🗺️ Overview
The Search Atlas $99/month plan is designed to give growing businesses and freelancers access to a broad suite of SEO tools without requiring the purchase of large credit bundles upfront. This article explains exactly what is included, how usage works, and how link building is priced so you can plan your budget with confidence.
✅ What's Included in the $99/Month Plan
Your monthly subscription gives you access to the following tools and features as part of the base plan:
- Site Explorer (Site Explorer): Analyse backlink profiles, domain authority, organic traffic estimates, and more. Navigate via Left sidebar → Site Metrics (Site Explorer).
- Keyword Magic: Generate keyword ideas and search volume data. Navigate via Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Magic.
- Rank Tracker: Monitor your keyword rankings over time. Navigate via Left sidebar → Keywords → Rank Tracker.
- Keyword Gap: Compare your keyword profile against competitors. Navigate via Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Gap.
- Local SEO Tools: Manage Google Business Profile projects, posts, reviews, citations, and media. Navigate via Left sidebar → Local → GBP Projects and its sub-pages.
- OTTO SEO: Access to the AI-powered on-page optimisation assistant (usage subject to your plan's monthly allocation).
- Content tools, reporting dashboards, and project management features are also included within your subscription tier.
Unlike some competing platforms, Search Atlas does not require you to purchase a large credit bundle just to use core research tools. Your subscription fee covers standard platform access and a defined monthly usage allocation.
📦 How Usage and Credits Work
Some actions inside Search Atlas consume credits or data pulls from your monthly allocation. Here is how to think about it:
- Included allocation: Your $99/month plan comes with a set number of monthly lookups and data pulls for tools like Site Explorer, Keyword Magic, and Rank Tracker. These reset each billing cycle.
- No surprise bulk purchases required: You will not be forced to buy a large credit pack simply to run a keyword search or pull a backlink report, as is common on some other platforms.
- OTTO SEO tasks and certain advanced automations may use task credits. Your plan includes a monthly task allowance; additional tasks can be purchased if needed.
You can review your current usage and remaining allocation at any time inside your account settings.
🔗 How Link Building Is Priced
This is the area that causes the most confusion, so here is a plain-language explanation:
Link building services are separate from your monthly subscription. Your $99/month plan gives you access to the link building tools and marketplace inside Search Atlas, but the cost of actually acquiring backlinks is not bundled into the subscription fee.
- Link prospecting and outreach tools are included — you can find link opportunities, analyse prospects, and manage campaigns within the platform.
- Purchasing managed link placements (where Search Atlas sources and places a backlink on your behalf through the marketplace) is priced per link, and costs vary based on the domain authority, niche, and type of placement.
- There is no mandatory minimum spend on link building. You can use the platform entirely for research and self-managed outreach without purchasing any placements.
Think of it this way: your subscription is the toolset; link building placements are an optional, à-la-carte add-on. You only pay for the links you choose to buy.
📊 Quick Comparison: What Costs Extra vs. What's Included
- Included in $99/month: Keyword research, rank tracking, site analysis, competitor gap analysis, local SEO management, content tools, OTTO SEO (within monthly task limit), reporting.
- Optional add-ons (charged separately): Managed link placements purchased through the marketplace, additional OTTO SEO tasks beyond your monthly limit, and any agency-tier upgrades.
🛠️ Tips for Getting the Most from Your Plan
- Start with Left sidebar → Site Metrics (Site Explorer) to audit your site and competitors before deciding whether link building spend makes sense.
- Use Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Gap to identify quick-win keyword opportunities that may not require link investment.
- Review your usage dashboard regularly so you never hit your allocation limit unexpectedly mid-month.
- Before purchasing any link placements, use the built-in prospecting tools to evaluate domain quality and relevance to your niche.
💬 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.