🔍 What Are the Two Credit Types?
Search Atlas uses two separate credit systems, and it is easy to confuse them. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Hyperdrive Credits: Used exclusively to speed up OTTO SEO task processing. Purchasing Hyperdrive credits gives OTTO the ability to work through your site's SEO tasks faster than the standard queue.
- AI Points: Used to power AI-driven features across the platform, including Local Citations, content generation, keyword research AI tools, and other AI-assisted workflows.
These two currencies are not interchangeable. Spending one type will not unlock features that require the other.
⚠️ Why Local Citations Is Not Working After Your Purchase
If you purchased credits and Local Citations is still unavailable, the most likely cause is that you purchased Hyperdrive credits instead of AI points. Local Citations requires AI points to run — Hyperdrive credits cannot activate it.
Here is how to check which type of credit you currently hold:
- Log in to your Search Atlas account.
- Navigate to your Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups section in the top-right menu.
- Review your credit balances. You will see separate line items for Hyperdrive Credits and AI Points.
- If your AI points balance is at zero or too low, that is why Local Citations is blocked.
🛒 How to Purchase the Correct Credits
To use Local Citations and other AI-powered features, make sure you are purchasing AI points and not Hyperdrive credits. Follow these steps:
- Go to Billing in your account settings.
- Select Buy AI Points from the available purchase options.
- Choose the quantity that fits your needs and complete the checkout.
- Once the transaction is confirmed, return to Local Citations — it should now be available.
If you are unsure which option to select during checkout, look for the label carefully. Hyperdrive always refers to OTTO task speed, while AI Points refers to AI feature usage across the platform.
💰 What to Do If You Were Charged for the Wrong Credit Type
If you purchased Hyperdrive credits by mistake and have not used them, you may be eligible for a refund or a credit swap. Here is what to do:
- Do not use the Hyperdrive credits — refund eligibility typically requires that the credits remain unused.
- Note the date, time, and amount of the transaction.
- Contact our support team as soon as possible using the live chat widget (see below).
Our team will review your purchase history and work with you on the best resolution, which may include a refund to your original payment method or a conversion to AI points depending on your account status and usage.
🧭 Quick Reference: Which Credit Do I Need?
- Local Citations → AI Points
- Content Generation → AI Points
- AI Keyword Research Tools → AI Points
- Speed up OTTO SEO Tasks → Hyperdrive Credits
When in doubt, check the feature's tooltip or description inside the platform — it will always state which currency is required before you commit to a purchase.
🛠️ Still Need 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.