semrush faq

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About SEMrush — Answered

What is SEMrush?

SEMrush is an online marketing tool that helps you grow your website’s visibility. It covers SEO, content marketing, competitor research, PPC, and social media — all in one place.

What is SEMrush Used For?

SEMrush is used for keyword research, tracking rankings, auditing websites, analyzing competitors, and planning content. Marketers and SEO professionals use it to make smarter decisions backed by real data.

Is SEMrush an SEO Tool?

Yes, but it is more than just an SEO tool. It also covers paid ads, content marketing, and social media. SEO is just its most popular use case.

Who Should Use SEMrush?

SEMrush is great for SEO professionals, content marketers, PPC specialists, and business owners who want to grow online. Agencies also use it heavily to manage multiple client projects.

Is SEMrush Worth It?

If you are serious about growing your online presence, yes it is worth it. The amount of data you get across SEO, content, and ads makes it hard to match with free tools alone.

Is SEMrush Legitimate?

Yes, SEMrush is a fully legitimate and well-established tool. It has been around since 2008 and is trusted by millions of marketers worldwide.

Is SEMrush a Scam?

No, SEMrush is not a scam. It is one of the most widely used and trusted SEO platforms in the industry. Millions of businesses and agencies rely on it daily.

What Industries Use SEMrush?

SEMrush is used across almost every industry — ecommerce, finance, healthcare, travel, SaaS, and more. Any business that cares about online visibility can benefit from it.

Is SEMrush Good for Beginners?

It can feel overwhelming at first because it has so many features. But SEMrush Academy offers free courses that make it much easier to get started. Most beginners get comfortable with it fairly quickly.

How Does SEMrush Work?

SEMrush collects data from search engines, websites, and its own crawlers. It then presents that data in easy-to-read reports so you can make informed decisions about your SEO and marketing strategy.

What Makes SEMrush Different from Other SEO Tools?

SEMrush covers more marketing channels than most tools. You get SEO, PPC, content, and social media data all under one roof. That all-in-one approach is what sets it apart.

Is SEMrush an All-in-One Marketing Tool?

Yes, it is designed to be. It handles keyword research, site audits, rank tracking, backlink analysis, content planning, and ad research. You can manage most of your digital marketing from one platform.

How Much Does SEMrush Cost?

SEMrush has three main plans. Pro starts at around $139.95 per month, Guru at $249.95, and Business at $499.95. Prices are lower if you pay annually.

What Are the SEMrush Pricing Plans?

SEMrush offers Pro, Guru, and Business plans. Each step up gives you more projects, keywords to track, and access to advanced features like content marketing tools and historical data.

What is Included in the SEMrush Pro Plan?

The Pro plan includes keyword research, site audit, rank tracking, backlink analysis, and competitor research. It supports up to 5 projects and 500 keywords to track. It is best for freelancers and small teams.

What is Included in the SEMrush Guru Plan?

Guru includes everything in Pro plus the Content Marketing Platform, historical data, and more projects and keyword tracking. It is suited for growing agencies and mid-sized businesses.

What is Included in the SEMrush Business Plan?

Business includes everything in Guru plus API access, extended limits, and Share of Voice metric. It is built for large agencies and enterprises managing many clients.

Is There a Free Version of SEMrush?

Yes, there is a free account but it is very limited. You can run a certain number of searches per day but you will not get full access to reports or all features.

Does SEMrush Offer a Free Trial?

Yes, SEMrush occasionally offers free trials for its paid plans. The availability of trials can change so it is best to check their website for the current offer.

How Long is the SEMrush Free Trial?

SEMrush typically offers a 7-day free trial on Pro or Guru plans. This can vary depending on promotions they are running at the time.

Can I Get a SEMrush Discount?

Yes. The biggest discount comes from choosing annual billing over monthly. SEMrush also runs occasional promotions so it is worth checking their site or looking for coupon codes.

Is Annual Billing Cheaper Than Monthly Billing for SEMrush?

Yes, annual billing saves you around 17% compared to paying month by month. It is the easiest way to reduce your SEMrush costs without changing your plan.

