🧭 Overview

Each Search Atlas account includes a fixed number of OTTO activation slots. When you activate OTTO on a project, it occupies one of those slots. If you want to move OTTO to a different project but your slots are full, you must first freeze the existing project. However, the slot is not released immediately — there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period before that quota becomes available again.

⏳ The 14-Day Quota Release Window

When you freeze an OTTO-activated project, Search Atlas begins a 14-day release period. During this time:

• Your slot count will continue to show as fully used (for example, 5/5).
• You will not be able to activate OTTO on a new project until the release period ends.
• Refreshing your dashboard, clearing your browser cache, or logging out and back in will not speed up or bypass this process.

After the 14-day period is complete, the slot is automatically returned to your available quota, and you can activate OTTO on a new project.

🔄 How to Free Up an OTTO Slot Step by Step

1. Go to OTTO SEO in the left sidebar and open SEO Automation (URL: /seo-automation-v3).
2. Open the project that currently has OTTO activated and that you no longer need it on.
3. Locate the OTTO activation toggle or settings panel for that project.
4. Select the option to Freeze the project. Freezing pauses all OTTO activity and begins the quota release countdown.
5. Wait 14 days from the freeze date. You will receive no in-app notification when the slot is released, so make a note of the date.
6. After 14 days, return to OTTO SEO in the left sidebar and open SEO Automation, then open the project where you want to activate OTTO.
7. Activate OTTO on your new project as normal.

❗ Important Distinctions: Freeze vs. Delete

Deleting a project and freezing a project are not the same action when it comes to quota release:

• Freezing a project is the correct method to begin the 14-day quota release process. OTTO recognises this action and starts the countdown.
• Deleting a project removes the project from your dashboard and releases your OTTO slot right away (the counter may take a short time to refresh because of caching). The 14-day hold only applies to projects put into Deep Freeze, not to deleted projects.

If you delete a project, its slot is freed immediately, though the displayed counter may take a short time to refresh.

📋 Common Questions

My dashboard shows 5/5 slots used even though I deleted the project. Is this a bug?

Deleting a project releases its slot right away, but the counter may take a short time to refresh because of caching. The 14-day hold applies only to projects put into Deep Freeze, not to deleted projects.

Can Search Atlas support manually release my slot early?

Slot releases follow a fixed system timeline and cannot be manually overridden or expedited by the support team.

How do I know when my slot has been released?

Navigate to OTTO SEO in the left sidebar and open SEO Automation to check your OTTO slot counter. Once the 14-day period has passed, the counter will update automatically and you will be able to activate OTTO on a new project.

Does freezing a project affect my SEO data or rankings?

Freezing pauses all OTTO automation on that project. Your historical data and settings are preserved, but OTTO will stop making active changes until the project is reactivated or the slot is reassigned.

✅ Quick Reference Summary

• Freeze the project to begin the slot release process.
• Wait 14 days for the quota to be returned to your account.
• Deleting a project releases its slot right away (the counter may take a short time to refresh); the 14-day hold applies only to Deep Freeze.
• Cache clearing and dashboard refreshes have no effect on quota release timing.
• After 14 days, activate OTTO on your new project from the SEO Automation page inside OTTO SEO.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.