You write content for your website or blog and want to rank on Google's first pages ? If you're targeting low-competition keywords, that can be easy. However, targeting highly competitive keywords requires a strategy.
In this Surfer SEO review , I'll show you how to use this AI SEO tool to help you rank well in search engines and have fun doing it.
Every SEO strategist knows that quality content is a crucial ranking factor. It also needs to target the user’s search intent for Google to consider it relevant. That’s why SEO software like Surfer can prove very useful.
Let's get started.
What is Surfer SEO?
Surfer SEO streamlines the process of optimizing website content for better search engine rankings . Thanks to its comprehensive on-page SEO features, this tool is an essential solution for any business looking to improve its online presence.
It provides actionable insights and recommendations based on real-time data, letting you create content that ranks better on search engines like Google, Bing and others.
The platform offers many features, including keyword research, the content editor, the SERP analyzer, and more.
Who created Surfer SEO ?
The company behind Surfer SEO is Surfer Sp. z o.o., a technology company based in Poland founded by Michał Suski and Sławek Czajkowski in 2017.
The duo has extensive experience in the SEO and digital marketing industry, and their mission is to give you a complete solution that simplifies and streamlines the process of creating high-quality, SEO-optimized content.
Who is Surfer SEO for ?
Surfer SEO is aimed at a wide range of professionals and individuals.
- Content creators and marketers – You can write and optimize content in real time, giving you a better chance of ranking highly in search engines. The topic cluster features help you find relevant keywords to build topical authority on a subject.
- SEO professionals and agencies – With its data-driven approach, Surfer SEO offers in-depth analysis and optimization recommendations to help you create better content for your clients.
- Small business owners – Even without in-depth SEO knowledge, you can create meaningful, quality content to attract potential customers to your website or online store.
Surfer SEO features
Surfer SEO offers many features to help you create, analyze and optimize your new and existing content for better search engine visibility.
In this section of the Surfer SEO review, I’ll dive into some of its most important features.
User interface and ease of use
Surfer SEO has an intuitive, user-friendly interface and offers a fairly pleasant working environment.
On the left panel, you have access to all the tools Surfer provides.
The clear, simple design of Surfer SEO means you can quickly get familiar with the tool and start optimizing your content for better search engine rankings.
Keyword research tool
Keyword research is a crucial part of any SEO strategy, and Surfer SEO excels in this area.
Surfer SEO’s keyword research tool provides valuable insights to help you target the right keywords and boost your content’s relevance and discoverability. It offers basic keyword research tools :
- Keyword suggestions – Surfer’s keyword research tool provides a list of relevant keyword suggestions based on your seed keyword. This helps you discover new opportunities and expand your content’s reach by targeting long-tail and related keywords.
- Keyword difficulty – Surfer SEO provides a keyword difficulty score that shows how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword, helping you make informed decisions about your keyword targeting strategy.
Content editor
The Surfer SEO content editor is a powerful feature that helps you write and optimize your content in real time.
All you have to do is enter your target keyword and click the button. The content editor will appear and you can start writing or optimizing your existing content.
This tool ensures your content is both engaging and SEO-optimized, giving it the best chance of ranking well in search results.
Real-time content analysis
The content editor provides real-time content analysis , letting you see how your content is performing in terms of SEO as you write. This feature highlights areas where you can improve your content, ensuring it’s optimized for your target keywords and follows on-page SEO best practices.
Optimization suggestions
The Surfer SEO content editor also provides optimization suggestions tailored to your content and target keyword. These recommendations help you refine your content structure, keyword usage, word count and overall SEO strategy to ensure a good ranking in search results.
Another thing I really like about Surfer’s keyword suggestions is that new suggestions appear as you type your text , so you don’t always have to endlessly scroll through search results to find a keyword to use.
The tool itself recognizes the start of the word you’re typing and finds keywords that might match the phrase, highlighting them for you.
A new feature that can also be useful is « Insert terms ». Once you’re done writing your text, simply click this button and Surfer SEO will offer another round of suggestions for unused keywords and where you can place them in the text.
SERP Analyzer
The Surfer SERP Analyzer feature provides valuable insights into the SERPs (search engine results pages) for your target keywords.
This tool lets you analyze your competitors and identify areas where you can improve your content to outperform them.
- Competitor analysis – Surfer SEO’s SERP analyzer lets you perform competitor analysis by looking at the top-ranking pages for your target keywords. This feature helps you understand what your competitors are doing and what you can do to outperform them.
- Keyword usage on top-ranking pages – The SERP analyzer also reveals how your competitors use keywords on their top-ranking pages. This information can help you optimize your content and keyword usage to outperform your competitors and rank higher in search engines.
SEO Audit
The Surfer SEO audit tool lets you identify areas for improvement within their websites and content. This feature helps you improve your site’s overall performance and search engine ranking.
