Tag Archive for: #SEOROI

She’ll Overhaul Your SEO Strategy Meet Michelle Symonds, Founder of Ditto Digital. – The Story Exchange

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Michelle Symonds, founder of Ditto Digital. (Credit: Courtesy of Ditto Digital)
Michelle Symonds tapped into her years of experience in a variety of industries to launch her own long-lasting marketing business.
Michelle Symonds has a diverse resume: A career as a geophysicist working in the oil industry, then IT at a Fortune 500 company. But when Symonds became a mother, her priorities shifted, and she wanted to center her children. But she knew she wouldn’t have freedom or control over her own schedule as long as she continued working in a corporate world. So, in 2009, she launched Ditto Digital, a digital marketing and SEO strategies agency. Over the last 14 years, Symonds has developed a unique, data-led perspective on business outreach and consumer engagement that attracts and retains clients – and lets her maintain the schedule she desires. 
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
We approach digital marketing from a logical, evidence-based perspective.
For one of our earliest clients (who remains a client to this day, 10 years on), I increased site traffic by 320% in two years’ time through a comprehensive SEO campaign. This enabled the small company to successfully compete in organic searches with more high-profile brands.
Scaling up. My approach is to build a team that I can trust, who share my values of doing what is right for our clients, instead of what is easy for us. 
The best time to start a business is today (to paraphrase a Chinese proverb), so don’t worry about not being quite ready. Businesses have to adapt and evolve to remain successful, so don’t waste time and energy trying to make your business perfect at launch. That’s something I learnt from my software engineering days – that it’s better to launch a product ahead of the competition, than launch a perfect product after them. 
When you accept that the business won’t be perfect initially (if ever), it gives you the freedom to change your mind, and to change the way the business works. You can even change focus, or change the people. These shifts will likely be necessary along the way, so view them as a normal part of running a business.
I live and work within walking distance of open countryside and woodlands, so a stroll in nature is always my best source of inspiration. It provides physical exercise – especially as it is very hilly where I live – and enables me to think clearly, which helps me put problems into perspective.
“Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve.
Martha Lane Fox. She’s not only a great example of a female entrepreneur  –she co-founded lastminute.com, and is on the board of various TV channels and brands such as Marks & Spencer – but she is also a human rights, women’s rights and social justice advocate.

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The Story Exchange is an award-winning nonprofit media organization that provides inspiration and information to entrepreneurial women.
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The Story Exchange is an award-winning nonprofit media organization that provides inspiration and information to entrepreneurial women.

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SEO today and beyond: 8 ways to balance what works now with what’s to come – Search Engine Land

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SEO today and beyond: 8 ways to balance what works now with what’s to come  Search Engine Land
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Here are the 6 biggest takeaways from Google I/O, where the tech giant proved it has real AI momentum – Business Insider

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Google made literally 100 announcements at I/O this week, a clear sign that the tech giant intends to dominate every aspect of AI, from its overhaul of Search to its latest AI models and wearables tech.
The event was packed and, at times, felt electrifying. Google showed impressive stats about how its AI has taken off. It had plenty of far-out goals, too, like building a universal AI assistant and extended reality glasses that give directions in real time.
I/O also showcased Google’s vulnerabilities. Some releases clearly overlapped, while arch-rival OpenAI upstaged Google on Wednesday with a big announcement of its own.
With the conference now over, here are six main takeaways.
The biggest change touted at I/O was AI Mode — what CEO Sundar Pichai called a “total overhaul” of Google’s most iconic feature. In AI Mode, users will have a far more conversational Search experience, asking Google questions directly about what they’re looking for.
That’s a marked change from the traditional experience of going through a long list of links to find the right answer, which feels more clunky than ever in an age of AI chatbots.
At the same time, AI features like these could cannibalize Google Search and threaten the tech giant’s main cash cow, Google Ads. Google risks not figuring out how to heavily monetize these AI tools. That being said, it’s already testing ads in AI Mode.
Google’s AI model family, Gemini, took center stage at I/O. Google announced that it will integrate Gemini into Chrome, allowing users to chat with its latest AI models while they browse. (The feature rolls out to subscribers this summer.) It’s a shot across the bow to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which already has a popular Chrome extension.
I/O also announced an array of updates to its Gemini app, which recently passed 400 million monthly active users — an impressive figure, though still behind ChatGPT. With an update called Personal Context, Gemini app users can get tailored responses based on personal data from Google services, like asking its AI to find a long-lost email.
It’s all part of a long-term plan to build a universal AI assistant: what Google calls Project Astra. While it’s still unfinished, that plan feels more fleshed out now than when Business Insider tested Astra a year ago.
New AI features are undeniably cool, though Google’s AI traction garnered some of the biggest reactions at Pichai’s keynote speech on Tuesday.
Onstage, Pichai boasted that the number of tokens generated by Google across all its platforms a month had exploded 50 times to over 480 trillion since last year.
The crowd gasped—it was a big moment. Last year’s I/O felt like a giant teaser for coming AI features, with plenty of promise but little to show for it. This year felt different.
There was no greater manifestation of Google tripling down on AI than cofounder Sergey Brin crashing a fireside chat with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. That was after Brin wandered around a pavilion trying on a pair of Google’s XR glasses.
At the chat, Brin said he goes into the office “pretty much every day now” to work on AI. He also said that retired computer scientists should get back to work to take advantage of the current environment.
Brin has been back at Google since 2023 as the search giant races against AI rivals, and it’s obvious he’s in “founder mode” — something quite rare at a mature company.
Google let BI briefly try on its prototype Android XR glasses, which have Gemini’s AI features and allow users to ask questions. While the tech shows promise, it’s still early days. Google staffers asked the throngs of I/O attendees lining up for demos not to ask about price, availability, or battery life.
“We just don’t know!” they said.
The prototype glasses feel impressively lightweight — almost too much so, to the point that they felt like they might fall off our faces. The display sits only on the right lens and is practically invisible unless viewed at just the right angle under the right light. It’s full-color, but it’s small and subtle enough that you might miss the display entirely.
We weren’t allowed to view Google Maps or Photos in the glasses like Google showed off in its keynote. Instead, we put on the glasses and walked around a room filled with artwork on the walls and travel catalogs on a table that we could ask Gemini questions about.
While Gemini correctly identified the artwork, it couldn’t answer a basic travel query when we looked at the travel catalogs: “What is the cheapest flight to New York next month?” And because the display is only on one side, focusing on it made us feel a bit cross-eyed.
The version we saw isn’t the final design. It’s missing the coming Warby Parker and Gentle Monster flair, though we did see glimmers of something promising here.
Google’s announcements are undeniably impressive, though some of them felt repetitive. It’s hard to understand the difference between Search Live and Gemini Live, for example. Both of them involve chatting with your phone about what it sees through its camera.
Google’s strategy of launching literally 100 different things at once could work for the company. It could also signal a lack of focus.
BI was at an I/O panel when the news broke that OpenAI was buying former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s hardware startup. Seeing OpenAI upstage Google like that felt a little ominous.
The Google panel BI attended was quite dry and technical, with terms like AI-powered “tool calling” mentioned several times. The contrast with OpenAI’s buzzy announcement couldn’t be clearer. We even saw several attendees check their phones when the news came out.
Google does have massive advantages in scale and distribution, thanks to Android and Chrome.
Still, it’s possible that in the long term, something like an AI-native device that ditches Google’s ecosystem altogether eventually takes over.
Investors got a taste of that risk last month, when the stock of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, briefly tanked after Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue said search volume was shrinking due to AI.

