📖 Features & How-To

🔗 Backlink Building with Search Atlas

✉️ Digital PR

🛡️ Distribution Channels – Content Guidelines & Best Practices

Backlink Profile

🔗 Getting Started with Link Laboratory (Publisher Exchange)

Anchor Text

🔥 Understanding the WILDFIRE Link-Building System

👑 Authority: Complete Guide to Authority Building, Indexing, Digital PR & Outreach

📰 How It Works: Press Release

🔍 Understanding Domain Authority vs Domain Power

Domain Authority (DA) is one of the most referenced metrics in SEO — but it captures only part of your site's true search performance. This article explains what DA measures, how it is calculated, and why Search Atlas's proprietary Domain Power metric provides a more accurate and manipulation-resistant view of your site's authority. While DA is not a direct Google ranking factor, the strategies that strengthen it — earning quality backlinks, publishing authoritative content, and building trust signals (such as brand mentions, E-E-A-T content, and secure HTTPS hosting) — are the same strategies that drive real rankings. The difference lies in which metric you use to measure your progress. What Is Domain Authority? Domain Authority (DA) is a proprietary metric created by Moz that estimates how likely a website is to rank in search results. It is scored on a scale of 1 to 100, with higher scores suggesting a stronger ability to rank competitively. DA is not an official Google signal, is not shared with Google, and plays no role in Google's ranking algorithm. It is derived entirely from Moz's own link index and machine learning models — not from any data Google provides. It is best used as a comparative tool: helpful for benchmarking your site against competitors, but not a substitute for actual search performance data. Think of DA like a credit score for your website: the better your link profile and the more trusted the domains pointing to you, the higher your score — but the score itself is Moz's estimate, not Google's verdict. 📊 Why Is Domain Authority Important? DA is not a Google ranking factor, but it supports: - Competitive benchmarking: Compare your site against industry competitors to set realistic goals. - Backlink prospecting: A link from a high-DA site typically carries more value than one from a low-quality source. 🔗 How Is Domain Authority Calculated? Moz uses a machine learning model to evaluate: - Link profile: Both internal and external links. Trusted sites linking to you build credibility. - Root domains: The number of unique domains linking to you matters more than total link count. - Spam score: Moz's system checks whether your backlinks resemble spammy patterns. Because DA is a relative metric calculated from Moz's index, it can fluctuate as other sites in the index gain or lose backlinks — even if nothing changes on your own site. 🧠 What Is a Good Domain Authority Score? A "good" DA depends on your industry and competitive landscape. General benchmarks: - 70+: Dominant authority sites (e.g., Forbes, TechCrunch). - 50–70: Well-established businesses with solid link profiles. - 30–50: Growing sites building credibility. - Under 30: Newer or smaller sites working on their backlink strategy. How to Check Domain Authority You can check DA and other SEO metrics using Site Explorer in Search Atlas. It provides: - Domain Power — Search Atlas's proprietary metric, more accurate than DA. - Organic traffic trends. - Backlinks and referring domains. - Top competitors and ranking keywords. 📅 How Often Should You Check Domain Authority? Check DA monthly. It changes slowly, so 30-day intervals let new backlinks register without tracking meaningless short-term fluctuations. 5 Ways to Increase Your Domain Authority 1. Earn high-quality backlinks — Reach out to industry sites for links. Use Backlink Analyzer, Link Gap Analysis, and Bulk DA Checker in Search Atlas to identify opportunities. 2. Create shareable, high-value content — Publish guides, research, and posts that attract natural backlinks. Use Content Genius to optimize for clarity, factuality, and user intent. 3. Audit and remove harmful links — Toxic backlinks can drag your score down. Audit regularly and disavow spammy links. Use OTTO SEO to find and fix broken or redirected links automatically. 4. Optimize site structure and user experience — A clean architecture, fast load times, SSL, and mobile optimization make your site easier to crawl and more trusted. Use the Site Audit tool in Search Atlas to fix robots.txt and sitemap issues. 