Long Tail Pro vs. Ahrefs (2025): Why LTP was shut down

Quick answer: Long Tail Pro shut down in June 2024, making Ahrefs the clear winner by default.

For long-tail keyword research today:

• Best Overall: Ahrefs ($29-999/month)
• Budget Option: KWFinder ($29/month)
• Free Option: Google Keyword Planner.

Remember Long Tail Pro? That keyword research tool everyone swore by when it came to finding those golden, low-competition keywords?

The thing is, it’s gone. It’s been shut down completely. That is, you can’t even access your old data anymore.

If you’re searching for “Long Tail Pro vs Ahrefs” in 2025, you’re probably either:

1. Wondering what happened to your favorite keyword tool?
2. Looking for the best alternative now that the long-term strategic approach is a thing of the past?
3. Trying to figure out if Ahrefs can replace what you’ve lost?

Good news? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover all of that.

Let’s dive into what really happened, why Ahrefs survived and Long Tail Pro didn’t, and most importantly, what you should be using now for successful keyword research.

Long Tail Pro Shutdown: What Really Happened?

What Happened to Long Tail Pro?

Long Tail Pro officially shut down on June 5, 2024. No warning. No grace period. Just… gone.

According to users who tried to access the platform that day, they were met with error messages and unresponsive support channels. The company’s website went dark, and their social media accounts stopped responding entirely.

Here’s a timeline of events:

• March 2024: First signs of trouble: users report payment issues.
• April 2024: Support response time increased from hours to weeks.
• May 2024: Many features started to malfunction, especially the rating tracker.
• June 5, 2024: Complete shutdown, website unavailable.
• Since June 2024: No official statements from the company.

Consequences? Thousands of users lost access to:

• Saved keyword lists
• Ranking tracking data
• Competitor analysis reports
• Historical keyword performance data

Some users reported losing years of keyword research data with no way to recover it.

Why Long Tail Pro Failed

Let’s be real: Long Tail Pro’s decline wasn’t anything shocking if you’ve been following the situation closely.

1. Not keeping up with the competition

While Ahrefs was releasing new features every month (Content Explorer, Site Audit, Web Explorer), Long Tail Pro remained… pretty much the same. They focused on one thing: long-tail keywords. The problem is that all the other tools started doing this AND everything else.

2. Technical debt killed them

Users consistently complained about:

• Slow loading times (sometimes over 30 seconds for basic searches)
• Outdated UI that looked like it was from 2015
• API limitations that limited search queries too low
• Bugged ranking tracking that often showed extremely inaccurate data

Meanwhile, competitors were inventing better ways to find low-competition keywords and modern interfaces.

3. The pricing model backfired

Long Tail Pro tried to compete on price, but they lowered their prices too much. At $37 per month for their starter plan, they couldn’t afford the infrastructure needed to provide accurate, real-time data. Meanwhile, Ahrefs was charging $99+ and offering 10x more.

4. The final nail in the coffin: Google API changes

In late 2023, Google made significant changes to how third-party tools could access search data. The tools needed a major infrastructure upgrade to maintain data quality. Ahrefs had the resources, Long Tail Pro didn’t.

Historical Comparison: Long Tail Pro vs. Ahrefs

Before we dive into which you should use now, let’s take a look at how these tools actually compared when both were in production.

Feature Comparison Chart

User Experience Comparison

Long Tail Pro was like that trusty Honda Civic. It got you from A to B, but it didn’t win any races. The interface was simple, maybe too simple. You typed in a seed keyword, waited (and waited), and got a list of longtail options with key metrics.

Ahrefs? This is your Tesla Model S. Sure, all these buttons and features may seem complicated at first, but once you learn the ins and outs, you’ll realize you’ve been driving in the slow lane all this time.

Key UX Differences:

• Speed: Ahrefs returns results in 2-3 seconds compared to 20-30 seconds in LTP
• Depth of Data: Ahrefs shows over 50 metrics per keyword compared to a basic 5-6 in LTP
• Filtering: Ahrefs offers over 15 advanced filters compared to a basic 3-4 in LTP
• Export Options: Ahrefs supports multiple formats compared to LTP, which only supports CSV

Why Ahrefs Survived and Thrived

Three Words: Consistent innovation.

While Long Tail Pro was resting on its laurels, Ahrefs was busy:

• Building the world’s largest backlink database (4.8 trillion links)
• Launching new tools every quarter
• Investing millions in infrastructure
• Really listening to user feedback

They were also diversifying. Instead of just being “a keyword tool,” Ahrefs became “the SEO platform that does it all.” When Google changed the rules, Ahrefs had multiple revenue streams to weather the storm. That’s why it’s important to also explore Ahrefs alternatives – diversification is key to your toolkit.

