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Ahrefs Reporting

Ahrefs Reporting is a tool inside Ahrefs that lets you build custom dashboards and PDF reports from its SEO data.

Level: IntermediateRead: 2 minUpdated: 27 Jul 2026By Vera Lindqvist

Key facts

  • Ahrefs Reporting is a built-in feature that creates custom SEO dashboards from Site Explorer and Rank Tracker data.
  • Users start a report from the Dashboard via Create report or the Create dropdown in the left menu.
  • Ahrefs Help Centre says Report Builder is accessed under a Reports tab in Portfolios on the left-hand side.
  • Reports can be printed to PDF from the report builder.
  • Ahrefs positions its reporting as useful for sharing insights with clients, teams, or stakeholders.

Also called

Ahrefs Report Builder, Ahrefs custom reports

Use it for

building tailored SEO dashboards and client reports

Applies to

Google / Bing / all search engines

How to build a report in Ahrefs

To create a report, go to your Ahrefs Dashboard. Click Create report or use the Create dropdown in the left menu. You can also find Report Builder under a Reports tab inside Portfolios on the left-hand side.

The workflow involves adding widgets and arranging them into a custom layout. Widgets pull data from Site Explorer and Rank Tracker. You can mix different domains and include metrics such as organic traffic, competitor traffic, referring domains, and top queries.

Ahrefs says reports can be printed to PDF from the report builder. This makes them easy to share with clients or stakeholders.

  • Start from Dashboard or left menu
  • Add widgets from Site Explorer and Rank Tracker
  • Arrange layout and export to PDF

What metrics go into Ahrefs reports

Ahrefs reports centre on its own data. Common metrics include organic traffic estimates, keyword rankings, referring domains, and Domain Rating. These are third-party estimates, not Google-confirmed measures.

Some practitioners prefer to focus on Ahrefs-centric metrics like referring domains and keyword rankings. Others prioritise Google Search Console and analytics data for closer-to-source measurement. Google has not endorsed Ahrefs proprietary metrics as ranking signals.

When building a report, choose metrics that match your audience. A client report might highlight traffic trends and competitor gaps. An internal team report might focus on backlink growth and ranking changes.

  • Organic traffic estimates from Ahrefs
  • Keyword rankings from Rank Tracker
  • Referring domains and Domain Rating

Common mistakes in Ahrefs reporting

Many users rely on default dashboards instead of tailoring reports. This can hide the metrics that matter most to your audience. A custom report is more useful.

Another mistake is mixing Ahrefs data with external sources inside the native builder. The builder is centred on Ahrefs widgets, so adding outside data can cause confusion. Keep external data in a separate tool.

Treating vanity metrics as the main story is also common. Metrics like total backlinks or Domain Rating can mislead stakeholders if presented without context. Always explain what the numbers mean.

  • Using only default dashboards hides key metrics
  • Mixing external data inside Ahrefs Reporting causes confusion
  • Vanity metrics without context mislead stakeholders

How Ahrefs Reporting fits into SEO workflows

Ahrefs Reporting is one piece of a larger SEO toolkit. It works alongside seo tools. For example, it integrates with how ahrefs works. It also integrates with majestic vs ahrefs. You can use it to present findings from what ahrefs traffic checker means. You can also use it to present findings from our ahrefs keyword generator entry.

For deeper analysis, you might combine Ahrefs data with ahrefs dr checker. You might also combine it with ahrefs search volume. Reports can also support SEO Case Study documentation.

Ahrefs’ own SEO reporting guidance frames good reports as data-led, actionable, and persuasive. The tool is designed to help you share insights clearly.

  • Combine with other Ahrefs tools for deeper analysis
  • Use reports to support case studies and client presentations
  • Ahrefs recommends reports be data-led and actionable

Common mistakes

  • Using only default dashboards Hides the metrics that matter most to your audience
  • Mixing external data inside Ahrefs Reporting Causes confusion because the builder is centred on Ahrefs widgets
  • Treating vanity metrics as the main story Makes reports less actionable and harder for stakeholders to use

Questions

Can I export Ahrefs reports to PDF?

Yes, Ahrefs says reports can be printed to PDF from the report builder. This makes them easy to share with clients or teams.

What data sources does Ahrefs Reporting use?

Ahrefs Reporting uses widgets from Site Explorer and Rank Tracker. These provide metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and referring domains.

Is Ahrefs Reporting free?

Ahrefs Reporting is a built-in feature of paid Ahrefs plans. You need an active subscription to access it.

See also

Sources

  1. Ahrefs Reporting ahrefs.com
  2. Ahrefs Report Builder blog post ahrefs.com
  3. Ahrefs Help Centre: How to build custom SEO reports using Report Builder help.ahrefs.com
  4. Google Search Central developers.google.com

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Vera Lindqvist

Vera Lindqvist has worked in SEO since 2014 — first in-house at an ecommerce retailer, then freelance for small teams that could not afford an agency. She writes GrowthPedia in her own time and pays for the hosting herself.

Written and maintained by one person. No ads, no affiliates, nothing for sale. Found an error? Tell me and I will log the correction publicly.