The audit process includes on-page optimization and technical SEO analysis .
On-page optimization
Surfer SEO’s on-page optimization tool focuses on assessing the quality and relevance of your content. It provides insights and recommendations for optimizing elements such as title tags, meta descriptions, meta tag structure, headings, keyword density, and more.
By following these suggestions, you can improve your website content’s relevance and make sure it follows the latest SEO best practices.
In addition, the Surfer SEO content editor can further enhance your on-page optimization efforts. This feature lets you write content while receiving real-time optimization guidance , ensuring your content is engaging, informative and SEO-friendly.
Technical SEO analysis
Surfer SEO’s technical SEO analysis helps you uncover and fix issues that could negatively impact your site’s performance and search engine ranking.
The tool examines various aspects of your website , such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, indexing, crawlability and security, to make sure your site follows technical SEO best practices.
By fixing these issues, you can improve your website’s overall performance and user experience, which in turn can drive more traffic.
Content Planner
The Surfer SEO Content Planner is an essential tool that simplifies the process of creating high-quality optimized content.
- Analysis of the main keyword and related keywords – The content planner analyzes the main keyword and identifies related keywords to make sure your content is thorough and complete. This helps cover the important aspects of a topic while improving the overall SEO content score.
- First-page insights and length suggestions – The content planner provides insights into the ideal content length and structure by analyzing the first-page rankings for your target keyword. This helps you create a competitive, well-optimized blog post to rank higher in search.
Content Score
Surfer SEO’s Content Score feature provides valuable feedback on your content’s quality and optimization, helping you refine your SEO efforts.
- Content optimization and SEO content assessment – The content score evaluates your content based on various factors such as keyword usage, readability and relevance. This helps you create content that’s both engaging and optimized for search engines, ensuring better organic search performance.
- Real-time content score updates – As you write and make changes to your content, the content score updates in real time, letting you see the immediate impact of your optimizations. This real-time feedback helps you make informed decisions and create content that meets your SEO goals.
Google Chrome extension
Surfer SEO offers a Google Chrome add-on that provides valuable insights into search results and makes on-page SEO analysis easier while browsing the web.
Here are the main features you’ll find using Surfer’s Chrome extension :
- Search results and keyword analysis – The Surfer Keyword extension lets you view important data such as search volume, each keyword’s difficulty and related keywords directly on the search results page. This makes it easier to do basic research and discover new content creation opportunities.
- On-page SEO analysis while browsing – With the Chrome extension, you can also run an on-page SEO analysis on any web page you visit. This can be useful for identifying areas to improve in your own content or for analyzing competitor websites to gain insight into their SEO strategies.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Surfer SEO uses NLP technology to provide advanced analysis and recommendations, ensuring your content is readable and optimized. Thanks to its artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Surfer SEO is considered one of the best AI SEO tools for improving existing content to rank higher.
Advanced content analysis for better readability
The platform’s NLP capabilities let it analyze your content’s readability, sentence structure and tone. Surfer SEO’s suggested keywords for improvement help you create content that’s not only SEO-friendly but also enjoyable for your readers.
LSI keywords and content structure optimization
Surfer SEO’s NLP technology also identifies LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords and provides recommendations for optimizing your content structure. By incorporating LSI keywords and organizing your content effectively, you improve its relevance to search engines and increase its chances of ranking higher in search results.
Surfer SEO integrations
As one of the best on-page SEO tools, Surfer SEO offers integration options with other apps and platforms, providing a more seamless experience.
Surfer SEO API
Surfer SEO provides an API (Application Programming Interface) that lets developers and businesses integrate its keyword research and content optimization features into their own applications or platforms.
With the API, you can automate your content optimization process and access the platform’s powerful features directly from your own tools.
The API offers a wide range of functions, including retrieving keyword suggestions, search volume and difficulty data for each keyword. It also enables real-time content analysis and optimization, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to streamline their SEO workflows.
Google Docs and Chrome integration
Surfer SEO is compatible with various content management systems (CMS), letting you optimize your content directly within your preferred platforms.
L’ Google Docs integration with the tool lets you write, edit and optimize content in real time without leaving the familiar Google Docs environment.
In addition, Surfer SEO offers a Google Chrome extension that can be used with popular CMS platforms such as WordPress, Shopify and Joomla. The extension makes it easier to access Surfer SEO’s features while creating and editing content on these platforms.
Semrush integration
You can also connect your Semrush account to Surfer to get better insights on your backlinks and competitors. With this integration, you can add keywords to specific articles, add backlinks or write another blog post on a relevant topic to help improve your topical authority.
Customer support and resources
An important aspect of any software is the level of customer support and resources provided to users.
In this section, I’ll explore the different support channels and learning materials available to help you get the most out of Surfer SEO.
