How to create custom filter presets on Ahrefs

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-04-20

Quick Answer

Custom filter presets in Ahrefs allow you to save frequently used filter combinations for quick access. Navigate to any report, apply your desired filters, then use the preset dropdown to save and name your custom configuration.

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Prerequisites

Active Ahrefs subscription
Familiarity with Ahrefs dashboard navigation
Understanding of basic SEO metrics
Experience using Ahrefs reports

Step-by-Step Instructions

Navigate to your desired Ahrefs report

Open Ahrefs and go to the specific report where you want to create a filter preset. This could be Keywords Explorer, Site Explorer, Content Explorer, or any other report section. Enter your target domain or keyword to load the data.

Filter presets are report-specific, so create them in the reports you use most frequently.

Apply your desired filters

Click on the Filters button located above the data table. Set up all the filters you want to include in your preset. For example, you might filter by Keyword Difficulty between 10-30, Search Volume above 1000, or SERP features like Featured Snippets. Apply each filter one by one until you have your ideal configuration.

Test your filters with different data sets to ensure they work as expected before saving.

Access the preset dropdown menu

Once your filters are applied, look for the Presets dropdown menu near the filters section. It's typically located next to or within the filter controls area. Click on the dropdown arrow to reveal the preset options.

Save your custom preset

From the presets dropdown, select Save current filters as preset or look for a + Create new preset option. A dialog box will appear asking you to name your preset. Enter a descriptive name like Low Competition High Volume or Local SEO Keywords.

Use clear, descriptive names that will help you identify the preset's purpose months later.

Configure preset settings

In the preset creation dialog, review the filters that will be saved. Some versions allow you to set the preset as Default for this report type. Check any additional options like Apply to all similar reports if available and desired.

Avoid making too many presets the default as this can create confusion.

Confirm and save the preset

Click Save or Create Preset to finalize your custom filter preset. You should see a confirmation message, and your new preset will now appear in the presets dropdown menu for future use.

Test and apply your saved preset

Clear your current filters by clicking Clear all filters or refresh the report. Then select your newly created preset from the Presets dropdown to verify it applies all the correct filters. The preset should instantly apply all your saved filter configurations.

Regularly review and update your presets as your SEO strategy evolves.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Preset dropdown menu is not visible

Ensure you're in a report that supports filtering. Not all Ahrefs pages have preset functionality. Try refreshing the page or switching to a different report like Keywords Explorer or Organic Keywords in Site Explorer.

Saved preset is not applying all filters correctly

Delete the problematic preset and recreate it. Make sure all filters are properly applied and showing the correct results before saving. Some complex filter combinations may need to be applied in a specific order.

Cannot find the 'Save as preset' option

This feature may be limited to certain subscription tiers. Verify your account has access to advanced filtering features. Try logging out and back in, or contact Ahrefs support if the option remains missing.

Preset disappeared from the dropdown menu

Check if you're in the correct report type where the preset was originally created. Presets are report-specific and won't appear in different report sections. Clear your browser cache and cookies if the preset still doesn't appear.

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