Which brand does AI prefer? We tested both across 3 leading AI models.
In our AI blind test of Semrush vs Ahrefs, we tested both brands across 3 leading AI models: GPT-5 Mini, Gemini 2.5 Flash, and Claude 3.5 Haiku. Semrush scored 53% while Ahrefs scored 47%. Split decision: Gemini 2.5 Flash favor Semrush, but GPT-5 Mini give the edge to Ahrefs. The biggest gap is in price competitiveness — Semrush scores 7.4 vs Ahrefs's 6.4.
Last tested: February 23, 2026
Based on 3 AI models and 5 evaluation angles
Semrush
53%
Ahrefs
47%
Close contest, only 6 points apart
53%
Semrush
47%
Ahrefs
“Split decision: Gemini 2.5 Flash favor Semrush, but GPT-5 Mini give the edge to Ahrefs. The biggest gap is in price c...”
Semrush (Company A) projects stronger trust due to the sheer volume and prominence of diverse social proof including many named testimonials. Ahrefs (…
Semrush (Company A) provides a more comprehensive and clearly articulated value proposition directly on its homepage, outlining various toolkits for d…
Semrush's offering felt slightly more comprehensive in its toolkit breakdown, explicitly mentioning AI PR and Local SEO which were less prominent in A…
The AI Verdict
Split decision: Gemini 2.5 Flash favor Semrush, but GPT-5 Mini give the edge to Ahrefs. The biggest gap is in price competitiveness — Semrush scores 7.4 vs Ahrefs's 6.4.
How each website scores across key dimensions (1-10)
How each AI model independently evaluated the two websites
“Both are mature marketing platforms, but Ahrefs presents a clearer, more focused SEO + data-first offering with stronger technical and enterprise signals (crawler leadership, API, security certifications, academy and docs). Semrush offers a broader all-in-one marketing toolkit (SEO, PPC, social, local, PR) and may be a better fit if you want a single platform for multiple channel workflows, but Ahrefs edges it on data depth, integrations, and product maturity.”
“Semrush (Company A) projects stronger trust due to the sheer volume and prominence of diverse social proof including many named testimonials. Ahrefs (Company B) is strong with client logos and a clear number of new users, but Semrush's direct quotes from users with photos and titles are more impactful.”
“No successful evaluations from this model.”
This free test used 3 models. The full GEO Audit gives you what agencies charge $500+ for, analyzing Semrush across 11 AI models and 4 dimensions:
The same analysis agencies charge $250 to $1,500 for
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