5. Improve internal linking — Internal links spread authority across your site. Use OTTO SEO to identify missing link opportunities and deploy them automatically. ❓ Why Domain Authority Alone Doesn't Provide Accurate SEO Insights DA and DR (Domain Rating) can be manipulated with spammy link-building. While inflated scores may look impressive on paper, they don't deliver sustainable SEO value and do not reflect how a site actually performs in Google search results. That's why Search Atlas created Domain Power — a metric designed to resist manipulation and reflect true search performance. What Is Domain Power? Domain Power (DP) is Search Atlas's proprietary authority metric. Unlike DA, which is based solely on a third-party link index, Domain Power is calculated using a combination of real-world data sources that reflect actual Google search performance: - Google Search Console data: Direct impressions, click-through rates, and ranking signals sourced from Google. - Organic traffic and ranking keywords: The volume and quality of keywords a domain actually ranks for in Google search results. - Content quality signals: Page relevance, topical depth, and optimization quality across the site. - Topical authority: A domain's demonstrated expertise within its specific niche or industry. By anchoring the score to real Google performance data rather than a third-party link index, Domain Power cannot be inflated by purchasing low-quality backlinks — making it a more reliable signal for internal benchmarking, competitive analysis, and evaluating link partners. 📊 Why Domain Power Is More Accurate Unlike DA, Domain Power incorporates: - Page quality: Content relevance and optimization level across your entire domain. - Topical authority: Depth of expertise within your specific niche — not just raw link volume. - Real-world traffic signals: Actual visibility and click performance in Google search results. Testing shows Domain Power correlates more closely with actual rankings than DA or DR, precisely because it measures what happens in Google — not what a third-party crawler estimates. 🧠 What Is a Good Domain Power Score? Domain Power is scored from 0 to 100. General benchmarks: - 65–100: Giants with massive organic footprints (e.g., Google, Forbes, SpaceX). - 35–65: Industry leaders with strong, sustained search visibility. - 0–35: Up-and-comers building presence in niche markets. Even sites with a Domain Power score in the 30s can be valuable backlink partners if they serve a well-defined niche with genuine organic traffic. 🔍 Domain Power vs Domain Authority: Real-World Examples Example 1 — Inflated DA, no real authority: - DA 48 site with 723 backlinks. - Ranks for only 2 keywords, receives no organic traffic. - Domain Power score: 4 — exposes the site's lack of genuine authority. Example 2 — Low DA, high real authority: - DA 20 site with 4,400 ranking keywords and strong organic traffic. - Domain Power score: 40 — accurately reflects its real-world SEO strength. 📍 Where to Find Domain Power in Search Atlas Domain Power is surfaced across several areas of the Search Atlas platform: - Site Explorer: Enter any domain to view its Domain Power score alongside organic traffic, backlinks, and top-ranking keywords — the primary place to check DP for your own site or a competitor's. - Site Metrics → Backlinks (Backlinks): Domain Power scores appear in the DP column next to each referring domain so you can assess the true authority of every link source before pursuing or accepting a link. - Link Gap Analysis: Compare your Domain Power against competitors to identify link-building and content gaps worth prioritizing. - QP Add Sites flow: When adding publisher sites in the Quality Publishers module, Domain Power is surfaced as a key site-quality signal to help evaluate partner suitability at a glance. 🚀 How to Improve Your Domain Power Because Domain Power is anchored to real Google performance, improving it requires genuine SEO progress — not link manipulation. Take the following steps within Search Atlas: 1. Build topical authority — Use Content Genius to identify content gaps in your niche and publish comprehensive, optimized articles. Topical depth across a subject area is a direct input into Domain Power. 2. Earn authoritative, relevant backlinks — Use Link Gap Analysis to find high-Domain-Power sites that link to competitors but not to you. Prioritize topical relevance over raw link volume. 3. Grow real organic traffic — Because Domain Power reads Google Search Console signals, improving impressions, clicks, and ranking keywords lifts your score. Use Site Explorer to track progress over time. 4. Maintain technical health — Run regular Site Audit checks and let OTTO SEO auto-fix crawlability, internal linking, and on-page issues that hold back visibility. Domain Power gives you a clearer, more honest view of your site's true authority — and the steps that raise it are the same steps that grow sustainable search performance.

