analyze particular area insights (like Natural Visitors and Area Score)
Immediate:
Right here’s an inventory of 20 websites in my area of interest
[attach a file or type each domain]. Please create a desk that features their Ahrefs DR, Natural Visitors, and the variety of key phrases they’re rating within the high 3 positions for in search outcomes.
It’s usually the case that I’ll have an inventory of websites to dive into, found by way of analysis outdoors of Ahrefs, on which I now need further Search engine optimisation-focused insights. The MCP helps to supply these at scale.
8. Construction content material outlines utilizing insights from key phrase analysis
Immediate:
I’m writing a information on
[topic, e.g. the best travel backpacks]. Conduct key phrase analysis to assist determine key phrases I ought to cowl, then construction an instance article define utilizing your findings. Maintain it pure, slightly than overly keyword-focused.
Mix key phrase analysis with an AI assistant’s understanding of how articles are sometimes structured.
Our AI Content material Helper can take this to the subsequent degree, however the MCP can present a terrific start line.
If you happen to like, you may also request an evaluation of top-ranking pages for related queries.
9. Uncover the top-ranking websites throughout any group of key phrases
Immediate:
Throughout this checklist of 20 completely different keyphrases related to my area of interest, inform me which internet sites rank for essentially the most phrases and in the very best positions.
[Include your keyphrases]
This immediate is nice for rapidly discovering the highest websites in niches you aren’t already acquainted with.
10. Discover damaged backlinks to any area or URL path
Immediate:
Discover damaged backlinks pointing to any URLs underneath the next subdirectory:
[e.g.nytimes.com/wirecutter/]. I’m particularly searching for particular person URLs that obtain essentially the most hyperlinks from different websites however don’t exist. Give attention to excessive DR hyperlinks, and only one per area.
This immediate offers direct insights from the Damaged Backlinks report we provide in Web site Explorer. If you happen to’re acquainted with the filters now we have in place (like solely returning One hyperlink per area), then you’ll be able to simply improve your prompts with extra specifics.
Response time: two to 10+ minutes. The larger the request (i.e., the extra key phrases, search outcomes, or websites to investigate), the longer it’s going to take.
11. Analysis worldwide Search engine optimisation growth alternatives
Immediate:
I run a
[business type, e.g. fashion marketplace]primarily for the US market. We’re trying to develop internationally. Please discover as much as 10 examples of comparable companies that expanded into different international locations. Define what they have been, and the way their natural visitors is trending in these international locations.
The objective right here is to determine the international locations the place rivals are rating nicely, and the markets they haven’t focused, to provoke the analysis course of for future enterprise choices.
On this instance, the MCP rapidly checked worldwide search visitors for manufacturers similar to UNIQLO, Shein, H&M, ASOS, Nike, and Mango.
12. Insights into competitor content material methods
Immediate:
Analyze the highest ten natural search rivals to
[Site e.g. AllRecipes.com]. I wish to get an concept of any distinctive, non-standard approaches they’re taking to content material creation and the phrases they’re focusing on, outdoors of[common topic, e.g. recipes].
The intention right here is first to find the content material methods throughout a number of websites, then strip out the commonalities to disclose any fascinating outliers.
13. Total website suggestions to extend natural search visitors
Immediate:
You’re an Search engine optimisation knowledgeable. Your job is to extend natural visitors to
[Site, e.g. Chewy.com]in a authentic, whitehat method. You’ve entry to the very best Search engine optimisation information on the planet through the Ahrefs MCP. Analysis essentially the most related data you’ll be able to about my website and the business wherein it operates. Provide any recommendation you are feeling is acceptable.
This instance was impressed by Marie Haynes, who kindly messaged me (with permission to share) to say she was gaining some nice insights from prompts alongside this line.
I feel it completely suits into the ‘enjoyable’ class, the place it’s not tremendous apparent what sort of response you’ll get, however doubtlessly identifies one thing you may need missed.
14. In-depth business analysis based mostly on particular rankings
Immediate:
Present an inventory of the highest 20 keyphrases that
[Site e.g.GarageGymReviews.com]is rating first-page for, the place the ‘Folks Additionally Ask’ SERP function is current. Rank them by estimated search quantity. Solely embrace phrases not less than 4 phrases in size, and exclude any which are branded (i.e.,[mention ‘Garage Gym Reviews’]). Then inform me the highest ten websites rating general for these phrases mixed.
