If you are a website owner, digital marketer, or SEO expert, you have probably noticed that traffic data from Google Analytics and Ahrefs doesn’t always match. This difference is very common and expected. In this article, we will explain in simple terms why this difference occurs, what it means, and how to use these two tools correctly.
Many webmasters are using the Ahrefs tools to check website traffic when Google Analytics is not available. But there is a gap between how both tools analyse and estimate the traffic. For evidence, you can see this difference in the above image.
Why is there a difference between Google Analytics and Ahrefs traffic data?
First, let’s talk about the type of data these two tools show.
Google Analytics shows all your website traffic: direct traffic, social media traffic, paid traffic, email traffic, and organic search traffic.
Ahrefs only shows estimates of organic search traffic: that is, traffic that comes from Google search, based on estimates.
Now the question arises: why does Ahrefs only show estimates?
How does Ahrefs estimate traffic?
Ahrefs’ traffic data is not exactly real-time. It estimates traffic based on a few factors:
1. Keywords and ranking data
Ahrefs first looks at which keywords your website ranks for in the top 100 on Google.
2. Search volume
Then it looks at how many times people search for those keywords each month. It derives this figure from a combination of Google Keyword Planner and Clickstream data. Although this is a pretty good model, it’s still not perfect.
3. CTR (Click-Through Rate) model
Based on your website’s rank on each keyword, Ahrefs estimates how many people will click on average on that position. For example, if you rank #1, more people will click; if you rank #7 or #10, fewer will.
4. Total traffic
Ahrefs adds up the estimated clicks from all these keywords to get an estimate of total organic traffic.
Why is there a difference? Google Analytics vs Ahrefs
By now, you must have understood that Ahrefs only estimates, while Google Analytics records real visitor data. This leads to some major differences:
Google Analytics shows real visitor data, such as IP, session duration, bounce rate, etc.
Ahrefs only tracks popular keywords, not all keywords. In fact, there are billions of keywords, which are technically impossible to track.
Search volume is estimated, not real.
The CTR model is also research-based, not Google’s real data.
How to use Ahrefs data correctly?
You may have also noticed that your website shows a good amount of traffic in Google Analytics, but the Ahrefs tool shows only a few traffic. Many SEO professionals and guest posting service buyers or sellers rely on Ahrefs to check website traffic, but its estimates are not real-time or fully accurate. This creates confusion and can mislead website traffic viewers, leading to wrong decisions.
Now the question arises, if Ahrefs data is estimated, then what is the benefit of it?
Best Tool for Website Comparison
If you want to compare your website with another website, like which website is bringing more traffic or which page is performing well, then Ahrefs is an amazing tool.
Accurate for Competitor Analysis
You can see which keywords your competitors are ranking for and which pages are getting them the most traffic. This data is very useful for content planning and SEO strategy.
Important Notes:
Ahrefs traffic data is just an estimation, not reality.
Its best use is to track trends and see the growth of the website.
You can also see daily, weekly, or monthly traffic estimates:
- Daily: Based on each day’s keywords, CT,R, and search volume.
- Weekly: Based on average from Monday to Sunday.
- Monthly: Based on average data for the whole month.
A small formula: How to estimate traffic?
Suppose there is a keyword “best running shoes”, whose search volume is 10,000 per month. If your website ranks 2nd on that keyword, and that position has an average CTR of 15%, then:
Estimated Clicks = 10,000 x 15% = 1,500 per month
This calculation is done for many such keywords, and then the total traffic figure is obtained.
Can we integrate Google Analytics or Search Console with Ahrefs to show accurate traffic data?
Yes! You can integrate Google Search Console with Ahrefs to see your actual GSC data alongside our estimates.
To connect GSC, go to your Ahrefs Dashboard and click “Link Google Account” – you’ll need a Google Account with your website verified in Search Console. Once connected, you can access your GSC data through Rank Tracker > GSC, where you will see:
- Keywords report: Shows actual clicks, impressions, and positions for your GSC keywords
- Pages report: Displays performance data for your top pages
- Anonymous queries: Reveals hidden keywords that GSC doesn’t show you
However, it is important to note that connecting GSC won’t change our organic traffic estimates – we still calculate those using our own methodology. The GSC integration gives you access to your actual performance data for comparison and deeper insights into keywords we might not track.
Google Analytics integration isn’t available in the main Ahrefs platform, but GSC integration should help address your concern about missing keywords.
Conclusion
Google Analytics and Ahrefs both show website traffic in their own way.
Google Analytics data is real and more accurate.
Ahrefs data is estimated, but it is very useful for SEO planning, comparison, and keyword research.
Ahrefs and Google Analytics often show different traffic data because they use different methodologies and track different types of traffic. Ahrefs estimates organic traffic based on keyword rankings and search volume, while Google Analytics tracks all website traffic, including direct, social, referral, and paid traffic.
So the next time you see a difference in the numbers of Ahrefs and Google Analytics, do not worry. Both tools have their own role, and if used properly, can help tremendously in the growth of your website.