🔗 Backlink Building Training

🌟 Introduction Backlinks are one of the four pillars of SEO and critical for improving your website’s authority and visibility. This session walks through multiple ways to build backlinks with SearchAtlas—from AI-powered automations to marketplace placements and exchange programs. 📝 Agenda 1️⃣ Backlink Fundamentals – Why backlinks matter for authority. 2️⃣ Cloud Stacks – AI content syndicated across 14 domains. 3️⃣ Press Releases – AI press release generation and distribution. 4️⃣ Links Lab – Access to 50,000+ publishers and marquee outlets. 5️⃣ Campaign Outreach – Email outreach to custom domain lists. 6️⃣ Wildfire – Automated backlink exchange program. 7️⃣ Best Practices – Frequency, targeting, and backlink rotation. 8️⃣ Final Q&A – Open session for clarifications. 🚀 Backlink Building Methods ☁️ Cloud Stacks - Cost: 15 Hyperdrive credits - Publishes across 14 domains simultaneously. - AI-generated content and images (review before publishing). - Backlinks live 3 months – 1 year. - ✅ Tip: Always use all 14 domains for maximum impact. 📰 Press Releases - Cost: 15 Hyperdrive credits (27–35 backlinks). - Distribution to media and local news outlets. - Option for Dynamic Press Releases to diversify across channels. - Requires manual content review & category selection. - Backlinks live 3–12 months. - ✅ Tip: Run 1 press release + 1 cloud stack per month (or weekly if budget allows). 🧪 Links Lab - Marketplace of 50,000+ publishers. - Filter by category, niche, domain power, and spam score. - Blue checkmark = lowest rejection rate. - Marquee options: Apple.com, MarketWatch, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, etc. - Cost varies by publisher; optional $15 writer add-on. - Backlinks live 3–12 months. 📧 Campaign Outreach - Build PR-style outreach campaigns to specific domains. - Steps: 1. Create outreach template. 2. Connect email. 3. Upload domain list. 4. Define follow-up cadence (0–3). - Emails are sent directly through your inbox. 🔥 Wildfire (Backlink Exchange) - 2:1 ratio → 2 of your links on partner sites, 1 of theirs on yours. - Auto-matches with non-competitor, topical domains. - Backlinks not visible on front-end, only crawled by search engines. - Can disable anytime via Autopilot → Experimental Hub. 💡 Best Practices - 📅 Run backlinks monthly (minimum). - 🔄 Rotate target pages & keywords (avoid always linking to the same page). - ✅ Review all AI-generated content before publishing. - 📊 Track backlink performance via Authority Building reports. 👉 Watch the full training recording to see live demos of Cloud Stacks, Press Releases, Links Lab, Outreach, and Wildfire in action.

📣 Digital PR — Outreach Execution & Control (Search Atlas)

