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How to create AI-powered keyword translations on Ahrefs

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-04-20
Quick Answer

Ahrefs allows you to translate keywords using AI-powered translation features within Keywords Explorer. You can input keywords in one language and get translated variations with search volume data for different countries and languages.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Ahrefs subscription
  • Access to Keywords Explorer tool
  • Target keywords in source language
  • Knowledge of target market languages

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Keywords Explorer

Log into your Ahrefs account and navigate to Keywords Explorer from the main dashboard. Select your source country/language database from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.
Choose the database that matches your current keyword research to ensure accurate baseline data.
2

Enter your source keywords

In the search bar, enter your primary keywords separated by commas or line breaks. You can input up to 10,000 keywords at once. Click Search to generate the initial keyword data.
Start with your highest-performing keywords to prioritize translation efforts.
3

Enable AI Translation feature

In the results page, look for the Translate button in the top toolbar. Click on it to open the AI translation panel. If you don't see this option, ensure you have the latest Ahrefs plan that includes AI features.
4

Select target languages and countries

In the translation panel, select your target languages from the dropdown menu. Choose the corresponding country databases for each language (e.g., Germany for German, France for French). You can select multiple target languages simultaneously.
Consider regional variations - Spanish for Spain vs. Spanish for Mexico may have different search behaviors.
5

Configure translation settings

Set your translation preferences:
  • Choose Direct Translation for literal translations
  • Select Localized Translation for culturally adapted keywords
  • Enable Search Volume Filtering to exclude low-volume translations
Click Generate Translations to start the AI process.
Localized translations often perform better as they account for cultural search patterns.
6

Review and refine translations

The AI will generate translated keyword variations with search volume data. Review the results in the Translated Keywords tab. Use filters to sort by Search Volume, Keyword Difficulty, or CPC. Remove irrelevant translations by unchecking boxes next to unwanted keywords.
Pay attention to keyword difficulty scores - they may vary significantly between languages for the same concept.
7

Export translated keyword lists

Once satisfied with your translations, click Export and choose your preferred format (CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets). Select which metrics to include: Search Volume, Keyword Difficulty, CPC, and SERP Features.
Create separate exports for each target language to maintain organized keyword lists.
8

Validate and implement translations

Cross-reference the AI translations with native speakers or local SEO experts when possible. Use the translated keywords to create localized content strategies and PPC campaigns. Monitor performance through Rank Tracker to measure translation effectiveness.
Set up position tracking for translated keywords to monitor their performance over time.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

AI translation feature not available

Ensure you have an active Ahrefs subscription that includes AI features. The translation tool may require a Standard plan or higher. Contact Ahrefs support to verify your plan includes this feature.

Translated keywords show no search volume

This often occurs with very niche terms or new markets. Try using broader keyword variations or check if you've selected the correct country database. Consider using Keyword Generator for related terms in the target language.

Translations seem inaccurate or unnatural

Switch from Direct Translation to Localized Translation mode. You can also manually edit translations in the results table before exporting. Consider running translations through native speakers for validation.

Export contains too many low-quality keywords

Apply stricter filters before exporting: set minimum Search Volume threshold to 100+, filter out keywords with very high difficulty scores, and manually review translations marked with low confidence scores.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Ahrefs website before purchasing.
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