If we asked you to pick one of the best SEO tools, chances are Ahrefs and Semrush would top your list.
Ahrefs holds 30% of the SEO market, while Semrush accounts for 10%. But their competition extends far beyond market share—it’s alive and well on social media.
Both brands have cultivated fiercely loyal communities. Their followers aren’t shy about sharing why their tool of choice outshines the other. But what makes these platforms so effective at engaging their audiences? And how do their strategies differ? This blog breaks it all down.
Analysis of Semrush’s & Ahrefs’ social media accounts
Semrush’s story started back in 2008, thanks to two SEO geeks with big dreams: Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitry Melnikov. They had a vision—to create a tool that would help marketers make sense of the chaotic online world. Little did they know, their passion project would grow into one of the most popular digital marketing platforms out there.
Back then, Semrush was a simple (but effective) SEO toolkit that helped users track keywords and website rankings. Over time, Oleg, Dmitry, and their team kept pushing the limits, adding new features along the way. They didn’t stop at SEO—they introduced tools for content marketing, social media, PPC, competitive analysis, and more. Suddenly, Semrush wasn’t just a tool; it had become the Swiss Army knife of digital marketing.
Fast forward to today, and Semrush is used by 10 million users worldwide, with 2 million signups each year. It’s even gone public—how cool is that?
Here’s a quick snapshot of their following on social media:
- Instagram: 158K
- Facebook: 245K
- Twitter: 284.4K
- LinkedIn: 495K
- TikTok: 50.9K
- YouTube: 194K
Semrush’s Instagram account has 158K followers and serves as a hub of creativity, insights, and marketing inspiration. It’s a place where digital marketers, SEO enthusiasts, and content creators gather for tips, tricks, and even a little fun.
The account strikes a perfect balance between education and entertainment. You’ll find actionable marketing advice, SEO hacks, social media strategies, and highlights of their latest tools and features.
But it’s not all serious business—they also sprinkle in humor, relatable memes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Semrush team to keep things lively and engaging.
Semrush’s Facebook page has 207K likes and 245K followers, surpassing their Instagram numbers. The real standout here is their educational content—quick tips, tutorials, and infographics that break down SEO, social media, and PPC concepts in a way that anyone can understand.
They’re also big on webinars and live videos, which feel like free mini-classes where industry experts share actionable trends and strategies. From keyword insights to marketing hacks, their Facebook content is packed with value for anyone looking to improve their skills.
Semrush’s official TikTok page has 51K followers and 746.1K likes. That’s nearly 14 times more likes than followers—a clear indicator of their reach and engagement on the platform.
On TikTok, they mix quick tips and marketing hacks with trendy music. Whether it’s breaking down SEO concepts in just 30 seconds or demonstrating how to use their tools, Semrush keep their content short, snappy, and entertaining. Their content is designed for anyone—from beginners to seasoned pros—so you’ll always find something useful, no matter your skill level.
What’s even more impressive is how they lean into TikTok trends, blending educational content with popular challenges or memes. It’s marketing knowledge packaged in bite-sized, shareable clips—a perfect balance of playful and professional.
With 495K followers on LinkedIn, Semrush’s page focuses on thought leadership, with posts that dive into industry trends, reports, and actionable strategies for marketers. What sets their LinkedIn presence apart is its personal touch.
Posts highlighting the Semrush team, behind-the-scenes moments, and company milestones make the brand feel more approachable and authentic.
Semrush’s official YouTube channel has 194K subscribers and 717 videos that focus on tutorials and walkthroughs. Covering topics like SEO, social media, PPC, and content marketing, it’s designed to help users get the most out of their tools.
Semrush also shines with its tool walkthroughs, which show users how to make the most of the platform. The videos are clear, visually engaging, and delivered in a friendly tone that makes learning both easy and enjoyable.
Ahrefs claims that 44% of Fortune 500 companies use their platform. It was founded in 2010 by Dmytro Gyrasimenko, who had a passion for making the web more transparent and accessible.
The company initially focused on building one of the best backlink databases in the industry. Dmytro’s idea was simple yet game-changing: to help marketers and SEO professionals understand the web’s link structure and use it to grow their online presence.
At first, Ahrefs was all about backlinks, quickly gaining a reputation for its massive and constantly updated link index. But they didn’t stop there. Over the years, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive SEO suite. Today, Ahrefs offers tools for keyword research, site audits, content exploration, rank tracking, and more—all designed to make SEO easier and more effective.
Here’s a quick snapshot of their following on social media:
- Instagram: 33.4K
- Facebook: 106K
- Twitter: 158.4K
- LinkedIn: 186K
- TikTok: 45
- YouTube: 590K
Ahrefs’ Instagram account has 33.4K followers, and all you’ll find is people. The team that makes the dream work fills in each square on Instagram. It’s not your typical “product promotion” feed—instead, it’s a celebration of the people behind Ahrefs.
Their posts are filled with team snapshots, fun outings, and in-person meetings, showcasing the vibrant and collaborative culture they’ve built. Whether it’s photos from company retreats, office celebrations, or casual team gatherings, the feed radiates positivity and a sense of family.
Ahrefs’ Facebook page has 95K likes and 106K followers. Unlike Semrush, Ahrefs places a big emphasis on getting Ahrefs-certified. Their branded hashtag is prominently displayed on the cover page, and their traditional call-to-action is replaced with educational and contextual CTAs.
They combine SEO education with guided tutorials, showcasing the power of their tools while offering valuable insights for marketers.
A major highlight of their Facebook content is the focus on the Ahrefs team, with behind-the-scenes posts and milestone celebrations giving followers a glimpse into their company culture. They also keep things lighthearted with relatable SEO memes and fun content, making the page both informative and entertaining.
