For local SEO agencies evaluating an all-in-one research platform, Semrush is the broadest feature set in the category. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Boston, it has grown into one of the most widely adopted SEO platforms for agencies at scale.
What Semrush Actually Does Well
Semrush covers more ground than any other single platform in this category. Its keyword database exceeds 25 billion keywords across 142 geographic databases. The Competitive Research toolkit lets you see organic and paid traffic estimates for any domain, surface their top-performing pages, and identify keyword gaps against up to five competitors at once.
The platform also includes a content marketing toolkit, social media management, advertising research, and a site audit tool with over 140 technical checks. Position Tracking supports daily rank monitoring across devices, locations, and competitors. The Link Building tool integrates outreach directly into the platform.
Semrush has added AI-powered features at pace: AI writing assistance, AI-generated recommendations in audits, and integration with its Copilot feature for prioritizing tasks. The interface rewards investment; it is not a light tool.
Local SEO and Google Business Profile: What Semrush Covers
Semrush Local is a paid add-on with three tiers: Local Base ($30/location/month), Local Essentials ($50/location/month), and Local Pro ($60/location/month). It includes listing management across 150-plus directories, GBP post scheduling, review monitoring and response, local rank tracking, and a heatmap-style geogrid view. Of the all-in-one platforms, Semrush Local is one of the more complete local SEO add-ons available without switching to a dedicated local tool.
The core Semrush subscription does not include local features. Position Tracking supports city-level rank tracking, which is useful for local keyword monitoring, but listing management and GBP tools require the Local add-on on top of your base plan.
Pricing at Scale: What Agencies Pay
Semrush pricing is based on projects, tracked keywords, and user seats. The three main plans on annual billing are as follows:
| Plan | Monthly price | Projects | Tracked keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $117.33 | 5 | 500 |
| Guru | $208.33 | 15 | 1,500 |
| Business | $416.66 | 40 | 5,000 |
Agency plans with unlimited projects and custom keyword volumes are available via their Agency Growth Kit. The Local add-on stacks on top of your base plan starting at $30 per location per month (Local Base). For an agency managing 20 clients on Local Base, that is an additional $600 per month. See current pricing at semrush.com/pricing.
Data Ownership: Where Your Information Lives
Semrush is incorporated in the United States. Data is hosted on US-based infrastructure. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and GDPR compliant for European users.
Reports and exports are available in CSV and PDF formats throughout the platform. The underlying keyword index, traffic estimates, and backlink data are proprietary to Semrush; they do not transfer if you cancel.
The standard SaaS constraint applies: your project configurations, tracked keywords, and historical rank data live in Semrush infrastructure. Cancellation ends access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Semrush Local cost for agencies?
Semrush Local has three tiers: Local Base at $30 per location per month, Local Essentials at $50, and Local Pro at $60. An agency managing 10 locations on Local Base adds $300 per month. All tiers include listing management, GBP posting, review monitoring, and a geogrid rank view.
Can Semrush manage Google Business Profiles directly?
Yes, via the Semrush Local add-on. It supports GBP post scheduling, photo management, Q&A monitoring, and review responses. This is handled through Semrush’s interface rather than directly in GBP.
Is Semrush or Ahrefs better for local SEO agencies?
Semrush has a stronger built-in local SEO offering through its Local add-on, which includes GBP management, listing distribution, and geogrid ranking. Ahrefs has GBP Monitor in beta but does not offer listing management. For agencies whose core work is local SEO fulfillment, Semrush Local covers more ground.
Can you export all your data from Semrush?
You can export reports, keyword lists, backlink data, and audit results in CSV and PDF while your subscription is active. The underlying index and historical data belong to Semrush and cannot be ported to another platform.
Does Semrush have an agency plan?
Yes. Semrush offers the Agency Growth Kit as an add-on for agencies, which includes unlimited client projects, a branded client portal, a lead generation widget, and priority support. Pricing is custom and available on request.