If you’re into SEO or affiliate marketing, you’ve probably looked up Ahrefs before. Maybe you use it yourself. Maybe you planned to promote it on your blog or YouTube channel. It’s a strong tool, very popular, and comes with a hefty price tag. That’s usually the sweet spot for affiliates.
So, you check their site. You search Google: “Ahrefs Affiliate Program”
And then you hit a dead end.
Ahrefs doesn’t have an affiliate program. Not even a private one.
That’s not by accident. They used to have one around five years ago, but they had to discontinue it for several reasons. It’s a clear choice they’ve stuck with for years.
This surprises a lot of people. Most SEO tools have solid affiliate setups. Think SEMrush, Surfer, or Mangools. So why would a top tool like Ahrefs skip it completely?
That’s what we’re going to cover here. I’ll break down why they took this path, what their CEO has said about it, and what it means for us as affiliate marketers. I’ll also share a few tools that are great alternatives if you still want to promote something in the SEO space and earn real commissions.
Let’s get into it.
Why So Many People Think Ahrefs Has an Affiliate Program
Ahrefs is a big name in SEO. Bloggers recommend it. Agencies rely on it. Course creators list it as a must-have. It shows up in nearly every serious SEO guide or tutorial.
So most people assume they can promote it and earn from it. That makes sense. Almost every major SEO tool has some kind of affiliate program.
SEMrush pays affiliates monthly. Surfer SEO offers decent rates and simple sign-up. Mangools gives lifetime commissions. These tools follow the usual pattern. If a product is popular and expensive, there’s usually a way to earn by recommending it.
Ahrefs fits the mold. It’s trusted, well-reviewed, and priced high enough to make the commissions worth chasing. On paper, it should be an affiliate goldmine.
To make things more confusing, there are old blog posts and forums that still mention some kind of Ahrefs affiliate option. Some creators also confuse it with similar tools.
These outdated posts still show up in search results. That’s why people keep looking, expecting to find something that was probably never there to begin with.
All of this creates the impression that an affiliate program must exist somewhere, but the truth is much simpler. It does not. Ahrefs made a deliberate choice to avoid it.
Does Ahrefs Really Have No Affiliate Program?
No, Ahrefs does not have an affiliate program.
They used to have one years ago, but they shut it down. And they’ve made it clear they don’t plan to bring it back.
Here’s what their team said:
“We used to have one around five years ago, but we had to discontinue it for several reasons. So today, in 2023, we don’t have an affiliate program. And we have no plans to relaunch it in the future.” – Tim Soulo, CMO at Ahrefs
That’s straight from Ahrefs support. Not vague. Not temporary. It’s a solid no.
Why Did Ahrefs Discontinue Its Affiliate Program?
Ahrefs didn’t drop its affiliate program on a whim. They had solid reasons, and they’ve been pretty open about them.
There were two main issues.
First, it created a lot of extra work on the billing side. As Ahrefs kept improving their software, their pricing model changed. They added new features, switched payment processors, and introduced custom add-ons. Keeping the affiliate system in sync with all of that became a hassle. It slowed them down and created technical debt they didn’t want to carry.
Second, most affiliates weren’t pulling their weight. Around 3 percent of affiliates were bringing in 90 percent of the total leads. The rest sent almost nothing. So the team took a step back and asked, “Why keep a full program running for a handful of serious partners?”
Instead, they chose to work directly with those high-performing affiliates through custom deals. No need to maintain an open program for the masses.
In short, it was too much work for too little reward. They chose focus and efficiency over scale.
For us as affiliate marketers, that means there’s no standard way to promote Ahrefs anymore. No signup page. No referral links. They’ve made their call and stuck with it.
Instead of sharing revenue with affiliates, they double down on product quality, content, and support. It’s a bold move. Most SaaS tools use affiliate programs to scale fast. Ahrefs went the other way—and it’s working for them.
Still, for affiliate marketers, it means one thing: there’s nothing to promote here. Time to look elsewhere.
Best Affiliate Alternatives to Ahrefs
If promoting Ahrefs is off the table, don’t worry. You’ve still got solid options. These tools are well-known, easy to pitch, and most importantly, they pay.
Let’s break down the best alternatives.
1. SEMrush Affiliate Program (BeRush)
This one’s been around a while. SEMrush is probably the closest match to Ahrefs in terms of depth and audience. The payout is 40 percent recurring, and the cookie lasts 120 days.
You’ll need to apply through BeRush, their affiliate portal. It’s great if your audience includes agencies, SEO pros, or content marketers with real budgets.
The downside is that their approval process can be strict. And the dashboard feels a bit dated.
2. Surfer SEO Affiliate Program
This one’s newer but growing fast. Surfer is more focused on content optimization than backlink data. The payout is 25 percent recurring, and the cookie lasts 60 days.
It’s a great fit for bloggers, freelance writers, and niche site builders. Their affiliate program sign-up is easy. The product is sticky, and their support is solid.
If your content leans more toward on-page SEO, this is a strong pick.
3. Mangools Affiliate Program
KWFinder by Mangools is more beginner-friendly. It covers basics like keyword research, SERP tracking, and backlink data, but in a simpler way. The payout is 30 percent recurring, and the cookie lasts 30 days.
Easy to promote for newer marketers or creators with a broader audience. Less intimidating than Ahrefs or SEMrush.
The UI is clean, and the tools are bundled in a single account. Solid for entry-level SEO content.