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I Compared 6 Semrush Alternatives for SEO Workflows – Learn Hub | G2

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May 2, 2025
Sagar Joshi photo by Sagar Joshi  /  May 2, 2025
As someone who’s been in the SEO game for a while, I have used Semrush for keyword research and competitor analysis. Ahrefs, on the other hand, earned my trust with its intuitive and reliable backlink analysis, especially when tracking referring domains and link velocity.
When it came to content optimization, I have used Clearscope for nearly half a decade to improve content grade, boost topical relevance, and stay competitive across high-intent SERPs. I also use various other SEO tools for specific use cases. 
But if the steep pricing models or a lack of innovation in core features is pushing you to search for Semrush alternatives, you’re not alone.
In this article, I have tested and covered six alternatives to Semrush that bring something unique to the table, whether it’s AI-assisted content scoring, cluster-based keyword suggestions, or deeper traffic potential metrics. I’ll walk you through:
*The Semrush alternatives are listed alphabetically and include SEO tools listed on G2. Some of them offer a free trial. I have included the starting price of their paid plan for easy comparison.
Semrush is a comprehensive SEO platform offering a suite of features, including keyword research, technical SEO audits, backlink analytics, rank tracking, and more. It caters to marketers seeking an all-in-one solution for on-page, off-page, and technical SEO.
A true alternative to Semrush should replicate or improve upon these capabilities. This might include domain vs. domain comparisons, backlink gap analysis, or AI-powered keyword suggestions. 
While not every competitor covers the full spectrum, many specialize in specific use cases like content optimization, local SEO, or cost-effective backlink tracking. These tools offer differentiated value through simpler user interfaces, modular pricing, or integrations with AI content workflows.
Based on my research and experience, a strong Semrush alternative should deliver core SEO functionality across three main pillars: keyword research, competitive analysis, and actionable insights.
Below are the best Semrush alternatives I found on the market, which offer competitive, or, in some cases, better value than Semrush as an SEO tool.
This list is based on G2 reviews from 2025. We’ll keep updating it to reflect the latest and best alternatives. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Ahrefs stands out as one of the best tools for off-page SEO, particularly when it comes to backlink analysis, referring domains tracking, and link acquisition strategy.
While I’ve used both Semrush and Ahrefs extensively, I found them closely matched on on-page SEO elements like keyword tracking, technical audits, and content optimization.
Where Ahrefs pulls ahead is in its depth of link data and competitive intelligence for backlinks, which I’ve consistently found more actionable for building external authority. That said, Semrush delivers a smoother user experience, primarily because Ahrefs operates on a usage-based credit system. This can feel restrictive, especially during deep-dive research sessions, where I often had to monitor credit consumption.
When evaluating Ahrefs as an alternative to Semrush, I closely compared both platforms across key SEO functionalities, including backlink research, keyword data, site audits, and overall usability.
In terms of backlink analysis, Ahrefs clearly leads, offering deeper link index coverage, faster data updates, and a more intuitive backlink explorer. For users focused on off-page SEO and link-building, this advantage makes Ahrefs a top choice.
ahrefs
Source: Ahrefs
Semrush excels in keyword data presentation and user interface design. Its dashboard is more intuitive, with better data visualization and navigation, making keyword research and competitor tracking easier for both beginners and advanced users. Plus, Semrush provides more integrated marketing metrics, useful for content strategists and digital marketing teams.
Both Semrush and Ahrefs perform reliably when it comes to technical SEO site audits. In my testing, each platform was effective at identifying common on-site issues, including missing H1 tags, 404 errors, and other technical SEO problems that can impact site health and crawlability.

