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🗑️ Delete Projects and Manage Deep Freeze Mode

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Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🔍 Overview

This article explains how to delete a project in Search Atlas, what Deep Freeze mode means for your project, and the steps required to successfully remove a website that is currently frozen.

❄️ What Is Deep Freeze Mode?

Deep Freeze is a cost-saving state that Search Atlas applies to projects that have been inactive for an extended period. When a project enters Deep Freeze:

  • Data collection and crawling are paused.
  • The project remains visible in your dashboard but is not actively tracked.
  • Certain actions — including deletion — are restricted until the project is reactivated.

You must take a specific step to unfreeze the project before you can delete it. See the section below for full instructions.

🛠️ How to Delete a Project That Is NOT in Deep Freeze

  1. Log in to your Search Atlas account.
  2. Navigate to OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation) from the left-hand sidebar.
  3. Locate the project you want to remove.
  4. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) or the settings icon next to the project name.
  5. Select Delete Project from the dropdown menu.
  6. Confirm the deletion in the prompt that appears.

Note: Deletion is permanent. All data associated with the project — including tracked keywords, reports, and historical data — will be removed and cannot be recovered.

❄️ How to Delete a Project That IS in Deep Freeze

If the delete option is greyed out or unavailable, your project is likely in Deep Freeze mode. Follow these steps to unfreeze it first:

  1. Open OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation) in your dashboard.
  2. Find the frozen project under the Deep Frozen tab/filter.
  3. Click on the project to open its settings.
  4. Look for the Reactivate or Unfreeze Project button and click it.
  5. Wait a few moments for the project status to update to active.
  6. Once reactivated, return to the All Sites (SEO Automation) list and click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the project.
  7. Select Delete Project and confirm your choice.

If the Reactivate button does not appear or the project remains frozen after attempting this, please reach out via the chat widget for assistance.

⚙️ WordPress Plugin Setup — Quick Reference

If you are removing a website from Search Atlas because you are also uninstalling the WordPress plugin, here is a quick checklist to keep things tidy:

  • Delete the project in Search Atlas before or after uninstalling the plugin — the order does not affect functionality.
  • To uninstall the plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, find the Search Atlas plugin, and click Deactivate then Delete.
  • Removing the plugin from WordPress does not automatically delete the project inside Search Atlas — you must delete it manually using the steps above.
  • If you are setting up the plugin on a new site, create a new project in Search Atlas first, then connect it using the API key found in your account settings.

⚠️ Important Reminders

  • Project deletion is irreversible. Download or export any reports you need before deleting.
  • Deleting a project will not cancel your subscription or affect your billing. Manage your plan separately under Account > Billing.
  • If you have multiple websites under one account, deleting one project does not affect the others.

💬 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.