Support channels
Surfer SEO offers several support channels to make sure you can easily find help when you need it. Its main support channel is its responsive email support , which the team usually replies to within a few hours.
In addition, you can access a comprehensive knowledge base , containing detailed articles and guides on how to use the platform’s various features.
For quick questions and troubleshooting, Surfer SEO offers a live chat feature on its website. You can talk directly with the support team, who are always ready to address any concern or issue.
Educational resources and webinars
Surfer SEO is committed to helping you stay up to date on the latest SEO techniques and best practices. They offer a range of educational resources , including blog posts, video tutorials and case studies.
These materials cover various topics related to keyword research, on-page SEO, content optimization and more.
One of the most valuable resources Surfer SEO provides is its webinars . These webinars are hosted by industry experts who share their knowledge and insights on various aspects of SEO. You can attend live sessions or watch recorded webinars at your convenience.
By attending these webinars, you can deepen your understanding of SEO and learn how to use Surfer SEO effectively to improve your website’s ranking and organic traffic.
Surfer SEO performance
In this section of the Surfer SEO review, I’ll discuss the platform’s performance in terms of speed and efficiency, as well as its impact on website rankings.
Speed and efficiency
Surfer SEO is known for its speed and efficiency when it comes to running SEO analyses and providing actionable insights. The tool’s cloud infrastructure lets it process large amounts of data quickly, delivering results in seconds or minutes, depending on the complexity of the task.
This lets you quickly identify optimization opportunities and implement changes without wasting valuable time. As the tool streamlines the SEO process, it helps you achieve the results you want more efficiently.
Impact on rankings
The main reason to use Surfer SEO is to improve a website’s search engine ranking.
By providing data-driven insights and NLP suggestions based on top results, Surfer SEO lets you create quality content and optimize it, making it more likely to rank well on search engines like Google.
I’ve optimized most of my articles with Surfer and I’ve gotten good results so far. I also like comparing it with NeuronWriter for the best possible optimization.
It’s important to note that while Surfer SEO can provide valuable insights for improving a website’s on-page SEO, it’s only one aspect of a comprehensive SEO strategy. Other factors, such as high-quality backlinks, technical SEO and a mobile-friendly website, also play a crucial role in determining search rankings.
That said, Surfer SEO can significantly contribute to a website’s overall SEO performance and help you achieve a higher ranking.
Surfer AI
Surfer AI is the latest addition to the Surfer tool. This powerful feature lets you create articles and blog posts in one click.
But what’s even better is that it automatically includes NLP keywords to help optimize content and achieve a better ranking. You can also adjust the tone of voice, customize your outline and choose organic competitors to teach the AI what it should recommend.
In addition, it now offers an anti-AI detection tool to make sure your AI-generated content bypasses AI content detectors .
Unfortunately, this feature isn’t included in Surfer’s pricing plans. Instead, it’s a paid add-on at $29 per article. However, you can check out some of the best Surfer AI alternatives that may offer similar features.
Surfer SEO pricing
In this section of the Surfer SEO review, I’ll discuss the sign-up process, available pricing plans and overall interface, which plays a crucial role in the user experience.
To start using Surfer SEO, you need to create an account on their website. The process is simple and only requires your name, email address and password.
Once signed up, you can choose from these pricing plans :
- Lite ($19/month) – Surfer’s cheapest plan is aimed at those who want to use its services occasionally, like a hobby.
- Essential ($69/month) – Aimed at freelancers and small businesses, this plan offers access to a limited set of features, including the content editor, keyword research and the SERP analyzer. It’s a good option for those just starting out in SEO or on a tight budget.
- Advanced ($149/month) – Aimed at SEO professionals and agencies, this plan provides additional features such as the content planner, API access and a higher usage limit for the content editor and other tools. This plan is perfect for those who need more advanced features and a higher usage limit.
- Max ($249/month) – Designed for large organizations and agencies, this plan offers the highest usage limits and all available features, including team collaboration, white-label reports and priority support. If you have a large team or need intensive use of Surfer SEO, this plan is the best choice.
- Enterprise (custom pricing) – If you have high content needs and want a personalized experience with Surfer, this plan is for you.
In the past, Surfer SEO offered a free trial to those wanting to test the platform before committing to a paid plan. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a trial available right now.
Surfer SEO pros and cons
Surfer SEO pros
- Complete on-page SEO and keyword research tool – Surfer SEO covers many SEO needs, from keyword research to content optimization, making it a one-stop solution for most SEO tasks.
- User-friendly interface – The platform is designed with ease of use in mind, offering an intuitive layout and navigation suited to both beginners and experienced SEO professionals.
- In-depth SERP analysis tool – The SERP analyzer provides detailed insights into top-ranking web pages, helping you understand the factors contributing to a high ranking and optimize your content accordingly.