Go for Ahrefs if you’re comfortable with its’ credit-based usage system and seeking a cost-effective alternative. 
Look at the pros and cons of Ahrefs as a Semrush alternative and competitor. 
Semrush begins at $139.95/month for the Pro plan, with its mid-tier Guru plan priced at $249.95/month, and its high-end Business plan at $499.95/month. It’s well-known for its broad marketing toolkit, including PPC analysis, content marketing features, and competitor benchmarking. 

Ahrefs is budget-friendly, starting with a $29/month Starter plan, followed by the $129/month Lite plan, and the $249/month Standard plan. Its Advanced plan for larger teams is priced at $449/month. While it may offer fewer integrated marketing modules, Ahrefs excels in backlink analysis, keyword tracking, and technical SEO insights.
Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer annual billing discounts of up to 17% at the time of writing this article. Getting an annual plan is ideal if you want to maximize value from SEO investment and reduce overall costs.

“I am using Ahrefs to do SEO research. The primary tool I use is their Rank Tracking tool. I like it best because they arguably have the largest crawler network outside search engines.”
 
– Ahrefs Review, Cassian Y., Founder
“Pricey compared with other tools out there. It is not good for small-sized businesses and projects because of the cost.” 
– Ahrefs Review, Ellen C., Marketing Associate
I use Clearscope regularly in my writing projects, and it’s become one of my go-to tools for content-first SEO. It helps me optimize blog posts and landing pages by providing a comprehensive list of related keywords and terms that improve on-page SEO and boost my chances of ranking higher in search results.
What sets Clearscope apart from Semrush is how it analyzes the top-ranking pages for any given keyword on the SERP. Then, based on that analysis and broader search engine trends, it recommends the most relevant terms to include in my content. This makes it easier for me to align my content with what’s already working in organic search, without keyword stuffing or losing my natural writing voice.
clearscope
Source: Clearscope
One of the features I like about Clearscope is its content grade assessment. As I incorporate Clearscope’s recommended keywords and phrases into my content, I watch my grade improve, with A++ being the highest possible score. It’s a helpful, real-time indicator that tells me how well my writing aligns with the top-ranking content on the SERP.
In my experience, Clearscope tends to be the best Semrush alternative for teams that prioritize content quality over sheer volume. It’s ideal for those who don’t need a bulky all-in-one tool like Semrush, especially if they’re already using other platforms for technical SEO or backlink analysis.
I’ve found that Semrush excels as an all-in-one digital marketing platform. It’s packed with deep tools for SEO, PPC, competitor analysis, and technical site audits, making it ideal when I need a full-suite solution across multiple channels.

Clearscope stands out when my focus is purely on content quality and search relevance. Its AI-powered keyword suggestions, real-time content grading, and intuitive interface help me optimize content effectively.
Essentials: $189/month
Business: $399/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
No free trial; free live training and onboarding are included.
Unlimited users included in all plans.
Content teams aiming to improve their content’s SEO performance with a focus on quality and relevance.
“I love how Clearscope automates many aspects of writing good SEO content. It also brings some gamification into the game — I love writing and trying to get as high a grade as possible while still keeping good readability and quality in the content itself.” 
 
– Clearscope Review, Melisa A N, Consultant
While I generally find Clearscope’s keyword suggestions helpful, there are times when the tool recommends terms that feel irrelevant or off-topic. This usually happens when competing pages on the SERP include those terms, but their content isn’t necessarily high quality or strategically sound.
It’s a reminder that AI-powered suggestions are only as strong as the content they’re based on, and our judgment still matters.
“Not much. The only shortfall I noticed is that the space to ‘create report’, the most important area in CL, looks like a search bar. So, if I wanted to search for older reports, I’d have accidentally typed it out into this tab and would have lost a credit. It’s just a UX thing, and once you get used to using CL, it’ll be okay. I hope it soon brings in a good plagiarism feature.” 
– Clearscope Review, Ashitha J, Content Marketing Manager
Moz Pro was the first SEO software I used extensively while learning content marketing, and it remains one of the most comprehensive platforms for search optimization.

It offers a full suite of features, including site crawl diagnostics, domain authority tracking, and keyword suggestions to support SEO growth. The platform also flags technical SEO issues and provides prioritized site health warnings, helping you stay ahead of search engine updates.
moz interface
Source: Moz
One of Moz Pro’s standout strengths is its backlink analysis, where it detects spammy or irrelevant backlinks and helps you manage your link profile through disavowal data. The spam score insights are particularly useful when cleaning up toxic links.

Moz Pro also delivers value through the Moz Academy and a vast collection of SEO tutorials.
Moz stands out as a beginner-friendly SEO platform, making it a compelling alternative to Semrush for users who value simplicity and core functionality.

While Semrush delivers over 55 tools spanning SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media, this breadth can feel overwhelming for small businesses or solo marketers.
In contrast, Moz Pro focuses on essential SEO capabilities, including keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, and backlink analysis, within an interface that’s intuitive and easy to navigate.

Moz’s clean UI and targeted feature set appeal to users who prefer a less cluttered, more focused SEO workflow. It’s particularly well-suited to startups and SMBs that don’t need a full-stack digital marketing suite.

Moz offers flexible, budget-friendly plans starting from $49/month. Its Standard plan starts at $99/month, including 300 keyword queries and 100,000 page crawls monthly, making it ideal for freelancers, startups, and small SEO teams.

