This article covers the most common questions from new Search Atlas users and people learning the platform through the Academy.
Where do I start after creating a Search Atlas account?
The recommended onboarding path is:
- Create an OTTO project for your main website (OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation)) — this gives you your first site audit and SEO task list
- Connect Google Search Console (Settings → Integrations) — unlocks GSC-powered recommendations in OTTO
- Connect Google Business Profile (Local → GBP Galactic → GBP Projects → Connect GBP Account) if you have a local business
- Set up Rank Tracking (Keywords → Rank Tracker (Keyword Rank Tracker) → New Project) for your target keywords
- Explore Content Genius (Content → Content Genius) for content planning
💡 Start with OTTO and GSC — these two together provide the highest-impact first actions for most sites.
What is Atlas Brain and how do I use it?
Atlas Brain is the AI assistant built into the Search Atlas dashboard. Open it from the home page at dashboard.searchatlas.com/home (look for the chat panel icon). You can ask it to help with OTTO tasks, explain your GSC data, suggest content ideas, or manage specific features through natural language. 💡 It's the fastest way to get answers and execute tasks without navigating through menus.
What is Search Atlas Academy?
Search Atlas Academy is the learning hub with video courses, tutorials, and guided learning paths for every feature in the platform. Access it from the Academy link in the left sidebar or at academy.searchatlas.com. Courses are organized by product area and skill level — beginners can follow the structured onboarding path, and advanced users can dive into specific product modules.
I'm getting a 400 error when accessing Agent Hub. What does that mean?
The Agent Hub requires a Playbook to be configured before it can be accessed. ⚠️ If you access Agent Hub without a Playbook set up, it returns a 400 error. Go through the OTTO onboarding wizard to create your first Playbook, or contact support if you believe a Playbook should already be configured.
How long does the initial OTTO site crawl take?
The first crawl depends on your site size. Small sites (under 100 pages): typically 2–5 minutes. Medium sites (100–1,000 pages): 10–20 minutes. Large sites (1,000+ pages): 30–60 minutes or longer. You can configure the crawl speed and pages to include in your OTTO project settings. 💡 The initial crawl result is an estimate — OTTO improves its recommendations over subsequent crawls.
What is the difference between Search Atlas and OTTO?
Search Atlas is the platform. OTTO is one product within the platform — it handles automated on-page SEO, site audits, and SEO fix deployment. When people say "OTTO," they typically mean the OTTO SEO Automation section of Search Atlas. The platform also includes Content Genius, Keyword Research, Link Lab, GBP Galactic, Social Hub, AI Visibility (formerly LLM Visibility), Report Builder, and Website Studio — all under the Search Atlas umbrella.
How do I find tutorials for a specific feature?
Go to Search Atlas Academy (left sidebar → Academy). Browse by product category or use the search bar. Each product has a dedicated course. 💡 You can also ask Atlas Brain directly: "Show me how to set up a Rank Tracker project" and it will guide you through the steps.
Can I book a demo or onboarding call with the Search Atlas team?
Contact support at our Intercom chat (click the messenger icon — type Human Teammate when Voodoo responds to reach a human agent) or use the in-dashboard chat to request an onboarding call. Agency and higher-tier plans typically include dedicated onboarding sessions. ✅ Check your welcome email for a link to schedule your onboarding call if it was included in your plan.
What is the Chrome Extension?
The Search Atlas Chrome Extension lets you access key SEO metrics directly while browsing any website — see Domain Authority, backlink counts, keyword data, and OTTO status without opening the dashboard. ✅ Install it from the Chrome Web Store by searching "Search Atlas" or from the link in your dashboard settings.
What plan do I need to access all features?
Features are gated by plan. Core features (OTTO, Keyword Research, GSC) are available on most plans. Some features require higher-tier or add-on access: White Label (Pro/Agency), GBP Automation, Link Lab, Press Releases, AI Visibility (formerly LLM Visibility), and Report Builder. 💡 Check Avatar (top-right) → Billing → Plans & Top-ups to see your current feature access, or contact support for a plan recommendation based on your needs.
How do I switch between multiple client accounts?
If you manage multiple accounts through agency features, go to the account switcher in the top-right corner of the dashboard. Click your account name → Switch Account → select the client account. To manage client accounts individually, use Agency Hub → Customers → Impersonate to enter a client's account view.