- Content editor – The Surfer Content Editor feature lets you write and optimize your content directly within the platform, saving you time and ensuring content is SEO-optimized from the start.
- Integrations – Surfer SEO offers integrations with popular tools such as Google Docs and content management systems, streamlining the content creation process and making optimization more convenient.
- Regular updates and improvements – The team behind Surfer SEO continually works on improving the tool and adding new features, ensuring you always have access to the latest and most effective SEO strategies.
- Excellent customer support – Surfer SEO offers responsive, helpful customer support, giving you the assistance you need to get the most out of the tool. Support includes live chat, email and a knowledge base with helpful articles and tutorials.
- Data-driven insights – Surfer SEO uses data-driven analysis to provide accurate, actionable insights into your content and SEO strategies. This lets you make informed decisions and optimize your content based on reliable data rather than guesswork and intuition.
- Competitive analysis – With its SERP Analyzer and Missing Common Backlinks features, Surfer SEO helps you identify opportunities to outperform your competitors by analyzing top-ranking web pages and competing websites’ backlink profiles. This lets you build more effective SEO strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
Surfer SEO cons
- Pricing – Some users may find Surfer SEO’s pricing plans higher, especially compared to other SEO tools on the market (see NeuronWriter, for example).
- Reliance on search volume – The tool relies heavily on search volume data for its keyword research and suggestions, which isn’t always the most accurate or up-to-date metric for every industry or niche.
- Limited features on lower-tier plans – Surfer SEO’s Lite plan may not provide enough features for some users, forcing them to upgrade to a higher-tier plan, which can get costly. For example, features like the content planner and SEO audit are only available on higher-tier plans.
What I like about Surfer SEO
I’ve been using Surfer SEO for a while, and while not all my blog posts rank on Google’s first pages, it gives me confidence that I’m on par with the top-ranking pages for the same keyword.
SEO experts know that achieving a high ranking isn’t easy. You need to combine quality content with backlinks, proper keyword research and other ranking factors. That’s why creating content with Surfer doesn’t guarantee you’ll rank.
However, once you’ve found a keyword you have the potential to rank for, Surfer SEO works quite well. You’re assured of having done everything possible to create the best content targeting your main keyword. That’s what Surfer has to offer in terms of content editing.
What I don’t like about Surfer SEO
Surfer SEO’s cost-to-feature ratio could be better. Starting at $19/month (billed annually), you can only optimize 3 articles per month. While I like their NLP suggestions better than other SEO tools, it’s quite expensive for someone just starting a blog.
In that respect, they’d be better off going with a Surfer alternative like NeuronWriter , which offers 25 content analyses per month as well as AI writing features for around $20.
Surfer SEO alternatives and competitors
In the world of SEO tools, finding the one that fits your needs and budget is essential. In this section of the Surfer SEO review, I’ll compare the platform with other popular alternatives, including NeuronWriter, Frase and Clearscope.
Every SEO tool offers unique features and benefits, so let’s dive in and see how they compare with Surfer SEO.
Surfer SEO vs NeuronWriter
NeuronWriter is the best Surfer SEO alternative for creating SEO content. Although newer than Surfer, it already has impressive content optimization features. Its content editor is very similar to Surfer’s.
Still, one thing stands out: while Surfer treats singular and plural terms as separate keywords, NeuronWriter identifies them as a single entity, similar to Google’s approach. This helps you invest more time in more relevant keywords rather than trying to tick every green light on the NLP suggestions.
NeuronWriter is also cheaper and has an AI writing assistant to help you develop content quickly. It also integrates with Google Search Console to give you real-time insights into your top keywords.
NeuronWriter’s downside is that it lacks integrations and the user interface can be somewhat clunky for some users.
Surfer SEO vs Frase
Frase is an AI-based SEO tool focused on content creation, research and optimization. Like Surfer SEO, it offers a user-friendly interface and includes features such as content analysis, optimization tools and keyword research.
Surfer SEO’s focus on content optimization makes it unique, unlike Frase, which tries to do several things at once.
Surfer SEO vs Clearscope
Clearscope isn’t for everyone. Their pricing starts at $170 and only includes 10 content reports and 5 languages. Surfer, on the other hand, supports 20 languages and lets you optimize far more articles for a much lower price.
In addition, Surfer provides many more features, such as Surfer AI, an audit tool, and powerful integrations with CMS platforms and AI writing tools , such as Jasper and Writesonic .
Surfer SEO review : conclusion
Surfer SEO is an all-in-one tool that offers features such as content planning, on-page optimization and content score analysis. It helps content editors create high-quality blog posts while maintaining proper keyword density and content structure.
Its efficiency and ease of use make it an appealing option for those who need to create content that ranks.
