FirstSearch vs SEMrush
SEMrush is great for traditional SEO. But search has changed. Compare features and see why businesses are switching to FirstSearch for AI search optimization.
Choose SEMrush if you:
- Have a dedicated SEO team
- Need detailed technical site audits
- Only care about Google rankings
- Have a large budget ($139+/mo)
Choose FirstSearch if you:
- Want to dominate AI search (ChatGPT, Perplexity)
- Need content generated automatically
- Want automated backlink building
- Want all-in-one simplicity
Feature Comparison
| Feature | FirstSearch | SEMrush |
|---|---|---|
| AI Search OptimizationAI Feature | ||
| ChatGPT Visibility TrackingAI Feature | ||
| Perplexity Citation MonitoringAI Feature | ||
| AI-Optimized Content GenerationAI Feature | ||
| Traditional Keyword Research | ||
| Backlink Analysis | ||
| Rankings Tracking | ||
| Site Audit | ||
| Competitor Analysis | ||
| Content Generation (30/month)AI Feature | ||
| Automated Backlink BuildingAI Feature |
Pricing Comparison
- 30 AI-optimized articles/month
- AI visibility tracking
- Automated backlink building
- All features included
- Keyword research
- Site audit
- No AI search optimization
- No content generation
The AI Search Gap
SEMrush was built in 2008 for a different era of search. It's excellent at what it does: tracking Google rankings, analyzing backlinks, and auditing sites.
But search has fundamentally changed. Over 100 million people now use ChatGPT weekly. Perplexity is the fastest-growing search product in history. And these AI search users convert at 23x the rate of traditional search.
SEMrush has no tools to help you appear in AI search results. It can't track your ChatGPT visibility. It doesn't generate AI-optimized content. It won't help you get cited by Perplexity.
FirstSearch was built for this new reality. We help you dominate both traditional and AI search—all in one platform, at a fraction of the cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is FirstSearch different from SEMrush?
SEMrush is excellent for traditional SEO—keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits. FirstSearch is built specifically for the AI search era. We focus on optimizing your visibility in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI assistants, while also supporting traditional SEO. If you want to win in AI search, FirstSearch is purpose-built for that.
Does FirstSearch replace SEMrush?
For most small to medium businesses, yes. FirstSearch covers the essential SEO features (keyword research, rankings, backlinks) while adding AI-specific optimization that SEMrush doesn't offer. Larger enterprises with dedicated SEO teams might use both, but most businesses will find FirstSearch's all-in-one approach more cost-effective.
Why is FirstSearch so much cheaper?
SEMrush is built for enterprise SEO teams with features most businesses never use. FirstSearch focuses on what actually moves the needle: creating optimized content, building backlinks, and getting visible in AI search. We include 30 AI-optimized articles per month—content that would cost thousands from an agency.
Can I use FirstSearch alongside SEMrush?
Absolutely. Some users use SEMrush for detailed competitive analysis and site audits, while using FirstSearch for AI optimization and content generation. However, most find FirstSearch sufficient on its own, especially given the significant cost savings.