Ahrefs just got started with their TikTok page and has just 45 followers with 57 likes. They take a similar approach here, sharing quick SEO tips and tool highlights with a touch of humor and creativity, making learning feel effortless.
Ahrefs has 186K followers on LinkedIn. The content here follows a similar vibe, with a strong focus on meetup highlights, product usage, and plenty of SEO-related updates.
It’s not just about business—Ahrefs offers a behind-the-scenes look at their team and milestones, making you feel like part of the journey. Whether you’re there to learn or to see the human side of the brand, their LinkedIn page strikes the perfect balance between education and personality.
Ahrefs’ best bet is on YouTube. Their channel has 590K subscribers and 305 videos. Their playlists are well-organized, almost like mini-courses in themselves. They also maintain additional channels dedicated to product updates and region-specific content, allowing them to cater to diverse audiences effectively.
Read More: Calm vs. Headspace On Social: Who’s Bringing Mindfulness To Your Timeline?
How different are Ahrefs’ & Semrush’s social media strategies
1. Community focus vs. product-centric
Semrush focuses on building relationships and fostering community. Their social media is filled with personal moments, memes, GIFs, and templates—showing they’re more than just a tool. It’s like they’re inviting followers to become part of the Semrush family.
Ahrefs, on the other hand, takes a more product-focused approach. Their content leans heavily on SEO expertise, showcasing in-depth features of their tools and offering practical advice. While Semrush gets personal, Ahrefs stays tool-centric, delivering clear and actionable insights.
2. Tone of voice
Semrush keeps it casual and friendly. Their tone is like chatting with a colleague over coffee—light, approachable, and filled with fun. Whether it’s a meme, a quick tip, or an office photo, Semrush feels like a brand that cares about making learning fun.
Ahrefs, however, leans into a more serious tone. They want to be seen as the go-to SEO experts, so their content is professional and value-driven, cutting out unnecessary fluff.
3. Contrast in graphics
Semrush’s feeds feature a mix of infographics, team photos, and other visual content designed to make educational posts approachable and engaging. Their use of bright colors and clear layouts helps communicate complex ideas in an accessible way.
Ahrefs keeps their visuals clean and to the point. They prefer simple, data-driven graphics and tool tutorials, showcasing the power of their tools without unnecessary embellishments. Where Semrush focuses on engaging, eye-catching posts, Ahrefs sticks to functional, no-nonsense visuals.
4. Prioritizing platform usage
Semrush’s use of TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn is all about storytelling. They share behind-the-scenes glimpses of life at Semrush, highlight team milestones, and provide educational tips.
Ahrefs uses YouTube more strategically. Their content focuses on quick, impactful SEO tips and tool demos that show exactly how their product works. On Instagram, they emphasize their team and culture, positioning themselves as experts while maintaining a relatable and human approach.
5. Discrepancy in content frequency
Semrush is on social media all the time. Whether it’s a quick tip on TikTok, an Instagram Story, or a LinkedIn post, they keep their audience constantly engaged with fresh content. It’s like they’re always there, keeping you in the loop.
Ahrefs, on the other hand, posts less frequently but with purpose. They prioritize quality over quantity, delivering well-thought-out content that dives deeper into SEO strategies.
While Semrush might post multiple times a day, Ahrefs tends to post only when they have something valuable to share. Both approaches keep their audiences engaged, just in different ways.
Semrush vs. Ahrefs: Social media strategies at a glance
Here’s a platform-by-platform breakdown of their social media growth:
1. Instagram
From August to November 2024, Semrush achieved 38.7K engagements, far outpacing Ahrefs, which only managed 828. The engagement rates tell a similar story, with Semrush leading at 24.3% compared to Ahrefs’ 2.5%.
This difference is largely due to activity levels. Ahrefs posted just 9 times over three months, while Semrush shared 111 posts in the same period.
While Semrush has a balanced mix of reels, carousels, and images, Ahrefs relied solely on carousels and reels for Instagram marketing.
Interestingly, Ahrefs’ most frequent and engaging post types are the same, whereas for Semrush, it’s different. Despite posting more reels, Semrush’s most engaging post type on Instagram is carousels.
2. Facebook
A striking observation here is that with just 35 posts, Ahrefs earned 11K engagements, while Semrush, with 122 posts, gained 4K engagements. This gave Ahrefs a higher engagement rate of 11.5% compared to Semrush’s 2%.
For Ahrefs, photos are both the most frequent and most engaging content type. Semrush, on the other hand, continues to experiment with a variety of formats, including photos, links, reels, and text posts. Interestingly, text posts, while making up only 6% of their total content, bring in the highest engagement for Semrush on Facebook.
3. Twitter
Semrush is highly active on Twitter, with 1.6K posts in the last three months. This frequent posting brought in 26.9K total engagements, resulting in an engagement rate of 9.5%.
Ahrefs, on the other hand, has taken a quieter approach, posting just 57 tweets during the same period. Despite the lower activity, they managed 1.3K total engagements, with an engagement rate of 0.8%.
4. YouTube
For YouTube, Semrush has posted 16 videos since August, while Ahrefs has shared 4. However, Ahrefs leads in engagement, with a total of 15,712 and an engagement rate of 2.7%. In contrast, Semrush’s engagement is much lower, with a total of 725 and an engagement rate of 0.4%.
Analyze your presence on social media
Semrush and Ahrefs take very different approaches to social media, but both deliver results in their own way. Semrush is the fun, approachable brand that posts memes, behind-the-scenes content, and keeps the vibe lively.
On the other hand, Ahrefs is more like the smart, straight-to-the-point mentor, always ready with a practical tip or insight.
Both bring immense value—just in different ways. Ready to unlock your brand’s potential? Book a demo with Keyhole now and let’s upgrade your social media strategy.