4. Ubersuggest (via Neil Patel’s program)
Ubersuggest is part of the NP Digital ecosystem. It’s affordable and built for beginners. The payout is 35 percent recurring. Cookie lasts 60 days.
You can sign up through Neil Patel’s partner platform. The tool isn’t as advanced as Ahrefs or SEMrush, but it’s easy to promote in beginner-focused content.
One downside is that it can feel a bit pushy with upsells and branding. But if your audience is just starting out, it works.
Each of these tools covers different parts of the SEO process. Your best bet depends on who you’re targeting.
If they want advanced features and have the budget, go with SEMrush. If they care more about content, Surfer is strong. For beginners, Mangools or Ubersuggest can be easier wins.
Recommended Reading: Top 8 High-Paying Affiliate Programs To Boost Your Income
How to Promote These SEO Tools Effectively
Getting clicks is one thing. Getting people to sign up and stay is the real game. The tools we just covered are solid, but how you promote them makes the difference.
1. Start with blog reviews.
Write in-depth, honest reviews. Don’t just list features. Talk about what works, what’s confusing, and who the tool is really for. Add your screenshots. Share a real use case. If you’ve used Ahrefs before, compare your experience and explain what’s missing or different in the alternative.
2. YouTube walkthroughs work too.
Show people how to use the tool step by step. Don’t over-edit. Just focus on being clear. Record your screen, walk through the main features, and explain what each one helps with. If someone’s Googling “how to use Surfer SEO,” they’re already halfway sold.
3. Email sequences still convert.
Once someone joins your list, you’ve got room to build trust. Set up a short sequence. Start with a story or problem. Share how the tool helped you fix it. Then link to your review or direct to the signup page. Keep it simple. Don’t push too hard.
4. Comparison posts work well too.
Posts like “Ahrefs vs SEMrush” or “Surfer SEO vs Ubersuggest” pull in people who are already searching with intent. Be fair, but clear about who should pick what. Highlight price, ease of use, and what each tool does better.
5. Know your audience.
If your readers are beginners, pitching SEMrush might not land. It’s expensive and has a learning curve. Mangools or Ubersuggest will feel more approachable. On the flip side, if your audience runs agencies or high-traffic blogs, don’t waste time pushing beginner tools. They’ll need more power.
6. Avoid common traps.
Don’t copy-paste feature lists. Don’t fake reviews. And don’t just slap banners everywhere hoping for clicks. People can tell when you’re just chasing a commission. Instead, focus on helping. Show real results. Recommend the tool that actually fits the user—not just the one with the highest payout.
That’s what gets people to trust you and buy.
Got it. Here’s the final version of the conclusion, reworked for a natural tone without any hyphens or poetic structure:
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line. Ahrefs doesn’t have an affiliate program. They shut it down years ago and they’re not planning to bring it back.
There’s no secret signup page. No hidden form. Just a clear no. So don’t waste time searching for something that doesn’t exist.
Instead of chasing big names, focus on programs that actually pay. What matters is how well a tool fits your audience and how likely they are to buy. That’s what drives commissions.
You’ve got strong options like SEMrush, Surfer SEO, Mangools, and Ubersuggest. They’re active, proven, and open to affiliates.
Pick one, start creating real content around it, and get paid for the traffic you already bring in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ahrefs have an affiliate program?
No, Ahrefs does not currently offer an affiliate program. Although they had one in the past, it was discontinued around five years ago due to technical and business reasons. Ahrefs has no plans to relaunch it in the future. Instead of relying on affiliates, they focus on direct sales through their website and content-driven marketing efforts. If you’re looking for SEO tools to promote, there are other alternatives that offer affiliate opportunities, such as SEMrush, Surfer SEO, and Mangools.
Why did Ahrefs discontinue its affiliate program?
Ahrefs discontinued its affiliate program due to technical challenges and low conversion rates. The affiliate program created billing issues as the company changed payment processors and introduced new features. Additionally, only a small percentage of affiliates generated most of the leads, so Ahrefs chose to work directly with high-performing partners rather than maintain a broad affiliate network. They now prioritize product strength and customer loyalty over affiliate commissions.
Can I still promote Ahrefs as an affiliate?
While Ahrefs no longer runs an official affiliate program, you can still promote it as a product if you’re an existing customer or advocate. However, you won’t be able to earn commissions through Ahrefs directly. Instead, consider writing blog reviews or creating tutorials about Ahrefs, sharing your personal experience with the tool. But if you want to earn affiliate commissions, consider promoting other SEO tools with active programs, like SEMrush or Surfer SEO.
What are the best alternatives to the Ahrefs Affiliate Program?
If you’re looking for an affiliate program to promote SEO tools, there are several great alternatives. SEMrush offers a 40% recurring commission and has a broad user base. Surfer SEO, Mangools, and Ubersuggest also have affiliate programs with competitive payouts. Each tool offers unique features, and you can choose based on your audience’s needs. For example, SEMrush works best for agencies, while Mangools is a great option for beginners.
Do Ahrefs affiliates earn a commission?
Since Ahrefs does not currently have an affiliate program, there are no commissions available for promoting their tool. If you’ve seen claims that you can earn commissions from Ahrefs, these are likely outdated or based on the previous affiliate program that was discontinued. To earn commissions, you should consider promoting alternative SEO tools like SEMrush or Surfer SEO, which have active and rewarding affiliate programs.