For those needing more scalability, Moz’s Medium plan ($179/month) and Large plan ($299/month) increase limits on tracked campaigns, keywords, and user accounts, catering well to growing in-house teams or boutique agencies.
Plus, Moz provides a 30-day free trial, giving users extended time to evaluate its platform, significantly longer than Semrush’s 7-day trial.

In comparison, Semrush’s Pro plan starts at $139.95/month, but includes tools beyond SEO: PPC campaign analysis, social media scheduling, and content marketing workflows. Its Guru ($249.95/month) and Business ($499.95/month) tiers deliver broader functionality, but come at a higher cost.

Check out this table to learn more about pros and cons of Semrush vs. Moz.
Moz Pro is an excellent Semrush alternative for users focused on SEO essentials and cost-efficiency, with a lower barrier to entry and predictable pricing tiers.
“Moz is easy to use for a novice to the SEO world. It steps you through the basics and provides helpful tools and capabilities as you get more familiar with the full suite. I appreciate the helpful hints on optimizing my sites and being able to run checks on keywords, etc.”
 
– Moz Pro Review, Bar W, Senior Director
I can only look at three competitors within a campaign, and I cannot add more for a detailed comparison. 
“Every software has some drawbacks. The one minor dislike is that sometimes, when choosing a reporting period, it seems to be a little glitchy, and takes a minute to get the reporting periods correct. Not a big deal, but annoying.” 
– Moz Pro Review, Brian H, Vice President of Marketing
Seobility offers a complete suite of SEO tools, including a website crawler, rank tracker, backlink monitor, and competitor analysis. It’s particularly well-suited for users seeking an affordable SEO tool without sacrificing essential features.
What impressed me most is its ability to dig into technical SEO issues. The crawler helped me uncover on-page problems, broken links, and other crawlability errors that were hurting my site health. It’s a great option if you care about staying on top of your site’s technical performance.
Seobility’s rank tracking system lets me monitor multiple websites at once, which is perfect for seeing which ones are gaining the most visibility. I also like getting daily keyword position updates and insights into SERP performance across my tracked domains.

That said, its keyword database isn’t as extensive as what you’d find in tools like Semrush or Ahrefs. But for a tool at this price point, this alternative to Semrush delivers useful keyword research, backlink insights, and competitor comparisons. I’ve even used it to identify toxic backlinks and keep tabs on my link profile over time.
Semrush is a full-scale SEO and digital marketing suite, while Seobility is a simpler, audit-focused tool best for basic SEO and site optimization.
Semrush offers granular rank tracking, historical data comparisons, and integrates with tools like Google Ads and Google Analytics. This makes it ideal for agencies and in-house SEO teams requiring advanced SEO insights and automation features.
Seobility focuses on core SEO functionality with a strong emphasis on technical site audits, on-page optimization, and keyword tracking. It offers a user-friendly interface and affordable plans, making it accessible for small businesses and beginners. 
Seobility is a strong Semrush alternative for users seeking affordable, beginner-friendly SEO audit and on-page optimization tools.
“I love the detail it goes into on each area of SEO: Tech, Meta, Structure, and website content. Every page is broken down during a crawl, giving you a detailed report of each area that needs fixing and how to fix it. It’s easy to use. Crawls are fast, and their features allow you to compare SEO with other local businesses.”
 
– Seobility Review, Claire F, Professional Photographer
I felt it was tricky to implement the technical SEO recommendations. It would be great to have priority in optimizing different things. 
“While Seobility is a powerful SEO tool, the free version has some limitations, such as the number of keyword checks and crawl pages per day. Additionally, the backlink analysis could be more extensive than other SEO tools. However, its price and ease of use still offer great value.” 
– Seobility Review, Marius B, Administrator
SE Ranking delivers exceptional value at a fraction of the cost of larger SEO platforms like Semrush. Starting at just $52/month, the platform allows users to track up to 250 keywords on its entry-level plan, making it one of the most budget-friendly options for rank tracking.
Its Keyword Manager lets me organize and manage 10,000+ keywords per list, and with the Pro plan ($95.20/month), I can export up to 50,000 keywords per report, a volume that typically requires a $200–$300/month plan on Semrush.
SE Ranking also includes features like keyword tagging and segmentation, on-page content scoring, and Google Analytics and Search Console integration.

This combination of affordability, scalable keyword management, and core SEO functionality makes SE Ranking a standout alternative to Semrush for freelancers, SMBs, and marketing teams that need powerful tools without a steep price tag.
se ranking
Source: SE Ranking
I personally liked how SE Ranking made it easy to identify competitors and spot keyword gaps in their strategies. I could quickly assess keyword difficulty, check CPC data, and review search trends, all from one place. It helped me make smarter decisions around which keywords to target and which ones to leave out.
Another feature I appreciated was their Domain Trust and Page Trust scores. They work a lot like Domain Rating in Ahrefs, giving me a sense of how strong a site’s authority is, both overall and on a page-by-page level. It’s great for evaluating backlink profiles and understanding where my website stands against the competition.
From my experience, SE Ranking and Semrush are both solid all-in-one SEO platforms, but they cater to different needs depending on your goals and budget.

