Ahrefs Migration Guide: Move Your Site Without Losing Rankings

Changing a domain, switching to a new CMS, or consolidating multiple properties can feel daunting. One misstep and you could see traffic plunge. This guide walks you through a complete Ahrefs migration— from pre‑migration audit to post‑migration monitoring—so you keep the link juice, retain rankings, and stay on track with your SEO goals.

Why Use Ahrefs for a Migration?

• Backlink snapshot: Export a full backlink profile before the move.
• Top‑pages data: Identify which pages bring the most organic traffic.
• Keyword rankings: Capture current rankings to compare after the migration.
• Site audit: Spot crawl errors that could be amplified during a URL change.

Step 1: Pre‑Migration Preparation

1. Export Your Current Data

Use Ahrefs to download the following CSV files:

1. Backlink overview – all referring domains, URL‑to‑URL links, and anchor text.
2. Top 100 organic pages – traffic, keywords, and SERP position.
3. Rank tracker report – keywords you rank for, current position, and search volume.

2. Create a URL Mapping Spreadsheet

List every existing URL in column A and map it to the new URL in column B. Include notes for 301 redirects, canonical changes, or content merges. This spreadsheet becomes your migration master plan.

Step 2: Set Up 301 Redirects

Proper 301 redirects are the backbone of a migration. They tell search engines that the old page has permanently moved to a new address, preserving link equity.

• One‑to‑one redirects: Most common—redirect each old URL to its exact new counterpart.
• One‑to‑many redirects: When consolidating content, point multiple old URLs to a single, stronger page.
• Wildcard redirects: Useful for large site moves (e.g., example.com/blog/* → newexample.com/blog/*).

Test every redirect with a tool like Redirect Checker before pulling the live site.

Step 3: Update Internal Links & Canonicals

After the server‑side redirects are in place, replace all internal links that still point to old URLs. Use Ahrefs’ Site Audit > Internal Links report to locate any lingering references.

Don’t forget to update the <link rel=canonical> tags on each page to reflect the new URL.

Step 4: Verify With Ahrefs After Launch

1. Crawl the New Site

Run a fresh Ahrefs Site Audit (30‑day crawl) to catch broken redirects, 404 errors, or duplicate content.

2. Compare Backlink Profiles

Use Ahrefs’ Backlink Comparison tool to ensure the majority of your referring domains now point to the new URLs. Any missing links may need outreach for re‑attribution.

3. Monitor Rankings

Set up a new rank‑tracker project for the migrated domain. Compare the pre‑migration ranking CSV with the new data after 7, 14, and 30 days.

Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance

• Check Ahrefs’ Site Explorer weekly for sudden drops in referring domains.
• Run a monthly Site Audit to catch crawl issues early.
• Refresh the content on high‑performing pages to keep them relevant.

FAQ

Do I need to change my Ahrefs project when I migrate?

Yes. Create a new project for the new domain, import the old URLs as “seed URLs,” and run a full audit.

How long do 301 redirects preserve link equity?

Indefinitely, as long as the redirects remain in place. Keep them for at least one year to be safe.

What if Ahrefs still shows old URLs after I’ve redirected them?

Give Ahrefs 48‑72 hours to recrawl. If they persist, use the “Refresh” button in Site Explorer or submit a sitemap with the new URLs.

Can I migrate without losing any rankings?

Zero loss is rare, but following this guide typically limits drops to less than 5 % and most recover within 2‑4 weeks.

Conclusion & Call to Action

A well‑planned Ahrefs migration safeguards your hard‑earned authority and keeps traffic flowing. Follow each step, double‑check redirects, and let Ahrefs do the heavy lifting on audit and monitoring.

Ready to migrate without losing rankings? Contact our SEO team for a free migration audit and let us handle the technical details for you.

Internal linking ideas: link to our “Backlink Analysis Guide” and “How to Perform a Site Audit with Ahrefs”.

External reference: Moz’s guide on 301 redirects and SEO impact.