🔍 Fix Topical Map Seed Keywords Not Updating

📌 Overview

After a site migration, rebrand, or Brand Vault update, you may notice that your Topical Map still shows the old seed keywords. Clicking refresh may not change anything. This article explains why that happens and what you can do to get your Topical Map working from your new information.

🤔 Why This Happens

Seed keywords are the starting terms a Topical Map uses to build your topics and subtopics. In most cases, a Topical Map takes its seed keywords from your business details at the time the map is created. This means:

• Existing maps may keep their original seeds. Updating your Brand Vault changes what is saved for future use, but it may not rewrite a map that already exists.
• Refreshing the page only reloads what is saved. It does not necessarily pull new seed keywords from your Brand Vault.
• A site migration can leave old details behind. If your project still points to the old domain, or the Brand Vault still describes your old site, the old keywords can keep appearing.
• Browser caching can show old data. Sometimes the update was saved, but your browser is still showing an older version of the page.

✅ Step 1: Confirm Your Brand Vault Changes Were Saved

Before anything else, make sure your updates were actually stored.

1. Open your Brand Vault from the platform.
2. Check that your business description, products or services, and website details reflect your new site.
3. Save your changes if there is a save or update button.
4. Leave the page, then return to it to confirm the new details are still there.

🌐 Step 2: Check Your Project and Domain Details

If you moved to a new domain or changed your site structure, confirm the platform is pointing to the right place.

1. Open your project settings and look at the website URL.
2. Make sure it matches your current live site, including the correct domain and version (for example, with or without www, and https).
3. If the old domain is still listed, update it or set up a new project for the new domain.

If your domain changed completely, starting a fresh project for the new site is often the cleanest option. It prevents old data from carrying over.

🔄 Step 3: Clear Your Browser Cache and Reload

This quick step rules out a display issue.

1. Do a hard refresh of the page. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + R. On Mac, press Cmd + Shift + R.
2. If nothing changes, log out and log back in.
3. Try opening the platform in a private or incognito window.

If the new seed keywords appear in the private window, clearing your regular browser cache should fix the issue.

🗺️ Step 4: Create a New Topical Map

If your Brand Vault and project details are correct but the map still shows old seed keywords, the existing map is likely locked to its original seeds. The most reliable fix is to build a new one.

1. Go to the Topical Map tool.
2. Start a new Topical Map for your updated project.
3. Review the seed keywords shown at the start. They should now reflect your updated Brand Vault.
4. If you can edit the seed keywords manually, add or replace any that look outdated.
5. Generate the map and review the results.

Keep your old map until you are happy with the new one. You can compare the two and remove the old map when you no longer need it.

💡 Tips for a Smoother Experience After a Migration

• Update your Brand Vault first. Do this before creating any new Topical Map so the correct details are picked up from the start.
• Use specific business descriptions. Clear details about your products, services, and audience lead to more relevant seed keywords.
• Avoid mixing old and new brand names. If you rebranded, make sure the old name does not appear in your descriptions.
• Name your maps clearly. Adding a date or version, such as the month of your migration, makes it easy to tell old maps from new ones.

🧾 What to Share If You Still Need Help

If the seed keywords still do not update after the steps above, gathering a few details will help our team resolve it faster:

• The name of your project and the domain it uses
• The old domain and the new domain, if you migrated
• The name of the Topical Map that is showing outdated seed keywords
• The seed keywords you expected to see and the ones that appear instead
• A screenshot of your Brand Vault and the Topical Map seed keywords screen

💬 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.