Wanna dip your toes into Semrush for improving your SEO without having to fork over $$$$$?
I have good news: Semrush does have a free plan. It’s just not super obvious.
They don’t exactly shout about it from the rooftops. But I’ll walk you through exactly how to access a FREE Semrush plan AND what you can do with it…
Is Semrush Actually Free? Let’s Clear That Up
Yep. Semrush offers a free plan. It’s kind of hidden in the back of the website behind all the “start a free trial” buttons. But it exists. And even with some limits, the free version can be a solid starting point if you’re new to SEO or just want to get your feet wet.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Free Semrush Account
1. Go to Semrush.com
Click on “Sign Up” or “Try for Free.” These buttons will likely lead you to “sign in” or “sign up” with little to no context. BUT, it’s actually how you sign up for a FREE account, they’re just a little sneaky about it…
2. Enter Your Info
Create an account using an email that hasn’t been used with Semrush before. Confirm your email with the code they send you.
3. Answer the Quick Questions
You’ll be asked a few onboarding questions. Doesn’t matter what you answer, TBH. They’re more for market research for them.
4. Skip the Trial
Here’s the tricky part. You’ll likely get pushed toward a free trial of a paid plan. Look for the small text that says “Skip Trial” and click it. This is what unlocks the actual free version.
What You Get with a Free Semrush Account
You’re not getting access to the entire toolbox, but there’s still plenty to explore:
- One Project: You can track one website, which is perfect for testing or working on your own site.
- Site Audit: Check for technical issues on your site that might be hurting your rankings.
- Domain Overview: See SEO stats for any domain including organic traffic, backlinks, and more.
- Keyword Overview: Get insights into search volume, keyword difficulty, and other useful data.
- Keyword Magic Tool: This one’s a fave. Plug in a seed keyword and discover a list of related long-tail keywords, including data on intent, volume, difficulty, CPC, and more.
- Position Tracking: Keep tabs on how specific keywords are ranking over time. You’ll get daily updates for the keywords you’re tracking in your project.
- Backlink Analytics: Check a domain’s backlink profile to understand what kinds of websites are linking to it and identify possible link-building opportunities.
- Traffic Analytics (Limited View): Get a peek at estimated site traffic and engagement metrics, like bounce rate and pages per visit. It’s not the full breakdown, but helpful for getting a general sense of performance.
Let’s Talk Limitations
The free plan isn’t unlimited. Here’s what to expect:
- You only get 10 searches per day, so choose wisely.
- Some reports will be partially hidden or blurred.
- You can’t export any of the data.
- You’re limited to tracking only one website under your free project.
A Quick Look at the Keyword Magic Tool
This tool can seriously level up your keyword game. Here’s how to use it:
- Click “Keyword Research” on the left-hand menu.
- Select “Keyword Magic Tool.”
- Enter a topic like “dog training.”
- You’ll see a ton of keyword ideas with helpful data like:
- Keyword intent
- Monthly search volume
- Keyword difficulty (KD%)
- Cost per click (CPC)
Even with the free plan, this tool gives you great keyword insight, just with fewer searches per day.
How to Get Around the Export Limit
If you can’t export data, here are some workarounds:
- Take Screenshots: Especially for keyword lists or site audit results.
- Manual Tracking: Copy and paste key details into a spreadsheet. Yes, it takes longer, but it works.
Getting Started with Semrush Dashboard Overview:
Once you sign up for a Semrush account, you’ll probably login & feel TOTALLY lost inside the dashboard LOL — it’s because Semrush is a BEAST of a tool, BUT I created the step by step walkthrough video to help you better understand the dashboard, where things are, and which tools I recommend checking out first.
You’ll see how I set up a first project, run quick checks, peek at competitors, and use the Keyword Magic tool to find content ideas that can actually bring in traffic, even if you *only* stay on the free plan.
Want More? Try the Pro Plan Free for 14 Days (Not the Usual 7!)
If you’re hitting the limits and want full access, here’s something extra worth knowing. Semrush normally only offers a 7-day free trial to test their Pro plan. But with my Semrush affiliate link, you can grab a full 14-day trial instead — double the time to explore everything before committing.
🔥 FREE 14-Day Pro Trial: https://mariahmagazine.com/semrush
(NOTE: That’s my affiliate link, so if you upgrade to a paid plan, I might earn a commission. But I only share tools I use and actually like)
With the Pro Trial, You Get:
- Way more daily searches
- Exporting capabilities
- Access to advanced reports and features
- Deeper historical data
- More keyword tracking and position insights
Heads-Up: Plans Can Change
Semrush updates their plans and features often. It’s always smart to double-check the latest details. Here’s Semrush’s official free plan breakdown if you want to stay current.
Final Thoughts: Free Semrush is Still Powerful
Even with its limits, the free Semrush account is a legit way to start working on your SEO. Whether you’re checking your own site, doing some light keyword research, or running a quick audit, there’s a lot of value packed into the free version.
Give it a spin and see how it feels. And if you want a full plan to follow?
📍 Grab my Free SEO Assessment & Scorecard to help you figure out how your website is stacking up in Google & AI results.
🔍 Need help planning keywords? The SEO Keyword Planner will help you keep your research organized without losing your mind.
