FirstSearch vs Ahrefs
Ahrefs is legendary for backlink analysis. But can it help you rank in AI search? Compare features and see which tool fits your needs.
Choose Ahrefs if you:
- Need the deepest backlink database
- Do heavy competitor backlink research
- Only focus on Google rankings
- Have a large SEO budget ($99+/mo)
Choose FirstSearch if you:
- Want to dominate AI search (ChatGPT, Perplexity)
- Need content generated automatically
- Want backlinks built, not just analyzed
- Prefer action over analysis
Feature Comparison
| Feature | FirstSearch | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| AI Search OptimizationAI Feature | ||
| ChatGPT Visibility TrackingAI Feature | ||
| Perplexity Citation MonitoringAI Feature | ||
| AI-Optimized Content GenerationAI Feature | ||
| Backlink Analysis | ||
| Backlink Building (Automated)AI Feature | ||
| Keyword Research | ||
| Keyword Difficulty Scores | ||
| Site Audit | ||
| Rank Tracking | ||
| Competitor Analysis | ||
| Content Generation (30/month)AI Feature |
Pricing Comparison
- 30 AI-optimized articles/month
- AI visibility tracking
- Automated backlink building
- All features included
- Backlink analysis
- Keyword research
- No AI search optimization
- No content generation
Analysis vs Action
Ahrefs is incredible at one thing: showing you data. Their backlink index is unmatched, their keyword database is massive, and their competitive analysis tools are best-in-class.
But here's the problem: data doesn't rank you. Knowing your competitor has 10,000 backlinks doesn't help unless you can build your own. Seeing keyword opportunities doesn't matter unless you can create content to capture them.
FirstSearch takes action. We don't just show you that you need backlinks—we build them through our automated network. We don't just identify keyword opportunities—we generate optimized content to capture them. And we optimize for AI search, something Ahrefs can't touch.
The question isn't which tool has more data. It's: which tool will actually grow your organic traffic?
Ready for Action, Not Just Analysis?
Stop analyzing and start ranking. FirstSearch builds your SEO while you focus on your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is FirstSearch different from Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is the gold standard for backlink analysis and traditional SEO research. FirstSearch is built for the AI search era. We focus on optimizing your visibility in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI assistants—something Ahrefs doesn't address. We also generate content and build backlinks automatically, while Ahrefs only analyzes them.
Does FirstSearch have backlink data like Ahrefs?
FirstSearch includes backlink monitoring and analysis, though Ahrefs has the largest backlink database in the industry. Where we differ: FirstSearch actually builds backlinks for you through our automated network. Ahrefs shows you data; we take action on it.
Can FirstSearch replace Ahrefs?
For most small to medium businesses, yes. FirstSearch covers the core SEO features—keyword research, rank tracking, backlink monitoring—while adding AI optimization and content generation that Ahrefs lacks. Large enterprises doing deep competitive research might use both, but most businesses will find FirstSearch more actionable and cost-effective.
Why is FirstSearch cheaper than Ahrefs?
Ahrefs invests heavily in crawling the entire web to build their backlink database—an expensive operation. FirstSearch focuses on what drives results: AI optimization, content creation, and automated backlink building. We include 30 articles per month that would cost thousands from an agency, making the overall value much higher.