Ahrefs for Local SEO: A Practical Guide
Local SEO helps businesses appear in search results when people look for products or services in a particular area. A plumber in Bristol, for example, may want to reach people searching for “emergency plumber Bristol” or “boiler repair near me”. Ahrefs can support many parts of this work, including keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink research and content planning.
It is worth understanding what the tool does—and what it does not do. Ahrefs is a broad SEO platform, rather than a dedicated local listings or map-rank tracking service. It can help you make better search marketing decisions, but it does not replace a well-maintained Google Business Profile or accurate business listings.
What Ahrefs can do for local SEO
Find local search terms
Use Ahrefs’ keyword research tools to explore the phrases potential customers use. Start with a service and a place name, such as “family solicitor Leeds”, then look for related terms, questions and variations. Depending on the keyword and available data, Ahrefs can provide estimates of search demand, keyword difficulty and related search ideas.
Look beyond high-volume phrases. Specific searches such as “same-day tyre fitting in York” may attract fewer searches but can indicate a clear need to buy. Consider the searcher’s intent, your services and the areas you genuinely serve before adding a term to your plan.
Research local competitors
Ahrefs can help you examine competitors’ websites and see which pages and search terms bring them organic visibility. Search for businesses that compete with you in your area, then review their service pages, location pages and useful resources.
This research can reveal topics you have not covered or questions customers want answered. Treat competitor data as a source of ideas, not a template to copy. Your pages should reflect your own services, expertise and local knowledge.
Find link opportunities
Links from relevant, reputable websites can support a site’s authority. Ahrefs’ backlink tools can show which websites link to competitors and help you investigate potential opportunities. For a local business, these might include trade associations, local news outlets, community organisations, business directories or event partners.
Focus on links that make sense for your business and audience. Avoid buying links or pursuing large numbers of low-quality directory listings. A small number of genuine, relevant mentions is generally more valuable than a long list of unrelated links.
Improve service and location pages
Use keyword and competitor research to plan helpful pages for your main services and the locations you serve. A useful page should explain what you offer, who it is for, how customers can get started and why your business is a suitable local choice.
Avoid creating many near-identical pages that differ only by town name. Thin or repetitive pages offer little value to visitors. Make each location page genuinely specific—for example, by describing local coverage, relevant projects, delivery arrangements or practical service details.
Monitor organic performance
Ahrefs’ site and rank-tracking features can help you monitor technical issues, keyword visibility and changes over time. Where location settings are available, use the closest relevant location for your target market. Keep in mind that ordinary rank tracking cannot show every variation in local results: map results and rankings can differ according to the searcher’s precise location, device and search history.
For a fuller picture, review Google Search Console and Google Business Profile performance alongside Ahrefs. These sources can provide information about clicks, impressions and interactions that complements third-party estimates.
A simple Ahrefs workflow for local SEO
- Set your target area: Identify the towns, neighbourhoods or service areas that are relevant to your business.
- Build a keyword list: Combine your services with place names, customer questions and high-intent phrases.
- Review search results: Check what types of pages rank and whether results include local businesses, directories, guides or map features.
- Analyse competitors: Look for useful content topics, backlink sources and gaps in your own website.
- Improve your pages: Publish clear, original service and location content with accurate contact details and calls to action.
- Measure and refine: Track relevant keywords, audit your site and compare results with first-party data from Google.
Ahrefs and Google Business Profile
Website SEO is only one part of local visibility. Businesses that serve customers in person or travel to them should also keep their Google Business Profile complete and accurate. Check that opening hours, contact details, categories, services and service areas are up to date. Encourage genuine customer reviews and respond to them professionally.
Ahrefs can inform your website and content strategy, but it is not a substitute for managing your profile, maintaining consistent business information or delivering a good customer experience.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Targeting keywords solely because a tool reports high search volume.
- Creating duplicate location pages with little original information.
- Assuming estimated search data or rankings are exact.
- Chasing irrelevant backlinks instead of building local relationships.
- Ignoring Google Business Profile and other essential local SEO work.
Is Ahrefs worth using for local SEO?