Ahrefs for Long Tail Keyword Research in 2025

So, Long Tail Pro is dead. Can Ahrefs really replace it for finding those juicy long tail keywords?

The short answer is: Yes, and it’s actually better at it.

Before we get into the details, it’s worth understanding the difference between short and long tail keywords and why long tail keywords are important to your SEO strategy.

How to Find Long Tail Keywords with Ahrefs

Here’s how to replicate (and improve) Long Tail Pro’s functionality with Ahrefs. For more in-depth keyword research strategies, check out our comprehensive guide.

Step 1: Start with Keywords Explorer

Go to Keywords Explorer and enter your starting keyword. Let’s say you’re in the fitness niche and type in “workout routines.”

Step 2: Go to the “Related Terms” section

This will show you all the keywords that contain your starting phrase. You will see thousands of options, but we are going to filter them out.

Step 3: Apply long-tail filters

Here is the secret ingredient:

• Word count: 4+ words (this provides a long tail)
• Keyword difficulty (KD): 0-20 (easy to rank)
• Volume: 100-1000 (decent traffic, low competition)
• SERP features: Exclude "Featured snippet" (less competition)

Step 4: Search intent analysis

Click on any keyword to see:

• Current top 10 pages ranking
• Their Domain Rating (DR)
• Expected Traffic
• Number of Backlinks

Look for search results pages where the DR in the top results is below 30. This is your ideal middle ground.

Step 5: Check the Traffic Potential

Don’t just look at search volume. Ahrefs shows you “Traffic Potential” – the total traffic you could get by ranking for it in the top spot. Sometimes a keyword with 100 volume can drive over 1,000 visitors if you rank for related terms.

Pro tip: Use the “Question” filter to find long-tail keywords that are phrased as questions. They often have lower competition and higher conversion rates.

Advanced Ahrefs Methods for Finding Long Tail Gold

Competitor Breakout Method

1. Find 3-5 competitors with similar DR to yours
2. Use the Content Gap tool
3. Filter out keywords where 2+ competitors rank but you don't
4. Apply the same long-tail search filters as above

Hacking the parent topic

1. Find a keyword term with a high number of queries
2. Click on "Parent topic"
3. Go to the "Also rank for" section
4. These are semantic long tails that Google associates with the main topic

Method for determining SERP weakness

Look for these signals in the SERP:

• Top 10 ranked forums (Reddit, Quora)
• Pages with <500 words in the ranking
• No exact match domains
• Low DR sites in the top 3

Ahrefs Pricing and Plans

Let’s talk money. Here’s how much Ahrefs will cost in 2025:

Which plan is best for keyword research?

Honestly? The $29/month Starter plan does everything Long Tail Pro does and more. You get:

• 500 keyword searches per month
• 25 competitor domain analyses
• 100,000 crawl credits
• Basic ranking tracking

If you’re serious about SEO beyond just keywords, the Lite plan is the perfect choice.

Best Long Tail Pro Alternatives in 2025

Is Ahrefs too expensive? I get it. Here are the best alternatives for Long Tail keyword research:

For users on a budget

1. KWFinder by Mangools

• Price: $29.90/month
• Best for: Beginners who want the simplicity of Long Tail Pro
• Pros: Easy-to-use interface, accurate difficulty estimates, location-based search
• Cons: Limited to 100 searches per day on the basic plan

KWFinder is probably the closest spiritual successor to Long Tail Pro. It focuses on one thing: simple keyword research. The interface is great, and the data is surprisingly accurate for the price.

 2. Ubersuggest

• Price: $12/month (lifetime offers available)
• Best for: Sole proprietors on a budget
• Pros: Cheapest option, constant updates from Neil Patel
• Cons: Data accuracy issues, limited filtering options

3. Google Keyword Planner

• Price: Free
• Best for: PPC advertisers who also do SEO
• Pros: Direct from Google, completely free
• Cons: Unclear search volumes, limited SEO metrics

For advanced users

1. SEMrush

• Price: $139.95/month
• Best for: Agencies that need a universal platform
• Pros: 23+ billion keywords, great filtering, PPC data
• Cons: steeper learning curve, high cost

SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool is great for long-term research. You can create keyword lists, group them by purpose, and even get content ideas.

If you’re curious about how it compares to Ahrefs, check out our SEMrush vs. Ahrefs comparison.

