🔍 Overview
Otto projects are tied to a connected domain at the time of setup. If you need to change that domain — for example, switching from islandcardio.com to island-cardio.com — you cannot modify the domain in-place. Otto does not currently support editing a connected domain after a project has been created. However, you can replace the domain quickly using the steps below, and your core project settings are straightforward to restore.
⚠️ Before You Begin
- Changing a connected domain requires disconnecting the existing domain and reconnecting the correct one.
- Any deployed Otto automations (meta tags, schema, redirects, etc.) tied to the old domain will no longer be managed by Otto once that domain is removed.
- If the old domain is still live and indexed, review your SEO settings before disconnecting to avoid unintended changes to your site.
- You will need access to your website's backend or CMS to re-verify the new domain.
🔄 How to Change Your Connected Domain
- Go to OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation) using the left sidebar.
- Open the Otto project that has the incorrect domain connected.
- Locate the connected domain at the top of the project dashboard and click Disconnect Domain (or the equivalent remove/unlink option shown in your interface).
- Confirm the disconnection when prompted. The project will enter an unconnected state — your project history and configuration remain saved.
- Click Connect Domain (or Add Domain) and enter the correct domain — for example, island-cardio.com.
- Follow the on-screen verification steps to confirm ownership of the new domain. This typically involves adding a DNS record or a verification tag to your site.
- Once verified, the new domain will be active and Otto will begin analysing it.
- Review your automation settings and re-deploy any fixes or optimisations that were previously applied to the old domain.
📋 What Is Retained vs. What Resets
- Retained: Your Otto project name, connected GSC and GA4 accounts (if re-linked), and your subscription seat.
- Resets: Previously deployed on-site changes are no longer tracked under the new domain. Otto will run a fresh audit against the new domain and surface a new set of recommendations.
- Action required: If you had approved and deployed automations on the old domain, you will need to review and re-deploy the relevant fixes under the new domain's audit results.
🛡️ Handling Compromised or Overtaken Domains
If you are changing domains because your original domain has been compromised, hacked, or taken over by a third party, take these additional steps:
- Disconnect the compromised domain from Otto immediately to prevent Otto from deploying any further changes to a site you no longer control.
- Do not reconnect the compromised domain even temporarily — connect your new or restored domain directly.
- Revoke any API access or site verification tokens associated with the old domain through your DNS provider and Google Search Console.
- After connecting the new domain, run a full Otto audit to establish a clean baseline for the replacement domain.
💡 Tips for a Smooth Domain Switch
- If both domains (old and new) are live simultaneously during a migration, connect the destination domain and let Otto audit it before the old domain is retired.
- Keep a record of the automations that were active on the old domain so you can prioritise re-deploying them on the new one.
- After switching, allow 24–48 hours for Otto to complete its initial crawl and populate recommendations for the new domain.
🆘 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.