Ahrefs Affiliate Program: Brutally Honest Review (2026)
Affiliate marketers are always on the lookout for high-ticket programs that pay well and convert easily. For years, the Ahrefs Affiliate Program was a hot topic in the SEO and marketing community. Ahrefs offered appealing commissions, partnered with a highly trusted SEO tool, and allowed affiliates to build steady recurring income from a loyal audience.
When people talk about powerful SEO tools, Ahrefs almost always comes up first. Ahrefs is a go-to platform for bloggers, digital marketers, agencies, and entrepreneurs who need reliable keyword research, backlink tracking, and site audits. Because of its reputation, a lot of people started asking the same question: “Does Ahrefs have an affiliate program I can join to earn money while recommending it?”
The short answer? Not anymore.
Ahrefs did once run an affiliate program, but it officially shut it down in 2019. That’s where this Ahrefs affiliate program review comes in. Instead of promoting something that doesn’t exist anymore, We will give you a honest breakdown of what the program was like, why it ended, and whether it’s still worth your attention. On top of that, we will also share some better affiliate alternatives that are alive and paying right now.
The Rise of the Ahrefs Affiliate Program
Back in the early days of SEO blogging, it felt like everyone was talking about Ahrefs. Marketers were showing off keyword tricks, bloggers were bragging about backlink strategies, and agencies were proudly saying, “We run everything on Ahrefs.”
It wasn’t just the tool itself that grabbed attention — it was the fact that Ahrefs actually had an affiliate program. And not just any program… it was one of the easiest ways to earn money in the SEO space.
Here’s why people loved it:
- Trust factor: Ahrefs wasn’t some unknown brand you had to convince people to try. Most marketers already wanted it.
- Recurring commissions: Affiliates earned a percentage every single month a user stayed subscribed. That meant passive income.
- High ticket sales: Ahrefs wasn’t cheap, so even a small number of referrals could bring in serious revenue.
I still remember scrolling through SEO forums in 2019, seeing people post screenshots of their monthly affiliate payouts. Some bloggers claimed their Ahrefs commissions were paying their rent, funding vacations, or covering all the costs of running their websites.
For a while, it felt like Ahrefs’ affiliate program was one of the golden tickets of online marketing. If you were in the SEO niche, joining was a no-brainer.
But, as we’ll see in the next section, that golden ticket didn’t last forever.
Why the Ahrefs Affiliate Program Was Shut Down?
When you first hear that Ahrefs pulled the plug on its affiliate program, the natural question is: Why on earth would they do that? After all, affiliate marketing was bringing them tons of exposure. Bloggers were writing reviews, YouTubers were filming tutorials, and agencies were constantly recommending Ahrefs because there was an incentive baked in.
But here’s the twist: sometimes, success creates its own problems.
As they put it on their official blog, they’d rather invest in building great products and educational resources than pay affiliates to promote them.
Imagine you’re Ahrefs for a moment. Your tool is already one of the best in the SEO space. Word-of-mouth is strong, your reputation is rock-solid, and people talk about you on Twitter, LinkedIn, and in every marketing Slack group without needing a push. Suddenly, the Ahrefs affiliate program—which was once a smart growth hack—starts looking like an extra cost rather than a necessity.
The Practical Breakdown
These are the actual reasons why Ahrefs chose to bring it to an end.”
- High Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Every affiliate payout cut into revenue. For a company that already had a steady flow of organic customers, the math stopped making sense.
- Brand Overhype Issues: Some affiliates were pushing Ahrefs hard—sometimes even overselling what it could do—just to earn commissions. That can really hurt long-term trust for obvious reasons.
- Focus on Product, Not Promotion: Ahrefs’ leadership has always been obsessed with improving the tool itself. By 2019, they wanted all resources focused on product development rather than managing affiliates.
- Already a Household Name in SEO: When you’ve hit critical mass, you don’t need thousands of affiliates writing “best SEO tool” articles anymore. As marketers like to put it, ‘A good product tells its own story.
