What Semrush does
Semrush is an online marketing research platform best known for SEO. It covers keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking and technical site audits, and now also tracks whether AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini mention your brand. Separate toolkits handle competitor traffic, content, local listings, ads, PR and social media. Its data claims include 29 billion keywords and 43 trillion backlinks, and it connects to AI assistants through an MCP server and a ChatGPT app.
Best for
- SEO specialists researching keywords and backlinks
- Brands tracking their visibility in AI search answers
- Marketers benchmarking competitor traffic
- Agencies auditing and reporting on client sites
Key features
Keyword research
Find and compare search terms from a database of 29 billion keywords across 142 regional databases.
Backlink analysis
Inspect the links pointing at any domain, drawing on a 43 trillion backlink index.
Rank tracking and site audit
Track daily positions for set keywords and scan your site for technical SEO problems.
AI visibility
Monitor how often AI answers in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google cite your brand, and the sentiment.
Traffic and market research
Estimate traffic sources and audiences for any website and benchmark competitors.
MCP and API
Pull Semrush data into AI assistants through MCP or a ChatGPT app, or build on the developer API.
Semrush pricing
Semrush has a free plan. A free account gives 1 demo project and 10 reports a day across core tools, with no credit card. Paid plans start at €134/month. 7-day free trial. Prices were shown in euros for our location and may differ by country. Annual billing saves up to 17%. Other toolkits (local, ads, social, content) are sold separately. Prices checked on the official site on Nov 9, 2026.
| Free | $0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | €134/month | €112.52/month billed annually; 5 sites, 500 tracked keywords |
| Starter | €190/month | €158.40/month billed annually; adds 50 AI prompts tracked daily |
| Pro+ | €286/month | €238/month billed annually; 15 sites, 1,500 keywords |
| Advanced | Contact sales | Custom; request a demo |
Source: Semrush pricing page
Pros and cons
What it does well
- Very large keyword and backlink databases for competitive research.
- Combines classic SEO with tracking of AI search visibility.
- A free account and 7-day trial let you test before paying.
Know before you sign up
- The free account is capped at 10 reports a day and one project.
- Paid plans start well above $100 a month, which is steep for hobby sites.
- Tracked keywords and sites are capped per plan, from 500 keywords on the entry tier.
Alternatives to Semrush
AhrefsResearch search and AI visibility.ConsensusSearch academic papers with AI support.
ElicitFind papers and assemble cited research briefs.PerplexityAsk questions and follow cited sources into deeper research.
SE RankingAnalyze SEO and AI visibility signals.
ChatPDFAsk questions about a PDF document.
Questions about Semrush
What is Semrush?
Semrush is an online marketing research platform best known for SEO. It covers keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking and technical site audits, and now also tracks whether AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini mention your brand. Separate toolkits handle competitor traffic, content, local listings, ads, PR and social media. Its data claims include 29 billion keywords and 43 trillion backlinks, and it connects to AI assistants through an MCP server and a ChatGPT app.
Is Semrush free?
Semrush has a free plan. A free account gives 1 demo project and 10 reports a day across core tools, with no credit card. Paid plans start at €134/month. 7-day free trial. Prices were shown in euros for our location and may differ by country. Annual billing saves up to 17%. Other toolkits (local, ads, social, content) are sold separately. Prices checked on the official site on Nov 9, 2026.
How much does Semrush cost?
Paid plans start at €134/month; plans listed on the official pricing page: Free ($0), SEO (€134/month), Starter (€190/month), Pro+ (€286/month), Advanced. Prices were shown in euros for our location and may differ by country. Annual billing saves up to 17%. Other toolkits (local, ads, social, content) are sold separately.
Who is Semrush best for?
SEO specialists researching keywords and backlinks, Brands tracking their visibility in AI search answers, Marketers benchmarking competitor traffic and Agencies auditing and reporting on client sites.
Where can I use Semrush?
Semrush is available on Web and API, according to its official site.
What are some alternatives to Semrush?
Similar research tools include Ahrefs, Consensus, Elicit and Perplexity. Compare them on the Research page.