# **🔍 Overview**

If the OTTO pixel shows as inactive or not engaging on your WordPress site, the issue is almost always related to how the pixel code is installed — or a mismatch between the site connected in Search Atlas and the URL where the pixel is deployed. This guide walks you through the correct installation steps and how to clean up duplicate sites in your account.

# **⚙️ How the OTTO Pixel Works**

The OTTO pixel is a small snippet of JavaScript that Search Atlas uses to verify ownership of your site and activate AI-powered SEO automation. For OTTO to engage, the pixel must be:

- Installed on **every page** of your WordPress site (ideally in the `<head>` section)
- Deployed on the **exact URL** that is connected inside Search Atlas
- Publicly accessible — not blocked by a login wall, maintenance mode, or robots.txt

# **🚀 Install the OTTO Pixel on WordPress**

Follow these steps to install the OTTO pixel correctly on WordPress using the Search Atlas (MetaSync) plugin:

1. Install and activate the **Search Atlas (MetaSync)** plugin in your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. In WordPress, open **Search Atlas → Settings**.
3. Paste your **Search Atlas API key** into the designated field.
4. Paste your **OTTO Pixel UUID** into the designated field and save your changes.
5. Visit your live site to confirm the page loads correctly, then return to Search Atlas and click **Verify Pixel**. The status should update to **Active** within a few minutes.

Note: The raw JavaScript pixel snippet is intended for non-WordPress platforms or alternative installs such as Google Tag Manager — on WordPress, the MetaSync plugin handles the pixel for you.

# **🔎 Common Reasons the Pixel Does Not Engage**

If verification still fails after installation, check the following:

- **Wrong URL connected:** The site URL in Search Atlas must exactly match your live site URL — including or excluding **www** and **https://**. Even a small mismatch will prevent detection.
- **Caching plugin:** If you use a caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache), purge the cache after installing the pixel so the new code is served to visitors.
- **Maintenance mode active:** Plugins like SeedProd or Coming Soon Page will block Search Atlas from reading your site. Temporarily disable maintenance mode during verification.
- **Pixel placed in footer instead of header:** Some themes and plugins delay footer scripts. Always place the pixel in the **header** section.
- **Security or firewall plugin blocking crawlers:** Tools like Wordfence or Cloudflare may block external bots. Whitelist Search Atlas or temporarily pause the firewall during verification.
- **Pixel code was modified:** Paste the code exactly as provided — do not edit or wrap it in additional tags.

# **🗂️ Fix Duplicate Sites in Your Account**

Duplicate sites typically appear when the same domain is added more than once — for example, once with **www** and once without, or once with **http** and once with **https**. To clean this up:

1. Go to **OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation)** in the left sidebar.
2. Review the list of connected sites and identify any duplicates.
3. Determine which version of the URL is your canonical (primary) site — this should match your WordPress **Site Address** found in **Settings → General** in WordPress.
4. Remove the duplicate entry by selecting it and choosing **Delete Site** or the equivalent remove option.
5. Ensure the pixel is only installed and verified on the correct, canonical URL going forward.

Keeping duplicate sites active can split your OTTO activation data and prevent the pixel from engaging correctly, so it is important to remove them promptly.

# **✅ Verify Everything Is Working**

Once you have completed installation and removed duplicates, confirm the setup is correct:

- Visit your live site and use your browser's **View Page Source** (right-click → View Page Source) to search for the OTTO pixel code. It should appear inside the **<head>** section.
- Return to Search Atlas (**OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation)** / **/seo-automation-v3**) and click **Verify Pixel**.
- The OTTO status should change to **Active** or **Engaging** within a few minutes.

# **💬 Still Need Help?**

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.