Semrush packs in a huge suite of tools, including advanced keyword research, backlink analysis, and competitive intelligence. It’s a great fit for agencies and large enterprises managing complex, multi-channel digital strategies.
On the other hand, I found SE Ranking to be a more affordable, user-friendly option. It focuses on core SEO features like rank tracking, site audits, and keyword analysis, which makes it especially well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses or individuals.
Semrush starts at $139.95/month with its Pro plan, offering a wide array of tools for SEO, PPC, and content marketing. You’ll need to upgrade to the Guru plan ($249.95/month) or the Business plan ($499.95/month) if you need access to historical data, content strategy features, or expanded usage limits.
SE Ranking provides a much more affordable starting point at $52/month, which includes tracking for 500 keywords. Their volume-based pricing model means you can scale up keyword tracking and still stay well below Semrush’s pricing tiers.
Even at lower plans, SE Ranking gives access to essential features like rank tracking, site audits, and keyword analysis, making it a great fit for freelancers, startups, and small teams that don’t need the full complexity of an enterprise platform.
SE Ranking is a great Semrush alternative for those looking for simplicity and solid SEO fundamentals without breaking the bank.
“I find SE Ranking very easy to use, as it’s easy to navigate different products and services. It feels very intuitive, and even if I have any questions or problems, I can find answers in a database or contact the support team to get my answers. In my current position, I use SE Ranking daily and couldn’t be happier. 
 
When my company transitioned from the previous service we used, the SE Ranking team helped us migrate all the data we collected, so the integration went smoothly. Thanks to the new SMM service, we’ve been able to cancel another service subscription and have all the work done on social media channels from SE Ranking. 
 
I highly recommend SE Ranking for website and SEO specialists or agencies and other professionals who want to keep track of their data in one place.”
 
– SE Ranking Review, Viktoriia D, Project Manager
The learning curve is steep. When trying to click some links, prompts to upgrade the tool appear. If the UI showcased what I had access to, it would have been a much better experience. 
“The interface is a bit confusing initially because we need to change our habits when switching tools.” 
– SE Ranking Review, Remi B, Head of Digital Strategy and AI
Similarweb is a great tool for competitive SEO and digital market research.
I found it particularly useful when evaluating how our web performance stacks up against others in the industry. Starting at $199/month, it gave me access to detailed traffic insights like total website visits, traffic sources, and audience demographics.
I appreciated was how easy it was to compare our traffic metrics against competitors. It highlighted areas where we’re strong and exposed gaps in our digital strategy, making the competitive analysis genuinely actionable.
I also love how Similarweb provides a broader view of market trends. Using their industry benchmarks and consumer behavior insights, I was able to better understand our target market and adjust campaigns based on real-time market movement. 
similar web
Source: Similarweb
I could see what other people were searching for in real time. It helped me optimize content around trending topics and stay ahead of shifting search behavior.  to optimize content based on current trends. I could clearly see the overlap, spot missed opportunities, and adjust our strategy based on what was working (or not working) for others in the space. It made content planning and SERP positioning much more strategic.
Semrush focuses on tactical SEO and digital marketing optimization, while Similarweb excels in high-level market intelligence and competitor traffic benchmarking.

Semrush is a comprehensive all-in-one marketing platform built to improve online visibility across multiple digital channels. It brings together powerful tools for SEO, PPC advertising, content marketing, and social media management.
Similarweb provides insights into website traffic sources, user engagement metrics, and industry-specific market trends. It’s ideal for companies focused on strategic planning and digital benchmarking.
Semrush pricing starts at $139.95/month for its Pro plan, offering SEO and marketing tools in a tiered structure. Similarweb’s Web Intelligence starts at $199/month.
While Similarweb does offer SEO-related data, it’s best for a macro-level perspective, helping you compare audience behavior, evaluate digital market share, and uncover growth opportunities across channels. That’s why it’s one of the best Semrush alternatives for teams working on market positioning, competitive benchmarking, and consumer intelligence over granular SEO audits.
“Similarweb is a great data analytics tool that can be tailored to your business needs. I like the fact that it is easy to follow and that customization can be made with the help of their excellent support team! The support team is hands-on. I use Similarweb on a weekly basis, and it is easy to integrate into your overall workflow. On top of that, the implementation was also really seamless.”
 
– Similarweb Review, Kevin S, Partner Manager
“Given my frequency of usage, I found the tool a bit expensive. Having the opportunity to select some options would be appreciated. Besides, I often spot discrepancies between our internal data and data shown by Similarweb, which can lead to confusion and doubts about competitors’ data.” 
– Similarweb Review, Thibault D, Chief Marketing Officer
Chat with Monty AI
 
Feel like you have an information overload? This comparison table makes it easier for you.

Semrush alternative
Best for
Free version
Pricing
Ahrefs
Best for off-page SEO
Free trial available with limited access
$129/month
Clearscope
Best for optimizing content for search engines
Not available 
$189/month 
Moz Pro 
Best for all-purpose organic SEO
Free-trial available
$49/month
Seobility
An all-in-one SEO software at an affordable cost
Free-trial available
$50/month
SE Ranking
Best for SEO reporting and analytics
Free-trial available
$52/month 
Similarweb
Best for comparing broader SEO trends on the market
Free-trial available
$199/month
 