How Much Can I Save with Annual SEMrush Billing?

You can save roughly two months’ worth of fees by going annual. On the Pro plan that works out to over $250 in savings per year.

Does SEMrush Offer Student Discounts?

SEMrush does not have a widely advertised student discount. However, they do offer free access to some tools through educational programs so it is worth checking if your institution has a partnership.

Does SEMrush Have an Enterprise Plan?

SEMrush does not have a publicly listed enterprise plan beyond Business. However, you can contact their sales team for custom pricing if your needs go beyond what Business offers.

Can I Add Extra Users to My SEMrush Plan?

Yes, you can add extra user seats to your plan for an additional cost. The number of included users depends on your plan level.

How Do I Cancel My SEMrush Subscription?

You can cancel directly from your account settings under the subscription section. It is straightforward and does not require contacting support.

Does SEMrush Auto-Renew Subscriptions?

Yes, SEMrush subscriptions auto-renew by default. You will get an email reminder before renewal so you have time to cancel if needed.

Is SEMrush Expensive for Small Businesses?

It can feel pricey for very small businesses. That said, even the Pro plan covers a wide range of tools that would cost more if purchased separately. Many small businesses find it worth the investment.

Can I Get a Refund from SEMrush?

SEMrush offers refunds within a certain period if you are not satisfied. It is best to contact their support team directly as refund eligibility can depend on your situation.

How Do I Do Keyword Research with SEMrush?

Go to the Keyword Magic Tool and type in a seed keyword. SEMrush will show you thousands of related keywords with search volume, difficulty, and intent data. Filter by what fits your content goals.

What is the SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool?

It is SEMrush’s main keyword research tool. You enter a topic and it generates a huge list of related keywords. You can filter by volume, difficulty, intent, and more.

How Does the SEMrush Keyword Difficulty Tool Work?

It gives each keyword a score from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the harder it is to rank for that keyword. It looks at the strength of pages currently ranking for it.

What is Keyword Difficulty in SEMrush?

Keyword difficulty is a score that tells you how hard it will be to rank on the first page of Google for a specific keyword. A lower score means less competition and an easier path to ranking.

How Do I Find Long-Tail Keywords with SEMrush?

In the Keyword Magic Tool, filter for keywords with lower search volume and lower difficulty. These are usually longer, more specific phrases that are easier to rank for and often have higher conversion intent.

What is Keyword Intent in SEMrush?

Keyword intent tells you why someone is searching for a term. SEMrush labels keywords as informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional. This helps you create content that matches what the user actually wants.

How Do I Export Keywords from SEMrush?

Click the export button at the top of any keyword report. You can download the data as a CSV or Excel file. This makes it easy to work with the data outside of SEMrush.

How Accurate is SEMrush Keyword Data?

SEMrush data is generally reliable but not 100% precise. Search volumes are estimates based on clickstream data and other sources. Use it as a guide rather than an exact figure.

How Do I Find Question-Based Keywords in SEMrush?

In the Keyword Magic Tool, click the Questions filter. This will show you only keywords phrased as questions. These are great for FAQ content and featured snippet targeting.

What is Search Volume in SEMrush?

Search volume is the estimated number of times a keyword is searched per month. SEMrush shows an average based on the last 12 months of data.

Can SEMrush Show Keyword CPC?

Yes. SEMrush shows the average cost per click for keywords in its keyword reports. This is useful if you are planning paid ad campaigns alongside your SEO work.

How Do I Use the SEMrush Keyword Overview Tool?

Enter any keyword into the Keyword Overview tool and you get a snapshot of its search volume, difficulty, CPC, trend, and top ranking pages. It is a quick way to evaluate a keyword before going deeper.

What is the Keyword Gap Tool in SEMrush?

The Keyword Gap tool lets you compare your keyword profile with competitors. It shows you keywords they rank for that you do not. This helps you spot content opportunities you are missing.

How Do I Find Competitor Keywords Using SEMrush?

Go to Organic Research and enter a competitor’s domain. SEMrush will show you all the keywords they rank for along with their positions and traffic estimates.

