If you’re tracking your website’s keyword performance using Ahrefs, you may have noticed this common issue: the Dashboard says your site ranks for 59 keywords, but when you check Site Explorer, it shows 64. This leaves many users wondering—why the difference?
In this blog post, we’ll explain the reasons behind the variation and how to properly interpret keyword data from both tools.
Understanding the Difference: Dashboard vs Site Explorer
Before addressing the discrepancy, it’s important to understand what each of these Ahrefs tools does:
Ahrefs Dashboard:
- Gives a summary view of all connected websites.
- Shows cached or periodically updated data for performance monitoring.
- Meant for quick checks, not deep analysis.
Ahrefs Site Explorer:
- Provides a detailed report for a specific domain or URL.
- Retrieves real-time or freshly updated data.
- Designed for in-depth SEO audits and keyword research.
5 Reasons Why Keyword Counts May Differ
1. Data Refresh Timing
Ahrefs Dashboard data is often refreshed less frequently to improve speed and load time. Site Explorer, on the other hand, fetches updated keyword rankings at the time of your query.
Example:
- Dashboard: 59 keywords (updated 2 days ago)
- Site Explorer: 64 keywords (fetched today)
2. Filtering Behavior
The Dashboard may apply background filters (e.g., minimum volume or position thresholds) to simplify the overview. Site Explorer usually shows every keyword, including low-volume terms and long-tail queries, unless filters are applied manually.
3. Keyword Grouping Logic
Ahrefs sometimes clusters similar or related keywords in the Dashboard to avoid redundancy. Site Explorer tends to list every variation separately.
This means:
- Dashboard: 1 keyword group
- Site Explorer: 3 individual long-tail keywords
4. Rank Fluctuations
Google ranking positions change constantly. Some keywords may temporarily drop or rise in position. The Dashboard might be showing a previous state, while Site Explorer reflects more recent ranking shifts.
5. Country or Device-Based Reporting
If you’ve applied a default country filter in the Dashboard or are comparing mobile vs desktop rankings, the results can differ. Site Explorer gives you the flexibility to adjust these filters in real time.
Which Tool Should You Rely On?
Both tools serve their purpose:
- Use the Dashboard for high-level keyword trends, monitoring multiple sites, and quick overviews.
- Use Site Explorer when you want accurate, up-to-date keyword tracking, especially for reporting or strategy work.
If you’re seeing a difference of a few keywords, it’s not an error — it’s a reflection of how these tools prioritize speed, accuracy, and data grouping differently.
Pro Tip for SEO Reporting
When analyzing keyword growth or ranking drops:
- Stick to Site Explorer for real-time accuracy.
- Use filters like:
Position: 1–100 | Volume: > 0 | Country: Target location
This keeps your reports consistent and accurate for long-term comparison.
Final Thoughts
It’s completely normal to see a slight mismatch between Ahrefs Dashboard and Site Explorer. This is due to data refresh intervals, keyword grouping, and filtering logic.
Don’t let these small differences confuse your strategy. Use each tool for what it’s best at, and focus on the trends that truly impact your SEO performance.
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