📣 Purpose Execute, control, and monitor outreach campaigns that convert authority research into publisher contact, responses, and link or mention opportunities. 🎯 Primary Function Operationalize authority targets into structured outreach workflows with controlled messaging, response tracking, and campaign-level state management. 🧭 UI Entry Point Left Sidebar → Authority → Authority Building / PR Distribution (Press Releases) Subsections: Campaigns, Inbox, Sent, and Templates (referenced, not defined here). 📥 Inputs 1. Campaign name 2. Source type (currently SERP; Google Maps and Backlinks sources are coming soon) and keyword targeting 3. Filters (country, TLD, optional filters, skip catch-all domains) 4. Connected email account 5. Outreach message templates A global blocklist for excluding domains from outreach also exists, but it is managed as a separate module-level setting rather than a field inside campaign creation. 📝 Campaign Creation Action: Create an outreach campaign targeting publishers or domains, using a guided multi-step wizard. User actions: click Create new campaign, name the campaign, choose a source type, define keyword targeting, apply filters (country, TLD, and other optional filters), select a connected email account, and choose or attach templates for the outreach sequence. Campaigns are configuration-only until emails are sent, and target scope is controlled by filters and the global blocklist. ✉️ Email Presence & Sending Action: Associate an email account and initiate outreach. User actions: select a connected email account, review sender identity, and proceed to send outreach emails. Emails are sent via connected inboxes, sending state is tracked per campaign, and follow-up logic is configured separately. 📬 Response Management (Inbox) Action: Review and manage incoming replies. User actions: open Inbox, filter by campaign, contact, or milestone, review reply content, and update status or milestone as needed. The Inbox is synchronized asynchronously, replies are linked to originating campaigns, and manual actions do not affect sent state. 📤 Outbound Monitoring (Sent) Action: Review outbound outreach history. User actions: open Sent, filter by campaign or contact, and inspect delivery and send records. Sent messages are immutable records, used for audit, reconciliation, and campaign health checks. 🔄 State Changes Campaign lifecycle: Draft → Active → Completed (logical state); state reflects outreach activity, not success. Contact-level states: Not contacted → Emailed → Replied; reply state appears only in Inbox. Email synchronization: Pending sync → Available; sync delays do not affect send execution. 📊 Outputs - Outreach emails sent - Publisher replies received - Engagement signals (response rate) - Campaign-level execution metrics - Contact-level conversation records 🔗 Dependencies 1. QUEST commonly provides target domains and authority-aligned sources 2. Templates define message structure (but are managed separately) 3. Connected email accounts are required to send outreach 🚫 Non-Goals Digital PR does not generate authority targets, perform SERP or query analysis, publish content or backlinks directly, or guarantee placements or responses. Digital PR does not manage indexing or content creation. 📝 Notes & Tips 1. Campaign filters directly affect outreach quality and scale 2. Inbox replies should be reviewed before launching follow-ups 3. Use the campaign list to organize outreach by client, topic, or strategy 4. Sent view is a monitoring tool, not a control surface Digital PR defines the execution and control layer of outreach in Search Atlas. It translates authority targets into structured campaigns, enforces messaging discipline through templates, and provides visibility into outbound and inbound communication states. No research or authority discovery occurs in this layer. Its responsibility is execution integrity, response tracking, and operational clarity. Authority creation and visibility outcomes depend on inputs provided by QUEST and execution volume controlled at the campaign level. For message standardization and scale, refer to the Templates documentation. 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.

📘 Press Release Rejections: How to Improve Acceptance Rates

Most distributors don't give a solid reason for rejection or non-acceptance of a press release. However, we recently received feedback from AP News and MarketWatch that helps clarify common patterns behind rejections and how to improve acceptance rates. This article outlines the confirmed insights we have so far and what you can do to increase the likelihood of press release pickup. 🔎 Why Press Releases Get Rejected Most distributors don't provide detailed explanations when a press release is rejected or not accepted. Based on recent feedback from AP News and MarketWatch, one of the most common reasons is content type. Press releases generally perform best when they are time-sensitive announcements, rather than evergreen or blog-style informational content. Only a limited number of distributors accept evergreen content. ✍️ How to Improve Press Release Acceptance Rates Step 1: Focus on Time-Sensitive Announcements Press releases should be framed around a clear, timely announcement. Reframing evergreen content into a newsworthy update can significantly improve pickup chances. Step 2: Anchor the Story to a Newsworthy Milestone Instead of positioning the content as "Company X is great at providing a service," align the release with a specific event or achievement, such as: - A company anniversary (e.g., 5-year milestone) - Reaching a major achievement (e.g., serving the 100th client) - Announcing a new partnership or collaboration - Introducing a new franchisee or office location - Launching a new website, product, or service - Expansion into a new market or region Step 3: Write Like a Press Release (Not a Blog Post) Press releases should be concise, factual, and structured around a clear announcement. They should be supported by quotes, data, or relevant context, rather than long-form or opinion-based writing. A standard press release follows the inverted pyramid structure: lead with the most important information, then supporting details, then background context. 🧩 Distributor-Specific Considerations Some distributors are more flexible than others. - Distributors like GoMedia are generally more open to publishing evergreen content and do not require specific milestones or time-based announcements. - Other distributors, such as AP News and MarketWatch, are stricter and prioritize timely, news-driven content. We are continuing to gather feedback from additional distributors to identify patterns and reduce rejection rates further. For now, this is the confirmed information available. ⚠️ Important Notice About Press Release Rejections Press release rejections are not the responsibility of Search Atlas. Each individual or company submitting press releases is responsible for ensuring their content complies with the guidelines outlined in the Search Atlas Knowledge Base (KB) before publishing. If a press release is rejected, the user must adjust the content to meet the conditions and requirements set by the distributors and submit it again. Search Atlas cannot and will not regenerate, rewrite, create, or resubmit press releases on behalf of the user. Search Atlas does not intervene in, influence, or have jurisdiction over the editorial or approval decisions made by press release distributors or publishers. All approval, rejection, or non-acceptance decisions are made solely by the distributing platforms. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do all distributors require time-sensitive press releases? No. Some distributors, such as GoMedia, are more flexible and may accept evergreen content. Why doesn't my press release get a rejection reason? Most distributors do not provide detailed explanations for rejection or non-acceptance. This is standard practice across the press release distribution industry. Is evergreen content always rejected? Not always, but only a limited number of distributors accept evergreen or blog-style articles. The majority of major outlets expect newsworthy, time-sensitive content. This guidance reflects the confirmed feedback we have received so far from AP News, MarketWatch, and other distributors. We will continue gathering insights to help improve overall acceptance rates. 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.

