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πŸ“˜ Understanding Credit Consumption in Search Atlas

A detailed breakdown of how each credit type works, what consumes them, and how to track your usage.

Updated this week

Not all credits in Search Atlas work the same β€” and knowing how they’re consumed can help you plan, prioritize, and avoid surprises. This guide explains exactly how AI, Hyperdrive, and OTTO credits are used, what counts against your quota, and how usage resets monthly. Whether you're generating SEO fixes or launching press campaigns, this article will clarify every action that affects your balance.

πŸ”’ 1. AI Premium Credits (Content Genius)

AI Credits fuel tasks in the Content Genius editor, including:

  • Full Article with AI = 3 credits each

  • Topical Map = 3 credits each

AI tasks are counted immediately upon generation, regardless of whether they are ultimately published.

πŸš€ 2. Hyperdrive Credits

Hyperdrive automates large-scale actions like:

  • CloudStack creation (content + backlinks) = 15 credits per stack

  • Press release distributions = distribution network channels + 10 Hyperdrive credits, plus dynamic syndication β‰ˆ +3 credits

Credits are debited upon initiation of the process β€” they are non-refundable once used.

πŸ€– 3. OTTO SEO Usage and Activations

OTTO credit usage is twofold:

  • AI Generation Usage: Each SEO fix uses AI Credits; e.g.:

    • Meta titles/descriptions = 1 credit each

    • Image alt-text suggestion = 1 credit each

    • Heading tags (H1, H2) = 1 credit each

    • Internal linking suggestions (20 links) = 1 credit

    • Open Graph/Twitter tags = 1 credit each

    • Full landing pages = 15 credits each

    • Topical maps = 20 credits

  • Site Activations: Your plan includes a set number of active OTTO-enabled sites (e.g., Pro = 4). Activations don’t consume AI credits but count towards limits.

Deactivating a site frees up the slot next cycle but doesn’t refund past AI credit usage. To preserve changes without pixel use, export via Deep Freeze.

πŸ” 4. Quota Reset Timing

All credits (AI and Hyperdrive) and OTTO activations reset monthly with your billing cycle. Unused credits do not roll over. Usage and reset dates are visible under Account β†’ Billing β†’ Current Quotas.

πŸ“Š 5. Example Plan Usage: Growth

A typical Growth user might have:

  • 500 AI Generation Credits

  • 10 Hyperdrive Credits

  • 2 active OTTO websites

Example usage in a month:

  • 200 titles + 100 meta = 300 credits

  • 5 landing page issues = 5β€―Γ—β€―15 = 75​

Additionally:

  • 3 CloudStacks = 3β€―Γ—β€―15 = 30

  • 1 press campaign = ~23 credits
    Remaining credits available for on-page SEO, blog drafts, etc.

Note:

Search Atlas uses separate credit pools: AI (for content and SEO fixes), Hyperdrive (for large campaigns), and OTTO activations. Each action consumes a fixed number of credits, debited when tasks are generated. Credits reset monthly with billing β€” unused credits expire.

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