See what your competitors rank for, then go after it.
Semrush is a platform for SEO, search and brand visibility. Here is who it suits, who should skip it, what it costs, and how to try it.
Last checked 22 October 2026 against the vendor’s website. General information, not professional advice.
Use it if
- You run a website and want keyword research and competitor insight in one tool
- You publish content regularly and want to know what is worth writing
- You want to track rankings and fix technical SEO issues
- You can try it free first to see if it earns its price
Skip it if
- You have a very small site and publish rarely: free tools may be enough
- You do not plan to act on the data: a tool does not rank a site by itself
- You only need one quick check: a free trial is enough
- You are on a tight budget and have no one to run it
What Semrush says it covers
- SEO, AI search visibility, PPC and social, per its site
- Keyword research and competitor analysis
- Site audits and rank tracking
- A set of free tools and a free trial
Plan prices
| Plan | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| SEO plan | $117.33 a month billed annually ($139 monthly) | Growing sites and in-house marketers |
| Starter plan | $165.17 a month billed annually ($199 monthly) | Larger teams and agencies |
Read from Semrush’s pricing page on 22 October 2026 in US dollars. Semrush also lists a free plan, and says you can try it free for seven days. Confirm the trial when you sign up.
Use the link below. If you buy through it we may receive a referral reward.
Can you trust it?
- Try before you pay: use the free trial on your own site and write down three actions it suggests.
- Keep it practical: pick one keyword group per month and measure the result.
- Cancel in time: note the trial end date so you do not pay for a plan you did not use.
A useful first week
- Start the free trial from the link above.
- Add your site and run a site audit.
- List your five main competitors and see their top pages.
- Choose three keywords you can realistically rank for.
- Publish or improve one page for each, then track the rankings.
Mistakes to avoid
- Chasing hard keywords with a new site
- Running every report instead of acting on three
- Forgetting the trial end date
- Judging the tool before acting on its suggestions
FAQs
Is there a free trial?
Semrush offers a free trial. Check the current length and terms at sign-up.
Do I need the paid plan?
Only if you will use the data regularly. Try the free tools and trial first.
Will it improve my rankings?
It shows opportunities. Rankings come from the work you do on them.
Decide with the facts. Start small.
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may receive a referral reward. Facts come from the vendor’s website and may change. General information, not professional advice.