So in a way, the program didn’t end because it failed—it ended because it worked too well.
And for affiliates who had built steady income streams around Ahrefs, the shutdown felt like the rug was pulled out from under them overnight. Some were frustrated, others pivoted quickly to alternatives like Semrush or Serpstat.
Should You Still Care About the Ahrefs Affiliate Program Today?
Here’s the thing — Ahrefs affiliate program shutting down in 2019 doesn’t mean the end of opportunity. Truth is, this is the point where many beginners—and even seasoned affiliates—get stuck. They think: “If I can’t earn commissions directly from Ahrefs, then what’s the point of even talking about it?”
But here’s the truth: the idea of the Ahrefs affiliate program still matters — just in a different way.
The Narrative Angle
Picture this: you’re suggesting tools to the audience—on a blog, a YouTube channel, or even on LinkedIn.People trust your judgment, and when they hear you say, “I use Ahrefs to find the exact keywords that bring me traffic,” they pay attention.
Now, you might not get a direct kickback from Ahrefs anymore but does that mean your recommendation has no value? Not at all. It still strengthen authority. Others come to regard you as an expert who’s familiar with the top tools out there. And the best part? that influence can still be monetized in other ways.
The Practical Breakdown
So, should you still care? Absolutely — but not because you’ll earn money directly from Ahrefs. Here’s why:
- Authority by Association: Ahrefs is a household name in SEO. Talking about it, teaching it, or showing results you’ve achieved with it automatically boosts your credibility. Even if you don’t make money directly from referrals, your audience will see you as someone who knows what the pros use.
- Indirect Monetization Opportunities: While Ahrefs doesn’t pay affiliate commissions anymore, many competing tools do. By comparing Ahrefs with alternatives (like Semrush, SE Ranking, or Serpstat), you can create content that ranks, educates, and then monetizes through those affiliate programs.
- Evergreen Content Potential: “Ahrefs affiliate program” is still a keyword people search for. Why? Fresh bloggers and marketers are constantly searching to see if such options are available. If you create a post (like this one), you can attract that traffic — and redirect it to other profitable opportunities.
- Client Work Leverage: If you’re an SEO freelancer or consultant, recommending Ahrefs to clients adds weight to your toolkit. Even without commissions, it becomes a trust signal: “They’re using the same tools agencies rely on.”
In short: Yes, you should still care. Not for the commissions, but for the credibility, traffic, and leverage it brings to your personal brand and affiliate strategy.
The Best Alternatives to the Ahrefs Affiliate Program
So here’s the truth: just because Ahrefs shut down their affiliate program doesn’t mean your dream of earning passive income from promoting SEO tools has to end. Far from it.
In fact, when Ahrefs stepped away, it left room for other platforms to shine—and trust me, there are some seriously lucrative affiliate programs in the SEO and digital marketing space right now.
Let me walk you through them like I’m giving you a roadmap of where to turn next.
1. SEMrush Affiliate Program (BeRush)
If Ahrefs was the big player that stepped out, SEMrush is the big player still standing tall. Their affiliate program called BeRush is commonly cited as one of the most well-known across SEO.
Commission: $50 to $200 per sale, plus $10 for every referral free-trial signup.
Cookie Duration: 120 days (industry-leading)
Why it’s worth it: SEMrush is a direct competitor to Ahrefs, so if your audience was interested in Ahrefs, they’ll almost certainly be interested in SEMrush. The best part is that their recurring model which has made it one of the top affiliate programs.
Story angle: A blogger friend of mine once told me, “Switching from Ahrefs affiliate hopes to SEMrush BeRush was like upgrading from a one-time gig to a monthly paycheck.”
