This guide explains how to set up Search Atlas and configure tracking, reporting, and OTTO SEO when moving from SE Ranking.
How do I set up a Search Atlas project?
Create a project
- Log in to your Search Atlas account, scroll down in the main Dashboard, and click + Create new.
- Enter your domain, select the target country, and optionally enter primary keywords for tracking.
- Add or remove recommended keywords and add your main competitors. You can change both options later.
Connect Google Search Console
- Click Site Metrics > All Sites > Connect GSC Account.

- Authorize access and connect your verified property.
- After GSC is connected, go to Manage Sites.
- In the slider showing imported GSC properties, which are disabled by default, find your domain and click Enable.

Connect Google Analytics 4
- From your GSC Performance dashboard, click Connect Google Analytics 4.
- Select your GA property or connect your GA4 account. Authorize access and connect your verified property.
- Once enabled, Search Atlas will link keyword data, impressions, CTR, and engagement metrics automatically.
- You can use publicly shareable links for fast access to verification if needed.
How do I export SE Ranking audit data and set up a Search Atlas site audit?
You do not need to import site audit data from SE Ranking. Search Atlas automatically performs fresh technical scans with actionable insights using the Site Auditor.
Export a content audit from SE Ranking
- Use the Website Audit Tool to scan your site, then go to Website Audit > Crawled Pages to view URLs and content-related metrics such as word count, title, description, and status code.

- Click the Columns tab to select the metrics to include. Click Export and choose your preferred file format, such as CSV.
- In Google Sheets, go to File > Import, upload the exported file, and click Import Data to view and work with your content inventory.

Set up a site audit in Search Atlas
- Go to OTTO & Audit > All Audits > Site Auditor.
- Enter your domain and configure the crawling features:
- User agent (use Search Atlas bot recommends for best accuracy)
- Number of pages to crawl (default is 100)
- Adjust crawl speed (default is 20 pages per second)
- Set crawl frequency (default is every 7 days)
- Run a full scan to launch the crawl across all pages under that domain.
Bulk auditing (Pro Plan Feature)
For agencies or multi-site audits, go to Update Sites in Bulk and paste multiple domains to queue audits simultaneously.
How do I export SE Ranking ranking history and track keywords in Search Atlas?
Export rankings from SE Ranking
- Go to Rankings > Detailed and select the project to export data from.
- Use filters to choose the search engine, location, and date range if needed.
- Click the Export button in the top-right corner and choose your preferred format (CSV, XLSX, or PDF).

- Download the file to your device for further analysis or migration.
Track keywords in Search Atlas
- Go to Keywords > Keyword Rank Tracker.
- Enter your domain or target page and specify the target location (country, state, city, county, or province).
- For example, track rankings for searchatlas.com in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Click Start Tracking and connect your Google Business Profile (GBP), if applicable. Enter the name of your project, description, language, and keyword refresh interval (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Custom).
- Search Atlas will automatically recommend keywords. Select from the recommendations or paste keywords manually from the SE Ranking sheet.

How do I export local rankings and set up a GBP project?
You do not need to import data from SE Ranking because Search Atlas connects with your Google Business Profile (GBP) to automatically draw all of the information. You can still export the Local SEO information for further consultation.
Export local rankings from SE Ranking
- Go to Local Marketing > Local Rankings and select your project.
- Choose the required time period from the calendar and press the Export button in the top-right corner.
- Choose whether to download the data in .XLSX or .CSV format.

Connect your GBP and select your business
- Go to Local SEO > Connect GBP and link your verified listing.

- Authorize access and connect your verified property.
- Search by business name, Place ID, business URL, or import via email invitation.
- Click + Save to create your local SEO project.
Configure the heatmap
- After GBP is connected and the project is saved, go to Local SEO > Local SEO Heatmap.

- Add the keywords to track, choose circle or rectangle to define the tracking area, and set the radius. Recommendations:
- 3–5 miles → Use 3 layers or grids
- 10–25 miles → Use 4–5 layers or gridsThe bigger the mile radius, the more layers or grids you should use. This recommendation increases grid density for wider coverage.
- Schedule refresh intervals and choose specific times when your business is open. Avoid midnight or off-hours, as this may show lower ranks than actual performance.

- Click on the pins to omit unnecessary ones (e.g., uninhabited areas) to save quota and avoid skewed average ranks.

Edit existing reports
- Click on an existing project and click on the top of the page.

- A timeline will be available to check ranking progress over time. Click on Edit heatmap to change the configuration.
Compare competitors
- To analyze how the business compares its rankings against each competitor in the area, click on an individual pin you want to target.

- A list of local competitors will appear for the same keyword and pin. Click on Compare to choose which one to compare.

- Your business and the selected competitor will be compared side by side. Move the camera, zoom out, and zoom in to analyze the region.

Set up Local Rank Tracker
- Go to Keywords > Keyword Rank Tracker.

