Ahrefs Keyword Research: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
If you’ve ever wondered, “How to use Ahrefs for keyword research?” — you’re not alone. For many business owners, SEO can feel like a foreign language. But let’s face it, in today’s digital age, your business either shows up online or gets left behind. And keyword research? It’s the secret sauce to showing up. While most blogs offer the same generic steps, we’re diving deeper into some strategies you don’t typically hear about — ones that can actually move the needle. And if you’re ready to skip the guesswork, we’ll show you how Click Typhoon’s Oakville SEO service can take this off your plate and help you dominate search rankings.
Let’s break this down like a conversation over coffee.
Why Keyword Research Matters More Than Ever
Let’s talk numbers for a second.
- 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results (HubSpot).
- 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine (BrightEdge).
- And get this — SEO drives 1,000%+ more traffic than organic social media (BrightEdge).
So, if your business isn’t optimizing content for the right keywords, you’re basically handing customers to your competitors.
Ahrefs is one of the most powerful tools out there to help you avoid that. But it’s more than just plugging in keywords and grabbing data. You need a method — and maybe even a mindset shift — to use it effectively.
Step 1: Don’t Start With Keywords (Start With Intent)
Here’s something most websites won’t tell you: Don’t open Ahrefs just yet.
Before you touch the tool, start by understanding your customers’ intent. Are they looking to buy? Compare? Solve a problem? Google’s algorithm has gotten insanely good at ranking content based on search intent, not just keywords.
So, instead of starting with “plumber Oakville,” ask:
- What questions do homeowners have about plumbing emergencies?
- Are people searching for cost comparisons?
- Do they want DIY solutions or just the fastest fix?
Once you get clear on the intent, that’s when Ahrefs becomes powerful.
Step 2: Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer — But Dig Deeper
Now, head over to Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer and type in your seed keyword. For example, “emergency plumber Oakville.”
You’ll get your usual metrics:
- Keyword Difficulty (KD)
- Search Volume
- Clicks
- CPC (Cost Per Click)
But here’s where you go deeper than the average user.
Look Beyond Keyword Difficulty
Most beginners look at KD and avoid anything above 20 or 30. That’s a mistake.
Ahrefs calculates Keyword Difficulty based on backlinks — not content quality. So a high KD keyword might still be easy to rank for if competitors have thin, outdated, or irrelevant content.
Pro Tip: Open the SERP overview in Ahrefs and scan the “Domain Rating” and referring domains of the top-ranking pages. If your site is stronger or more authoritative (or can get there), don’t be afraid of higher KD scores.
Step 3: Analyze Parent Topics to Avoid Keyword Cannibalization
Here’s an advanced trick: check the Parent Topic Ahrefs suggests for your keyword.
Let’s say you’re targeting “best electric cars for families.” Ahrefs might list the parent topic as “best electric cars.” That’s your cue to consolidate content — not create two similar blog posts.
Keyword cannibalization (competing with your own pages) is a common beginner mistake. Understanding the Parent Topic can help you avoid it and build stronger topical authority.
Step 4: Mine Your Competitors’ Keywords (Without Copying Them Blindly)
Head over to the Site Explorer and plug in your competitor’s domain. Look at their Top Pages and Organic Keywords.
But don’t just steal whatever they rank for.
Ask:
- Are these keywords bringing qualified traffic?
- Is their content helpful or just keyword-stuffed?
- Can I improve on this?
This is where Click Typhoon’s Oakville SEO service shines — we don’t just copy the competition. We help you outsmart them.
Step 5: Filter by Click Potential — Not Just Search Volume
Here’s an underused Ahrefs feature: Clicks.
A keyword might have a search volume of 1,000 but only 200 actual clicks because of Google SERP features (like snippets, maps, or ads stealing the attention).
Ahrefs shows you “Clicks Per Search” and “% of Clicks” — use this to prioritize keywords with actual traffic potential, not just inflated search volumes.
Some low-volume keywords convert better because they’re super specific. A search like “buy ergonomic office chair Oakville” might only get 90 searches a month, but those 90 people are probably ready to purchase.
Step 6: Use Ahrefs’ Content Gap Tool the Smart Way
The Content Gap tool helps you find what your competitors rank for that you don’t.
But don’t stop at plugging in one competitor.
Stack 3–5 competitors, then analyze the overlapping keywords they rank for — and you don’t. This gives you a true content gap — and a roadmap of opportunity.
