## **🔍 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.