Semrush is a comprehensive SEO suite for companies of all sizes. It might be a little costly for smaller companies. The software has robust features and functionality that cater to more advanced use cases and are suitable for medium-sized companies and large enterprises. 
If you’re seeking a broader overview of market trends, Similarweb might better suit your needs. However, when you’re intensely focused on SEO growth and need insights to understand the market, competition, and growth trends, Semrush is more suitable. 
These two tools are similar in features and functionality. I found Ahrefs to be better than Semrush for off-page SEO. However, Ahrefs has credit limits; therefore, if you heavily use SEO software, Semrush would be a better alternative. 
When it comes to an SEO tool, the term “best” borrows its definition from the use case, company size, and market segment. Therefore, based on this factor, Semrush can be the best SEO tool for some companies. However, this might not always be the case.
Ahrefs and SE Ranking are top alternatives to Semrush, offering robust keyword research and competitor analysis features. Ahrefs provides an extensive backlink index and comprehensive keyword tools, while SE Ranking offers a cost-effective solution with a user-friendly interface and accurate data.
Ahrefs boasts a backlink database exceeding 23 trillion links, providing detailed link metrics and historical data. Semrush also offers a substantial backlink index, with studies indicating it finds referring domains for 99.5% of analyzed URLs, surpassing other tools in certain analyses.
Ubersuggest offers an affordable alternative to SEMrush, with plans starting at $12/month, providing keyword research, site audits, and backlink analysis. Seobility is another cost-effective option, with plans starting at $50/month, offering a comprehensive suite of SEO tools.
Google Keyword Planner and Google Search Console are reliable free tools for keyword research and site performance monitoring. Seobility offers a free version as well for basic SEO tasks.
SE Ranking and Mangools are praised for their intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, making them suitable for beginners. Ahrefs, while offering comprehensive features, has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive data and tools.
BrightLocal specializes in local SEO, offering tools like local rank tracking and citation management, making it a strong alternative for businesses focusing on local search optimization.
Ahrefs, Moz, and SE Ranking provide accurate keyword volume and traffic estimates, with SE Ranking refining its algorithms to deliver more precise data.
Ahrefs and SE Ranking have integrated features to track Google’s AI Overviews, allowing users to monitor their presence in these SERP features and adjust strategies accordingly.
DataForSEO and Authoritas offer comprehensive APIs for SEO data extraction and reporting, catering to agencies and developers needing programmatic access to SEO data. 
Free SEO tools often have limitations in data depth, feature sets, and update frequency compared to paid options like Semrush or Ahrefs, which offer comprehensive data and advanced features.
Exploring alternatives opened my eyes to how diverse and influential the SEO tool market has become. Depending on what you need, whether it’s Clearscope’s content optimization, Ahrefs’ backlink data, or SE Ranking’s affordable all-in-one approach, there’s likely a better fit out there for your workflow and budget.
Personally, I’ve ended up mixing and matching tools based on the task at hand. For example, I use Clearscope when I’m working on content strategy and Ahrefs when I need to dive deep into competitor profiles. No tool is perfect, but each one offers a fresh perspective and a more tailored experience. 
The goal of the article was to give you a glimpse of the tool from the inside. Use it to inspire your points of discussion in demos and walkthroughs. This will help you clear up any confusion around your specific use case for SEO software. 
Looking for more options? Check out the highly-rated SEO tools on G2. 
This article has been updated with new information.
Sagar Joshi is a former content marketing specialist at G2 in India. He is an engineer with a keen interest in data analytics and cybersecurity. He writes about topics related to them. You can find him reading books, learning a new language, or playing pool in his free time.

As a content marketer, I’ve spent countless hours with SEO software to drive meaningful…
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Paid search helps ads land directly on the search engine results page (SERP).

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Google is ending Chrome updates for older Android phones soon – Techloy

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It’ll still function, but you won’t get any new features, performance improvements, or crucial security patches going forward.
Technology moves fast. It has to. Whether it’s security threats evolving, new features demanding more power, or just better design standards, tech companies are constantly pushing the envelope, and sometimes that means leaving older devices behind.
That’s exactly what’s happening with Google Chrome, which is finally pulling the plug on support for Android 8.0 Oreo and Android 9.0 Pie.
Starting August 5, 2025, Chrome version 139 will only run on Android 10 or newer. If your device is still on Oreo (released in 2017) or Pie (2018), Chrome 138 will be the last version you can use.
It’ll still function, but you won’t get any new features, performance improvements, or crucial security patches going forward. Over time, that means slower browsing, more bugs, and higher risk, especially as websites and web standards continue to evolve.
This update might seem overdue, but it’s worth noting that as of April 2025 Android 8 and 9 still power a combined nearly 10% of Android devices globally according to Composables — with Pie at 5.8% and Oreo around 4%.
That’s millions of devices especially in regions where older phones remain popular due to affordability or lack of upgrade options. Still, Google’s decision reflects a broader shift in the Android ecosystem, where developers are trimming legacy support to focus on modern, more secure platforms.
And this isn’t just a Google thing. WhatsApp also recently ended support for Android 5.0 and earlier, a move that quietly knocked out messaging access for certain low-end phones. It’s part of a growing trend: apps and platforms are setting higher minimum requirements, not out of malice, but because maintaining outdated systems can become a burden, one that slows down progress for everyone else.
If you’re still on Android 8 or 9, you technically don’t have to do anything right away. Chrome 138 will keep running. But without updates, your device’s browsing experience is bound to degrade and switching to an alternative browser like Firefox (which supports Android 5.0 and up) may only buy you a bit more time.
At the end of the day, if your phone can’t keep up with modern app requirements, it might be time to start thinking about an upgrade. Not just for access to new features, but for your security, speed, and sanity.
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Level Up Your Browser: The Best SEO Chrome Extensions Every Chromebook User Should Try – About Chromebooks

