Surfer (formerly Surfer SEO) is an AI SEO platform that helps you write, optimise and track content so it ranks in Google and gets mentioned in AI search tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. It includes the Content Editor, AI writing, audits and AI visibility tracking. Plans start at $49 a month billed yearly.
What is Surfer?
Surfer started as a data-driven SEO tool that compares your content with top-ranking pages and tells you which topics, terms and structure to use. Its Content Editor gives a live score as you write.
The platform has grown into an AI visibility platform. Besides SEO writing and audits, it tracks how your brand appears in AI search tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews, and suggests how to improve.
Surfer key features
Content Editor
Live content score with keyword and topic guidance.
AI writing
Draft SEO articles with AI.
AI visibility tracking
See how your brand appears in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews.
Content audit
Find ways to improve existing pages.
Topical map
Plan content clusters around your niche.
Plagiarism checker
Check content originality.
Rank drop detection
Spot pages losing traffic.
Integrations
Works with Google Docs, WordPress and more.
API and MCP
Connect Surfer data to your tools on higher plans.
Surfer pricing plans (2026)
Surfer is paid only. Plans differ by how many articles, audits and AI visibility prompts you get.
Discovery
Draft and optimise content to build a baseline presence.
Standard
Unified workflow to write, optimise and track AI visibility.
Pro
More capacity, plagiarism checker and rank drop detection.
Prices checked in October 2026 (USD per month, billed yearly). An AI Search Analytics plan ($82/mo) and a higher plan ($299/mo) are also available, plus custom enterprise options. Confirm on the official Surfer pricing page.
How to use Surfer
- 1
Go to surfer.ai and choose a plan.
- 2
Enter your target keyword to open a Content Editor.
- 3
Write or generate your draft and follow the content score guidance.
- 4
Publish your article and run audits on existing pages.
- 5
Track your brand visibility in AI search and act on the suggestions.
Who should use Surfer?
SEO teams
Plan and optimise content at scale.
Content marketers
Write articles that rank.
Agencies
Deliver SEO content and reports for clients.
Bloggers
Improve rankings for existing posts.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Clear, data-driven content guidance
- Tracks AI search visibility
- Easy Content Editor
- Good integrations with Docs and WordPress
Watch out for
- No free plan
- Pricey for small sites
- Scores can lead to over-optimised writing
- Plan names and limits change often
Best Surfer alternatives
Surfer is a strong choice for teams that publish content for SEO and want to grow in AI search. It is not cheap, but its guidance and visibility tracking can pay off for serious content programs.
Surfer FAQs
Is Surfer SEO free?
No. Surfer is paid only, with plans starting at $49/month billed yearly.
What is Surfer SEO now called?
Surfer now brands itself as Surfer, an AI visibility platform, and its site is surfer.ai.
What does the Surfer Content Editor do?
It scores your content in real time and suggests keywords, topics and structure based on top-ranking pages.
Does Surfer track ChatGPT visibility?
Yes. Surfer tracks how your brand appears in ChatGPT, Gemini, AI Overviews and other AI search tools.
Does Surfer work with WordPress?
Yes. Surfer integrates with WordPress and Google Docs.
Where is Surfer based?
Surfer was founded in 2017 in Wrocław, Poland.
