This test compares Ahrefs and DataForSEO with Google Search Console (GSC). The sample contains 14 podcast-related queries.
How this test worked
We used this method:
- We used the 14 queries in the supplied sample.
- We used the
GSC vol/movalue as the reference value for each query. - We recorded the Ahrefs and DataForSEO estimates for the same queries.
- We calculated the percentage difference from the GSC value.
- We identified the tool with the smallest absolute difference for each query.
- We calculated the average and median differences for each tool.
What you need to repeat this test
You must have access to a GSC property for a live website. The website must receive enough traffic from Google Search to show useful query data.
Use a complete month that contains enough named queries for your sample. A new website or a low-traffic website might not provide enough data.
You also need access to the Ahrefs and DataForSEO values for the same queries. Use the same country and period where possible.
The test uses this formula:
difference % = (tool estimate - GSC impressions) / GSC impressions × 100
absolute difference % = |difference %|
A negative value means that the tool estimate is lower than the GSC value. A positive value means that it is higher.
This test has an important limit. GSC impressions are not total keyword search volume. GSC counts appearances of one property in Google results. Ahrefs and DataForSEO estimate searches in a selected market.
Therefore, this test measures closeness to observed GSC impressions. It does not measure total search-volume accuracy.
The short answer
| Result | Ahrefs | DataForSEO |
|---|---|---|
| Queries closest to GSC | 12 of 14 | 2 of 14 |
| Average absolute percentage difference | 52.1% | 79.9% |
| Median absolute percentage difference | 40.6% | 73.6% |
| Average absolute count difference | 511.3 | 607 |
| Median absolute count difference | 133 | 276.5 |
Ahrefs was closer in this sample. It was closer for 12 of the 14 queries. Its average and median differences were also lower.
Do not call Ahrefs “50% accurate.” An error can be more than 100%. Thus, 100% - error is not a valid accuracy score.
What the values mean
| Source | Value used in this test |
|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Recorded impressions for the selected property and period |
| Ahrefs | Estimated monthly searches for a keyword in a selected country |
| DataForSEO | Approximate monthly average from the selected Google Ads search-volume endpoint |
Google explains what counts as an impression. An impression is property-specific. GSC does not count a search when the property does not get a recorded impression.
DataForSEO has multiple keyword-data endpoints. The source endpoint can change the value and the price.
Where Ahrefs and DataForSEO get their data
Ahrefs
Ahrefs uses Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and other third-party data sources. It combines these sources to estimate monthly search volume.
The Ahrefs value is a modeled estimate. It is not a direct count from GSC. Ahrefs explains this method in its search-volume accuracy documentation.
DataForSEO
This guide treats the DataForSEO values as Google Ads Search Volume API values. DataForSEO states that this endpoint uses the Google Ads API as its data source.
The result depends on the selected location, language, and search-partner setting. The value is an approximate monthly search average. See the Google Ads Keywords Data API overview.
DataForSEO Labs is a different product. It uses DataForSEO's in-house SERP, Keyword, and Domains databases. See the DataForSEO Labs overview.
Always record the DataForSEO endpoint that produced the value. Two DataForSEO endpoints can use different data sources and return different values.
Query-by-query comparison
| Query | GSC impressions/mo | Ahrefs | Ahrefs difference | DataForSEO | DataForSEO difference | Closer estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| apple podcast charts | 4,708 | 2,100 | -55.4% | 1,900 | -59.6% | Ahrefs |
| podchaser | 4,327 | 4,400 | +1.7% | 5,400 | +24.8% | Ahrefs |
| top apple podcasts | 1,957 | 1,700 | -13.1% | 1,000 | -48.9% | Ahrefs |
| spotify podcast charts | 1,796 | 4,800 | +167.3% | 2,900 | +61.5% | DataForSEO |
| spotify podcast rankings | 506 | 700 | +38.3% | 1,000 | +97.6% | Ahrefs |
| youtube podcast charts | 453 | 400 | -11.7% | 590 | +30.2% | Ahrefs |
| top youtube podcasts | 366 | 250 | -31.7% | 1,000 | +173.2% | Ahrefs |
| apple podcast rankings | 300 | 450 | +50.0% | 590 | +96.7% | Ahrefs |
| podcast hook examples | 293 | 100 | -65.9% | 30 | -89.8% | Ahrefs |
| cision alternatives | 273 | 60 | -78.0% | 30 | -89.0% | Ahrefs |
| how to see how many listeners a podcast has | 211 | 150 | -28.9% | 90 | -57.3% | Ahrefs |
| sports podcast rankings | 210 | 300 | +42.9% | 390 | +85.7% | Ahrefs |
| podpitch pricing | 164 | 200 | +22.0% | 140 | -14.6% | DataForSEO |
| joe rogan sponsors | 90 | 200 | +122.2% | 260 | +188.9% | Ahrefs |
The closer estimate has the smaller absolute difference. A difference of -20% is smaller than a difference of +30%.