2. Moz Pro

• Price: $99/month
• Best for: Those who value simplicity and power
• Pros: Priority score combines multiple metrics, great SERP analysis
• Cons: Smaller keyword base than Ahrefs/SEMrush

Alternatives comparison

Migrating from Long Tail Pro

Still have your Long Tail Pro data stuck somewhere? Here's how to salvage what you can:

Recovering your data

Unfortunately, since Long Tail Pro is completely offline, direct data export is not possible. However:

1. Check your email: Look for any automated reports sent by LTP
2. Browser cache: If you have recently accessed LTP, try viewing cached pages
3. Screenshots/Downloads: Look on your computer for any exported CSV files
4. Wayback Machine: Some users have reported limited success accessing old data

Setting up alternative tools

Switching to Ahrefs:

1. Start with your highest-value keyword lists
2. Check them through Keywords Explorer
3. Use Batch Analysis for bulk testing
4. Set up rank tracking for your money keywords words
5. Create keyword lists to organize your research

Quick Setup Tips:

• Import any CSV files you have into Ahrefs lists
• Use tags to organize keywords by intent/category
• Set up email notifications for ranking changes
• Connect to Google Search Console for real data

Replicating Long Tail Pro Workflows

Old LTP Workflow → New Ahrefs Workflow

Simple Long Tail Search:

• LTP: Enter Initial Value → Filter by KC < 30
• Ahrefs: Enter Initial Value → Filter by KD < 20 + Word Count 4+

Competitor Keywords:

• LTP: Manual Competitor URL Analysis
• Ahrefs: Site Explorer → Organic Keywords → Filter by Position 1-10

Ranking Tracking:

• LTP: Add Keywords → Daily Check
• Ahrefs: Rank Tracking → Add Project → Get Daily Updates + SERP Features

The Future of Keyword Research Tools

The Long Tail Pro Shutdown Is a Wake-Up Call. Here’s What’s Next:

AI-Powered Solutions

The future isn’t just about keyword research. It’s about creating content that ranks. Tools like Outrank are pioneers in this approach:

• AI analyzes the highest ranking content for any keyword
• Automatically generates optimized articles
• Automatically handles technical SEO
• Publishes directly to your CMS

Instead of spending hours researching keywords and then even more writing copy, AI tools handle the entire process. Want to master keyword research first? It’s still valuable, but AI is changing the game.

Market Consolidation

Expect more downtime. Smaller tools can’t compete with the infrastructure requirements. We will likely see:

• Dominance of 3-4 major players (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz)
• Acquisition or closure of niche tools
• AI integration becomes standard, not optional

Things to look out for in 2025

When choosing your next keyword tool:

1. Financial stability: Can they afford to keep going?
2. Regular updates: Are they innovative or stagnant?
3. Data quality: Accuracy > quantity
4. Export options: Don't get stuck in a loop again
5. API access: For when you need to scale

FAQs

Is Long Tail Pro still available?

No, Long Tail Pro has been permanently discontinued on June 5, 2024. The website, tool, and all related services are no longer available.

What happened to Long Tail Pro?

Long Tail Pro has been shut down due to a combination of factors: inability to compete with larger tools, technical infrastructure issues, and changes to Google’s data access policy. No official statement has been made by the company.

What is the best alternative to Long Tail Pro?

For most users, KWFinder offers the closest experience to Long Tail Pro at a similar price ($29.90/month). However, Ahrefs’ new starter plan ($29/month) provides better data and features.

Should you use Ahrefs just for keyword research?

Yes, especially with the new starter plan at $29/month. You get more accurate data, faster results, and additional features like SERP analysis that Long Tail Pro never offered.

Can I use Ahrefs for long tail keywords?

Absolutely. Ahrefs is great at finding long-tail keywords. Use Keywords Explorer with filters for word count (4+) and keyword difficulty (<20) to find thousands of long-tail opportunities.

Which is cheaper: Long Tail Pro or Ahrefs alternatives?

Ubersuggest is the cheapest at $12/month, while Google Keyword Planner is free. However, Ahrefs’ starter plan at $29/month offers the best value for data and features.

How do I find long-tail keywords without Long Tail Pro?

Use any keyword research tool with filtering capabilities. Set filters for: phrases with 4+ words, low competition/difficulty, and search volume between 50 and 1000. Ahrefs, KWFinder, and even free tools can do this.

Does Ahrefs have a free trial?

Ahrefs offers a 7-day trial for $7. While it’s not free, it’s enough time to export important keyword data and assess whether it’s a good fit for your needs.

Summary

Long Tail Pro is no longer available. And honestly? That might be a good thing.

Its shutdown has left many of us looking for better alternatives. Turns out, we were settling for a Honda Civic when Ferraris were available for almost the same price.

If you’re looking to replace Long Tail Pro:

• On a budget? Choose Ahrefs Starter Plan
• Extremely limited budget? KWFinder or Ubersuggest
• No budget? Google Keyword Planner + Manual Research

But here’s the real truth: keyword research is just the first step. You still need to create content that ranks.