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In today’s fast-moving online space, staying fast and efficient is a must, especially if you’re a writer, marketer, entrepreneur, or anyone working online. 
Chromebooks are a favourite for many professionals because they’re lightweight, start quickly, and work flawlessly with Google tools like Docs, Drive, and Gmail.
But what makes a Chromebook powerful is the ability to install Chrome extensions that can expand what it can do. 
For people who work in SEO, these small add-ons can turn your Chromebook into a complete SEO workstation. 
Whether researching keywords, checking backlinks, or performing a website audit, Chrome extensions can give you real-time insights from your browser.
In this blog, you’ll know why SEO tools matter and the 7 best SEO Chrome extensions you can use daily to analyze and improve your SEO efforts.
SEO tools bring immense value to your business.
They help you optimize content, analyze website performance, automate tasks, and most importantly, lead to an increase in organic traffic and leads.
Chromebook users usually prefer tools that are quick, simple, and based in the browser. 
Traditional desktop software often takes up too much space, runs slowly, or doesn’t even work on Chrome OS. 
That’s where SEO Chrome extensions stand out.
With just a few clicks, these tools give you helpful data tools, a perfect match for performance reports, and improvement ideas within seconds. 
These tools are the perfect match for people who are freelancers, marketers, and SEO agency pros. 
They’re designed for online use and work smoothly inside Chrome, making them ideal for doing SEO on the go.
If you want to make your SEO work faster and smarter using just your Chromebook, check out these best SEO Chrome extensions. 
Each tool offers something different, and together, they can handle almost every part of your SEO work—from finding the right keywords to running technical checks.
Top 7 Best SEO Chrome Extensions for Chromebook Users
A free extension from Moz that shows metrics like Domain Authority and Page Authority directly on the pages you visit or in Google search results. It’s perfect for quick checks on your competitors and their backlink profiles.
This extension shows keyword search volume, cost per click (CPC), and competition data directly inside Google, YouTube, Amazon, and other search engines.
Made by Semrush, SEOquake gives you a detailed look at a page’s SEO health, including keyword density, links, and even meta tags—all inside the browser.
Created by Neil Patel, this SEO Chrome extension gives you keyword suggestions, search volume, and domain data directly in Google search results.
This small but powerful tool checks technical SEO details like title tags, headers, canonicals, and schema markup on any web page.
It checks hidden SEO items on the page like meta tags, structured data, and social media tags—useful for spotting mistakes or things you forgot.
This all-in-one extension gives you domain stats, SEO audits, and keyword trends in just a few clicks, right from the page you’re on.
With so many Chrome extensions for SEO out there, here are a few tips to help you find the ones that truly work for your needs:
Chromebooks may be known for simplicity, but when paired with the right SEO Chrome extensions, they become a powerful marketing machine.
Tools like MozBar, Keywords Everywhere, and SEOquake help you perform keyword research, technical SEO, and competitive analysis, without switching tabs or leaving your browser.
Whether you’re writing content, doing an audit, or tracking down keyword opportunities, these extensions give you the speed and efficiency you need – anytime, anywhere.
So go ahead—test these tools, build your own personalized SEO toolkit, and improve your website’s SEO and performance faster from your Chromebook.
If you find handling SEO metrics overwhelming, consider leveraging professional SEO services from reputed agencies like Stan Ventures. 
They help you build a long-term SEO strategy that drives real business growth. 
As a senior analyst, I benchmark and review gadgets and PC components, including desktop processors, GPUs, monitors, and storage solutions on Aboutchromebooks.com. Outside of work, I enjoy skating and putting my culinary training to use by cooking for friends.
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R/GA launches AI SEO tool for brands as traditional search continues to be disrupted – Ad Age

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Peppa Pig is entering its next era, debuting its first-ever new theme song sequence and leaning into emotional storytelling.

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10 Marketing Companies in New Zealand to Know – Built In

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These firms are helping brands and tech companies reach new customers in creative ways.
Marketing, a must for all businesses, helps companies create a narrative around their brand and attract new customers. For tech startups, marketing services are especially important. They can convey complex ideas about new products or services to audiences and help find new avenues for growth through strategies like branded content and search engine optimization, or SEO. Below, we highlight some of the top marketing companies in New Zealand helping businesses thrive.
 
Fabric Digital is a marketing agency that uses its specialized services to help clients grow their revenue streams. Its primary focus is providing better pay-per-click, or PPC, services where advertisers pay content publishers when users engage with advertisements. Its other digital services include social media marketing, web design and search engine optimization, or SEO.
 
HairyLemon is a full-service marketing agency that works with global brands and local government agencies. The company’s services range from branding consulting to analytics tracking and web development. According to hairyLemon, it uses tools such as Shopify and Hubspot to help grow a brand’s digital presence.
 
MBN is a digital media company based in Aukland and Wellington. The company specializes in communication consulting and providing technology to help companies leverage and benefit from their data. For example, MBN gives clients access to an API that enables them to access an inventory of remarketing, or retargeting, ads in order to reach customers who’ve already engaged with the brand.
 
Tracksuit is a cloud-based platform that helps companies track their brand. By creating custom surveys, the platform captures data on name recognition, lead conversion, customer types and competitors, which it then uses to prescribe growth strategies. Tracksuit was founded in 2021 and has secured funding from notable investors.
 
Headquartered in Christchurch, Mint Design provides digital marketing solutions to local businesses. The firm specializes in elevating businesses’ digital presence by combining UX-optimized websites, stunning visuals and strategic paid advertising campaigns and earned media opportunities.
 
Reason is a digital marketing agency that provides strategic advertising solutions. To run informed campaigns, the company analyzes large data troves to inform its paid media, content and search engine optimization efforts.
 
Movio is a data company that provides marketing solutions for the cinema industry. Its platform analyzes past audience behaviors and experiences, then uses the insights to help theaters market films by creating hyper-personalized ad content. Movio also keeps a holistic view of past campaigns to find specific wins for individual locations and companies.
 
DDB is a global advertising group with a branch in Aotearoa, New Zealand. DDB Aotearoa has worked with Samsung, McDonald’s, and several local brands. The firm specializes in creative marketing campaigns and provides public relations, influencer marketing and content development services.
 