How Do I Run a Site Audit with SEMrush?

Go to the Site Audit tool, create a project, and enter your domain. SEMrush will crawl your site and produce a report showing errors, warnings, and notices across different SEO categories.

What Does SEMrush Site Audit Check?

It checks things like broken links, missing meta tags, slow page speed, duplicate content, HTTPS issues, and crawlability problems. You get an overall health score plus a detailed breakdown.

How Do I Fix Technical SEO Errors Found in SEMrush?

Each error in the Site Audit report comes with an explanation and a suggested fix. Work through errors first as they have the biggest impact, then move on to warnings and notices.

Why is My SEMrush Site Audit Showing Errors?

Most sites have at least some technical issues. Common ones include broken links, missing alt tags, and slow pages. The audit is just surfacing things that need attention — it does not mean your site is in bad shape.

What is the SEMrush On Page SEO Checker?

It is a tool that analyzes individual pages and gives you specific recommendations to improve their rankings. It compares your page against top competitors for your target keyword.

Why Can’t I Upload a File to the SEMrush On Page SEO Checker?

This is usually a file format or size issue. Make sure you are uploading the correct file type as specified by the tool. If problems persist, SEMrush support can help troubleshoot.

How Do I Improve My SEMrush Site Health Score?

Fix the errors flagged in your Site Audit starting with the most critical ones. Re-crawl your site after making changes and your score will update to reflect the improvements.

How Do I Track Keyword Rankings in SEMrush?

Use the Position Tracking tool. Add your domain, target keywords, and location. SEMrush will then track your daily rankings for those keywords and show you changes over time.

What is Position Tracking in SEMrush?

Position Tracking is a tool that monitors where your website ranks on Google for a set of target keywords. It updates daily and shows you gains and losses over time.

Why Are My SEMrush Position Tracking Results Different from Google?

SEMrush checks rankings from a specific location and device setting. If your Google search is personalized or uses a different location, results will differ. Make sure your tracking settings match your target audience.

How Do I Change the Device or Location in Position Tracking?

When setting up or editing a Position Tracking project, you can choose the country, region, city, and device type. You can also set up multiple campaigns for different locations.

Why is Position Tracking Not Showing Any Rankings?

This can happen if your site is new, your keywords are very competitive, or your domain has not been indexed yet. Give it a few days and check that your keywords are set up correctly.

Why is the Search Volume in Organic Research Different from Position Tracking?

The two tools pull data slightly differently and may use different time ranges. Organic Research shows broader estimates while Position Tracking is more focused on your specific setup.

How Many Keywords Can I Track with SEMrush?

It depends on your plan. Pro allows up to 500 keywords, Guru up to 1500, and Business up to 5000. You can also purchase additional keyword tracking as an add-on.

How Often Does SEMrush Update Rankings?

Position Tracking updates daily. Other tools like Organic Research update on a regular schedule but may not be real-time. For the most current ranking data, Position Tracking is your best option.

How Do I Analyze Backlinks with SEMrush?

Go to Backlink Analytics and enter your domain or a competitor’s domain. You will see a full list of backlinks including referring domains, anchor text, and link authority scores.

What is the SEMrush Backlink Analytics Tool?

It is a tool that shows you every backlink pointing to a website. You can see where links come from, what anchor text is used, and whether links are follow or nofollow.

How Do I Find Toxic Backlinks with SEMrush?

In the Backlink Audit tool, SEMrush assigns a toxicity score to your backlinks. Links with high toxicity scores are flagged as potentially harmful. You can then choose to disavow them.

What is the Backlink Gap Tool in SEMrush?

It works like the Keyword Gap tool but for backlinks. You enter your domain and competitor domains and it shows you sites that link to your competitors but not to you. These are link building opportunities.

How Accurate is SEMrush’s Backlink Database?

SEMrush has one of the largest backlink databases available. It is not perfect but it covers the vast majority of important links. For most SEO tasks it is more than sufficient.

How Do I Disavow Backlinks Using SEMrush?

In the Backlink Audit tool, mark the links you want to disavow and export the disavow file. You then upload that file directly to Google Search Console’s disavow tool.

