🔍 Overview
When an OTTO SEO project is no longer active, you have two main options: Deep Freeze the project to pause it temporarily, or permanently delete it. This article explains the practical difference between those options and answers common questions about the OTTO code or plugin.
❄️ What Is Deep Freeze?
Deep Freeze pauses an OTTO SEO project without removing it from your account. The project record, settings, and history are preserved so you can reactivate it later.
When to use Deep Freeze:
- The site is temporarily inactive but you may return to it in the future.
- You want to stop OTTO activity without losing your project data and configuration.
- You need to free up an active project slot on your plan without permanently removing the project.
How Deep Freeze affects your quota: Freezing a project is intended to release its active slot so that slot becomes available for another project on your plan. The frozen project remains visible in your account and can be reactivated when you need it again. For confirmation of how slot release works on your specific plan, please reach out to our team.
🗑️ When Should You Delete a Project Instead?
Permanent deletion removes the project and all its data from your account. This action cannot be undone — project history, settings, and optimizations are not recoverable after deletion.
When to use deletion:
- The site no longer exists or will never be used again.
- You want to fully remove the project and permanently free up the slot.
- You have no need to retain any historical data or settings for that site.
If there is any chance you will return to the site, use Deep Freeze instead — it frees up the active slot while keeping your data intact.
📋 Archiving and Plan Limits
Your plan includes a limit on the number of active OTTO SEO projects at one time. Deep Freezing a project counts it as inactive, releasing the active slot for use by another project. Deleted projects are removed entirely and permanently free the slot. Frozen projects still appear in your account list but do not consume an active slot.
🔌 Do You Need to Remove the OTTO Code or Plugin?
In most cases, you do not need to remove the OTTO tracking code or plugin from your site when you Deep Freeze or delete a project. However, if you are fully decommissioning the site or handing it off to another party, removing the code or plugin is good practice to keep the site clean. If you are unsure whether the code or plugin should be removed for your specific situation, our support team can advise you.
📋 How to Deep Freeze or Delete a Project
The exact steps to Deep Freeze or permanently delete an OTTO SEO project depend on your account setup. Because the workflow may vary, we recommend contacting our support team to walk you through the correct steps for your account and plan. When reaching out, please have the following ready:
- The name of the OTTO SEO project you want to freeze or delete.
- Your account email or workspace name.
- Whether you want to Deep Freeze (pause) or permanently delete the project.
- Any specific questions about quota or slot release on your plan.
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.