Read about SEMRush affiliate program
2. Surfer SEO Affiliate Program
When SEMrush feels like overkill, Surfer SEO is the fast-moving underdog that content creators can’t stop talking about.
| Affiliate Level | Referrals (Customers) | Monthly Subscription Commission (on first payment) | Annual Subscription Commission (on first payment) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter – Tier 1 | 0 – 10 | 75% CPA | 15% of yearly plan |
| Silver – Tier 2 | 11 – 50 | 100% CPA | 20% of annual plan |
| Gold – Tier 3 | 51+ | 125% CPA | 25% of annual plan |
Cookie Duration: 60 days
Why it’s worth it: Surfer helps bloggers and content marketers optimize their content for rankings. It is affordable, easy to sell, and insanely popular among creators.
Practical tip: Surfer works beautifully if your audience is into content marketing or blogging, not just hardcore SEO professionals.
3. Mangools Affiliate Program
Mangools may not be as flashy as Ahrefs or SEMrush, but it’s perfect for beginners in SEO.
Commission: 25%-30%-35% recurring
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Why it’s worth it: Their tools are simpler, more affordable, and ideal for audiences who are just starting with SEO. That makes conversions easier.
Narrative hook: If Ahrefs is like buying a high-end DSLR camera, Mangools is like grabbing a solid smartphone—way more people can afford it, and it still gets the job done.
4. Ubersuggest Affiliate Program
Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest has gone from being a free tool to a serious competitor in the SEO market.
Commission: For active subscriptions, get a 10% commission monthly on a recurring basis; for each subscription purchase, get a one-time 10%; and for lifetime one-time purchases, earn 5%.
Cookie Duration: 90 days
Why it’s worth it: Neil Patel’s brand is widely recognized, which makes promoting Ubersuggest feel like recommending a trusted name rather than a random tool.
Learn about Ubersuggest affiliate program
Other SEO & Marketing Tools Worth Promoting
If you want to go beyond direct Ahrefs competitors, here are a few more affiliate gems:
- Grammarly — earn 20–30% per signup in a huge content‑writing market.
- HubSpot – tiered commissions, ideal for B2B audiences.
- ClickFunnels – not SEO, but perfect for marketers, with recurring commissions and high payouts.
The Practical Breakdown: How to pick Your Next Program
When picking your replacement for Ahrefs, ask yourself:
- Who’s your audience? (Beginners → Mangools; Advanced SEOs → SEMrush)
- Do you want recurring income or big one-time payouts? (Recurring → SEMrush, Surfer, Mangools; One-time → Grammarly)
- What’s easier to sell? (Budget-friendly tools often convert faster than premium tools).
Bottom line: While Ahrefs may have walked away, plenty of powerful affiliate opportunities are still out there. If anything, this is your chance to pivot and build a more reliable income stream with recurring commissions.
Final Thoughts on the Ahrefs Affiliate Program
Looking back, the Ahrefs affiliate program feels a bit like one of those “blink and you miss it” opportunities. For a short time, it gave affiliates a golden chance to promote one of the most respected SEO tools on the market and actually earn a healthy commission doing it.
Then—almost as suddenly as it appeared—it was gone. Ahrefs decided to pull the plug, not because it wasn’t working, but because they wanted to focus more on direct customer relationships rather than third-party promotions.
So, should you still care about a program that no longer exists? Honestly, yes—because there are lessons here.
If you were part of the program, it’s a reminder of how quickly affiliate opportunities can vanish, no matter how big the company is.
If it flew under the radar, it shows why paying attention to industry updates is so important.
And if you’re an affiliate marketer today, it’s proof that you should never put all your eggs in one basket. Even the best, most trusted programs can disappear overnight.
Ahrefs may not have an affiliate program anymore, but the tool itself is still one of the most powerful in the SEO space. And for affiliates? There are plenty of other SEO platforms with programs that are alive and kicking. The real advantage is staying agile, diversifying partnerships, and being ready to pivot when needed.
In the end, the Ahrefs affiliate program wasn’t just a revenue stream—it was a reminder about timing, adaptability, and spotting openings before they fade.
