Ahrefs Web Master Tools - Be careful!

DeadJoe

DeadJoe

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Ahrefs recently launched the free version of their tool for webmasters, where you get a bunch of data but only for your own websites. While it may seem great at first, there is no such thing as a free lunch. If you are using this tool, DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT link it to your GSC. When you add a website to your dashboard, you have to verify ownership. Ahrefs gives you a few different options:

ahrefs.PNG

See how they have GSC at the top. They also recommend it and know that probably > 90% of users are going to go with convenience and give up access to their GSC stats. Ahrefs will then use the data from your website to improve their platform. Whatever the fuck they were estimating before is now going to come directly from GSC. Any keywords that you had been ranking for that showed up as low volume but actually brought in more traffic are now going to be visible to all your competitors. Traffic that was being estimated before is now going to show up in real time for all of your competitors.

If you do intend to use this tool, don't verify it using GSC. The easiest way is to upload an HTML file to your public_html folder, but don't give them access to your data!

Peace out,
DJ
 
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DeadJoe said:
Ahrefs will then use the data from your website to improve its platform. Whatever the fuck they were estimating before is now going to come directly from GSC. Any keywords that you had been ranking for that showed up as low volume but actually brought in more traffic is now going to be visible to all your competitors. Traffic that was being estimated before is now going to show up in real time for all of your competitors.
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yeah seems like they're doing it for that purpose, makes their job a lot easier.
 
Actually a few years ago ahrefs CEO was talking, he wants to make their own Search. When they announced ahrefs GWC, was thinking that can be a part of the process. I don't think they will use it against you. But that's like an amazing potential source of data.
 
Good tip, I wouldn't link to google search console, that's just legit crazy.
I uploaded HTML file too.
 
I granted access via GSC just to see if they will pick up on keywords and traffic. Everybody in my niche knows the keywords and potential, I am not worried about it.

They did not pick up any new keywords and traffic so far, after almost one month. I will disable the access anyway.
 
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It's just sketchy as hell. Why do they need GSC access? At the very least they are testing their estimated traffic against legitimate traffic. Keyword volumes against the real volume via CTR. I don't want my data to be fucked around with! I would never trust a company/corporation with any of my data. If they're offering something for free, there has to be a catch. In this case it is pretty obvious.
 
You scream about Ahrefs, but when ubersuggest did this and it wasn't even telling you that they will pick your search data yall were fine with it?

I rather trust Ahrefs than Ubersuggest.
 
@FatBee I don't use ubersuggest. I can only point out things in products/services that I use. Go ahead and connect your GSC to Ahrefs, no fucks given. It's your data, do whatever you want with it.
 
@DeadJoe Thanks for watching out for the community. This deserves to be pinned.
 
So we pay them $200+ per month for them to steal our info! Wtf LOL
They use our money for their own richness.

Someone has to come up with a cheaper more secure version of the shitty ahrefs (I don’t even know how to spell this stupid name) or the other two that are always recommend here! I mean give me a break!!! $175+ a month for some basic shit!
Come on guys I know there are tons of you here can do better at lower prices.
 
AAW said:
So we pay them $200+ per month for them to steal our info! Wtf LOL
They use our money for their own richness.

Someone has to come up with a cheaper more secure version of the shitty ahrefs (I don’t even know how to spell this stupid name) or the other two that are always recommend here! I mean give me a break!!! $175+ a month for some basic shit!
Come on guys I know there are tons of you here can do better at lower prices.
Click to expand...

I see what you're saying but the tool itself is awesome though! I don't think it would be feasible for a company to operate without charging what they do for the kind of service they provide. I do hope to see some solid competition in the future though.
 
welp too late for me. :( Jumped on it when it first came out and the thought didn't occur to me.
 
sponkel said:
welp too late for me. :( Jumped on it when it first came out and the thought didn't occur to me.
Click to expand...

You can remove the GSC connection and choose another method to verify ownership.
 
Ohhhhhh this is crazy ... yes no one thinks about it :(
yes better to use another method rather than linking through GSC ....
 
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