Ahrefs is nuts with the new Credits system

Hey guys, I was so eager to use new Ahrefs features like Site Structure so I ended up switching from my Legacy plan on Ahrefs to their new plan. But this new plan is horrible -> for $399/month you get just 500 credits. Almost every click in Ahrefs cost 1 credit. You clicked on Organic Keywords - 1 credit. You filtered them by recency - 1 credit. So I spend 3-4 credits just to see a screen that I need. And if you want to get additional 500 credits, it will cost you $35. And that's not all If you want the Rank Tracker to update every day, it will cost another $200/month. I'm speechless by how crazy expensive it became. I'm glad I'm not alone so someone just posted about this pricing update on Ahrefs trello board and here is another one. I think if people from BHW can upvote, maybe Tim Soulo (BTW his tone of voice online has always been weird for me ) and his team will change their mind with this crazy pricing.

It's not new. https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/ahrefs-is-moving-to-new-pricing-in-2022.1373615/

MisterF said:

It's not new. https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/ahrefs-is-moving-to-new-pricing-in-2022.1373615/

Click to expand...

I saw this old thread, but I believe people didn't experience it themselves. After 4 years of using ahrefs it literally became 20x more expensive. it cost around +$35 (500 credits) each 2-3 days. It is like $399/month + $350 for credits per month.

curious_ said:

It is like $399/month + $350 for credits per month.

Click to expand...

Don't worry. Other much cheaper tools will take its place. From my opinion Ahrefs is at the end of the yellow stripe.

TomTheCat said:

Don't worry. Other much cheaper tools will take its place. From my opinion Ahrefs is at the end of the yellow stripe.

Click to expand...

mmm idk, i think ahrefs is gunning for those deep enterprise pockets that dont even look at the price. I would guess independent IMers that make up most of their customer base are just a second thought to them. maybe they did the math and it works better for them that way. while that would eventually bring us good tools at good prices, that doesnt mean ahrefs will decline.

They are selling exclusivity. They don't want to offer a low barrier tool, that's why there's no $7 trial anymore.

Group buys will no longer be able to keep their costs low and sell Ahrefs accounts for peanuts. This means less competition for our customers. Having access to Ahrefs’ data will give you a real competitive advantage.

Click to expand...

https://ahrefs.com/blog/ahrefs-new-pricing/

TomTheCat said:

Don't worry. Other much cheaper tools will take its place. From my opinion Ahrefs is at the end of the yellow stripe.

Click to expand...

Sooo much this!

This unilateral decision by Ahrefs (And SEMRush a few years ago) will open up the market to other tools that, perhaps, already exist. Still, we have never given them a shot because we´re used to going with the "industry standards" and another set of the tool will rise in a few weeks/months!

Or, move away from the "all-in-one" type of mentality and move towards outsourcing the work to multiple SEO tools instead of handling everything "under one roof".

For example, one tool I believe doesn´t get enough credit/recognition is SEO Powersuite. They offer pretty much everything you can expect from an all-in-one tool with the exception they offer it in 4 different tools, and it´s NOT that pricy in comparison to SEMRush and Ahrefs...



...also, there are tons of great keyword research tools on the market you can try (even two at a time) and you won´t get nearly $200 per month in expenses.

This feels like a big mistake on their part. Overplaying their hands for sure.

they will lose many clients

I think Semrush already took their place. Few years ago, there were huge difference between backlink and keyword reports between ahrefs and semrush. Now, all the tools give you exact same result. So, ahrefs lost its strength points anyway.

While Similarweb gave their weird pricing system and provided what they called small businesses plan, ahrefs is going crazy with the pricing thinking they have no competitors which is false.

Ahrefs has been the only tool I used over the years. It's the only tool I needed. Now, I am using semrush, and tbh even if ahrefs goes back to their usual pricing, I don't think I would have any reason to switch back to them.

My only concern is if Semrush did like Ahrefs, then we are doomed. As @Roger Marquez said, if anyone has the will and money, it's a wonderful time to be their new competitor. It's an enormous market with hungry buyers who are used to pay and can't find an alternative. However, I would disagree with him that there are already many options available. I think Ahrefs and Semrush are the only tools of their type in the market. Maybe Majestic but faaaaaaaaaar behind.

KHer0 said:

My only concern is if Semrush did like Ahrefs, then we are doomed.

Click to expand...

No please, I'm gonna cry.

KHer0 said:

My only concern is if Semrush did like Ahrefs, then we are doomed.

Click to expand...

dvc said:

No please, I'm gonna cry.

Click to expand...

They will most likely do. I wouldn´t be surprised if they have some "under the table" deal or something since they are aware they are the go-to all-in-one SEO tool of choice in the industry and, as such, they want to take as much advantage as possible and charge for the use of their brand/name/reputation.

It is a demand and supply pricing going on in the market. And a quality product or service which has certain or some features that are unique and are in demand, such businesses often hike up their prices to test their waters. If it does not affect their P&L, they are fine, if it does, they would adjust their pricing again.

You can get a semrush plan and share it with 3-4 people