Right here we begin by figuring out rankings that just one website has, then use these phrases to achieve a special perspective on natural rivals.
You’ll be able to request different SERP options to be current, similar to Movies or ‘Discussions & Boards’.
The concept is which you can mix two (or extra) separate angles right into a single request.
15. Analyze a number of backlink profiles at as soon as
Immediate:
Present me a complete overview of the backlink profile of those 5 web sites I’m researching:
[Sites 1,2,3,4,5]. Be sure you embrace the speed at which they’re selecting up hyperlinks from new domains.
I particularly like figuring out how rapidly rivals are selecting up new backlinks in comparison with my very own manufacturers.
Analyzing a number of websites directly helps you kind overview as to the place you stack up. You’ll be able to construct on this by including extra websites or requesting particular forms of hyperlinks (e.g., excluding these which are nofollowed).
Out there now: A bonus immediate through the web page explorer endpoint
The Ahrefs improvement workforce continually provides new options to our API, and once they do, you may also achieve further insights through our MCP server.
We’ve simply launched the Web page Explorer endpoint in APIv3 (technical particulars right here), which offers page-level particulars from any web sites you’ve audited with Ahrefs.
You’ll be able to first use the Ahrefs MCP server to get an inventory of points that apply to your most up-to-date Web site Audit crawl:
From there, you should utilize the brand new endpoint to discover particular points, similar to which URLs redirect, or all pages that returned a 404 standing code.
Having spent loads of time with the MCP testing artistic methods to enhance my workflows, I’ve discovered a number of issues to make the expertise extra precious.
As soon as linked, attempt asking your AI assistant of selection for inspiration on what to immediate.
This sounds meta, however it works: Clarify the present state of affairs of the tasks you’re engaged on from a advertising and marketing perspective and what you’re fighting. You’ll be able to then see some instance prompts which could assist with what to ask.
Particularly for ChatGPT, be sure to point out the Ahrefs MCP server in your prompts.
For instance, a request for one thing across the high blogs in a selected area of interest can rapidly set off your AI assistant of selection to begin looking the net.
Together with “Utilizing the Ahrefs MCP server, please checklist the highest blogs rating for…” in your immediate will guarantee it collects information instantly from Ahrefs as an alternative.
Be particular concerning the variety of websites you’re trying to analyse, key phrase options you desire to, and the date vary you need insights from.
This manner you’ll be able to keep away from getting too few insights, or too many that you simply eat pointless models.
Whereas ChatGPT connectors are in beta, I’ve personally discovered Claude to be a extra fulfilling expertise.
I desire ChatGPT’s design, however not in the case of calling instruments (just like the Ahrefs MCP server).
If you happen to’re already acquainted with a course of to observe, be clear concerning the order of the duty you need your AI assistant to observe.
If you happen to sometimes lookup the key phrases a website is rating for earlier than you analyze its backlinks, immediate your assistant to do the similar.
If you happen to encounter any oddities (they’re uncommon), you’ll be able to examine the response to achieve an concept of what may need gone flawed.
ChatGPT’s personal documentation recommends this step to assist debug any points. It might be the case that your immediate may very well be improved, otherwise you’ve requested for one thing we don’t have information on (like the place a website ranks in DuckDuckGo).
You’ll be able to simply examine your present utilization and limits through the Ahrefs dashboard.
Merely navigate to Accounts > Limits & Utilization and scroll right down to the API models / mo part.
Don’t count on the MCP to switch all human intelligence (or our typical interface), however see it as an addition to these.
Some duties are all the time going to be extra fulfilling in a purpose-built UI than in a chat-like interplay.
However when scale and a brand new perspective are what you’re searching for, you would possibly simply surprise the way you labored with out the MCP prior to now.
Wrapping up
I didn’t initially count on to take pleasure in utilizing the MCP server as a lot as I’ve. Now that it’s right here, I preserve discovering new use circumstances to achieve insights and enhance productiveness.
On a private observe, I’m honored to be writing my first-ever weblog submit right here after not too long ago becoming a member of the corporate.
I’ll be working with the Ahrefs advertising and marketing and product groups to assist instruments like this one (and the whole lot else within the pipeline) be as precious as attainable.
If any further use circumstances or requests come to thoughts, I might completely love to listen to them. Attain out to me on LinkedIn or X, and I’ll see what we are able to do.
