Search Atlas Help Center

🌐 Add a Subdomain as a Separate Search Atlas Project

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Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🧭 Overview

If your main domain (for example, yoursite.com) is already set up in Search Atlas with OTTO activated, and your WordPress blog lives on a subdomain (for example, blog.yoursite.com), you can add that subdomain as a completely separate project. This lets you track performance, run SEO workflows, and optionally activate OTTO independently for the subdomain — without affecting your main domain's configuration.

✅ Before You Begin

  • Confirm the subdomain is live and publicly accessible.
  • Know the full subdomain URL you want to add (for example, blog.yoursite.com).
  • Have admin access to your Search Atlas account.
  • Note that each project uses a slot from your plan's domain allowance. Check your current plan if you are unsure how many domains you have available.

➕ Step 1: Create a New Project for Your Subdomain

  1. Log in to your Search Atlas account.
  2. Locate the project or domain management area within the platform (typically accessible from the main navigation or dashboard).
  3. Look for an option to add or create a new project.
  4. In the domain field, enter your full subdomain URL — for example, blog.yoursite.com. Do not enter the main domain here.
  5. Complete any additional setup fields such as project name, target country, and preferred search engine.
  6. Confirm the new project to save your settings.

Your subdomain now exists as its own independent project. Any data tracked, keywords added, or OTTO actions taken on this project will be separate from your main domain project.

🤖 Step 2: Activate OTTO on Your Subdomain (Optional)

If you want OTTO to manage on-page SEO for your WordPress subdomain, you can activate it independently for that project. OTTO on the subdomain will not interfere with OTTO already running on your main domain.

  1. Switch to your new subdomain project using the project selector at the top of the platform.
  2. Navigate to the OTTO section from your dashboard.
  3. Follow the standard OTTO activation steps for your subdomain project.
  4. Once activated, OTTO will only apply changes and recommendations to the subdomain project.

Important: Each domain or subdomain with OTTO activated counts as a separate OTTO seat. If your plan includes a limited number of OTTO activations, make sure you have an available seat before proceeding.

📊 Step 3: Set Up Tracking for Your Subdomain

Once your subdomain project is created, configure tracking to start collecting meaningful data.

  • Rank Tracker: Navigate to the Rank Tracker section within your subdomain project and add the keywords you want to monitor for the subdomain specifically.
  • Site Metrics: Ensure your subdomain project is selected so that all site metrics data is collected and displayed separately from your main domain.

❓ If You're Not Sure Where to Start

If you are unsure which area of the platform to use for adding a new project or domain, or if you encounter any unexpected behavior when trying to set up your subdomain, our support team can walk you through the exact steps for your account and plan. When reaching out, please have the following ready:

  • Your main domain name already set up in Search Atlas
  • The full subdomain URL you want to add as a separate project
  • Your current plan details (so the team can confirm domain slot availability)
  • Any error messages or unexpected behavior you encountered

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.