🗺️ Overview
When a client migrates to a new domain, you need to update their project in Search Atlas and reconnect OTTO SEO to the new domain. This article walks you through the full process so rankings, automations, and optimizations continue without disruption.
⚠️ Before You Begin
Keep these points in mind before making any changes:
- OTTO is domain-specific. Activations, tasks, and configurations are tied to the domain you originally connected. The domain of an existing OTTO project cannot be changed in place — to move OTTO to a different domain (including www vs non-www), you must create a new OTTO project for the new domain and install its pixel.
- Save your OTTO settings first. Note down any active task categories, priorities, or custom configurations so you can reapply them after reconnecting.
- Ensure the new domain is live. OTTO needs to crawl the new domain successfully, so confirm it is publicly accessible before starting.
🛠️ Step 1 — Update the Domain in Site Explorer
- In the left sidebar, click Site Metrics (Site Explorer).
- Locate the client's project in the list and click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to it.
- Select Edit Project or Settings.
- Replace the old domain with the client's new domain in the domain field.
- Save your changes.
Once saved, Search Atlas will associate all future data collection — including rank tracking and site metrics — with the new domain.
🔍 Step 2 — Verify Rank Tracker and Keyword Tools
After updating the domain, confirm that your keyword tools are pointing to the correct destination:
- Navigate to Keywords → Rank Tracker and confirm the tracked keywords now show the new domain in the ranking data.
- Check Keywords → Keyword Magic and Keywords → Keyword Gap to ensure competitor and keyword analysis reflects the updated domain.
- If any tool still references the old domain, re-enter the new domain in that tool's settings before proceeding.
🤖 Step 3 — Create a New OTTO Project for the New Domain
- In the left sidebar, click OTTO SEO, then open SEO Automation (URL: /seo-automation-v3).
- Because the domain of an existing OTTO project cannot be changed, create a new OTTO project for the new domain.
- Install the new project's pixel on the new domain and complete the domain verification step.
- Re-enter your WordPress or CMS credentials if prompted.
⚙️ Step 4 — Reapply Your OTTO Configuration
After reconnecting, OTTO will treat the new domain as a fresh setup. Reapply any settings you noted earlier:
- Re-enable your preferred task categories (e.g., title tags, meta descriptions, schema markup).
- Review the task queue and approve or dismiss any newly generated recommendations.
- Set your deployment preferences — automatic or manual — as needed for the client.
OTTO will begin crawling the new domain and generating optimizations based on its current content and structure.
✅ Step 5 — Confirm Everything Is Working
Run a quick check to make sure all tools are aligned with the new domain:
- Site Explorer: Confirm the domain shown in the project list matches the client's new domain.
- Rank Tracker: Verify keyword positions are being tracked for the new domain.
- OTTO SEO V3 / OTTO: Confirm OTTO status shows as Connected and tasks are being generated for the new domain.
💡 Tips and Common Issues
- OTTO still showing old domain tasks? Remember that an existing OTTO project's domain cannot be changed in place — make sure you have created a new OTTO project for the new domain and installed its pixel as described in Step 3.
- Rank data not updating? Allow 24–48 hours for fresh crawl data and ranking updates to populate after a domain change.
- Keyword Gap or Keyword Magic pulling old data? Re-run an analysis using the new domain URL to refresh results.
- Domain verification failing? Confirm the new domain is publicly accessible and that your CMS credentials are correct before retrying.
💬 Need More 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.