How Do I Find Link Building Opportunities with SEMrush?

Use the Backlink Gap tool to find sites linking to competitors. You can also use the Link Building Tool which suggests prospects based on your target keywords and lets you manage outreach directly.

How Do I Spy on Competitors with SEMrush?

Enter any competitor’s domain into Domain Overview or Organic Research. You can see their top keywords, traffic estimates, backlinks, and even their paid ad campaigns.

How Does SEMrush Organic Research Work?

It shows you all the keywords a website ranks for in organic search. You can see their position, estimated traffic, and which pages are driving the most visits.

How Do I Compare Two Websites in SEMrush?

Use the Domain Overview tool and enter two domains side by side. You can also use the Keyword Gap and Backlink Gap tools to do a more detailed head-to-head comparison.

Can I See What Keywords My Competitors Rank For?

Yes. Go to Organic Research, enter a competitor’s domain, and click on the Positions tab. You will see every keyword they rank for along with their ranking position.

What is the Traffic Analytics Tool in SEMrush?

Traffic Analytics estimates how much traffic a website gets and where it comes from. It shows traffic sources, top pages, engagement metrics, and audience data.

How Accurate is SEMrush Traffic Estimation?

SEMrush traffic estimates are approximations based on clickstream data. They are a useful benchmark for comparing websites but should not be treated as exact figures.

Can SEMrush Show Competitor PPC Campaigns?

Yes. The Advertising Research tool shows you the keywords competitors are bidding on, their ad copy, and estimated ad spend. It is great for competitive PPC intelligence.

What is the Domain Overview in SEMrush?

Domain Overview gives you a quick snapshot of any website’s SEO performance. You see organic traffic, paid traffic, backlinks, top keywords, and overall authority score at a glance.

What is the SEMrush Content Marketing Platform?

It is a suite of tools within SEMrush designed to help you plan, create, and optimize content. It includes Topic Research, SEO Writing Assistant, and content audit features.

How Do I Use SEMrush for Content Research?

Use the Topic Research tool to find popular subtopics and questions around your main subject. It shows you what is trending and what kind of content performs well in your niche.

What is the SEMrush Topic Research Tool?

It generates content ideas based on a topic you enter. It shows popular headlines, questions people are asking, and related subtopics. It helps you find angles that are likely to perform well.

How Do I Find Popular Questions for Content Using SEMrush?

Use the Topic Research tool and look at the Questions section. You can also use the Keyword Magic Tool with the Questions filter to find what people are searching for.

What is the SEMrush SEO Writing Assistant?

It is a tool that gives you real-time SEO recommendations as you write. It checks readability, keyword usage, tone of voice, and originality. It also integrates with Google Docs and WordPress.

How Do I Create a Content Brief with SEMrush?

Use the SEO Content Template tool. Enter your target keyword and SEMrush will analyze the top ranking pages and give you recommendations on word count, related keywords, and structure.

How Does SEMrush Help with Featured Snippets?

SEMrush’s On Page SEO Checker and Keyword research tools flag opportunities to target featured snippets. It shows which keywords trigger snippets and how you can structure your content to win them.

Can I Use SEMrush for PPC Research?

Yes. SEMrush has dedicated PPC tools including Advertising Research, PPC Keyword Tool, and Ad Builder. You can research keywords, analyze competitor ads, and plan campaigns.

How Do I Find Competitor Google Ads with SEMrush?

Go to Advertising Research and enter a competitor’s domain. You will see the keywords they are bidding on, their ad copy, and landing pages. It is a quick way to understand their paid strategy.

What is the Advertising Research Tool in SEMrush?

It shows you the paid search strategy of any website. You can see their ad keywords, ad copy examples, budget estimates, and how their paid traffic has changed over time.

How Do I Find PPC Keywords with SEMrush?

Use the PPC Keyword Tool to build and organize keyword lists for your campaigns. You can also use the Keyword Magic Tool and filter by CPC to find commercially valuable terms.

How Do I Reduce PPC Costs Using SEMrush?

