## **🎯 What Does Distribution Mean?**

Once your article is published, distribution is the next step: sending it to the channels connected to your Search Atlas account so more people can find and read it. Connected channels are the accounts and platforms you have linked to Search Atlas, such as your website or CMS and any other integrations on your plan.

This guide walks you through distributing a new article, connecting channels that are missing, and fixing the most common problems.

## **✅ Before You Begin**

Check these items first. They solve most distribution issues.

- **Your article is published.** Drafts usually cannot be distributed. Confirm the status shows as published.
- **Your channels are connected.** Only channels you have linked will appear as options.
- **Your connections are active.** If a channel was linked a while ago, its permissions may have expired and need to be refreshed.
- **You have the right permissions.** You need access to the project the article belongs to, and the right role on the connected account.

## **🚀 How to Distribute a Published Article**

1. Log in to Search Atlas and open the **project** that contains your article.
2. Go to the area where your articles and content are listed.
3. Find the article you just published and open it.
4. Look for a **Distribute**, **Share**, or **Publish** option. The exact label can vary depending on your plan and the integrations you have set up.
5. Select the channels you want to send the article to. You can usually choose one or several.
6. Review the details for each channel, such as the title, description, image, and link.
7. Confirm your choices and submit.
8. Check the status of each channel. A successful distribution is normally marked as completed or published.

**Tip:** After distributing, open the live post on each channel to confirm it looks right, including formatting, images, and links.

## **🔌 What If I Do Not See My Channel?**

If a channel you expect is missing from the list, it is probably not connected yet. To connect it:

1. Open your project or account **settings**.
2. Find the **integrations** or connections section.
3. Choose the channel you want to add and follow the on-screen prompts to sign in and grant access.
4. Return to your article and try distributing again.

Connecting a channel only needs to be done once. After that, it appears as an option for future articles.

## **💡 Best Practices for Distribution**

- **Proofread before you publish.** Changes made after distribution may not carry over to every channel automatically.
- **Tailor your message.** A short, clear summary often works better than copying the full article.
- **Use a strong image and title.** These are usually the first things people see.
- **Distribute soon after publishing.** This helps your content reach readers while it is fresh.
- **Keep your integrations healthy.** Reconnect any channel that shows an error or expired status.

## **🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues**

- **The distribute option is missing or greyed out.** Make sure the article is published, then refresh the page. Also check that at least one channel is connected.
- **A channel shows an error or failed status.** Disconnect and reconnect that channel to refresh its permissions, then try again.
- **The article was sent but does not appear on the channel.** Wait a few minutes and check again. Some platforms take time to display new posts. Also check that the post was not held for review on that platform.
- **The formatting looks different.** Each channel displays content in its own way. Review the preview if one is offered and adjust the title, image, or description.
- **You distributed the wrong article or to the wrong channel.** Remove or edit the post directly on that channel, then redistribute the correct version.

## **💬 Need More Help?**

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

To help us resolve your issue faster, mention the article title, the channel you are trying to use, and any error message you see.