- Enter the business’ website or target page, select the exact location being targeted, and click Start Tracking.
- Set the device preference, language, frequency, custom naming, and description of campaigns or view.
- Add the local keywords from your SE Ranking sheet.
Add multiple locations
If you have multiple businesses for the same project, click + Add New Location to track keywords for multiple locations in one report (e.g., Las Vegas and New York) and assign different keyword sets to each.

How do I export SE Ranking reports and create reports in Search Atlas?
There is no direct way to import reports from SE Ranking into Search Atlas. You can create equivalent reports in Search Atlas using the Report Builder.
Export a report from SE Ranking
- Go to the Report Builder and select your project.
- In the report settings menu:
- Choose the project to report on.
- Set the date range (e.g., today, last 7 days, last month).
- Select the export format: PDF, XLS, or HTML.
- Choose a vertical or horizontal layout.
- Pick your preferred language (from nine available options).
- After configuring the report, click Export to generate the file.
- Download the report and send it manually via email as needed.

Create a report in Search Atlas
- Go to Report Builder > Report List.
- Choose the location, date range, and report widgets, such as:
- AI Summaries
- Site Explorer
- OTTO SEO
- Orders & Tasks
- Google Analytics data
- Google Search Console data
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Google Business Profile
- Keyword Rank Tracking
- Schedule the automated reporting by adding recipients, selecting the email frequency (weekly, monthly, or quarterly), and choosing the day of the week the report will be sent.
- Choose between Default Layout and Custom Layout, and create the report.
Customize the report
- After creating the report, click Configure Report to change the Integrations, Scheduled emails, and Layout.
- In Layout, customize the report.
- Click Add custom text to add your own text or HTML, including branding such as a logo, banner, and links.
- Scroll down and click and drag each metric to the report. You can choose where to add the report.

Add AI Summaries
- In Integrations, you can add the AI Summary Overview.
- These are automated overviews that highlight key points of your report to help you and your clients understand the results.

Create a Local SEO report
- Click Configure Report and go to the Local SEO and GBP Section.
- Integrate as many Local SEO projects and GBP Accounts as necessary for the report.
- The previously configured heatmap for each Local SEO project will be added to the report automatically. The heatmaps are customizable.

- GBP data will be added to the report automatically. Each metric is customizable.

Share the report
After configuring your report, download it as a .PDF, or share it via Share URL or Get iFrame Code.
IFrame Code is an HTML element that allows you to embed another HTML page within your own.
Set up white-label reporting
- Go to Agency White Label and set your custom dashboard URL and logo.

- When you share your report via Shareable URL, it will display your logo and URL.
How do I enable automated SEO optimization with OTTO SEO?
With Search Atlas, you can set up OTTO SEO, the AI agent that automates nearly every SEO task, including technical audits, on-page optimization, link building, content creation and optimization, Local SEO and GBP optimization, and more.
Obs: You need to complete the Site Audit on your project before activating OTTO.
Set up OTTO SEO
- Go to Projects > + Add a Website.

- Select one of your projects that doesn’t have OTTO installed, or add a new website.
- Select the GSC and GBP, and add your business details.
- Proceed with the tutorial to install OTTO.

Install OTTO on another CMS
- Go to OTTO & Projects > Installation Guide. Short tutorials are available for:
- Google Tag Manager
- WordPress
- Shopify
- Webflow
- Squarespace
- ClickFunnels
- Wix
- GoHighLevel (GHL)
- Custom Installation

Install OTTO SEO on WordPress
- Go to your WordPress dashboard and open the Plugins section. Search for “Search Atlas” in the plugin directory. Click Install Now, then activate the plugin.

- Copy the API key provided during setup. Open the Search Atlas plugin settings by clicking the Search Atlas logo in the left-hand menu. Go to General Settings. Paste the API key into the Search Atlas API Key field and continue.

- Copy the code provided in the next step. Return to your WordPress dashboard and open the plugin settings again. In General Settings, check the Enable OTTO box. Paste the code into the OTTO Pixel UUID field and save changes.

- OTTO SEO now runs inside WordPress, automating fixes and SEO updates across your site.
Configure OTTO SEO
See the tutorial on configuring OTTO Autopilot and settings.
How do I use the Search Atlas onboarding resources?
Watch tutorial videos
Search Atlas offers step-by-step tutorials on YouTube to help you set up reports, dashboards, and automations.
Book a 1:1 onboarding session
During your trial, you can schedule a 1:1 onboarding session directly from the dashboard. A product expert can help you customize your setup, connect integrations, and configure OTTO SEO for automation.
Follow the 7-Day Email Campaign
When you start your free trial, you’ll receive a 7-day onboarding email sequence. Each email walks you through a core feature.
Use the technical documentation
Access the technical docs via the Help Center for detailed instructions on using every tool. The documentation is searchable and regularly updated.
For further assistance, reach out via live chat.