Identify low CPC keywords that still have strong intent using the Keyword Magic Tool. Use Advertising Research to spot gaps in competitor strategies and avoid overly competitive terms where costs are high.

Can SEMrush Help with Local SEO?

Yes. SEMrush has a Listing Management tool that helps you manage your business listings across directories. It also has a Map Rank Tracker for monitoring local search rankings.

What is the SEMrush Listing Management Tool?

It lets you distribute and manage your business information across major directories like Google, Yelp, and Bing. Consistent listings help improve your local search visibility.

How Does SEMrush Help with Google Maps Rankings?

Through the Map Rank Tracker tool, SEMrush shows you where your business appears in Google Maps results for specific keywords. You can track changes and benchmark against local competitors.

What is Map Rank Tracker in SEMrush?

It is a local SEO tool that tracks your Google Maps rankings for target keywords. It shows your visibility across a geographic grid so you can see exactly where you rank in different parts of your area.

How Do I Get Started with SEMrush?

Create a free or paid account on semrush.com. Start by entering your domain in the Domain Overview to get an instant snapshot. Then explore tools like Keyword Magic and Site Audit based on your goals.

How Do I Create a SEMrush Account?

Go to semrush.com and click Sign Up. You can start with a free account or choose a paid plan. The setup takes just a few minutes and you can start using tools right away.

How Do I Connect Google Search Console to SEMrush?

Go to your project settings and look for the Google Search Console integration option. You will need to authorize SEMrush to access your GSC data. Once connected, you get richer ranking and click data.

How Do I Integrate SEMrush with Google Analytics?

In your project settings, connect your Google Analytics account by authorizing access. This lets SEMrush pull in traffic and behavior data to complement its own SEO metrics.

What Integrations Does SEMrush Support?

SEMrush integrates with Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Trello, Google Docs, and WordPress among others. These integrations make it easier to work across your existing tools.

Can I Use SEMrush API?

Yes, SEMrush offers an API that lets you pull data into your own tools or dashboards. API access is available on the Business plan and as an add-on for other plans.

How Do SEMrush API Units Work?

Each API request uses a certain number of units depending on the data you are pulling. You get a set number of units per month and can purchase more if needed.

What is the Difference Between Standard API and Trends API in SEMrush?

The Standard API covers core SEO data like keywords and backlinks. The Trends API gives you access to Traffic Analytics and Market Explorer data. They are priced and managed separately.

What Punctuation and Special Characters Can Be Tracked in SEMrush?

SEMrush can track most standard keywords but some special characters may cause issues. It is best to test your specific keywords in the Position Tracking tool to confirm they are being tracked correctly.

How Do I Change My Target Location in SEMrush?

In most tools you can select your country or region from a dropdown at the top of the report. For Position Tracking, you set the location when creating or editing your campaign.

How Many Projects Can I Manage in SEMrush?

Pro allows 5 projects, Guru allows 15, and Business allows 40. Each project can have its own tracking, audit, and on-page settings.

Can Multiple Users Share a SEMrush Account?

Yes, you can add users to your account. The number of included users varies by plan and you can purchase additional seats if needed.

What is SEMrush Academy?

SEMrush Academy is a free learning platform that offers courses and certifications on SEO, content marketing, PPC, and more. It is a great resource for beginners and experienced marketers alike.

Are SEMrush Certifications Free?

Yes, all SEMrush Academy courses and certification exams are completely free. You just need a SEMrush account to access them.

How Long Are SEMrush Certifications Valid?

Most SEMrush certifications are valid for one year. After that you need to retake the exam to renew your certification.

How Many Attempts Are Allowed to Pass a SEMrush Exam?

You can retake SEMrush exams as many times as needed. There is no penalty for failing and you can try again after a short waiting period.

Are SEMrush Certifications Recognized Globally?

SEMrush certifications are well-respected in the digital marketing industry. While they are not academic qualifications, they carry weight with employers and clients who know the platform.

Do I Have to Take the SEMrush Exam Immediately After the Course?

No, you can take the exam whenever you are ready. There is no time limit between finishing a course and attempting the certification exam.

How Do I Get a SEMrush Certification?

