# **🎯 What This Article Covers**

This guide shows you exactly how to find the **Semantic Optimization** feature inside OTTO and add local keywords — such as **Mercedes Repair Near Me** — to help your pages rank higher in local search results.

# **🗺️ Where to Find OTTO and Semantic Optimization**

OTTO lives inside the **OTTO SEO** section of Search Atlas. Follow this exact path to reach Semantic Optimization:

1. In the left sidebar, click **OTTO SEO**. This takes you to `/seo-automation-v3`.
2. Your OTTO dashboard will load. At the top of the page, locate the tab or section labelled **OTTO** (it may be pre-selected by default).
3. Inside the OTTO workspace, find and click the **Semantic Optimization** tab. It appears in the horizontal navigation bar within the OTTO panel.

**Quick path summary:** Left sidebar → **OTTO SEO** → OTTO panel → **Semantic Optimization** tab.

# **➕ How to Add a Local Keyword to Semantic Optimization**

Once you are inside the **Semantic Optimization** tab, follow these steps to add your target keyword:

1. Click the **Add Keyword** button. It appears near the top-right of the Semantic Optimization panel.
2. In the input field that appears, type your target keyword exactly as you want it — for example: **Mercedes Repair Near Me**.
3. If a location or geo-target field is shown, enter your target city or service area (for example, *Los Angeles, CA*) to strengthen local relevance.
4. Click **Save** or **Confirm** to add the keyword to your list.
5. Repeat for any additional local keyword variants (for example, *Mercedes Service Near Me*, *Mercedes Mechanic [City]*).

OTTO will now factor these keywords into its on-page recommendations and content suggestions for the pages you have connected.

# **📋 How to Prioritize Keywords for Local Ranking**

Adding keywords is only the first step. Use the following best practices to maximize local ranking impact:

- **Use intent-specific phrasing:** Include *Near Me*, city names, and service-type modifiers (e.g., *Mercedes Repair Shop Dallas*) to signal local intent to search engines.
- **Prioritize high-value keywords first:** If the interface allows you to drag and reorder keywords, place your primary local keyword — the one driving the most business value — at the top of the list.
- **Apply OTTO's suggestions:** After saving your keywords, OTTO will generate on-page optimization tasks. Click **Apply** or **Deploy** next to each recommended change to push updates to your page.
- **Review regularly:** Local search intent shifts seasonally. Revisit your keyword list monthly and add new geo-targeted terms as your service area grows.

# **📍 Boosting Local Visibility with the Local Section**

Semantic Optimization handles your on-page signals. For a complete local SEO strategy, also use the **Local** section of Search Atlas to manage your Google Business Profile and citations:

- **Left sidebar → GBP Projects → Overview** — review your local presence at a glance.
- **Left sidebar → Local → Local Citations** — build and audit NAP citations that reinforce your location relevance.
- **Left sidebar → Local → Posts** — publish Google Business Profile posts that reference your target keywords.
- **Left sidebar → Local → Reviews** (GBP Reviews) — monitor and respond to reviews, which are a key local ranking factor.

Combining OTTO's Semantic Optimization with a strong Local profile gives search engines consistent, location-specific signals that improve rankings for queries like **Mercedes Repair Near Me**.

# **❓ Frequently Asked Questions**

- **I cannot see the Semantic Optimization tab inside OTTO.** Ensure you are in the **OTTO SEO** section (left sidebar → OTTO SEO) and that a website project is selected. If the tab is still missing, your current plan may not include this feature — check your subscription or contact support.
- **How many keywords can I add?** The limit depends on your plan tier. You will see an on-screen counter or a prompt when you approach the limit.
- **Will changes deploy automatically?** No. OTTO generates recommendations but you must review and click **Apply** or **Deploy** for each change to go live on your site.
- **How long before I see ranking improvements?** On-page changes typically take 2–6 weeks to be re-crawled and reflected in search rankings, depending on your site's crawl frequency.

# **💬 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.