How is "Keyword Difficulty" (KD) calculated in Ahrefs?
Choose an answer
Tap an option to check your answer.
Correct answer: Based on the number of referring domains pointing to the top-ranking pages..
Why this is the answer
Ahrefs' Keyword Difficulty (KD) score estimates how hard it would be to rank in the top 10 organic search results for a given keyword. It's primarily calculated by analyzing the number of unique referring domains (backlinks) pointing to the current top-ranking pages for that keyword. More referring domains generally indicate higher competition and a higher KD score. The other options are incorrect because: "Number of clicks" is a metric of user engagement, not ranking difficulty. "Search volume" indicates demand, not competition. "Global search frequency" is a measure of search volume, not ranking difficulty.
Pass your exam — without the endless answer hunt
Get every verified question and explanation for this exam in one place, and save hours of prep. 1,000+ certifications · 20+ languages · free to start.
Pass your exam faster → No card needed