Complete the course on SEMrush Academy and then pass the certification exam. Once you pass, you get a shareable certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile or resume.

What Courses Does SEMrush Academy Offer?

SEMrush Academy offers courses on SEO fundamentals, keyword research, link building, content marketing, PPC, social media, and more. New courses are added regularly.

SEMrush vs Ahrefs — Which is Better?

Both are excellent tools. SEMrush is stronger for PPC research and content marketing. Ahrefs is often preferred for backlink analysis. The best choice depends on what you need most.

SEMrush vs Moz — What’s the Difference?

SEMrush has more features and a larger database. Moz is simpler and easier for beginners. SEMrush wins on depth while Moz appeals to those who want a cleaner, less overwhelming experience.

SEMrush vs SE Ranking — Which Should I Choose?

SE Ranking is more affordable and a solid option for small businesses. SEMrush offers far more data and features. If budget is tight, SE Ranking is a good alternative. If you need depth, go with SEMrush.

Is There a Cheaper Alternative to SEMrush?

Yes. Tools like SE Ranking, Mangools, and Ubersuggest are more affordable. They cover the basics well but do not match SEMrush in terms of data depth and feature range.

What is the Best Free Alternative to SEMrush?

Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner are the best free options. They do not have the same depth as SEMrush but they are reliable and directly from Google.

Is SEMrush Better Than Google Search Console?

They serve different purposes. Google Search Console shows you real data from Google about your own site. SEMrush gives you competitive data and broader research tools. Ideally you use both together.

SEMrush vs Ubersuggest — Which is More Accurate?

SEMrush generally has more accurate and comprehensive data. Ubersuggest is a budget-friendly option but its database is smaller. For serious SEO work, SEMrush is the more reliable choice.

SEMrush vs SpyFu — Which is Better for Competitor Research?

Both are good for competitor research. SpyFu focuses heavily on PPC competitor data and is cheaper. SEMrush covers more ground including SEO, content, and backlinks. For all-round competitor analysis SEMrush has the edge.

How Have You Used SEMrush in Your SEO Work?

A strong answer here covers keyword research, site audits, rank tracking, and competitor analysis. Give specific examples of how you used data from SEMrush to make decisions that improved organic performance.

What Features of SEMrush Do You Use Most?

Mention the tools most relevant to your role. Common answers include Keyword Magic Tool, Position Tracking, Site Audit, and Organic Research. Be specific about why those tools matter in your workflow.

How Would You Conduct Keyword Research Using SEMrush?

Start with the Keyword Magic Tool using a broad seed keyword. Filter by intent, difficulty, and volume. Use the Keyword Gap tool to find opportunities competitors are targeting that you are not.

How Would You Improve a Backlink Profile Using SEMrush?

Run a Backlink Audit to find and disavow toxic links. Use the Backlink Gap tool to identify link opportunities. Then use the Link Building Tool to manage outreach to quality prospects.

How Do You Track Campaign Performance in SEMrush?

Use Position Tracking to monitor keyword rankings over time. Connect Google Analytics and Search Console for traffic data. Use the reporting feature to pull everything into a shareable dashboard.

How Would You Use SEMrush to Fix a Client’s Declining Organic Traffic?

Start with a Site Audit to find technical issues. Then check Organic Research to see if rankings have dropped for specific keywords. Look at Position Tracking history and compare against any Google algorithm updates.

What is Bounce Rate and How Would You Analyze It in SEMrush?

Bounce rate is the percentage of visitors who leave after viewing just one page. In SEMrush you can see engagement metrics through the Traffic Analytics tool. A high bounce rate may signal a mismatch between content and user intent.

How Does SEMrush Compare to Other Tools You’ve Used?

A good answer highlights what makes SEMrush stand out — its all-in-one nature, data depth, and range of features. Compare it honestly to tools like Ahrefs or Moz based on your actual experience.

About the author

Deepak Parmar is a passionate SEO Expert and Web Developer based in Indore, India. With a deep love for coding and a talent for bringing quality leads to businesses, Deepak combines technical expertise with strategic digital marketing insights.