Should you really let Ahrefs see your real traffic data?

I’ve been saying this for a while. Don’t connect your GSC to Ahrefs. Now they have launched web analytics, and there’s an even bigger reason to avoid it.

The moment you start using their web analytics, Ahrefs gains direct access to your real traffic numbers. They won’t need to estimate anymore. They will know exactly how many visitors you get, where they come from, and how your site is doing.

Do you really want to give away this kind of data to a tool that also helps your competitors?

I connected to their analytics in December and honestly, I wish they actually used my data. I lost a lot of keywords in HCU, but my main traffic drivers stayed the same. Since Ahrefs relies on keyword data to estimate traffic, they think I only get 3,000 pageviews a month, but I actually get 234,000. I wouldn’t even consider paying them before connecting my GSC.

@Callen
Agree with this. Most SEO tools develop slowly and fail to connect the pieces they should.

Has anyone confirmed that they use this data for their reports? I can’t see how people would be okay with that. I need proof.

Houston said:
Has anyone confirmed that they use this data for their reports? I can’t see how people would be okay with that. I need proof.

The gaps in their dataset are still too big to notice. But if they improve the accuracy over time, it’s a sign they’re using real data to adjust their estimates.

And people act like Google doesn’t do the same thing? Do you really think you can win at SEO by keeping your data private?

Cohen said:
And people act like Google doesn’t do the same thing? Do you really think you can win at SEO by keeping your data private?

This isn’t just about privacy. The issue is that Ahrefs collects this data and sells it to their users, including your competitors.

When you connect GSC or their new analytics tool, Ahrefs gets direct access to your actual traffic numbers instead of just estimates.

@Jerome
Exactly. This isn’t just about privacy. They can use your real traffic data to help your competitors, making it even harder for you to compete.

@Jerome
I get your point. I just don’t think Google Search Console is any safer from this perspective. Maybe I’m wrong.

Cohen said:
@Jerome
I get your point. I just don’t think Google Search Console is any safer from this perspective. Maybe I’m wrong.

There’s a big difference. Google already has your site data, but they don’t resell it in a way that lets competitors see your exact numbers. Ahrefs does.

Google’s Keyword Planner gives general trends, but it’s vague and anonymized. Ahrefs makes its money by offering the most accurate data possible.

When you connect your GSC and web analytics to Ahrefs, you’re feeding them precise numbers that they can use to improve their estimates—then sell that data to your competitors.

Cohen said:
@Jerome
I get your point. I just don’t think Google Search Console is any safer from this perspective. Maybe I’m wrong.

Google already has all your keyword data. The difference is that Ahrefs sells it to people who shouldn’t have access to it.

@Garrett
Your competitor can’t just ask Google for your site’s traffic and performance stats.

Matteo said:
@Garrett
Your competitor can’t just ask Google for your site’s traffic and performance stats.

Exactly. But Ahrefs is trying to make that possible.

@Jerome
Unless Ahrefs starts using raw GSC data, I don’t see how this matters.

Beck said:
@Jerome
Unless Ahrefs starts using raw GSC data, I don’t see how this matters.

Ahrefs is built on collecting and selling competitive data. They already pull in multiple data sources to refine their estimates, and GSC/web analytics connections give them even better inputs.

They wouldn’t ignore such valuable data when their business depends on accuracy. Even if they claim to anonymize it, your data still helps improve their dataset, making their estimates more useful for your competitors.

@Jerome
If they can get your data, can’t you get theirs?

Cason said:
@Jerome
If they can get your data, can’t you get theirs?

Only if they connect their sites, which most won’t.

Google Analytics already collects your data to help advertisers. Now Ahrefs wants to make it easier for competitors to use your data against you.

I get the concern, but let’s be real—most people won’t even know how to use the data they get. Information is useless without strategy.

I work in SaaS, and I think people are overreacting. Do you know how hard it would be for Ahrefs to use actual traffic data at scale?