Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
SEO AuditFree site audit and backlink checker from Ahrefs
Overview
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools launched in 2020 as the company's strategic response to Google Search Console, offering website owners free access to core Ahrefs functionality for their verified domains. Unlike most "freemium" SEO tools that severely limit data or features, Webmaster Tools provides genuinely useful insights drawn from Ahrefs' industry-leading backlink database and site audit engine. The tool requires domain verification but delivers the same data quality that makes the paid Ahrefs platform a staple among SEO professionals.
The positioning is shrewd: give site owners a taste of Ahrefs' capabilities while creating a pipeline for paid conversions. What sets it apart from competitors like Woorank or Diib is the underlying data infrastructure. When Webmaster Tools shows you backlinks or technical issues, it's pulling from the same massive crawl that powers Ahrefs' $99/month plans.
The 100-page crawl limit for site audits means this isn't suitable for large sites, but for small to medium websites, it provides professional-grade technical analysis that would otherwise require expensive tooling.
Key features
Site Audit
Crawls up to 100 pages and identifies technical SEO issues like broken links, missing meta tags, and redirect chains. Provides actionable recommendations with priority scoring.
Backlink Monitoring
Tracks new and lost backlinks to your verified domains with email alerts. Shows referring domains, anchor text, and link context from Ahrefs' massive link database.
Keyword Position Tracking
Monitors rankings for up to 10 keywords across different locations. Updates weekly and shows SERP features and ranking changes over time.
Top Pages Report
Reveals your highest-traffic pages based on organic search volume and shows which keywords drive the most visits to each page.
Email Alerts
Sends notifications for new backlinks, lost links, and ranking changes. Helps you stay informed about important SEO developments without constant manual checking.
Domain Comparison
Compare your domain's backlink profile and organic traffic estimates against competitors using Ahrefs' comprehensive database.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Site audit for 100 URLs, backlink monitoring, keyword tracking, domain verification required |
FAQ
What's the difference between Ahrefs Webmaster Tools and the paid version?
Webmaster Tools is limited to verified domains only and caps site audits at 100 URLs. The paid version offers unlimited competitor analysis, full site crawls, and access to all Ahrefs tools without domain ownership requirements.
How accurate is the backlink data in Webmaster Tools?
It uses the same backlink database as paid Ahrefs, which is one of the largest and most frequently updated in the industry. However, you only see data for domains you own and verify.
Can I use Webmaster Tools for client sites?
Yes, but you'll need to verify ownership of each client domain through DNS, HTML file upload, or HTML tag methods. Each domain requires separate verification.
How often does the site audit update?
Site audits run automatically once per week for verified domains. You can also trigger manual audits, though the 100-page crawl limit still applies.
Does Webmaster Tools work for new websites?
Yes, it works for any website you can verify ownership of, regardless of age. However, backlink and traffic data will be limited for very new sites with minimal online presence.
How does Ahrefs Webmaster Tools compare?
View all comparisons →Review Sentiment
1,553 reviews across 3 sources
Bottom line
A free tool that actually delivers: Ahrefs Webmaster Tools stands out for free site audit and backlink monitoring for verified website owners. The trade-off is limited to sites you own, but at zero cost it's a must-have for site auditors.
People love
- +Free site audit and backlink monitoring for verified website owners
- +Comprehensive technical SEO health checks identifying crawl issues and errors
- +Access to core Ahrefs data including backlink profile and organic keyword rankings at no cost
Common complaints
- –Limited to sites you own and verify — cannot analyze competitor websites
- –Feature set is significantly reduced compared to paid Ahrefs plans
- –Site audit crawl frequency and depth are more limited than paid tiers
Last updated Feb 2026