Read-only actions allow your AI assistant to access existing data — such as reports, backlinks, usage, and analytics — without generating new work.

This article explains what read-only actions are, how they work, when to use them, and how they differ from execution-based actions.

## **🧠 What Read-Only Actions Are**

Read-only actions are MCP operations that retrieve existing data, display reports or analytics, and inspect current state (projects, campaigns, profiles). They do not create, modify, or submit anything. Because of this, they do not consume Search Atlas quota — they only consume AI assistant tokens.

## **🔍 What You Can Retrieve**

Using MCP read-only actions, you can access:

- Backlink data
- Keyword data
- SEO reports
- GBP locations and data
- Campaign performance
- Usage and quota information
- Previously generated content

These actions allow you to explore and analyze your data before deciding to execute changes.

## **⚙️ Retrieve Data Using MCP**

1. Open your MCP-connected AI assistant.
2. Ask for data or insights, for example: "Show me my backlinks," "Check my quota," "Show my GBP locations," or "View my SEO audit results."
3. The assistant retrieves existing data — no new work is created, the MCP simply returns stored or previously generated information.
4. Review the results to analyze performance, identify issues, and plan next steps.

## **🔁 Use Read-Only Before Execution**

1. Start with a read-only request, for example: "Show me my SEO issues."
2. Review the data.
3. Decide on the next action, for example: "Apply fixes" or "Generate recommendations."
4. Execute only after review — this ensures controlled and intentional usage.

## **⚖️ Read-Only vs Work-Producing Actions**

- **Read-only actions** retrieve data, do not consume quota, and are used for analysis.
- **Work-producing actions** generate, create, or submit, do consume quota, and are used for execution.

## **📊 Examples**

- **Read-only** — "Show me my backlinks": uses tokens, no quota consumed.
- **Execution** — "Build backlinks for my site": uses tokens, consumes quota.
- **Hybrid workflow** — "Show me keyword gaps" (read-only), then "Create content for those keywords" (execution).

## **⚠️ Important Notes**

1. Read-only actions are safe and non-destructive.
2. They do not trigger approvals in most cases.
3. They are ideal for exploration and planning.
4. They still depend on your permissions and plan access.

## **🧠 Best Practices**

- Always begin with read-only queries before executing changes.
- Use read-only actions to confirm data before running high-cost actions.
- Combine read-only insights with execution to guide actions.

Read-only actions are the safest and most efficient way to start working with MCP. By retrieving and analyzing data first, you can make better decisions, avoid unnecessary credit usage, and execute actions with confidence using your AI assistant.

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.