Average and median differences
| Tool | Mean signed difference | Average absolute difference | Median absolute difference | Average absolute count difference | Median absolute count difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | +11.4% | 52.1% | 40.6% | 511.3 | 133 |
| DataForSEO | +28.5% | 79.9% | 73.6% | 607 | 276.5 |
Use the absolute values to compare the tools. Signed values can cancel each other.
The average uses all 14 differences. The median is the middle difference after the values are put in order. The median is less sensitive to very large errors.
Which tool looks more reliable?
Ahrefs looks more reliable against the GSC reference values in this sample.
The data supports this result:
- Ahrefs was closer for 12 of 14 queries. DataForSEO was closer for two.
- Ahrefs had a 52.1% average absolute difference. DataForSEO had a 79.9% difference.
- Ahrefs had a 40.6% median absolute difference. DataForSEO had a 73.6% difference.
These results do not show that Ahrefs is always more reliable. The test uses one website, one topic group, and 14 queries. GSC impressions are also not total search volume.
For this dataset, use Ahrefs as the closer estimate. Do not treat either tool as an exact count.
Why the grand totals tell a different story
| Source | Sum across 14 queries | Difference from GSC total |
|---|---|---|
| GSC | 15,654 | — |
| Ahrefs | 15,810 | +1.0% |
| DataForSEO | 15,320 | -2.1% |
The DataForSEO total is closer to the GSC total. However, this does not mean that its query estimates are more accurate.
High and low errors cancel in the total. For example, DataForSEO was 59.6% low for apple podcast charts. It was 173.2% high for top youtube podcasts.
Use absolute differences to compare individual queries.
Why keyword tools and GSC can disagree
- Property visibility: GSC records an impression only when the property gets a recorded appearance.
- Targeting: Country, language, device, search engine, and Search type can differ.
- Dates: A keyword tool can use an average. GSC uses the selected dates.
- Property scope: A Domain property and a URL-prefix property can include different URLs.
- GSC limits: Google removes some queries and limits query rows. See the GSC query-data limits.
- Estimation: Keyword tools use models, historical data, grouping, and rounding.
These differences do not automatically mean that a tool is wrong. First, check that all settings have the same scope.
Ahrefs vs DataForSEO pricing
We verified these USD prices on August 7, 2026. Taxes are not included. The products use different pricing models.
| Tool | Cheapest paid entry point | What you get | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Starter: $29/month | Keywords Explorer and other Ahrefs tools; 200 monthly credits | Monthly subscription; no export rows |
| DataForSEO | $0.06 per Standard task | Up to 1,000 keywords per task; Live tasks cost $0.09 | API integration; $50 minimum top-up after the trial credit |
The Ahrefs Starter plan costs $29 per month. It includes a user interface and multiple SEO tools.
The DataForSEO search-volume API has no monthly subscription. It charges $0.06 for a Standard task and $0.09 for a Live task. One task can contain up to 1,000 keywords.
What can DataForSEO cost per month?
Use these formulas:
Standard monthly cost = tasks per month × $0.06
Live monthly cost = tasks per month × $0.09
The examples below use Standard tasks. Full batches contain 1,000 keywords.
| Usage | Tasks per month | Maximum keyword lookups | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 14-keyword check | 1 | 14 | $0.06 |
| One full batch per week | 4 | 4,000 | $0.24 |
| One full batch per day | 30 | 30,000 | $1.80 |
| Ten full batches per day | 300 | 300,000 | $18.00 |
| One million keyword lookups | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | $60.00 |
The $50 minimum top-up is prepaid credit. It is not a monthly fee. At one Standard task per day, $50 lasts approximately 27 months.
Which tool is cheaper?
- Choose Ahrefs when you need a user interface and a set of SEO tools.
- Choose DataForSEO when you need low-cost bulk data or API automation.
- Include development costs when you calculate the total DataForSEO cost.
Conclusion: which tool offers better value?
Ahrefs gave the closer estimates in this test. It was closer for 12 of 14 queries. Its average and median absolute differences were lower.
DataForSEO had a lower data-retrieval price. It is suitable for bulk requests and automated systems.
This small test does not prove that Ahrefs is always more accurate. The result applies only to this query sample and this GSC property.
Choose Ahrefs for manual research and a complete SEO interface. Choose DataForSEO for low-cost API data. Use GSC to measure the recorded performance of your property.
Connect GSC to your AI agent with SearchConsole.ai to export a query sample for your own comparison.