Back9 Creative is a comprehensive marketing firm that provides various solutions to grow brands. The company starts by creating a custom website optimized for visibility and SEO; it also includes marketing strategy, ad buying and placement. Since launching in 2008, Back9 has worked with various private companies and government departments. 
 
Forge Creative is a marketing agency that provides digital and physical advertising solutions. On the digital front, the firm employs designers, SEO experts and copywriters to develop highly optimized websites and help increase brand exposure. Forge Creative also works on physical branding by designing packaging, catalogs and other physical assets.
 

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Generative AI: SEO Game-Changer or Just Another Fad? – MarketingProfs

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by Danny Shepherd
Generative AI is more than just the latest buzzword; it’s a fundamental shift that’s shaking up the world of SEO faster than you can say “ChatGPT.”
As marketers and advertisers scramble to keep up, the question isn’t whether generative AI will impact search engine optimization—it already has. The real question is this: How do we harness it without losing our minds or, worse, our rankings?
SEO pros have been toying with AI tools for years, but the rise of generative AI—capable of producing content from a simple prompt—has taken things to a new level.
Enter the latest SEO trend: AI-generated blog posts, product descriptions, and more. Plug in your keywords, set the word count, and voila! Content for days.
But here’s the rub: Although generative AI has opened up new possibilities for scale and efficiency, it has also opened the floodgates to a deluge of content that’s just plain bad. And trust me: Bad content won’t just hurt your brand—it’ll get you dinged by Google faster than a black-hat tactic from the early 2000s.
SEO automation can help, but if you’re relying on AI to do all the heavy lifting, you’re in for a rude awakening.
The panic that rippled through the SEO world after OpenAI dropped ChatGPT was almost comical. People speculated that search engines were done for. Spoiler: Google isn’t going anywhere, and neither is Bing.
If anything, generative AI is pushing search to evolve. From Google’s Search Generative Experience to Bing’s AI-powered chat, search engines are adopting AI rather than being replaced by it.
The bad news? With more AI integration comes more monetization schemes—great for search engines, not so much for your SEO strategy. Expect algorithm changes to keep us all on our toes.
AI hasn’t just revolutionized text search, it’s also pushing voice search into the spotlight.
Fully 71% of consumers favor voice over text, so generative AI’s ability to understand natural-language queries is driving more conversational search interactions than ever before.
The key takeaway? SEO professionals must adjust: Content should mirror how people actually talk, not how an algorithm processes text.
Rather than resist AI, smart SEO pros are adopting it—but with a sound strategy in mind.
AI is here to supplement your work, not take it over. The secret is using AI for what it’s good at: generating data-driven insights, keyword clusters, and schema—while humans swoop in to perfect the strategy and execution.
The first thing SEO professionals need to do is use AI intelligently. Tools, whether ChatGPT or Bard, can help with research, competitor analysis, and even content creation. But don’t fall into the trap of mass-producing AI-written content. If you do, you’ll just end up on Google’s naughty list when the next algorithm update rolls out.
However, don’t panic. AI isn’t here to ruin SEO altogether; it can actually enhance it. Think of it as your personal assistant that helps out with repetitive tasks like generating local schema or identifying keyword clusters. Once AI gives you the data, it’s your job to refine it with the strategy and nuance that only a human can provide.
For example, if you use AI to create an entire blog post without quality control, you’re leaving so much opportunity on the table—and putting your reputation at risk. But if you use it to help generate content that you meticulously review, edit, and enhance, you’re tapping into AI’s power without compromising quality.
The next step is ensuring AI-generated content is polished to perfection before it sees the light of day. AI might be efficient, but it still lacks the human ability to inject personality, ensure content accuracy, or check for strategic alignment. That’s where your expertise comes in. You can use AI to generate drafts, but those drafts still need your critical eye to avoid the mess of irrelevant, factually inaccurate, or poorly written content cluttering up SERPs.
SEO will always be about people, not just algorithms. Despite all the AI tools at your disposal, the heart of SEO still relies on original, authentic content that resonates with people. Personalization, relevance, and brand voice are your best friends in this ever-evolving game. AI can help you get there, but it can’t take you all the way. A well-rounded SEO strategy needs that human touch to create content that stands out in a sea of automation.
The fundamentals of SEO remain unchanged. AI can help with the tactical aspects of SEO, but you still need to focus on long-tail keywords, content that answers user queries, and an overall user-friendly experience. Mobile-first strategies, proper site structure, and high-quality backlinks will continue to be critical to success.
That said, the most crucial part of any SEO strategy is staying adaptable. AI will continue to evolve, and search engines will keep adjusting their algorithms to accommodate it. Keeping up with changes will be key for maintaining your search rankings and staying ahead of the competition. Pay close attention to how search engines handle AI-generated content, and be ready to pivot as necessary.
* * *
Generative AI isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace—with caution. Use it as a tool to supplement your existing SEO efforts, not replace them. By combining human insight with AI’s efficiency, you’ll be well-positioned to tackle whatever the future of search throws your way.
Google’s AI Overview: Impact on SEO, Marketing, and Advertising
How AI Search Will Change Your Content Strategy
The New Age of AI-Powered Search: How B2B Marketers Can Keep Up
Tech, AI, and Marketing: The Evolution of SEO Strategy
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danny Shepherd is a co-CEO of Intero Digital, a 400-person digital marketing agency that offers comprehensive, results-driven marketing solutions. He has 20+ years of experience directing paid media strategies, optimizing SEO, and building solutions-oriented content and PR.
LinkedIn: Danny Shepherd
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