Ahrefs can be a valuable tool for local businesses and agencies that want to research keywords, understand competitors, find relevant link opportunities and improve website content. Its greatest value comes from using its data to guide useful work—not from treating estimates as guarantees.
For the best results, combine Ahrefs with a well-optimised website, an accurate Google Business Profile, trustworthy local citations and strong customer service. Together, these efforts can help your business become easier to discover in organic search and more useful to people in the areas you serve.
Mastering Local SEO: 8 Essential Tips Using Ahrefs for UK Businesses
- Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to find location-specific search terms.
- Check local competitors’ top pages for content ideas.
- Track rankings for each target town or service area.
- Build dedicated pages for important locations you serve.
- Review competitors’ backlinks to find local link opportunities.
- Earn links from relevant UK directories and community sites.
- Use Site Audit to fix issues affecting local landing pages.
- Refresh local content when services, areas or details change.
Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to find location-specific search terms.
Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to discover the location-specific phrases potential customers use when searching for your services. Enter a core term alongside a town, city or region—for example, “accountant Manchester”—then explore related keywords and questions for further ideas. Consider search intent as well as estimated search volume: a specific phrase such as “small business accountant in Manchester” may attract fewer searches but be more relevant to your business. Use the findings to shape useful service pages and content, rather than simply repeating place names unnaturally.
Check local competitors’ top pages for content ideas.
Use Ahrefs to explore which pages attract organic traffic for local competitors, then look for useful topics your own website could cover. Their top pages may highlight common customer questions, popular services or local guides that are relevant to your audience. Treat these findings as inspiration rather than a template: create original, accurate content that reflects your expertise and the areas you serve, instead of copying competitors or producing near-identical location pages.
Track rankings for each target town or service area.
Track your rankings separately for each target town or service area to see where your business is visible—and where it may need more work. In Ahrefs, set up relevant local keywords and choose the closest available location for tracking, then review changes over time. Results can vary by a searcher’s exact location, so treat rank data as a useful guide rather than a complete picture, and compare it with leads, website traffic and Google Business Profile performance.
Build dedicated pages for important locations you serve.
Create dedicated pages for the key locations your business serves so potential customers can quickly find relevant information. Each page should be genuinely useful and specific to that area, outlining the services available, the locations covered and any relevant local experience, with clear contact details and a next step. Avoid simply duplicating one page and swapping the town name: distinctive, accurate content gives visitors a better experience and helps search engines understand where your business operates. Use Ahrefs to research location-based search terms and identify topics people in each area are looking for.
Review competitors’ backlinks to find local link opportunities.
Reviewing competitors’ backlinks in Ahrefs can reveal local websites that may be worth approaching for a link, such as community organisations, local news outlets, business associations and relevant directories. Check why each site links to a competitor, then consider whether you can offer something genuinely useful, such as expert commentary, a local resource or a community partnership. Prioritise relevant, reputable opportunities rather than pursuing links simply to increase their number.
Earn links from relevant UK directories and community sites.
Earn links from relevant UK directories and community websites to strengthen your local SEO and help potential customers find your business. Look for reputable listings specific to your industry or area, such as local business associations, chambers of commerce, trade bodies and community organisations. Make sure your business name, address and phone number are accurate and consistent, and prioritise sites used by real people over low-quality directories created solely for links. Where possible, build relationships through sponsorships, local events or useful contributions, so links are earned naturally and support genuine community connections.
Use Site Audit to fix issues affecting local landing pages.
Use Ahrefs Site Audit to check your local landing pages for technical issues that could affect how search engines crawl and understand them. The audit can help uncover problems such as broken links, missing title tags, duplicate or thin content, and pages that are not indexable. Fixing these issues—and ensuring each page has useful, location-specific information—can make your site easier to navigate and support your local SEO efforts.
Refresh local content when services, areas or details change.
Refresh your local content whenever your services, service areas or business details change. Update relevant pages promptly with accurate information about what you offer, where you work, opening hours and how customers can contact you. Ahrefs can help you review organic performance and spot pages or local keywords that may need attention, while regular updates ensure visitors and search engines see information that is useful, current and consistent.