Also, filter for buyer intent or pain-point keywords. Example: “how to fix a cracked phone screen” → This is perfect for an electronics repair shop blog that builds trust and brings in local leads.
Step 7: Track Keyword Movements and Update Accordingly
SEO isn’t a one-and-done game. Once you’ve chosen your keywords and created content, set up Rank Tracker in Ahrefs.
Monitor:
- Keyword Position Changes
- SERP Features
- New Competitors
When rankings drop, don’t panic. It could be a content freshness issue. Ahrefs’ Content Explorer can show you which articles are being updated recently — a clear signal that you need to stay current, too.
What Most Sites Don’t Tell You: Internal Linking Is a Power Move
Everyone talks about keywords and backlinks like they’re the holy grail of SEO — and sure, they’re important. But internal linking? That’s the unsung hero of your website’s SEO strategy.
Think of internal links as the roads within your website. Without them, Google’s crawlers get stuck in traffic, missing key pages. But with a smart internal linking structure? You’re essentially laying out a clear highway system, telling Google, “Hey, this page is important — make sure you rank it!”
Here’s why internal linking really matters:
- Boosts Page Authority: When you link from a high-performing blog post to a product or service page, you’re passing link equity (aka “SEO juice”). Over time, this helps all your pages rank better — not just your blog.
- Improves Crawlability: Google bots follow links to discover pages. If you have orphan pages (pages with no links pointing to them), they might never get indexed. Internal links solve that problem.
- Enhances User Experience: Strategic internal links keep visitors on your site longer by guiding them naturally from one piece of content to another. This reduces bounce rate — another trust signal to Google.
- Reinforces Topical Relevance: When your content is interconnected, it tells Google that you’re an authority in your niche. That’s huge for rankings.
How to Use Ahrefs to Find Internal Link Opportunities
Here’s the step most beginners skip — and where you can gain an edge:
Go to Ahrefs’ Site Audit Tool and then check out the “Link Opportunities” report. This feature scans your entire site and highlights instances where one page mentions another page’s topic — but doesn’t actually link to it.
For example, let’s say you have:
- A service page about “SEO consulting in Oakville”, and
- A blog post titled “Top 5 Local Marketing Strategies for Oakville Businesses”
If that blog post mentions SEO, Ahrefs will suggest adding a link to your service page. Boom — easy win.
Pro tip: Do this monthly. Your site grows, your content expands, and so do your opportunities to interlink. You’ll be amazed how quickly rankings improve when you make this a habit.
Next-Level Internal Linking Tips
- Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Instead of “click here,” use something like “local SEO consulting services” — this tells Google what the linked page is about.
- Link Deep: Don’t always link to your homepage or top-level pages. Build links to deeper content to create a stronger, more balanced site structure.
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Make your links natural. If every anchor text is stuffed with exact-match keywords, Google might raise an eyebrow.
TL;DR: It’s Time to Start Thinking Like a Website Architect
Internal linking is more than housekeeping — it’s an SEO strategy in disguise. And the best part? Unlike backlinks, it’s 100% within your control.
While most websites overlook it, smart business owners (like you) can use this tactic to quietly outperform the competition. And at Click Typhoon, we make internal linking part of every SEO blueprint. Because we know it’s often the little things that create big results.
Tailored SEO Services for Oakville Businesses
If you’re a business owner trying to do all this alone — hats off to you. But here’s the truth: SEO is time-consuming. It takes strategy, constant updates, and a whole lot of testing.
That’s where Click Typhoon steps in. Our Oakville SEO service is designed specifically for local business owners who want real results — not generic reports or keyword fluff.
We use tools like Ahrefs daily, but more importantly, we know how to interpret the data and turn it into rankings and revenue. Whether you’re a local service provider, an eCommerce brand, or a consultant, we craft SEO strategies that align with your goals and audience.
Final Thoughts
Ahrefs is more than just a keyword research tool — it’s a digital treasure map. But like any map, it’s only useful if you know how to read it. For business owners, that means going beyond surface-level metrics and focusing on intent, competition, and content quality. When used right, Ahrefs can uncover golden opportunities your competitors are too lazy to dig for.
But if the learning curve feels steep or time is tight — there’s no shame in getting help. That’s what Click Typhoon is here for.
Ready to take your SEO to the next level without the stress?
Let Click Typhoon’s Oakville SEO experts handle the heavy lifting for you. We combine data-driven strategies with real-world business understanding. From keyword research to content optimization, we tailor every step to your unique goals. Contact us today, and let’s turn your traffic into paying customers.
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How to Do Keyword Research With Google