🧱 Authority Building — Execution Layer (Search Atlas)

Purpose Execute off-page authority creation and discovery acceleration through controlled distribution, cloud asset publishing, and forced indexation. Primary Function Create, deploy, and surface authority signals (links, mentions, indexed URLs) that support ranking, discovery, and trust for target pages. UI Entry Point Left Sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) Subsections: - 📰 PR Distribution - ☁️ Cloud Stacks - 🧷 Indexer Inputs Common Inputs (shared across tools) - Project context (OTTO Project, optional GBP Project) - Target URL (page receiving authority) - Keywords (topical alignment) - Knowledge Graph data (business info, location, authorship) - Media assets (logo, images, optional video) - Social profile URLs Core Actions 📰 PR Distribution Action: Distribute press releases across selected media channels. User actions: - Create press release - Populate Knowledge Graph fields - Select distribution category and tiers - Review credit summary - Publish to selected channels Execution characteristics: - Multi-step workflow with approval points - Channel-based distribution - Optional content variation and indexing services ☁️ Cloud Stacks Action: Publish AI-generated articles across cloud-hosted platforms with backlinks. User actions: - Create Cloud Stack - Attach project and target URL - Provide contextual business data - Select cloud platforms (up to 14) - Publish stack Execution characteristics: - Fixed credit cost regardless of number of platforms - Distributed asset deployment - Embedded backlinks to target URL 🧷 Indexer Action: Submit URLs for accelerated indexation. User actions: - Create indexing batch - Provide batch name - Submit URLs (one per line) Execution characteristics: - Batch-based submission - Status tracking per batch - Used post-publication or post-link acquisition State Changes PR Distribution - Draft → Ready → Published - Unpublished/Generated PRs expose a “Resume” action - Published PRs populate publish date and status Cloud Stacks - Draft → Select Sites → Published - Published state shows “Published X of 14 Sites” Indexer - Submitted → Processing → Indexed (partial or complete) Outputs 1. Backlinks to target URLs 2. Brand mentions across distributed assets 3. Indexed URLs discoverable by search engines 4. Authority signals supporting ranking and trust Dependencies 1. Indexer is commonly used after: - PR Distribution - Cloud Stack publication 2. Knowledge Graph accuracy affects: - Content consistency - Entity alignment 3. Credit availability gates execution Non-Goals 1. Does not perform: - Outreach negotiation - Publisher relationship management - LLM answer optimization 2. Does not replace: - Digital PR campaigns - QUEST analysis - Template-based scaling Notes & Tips 1. 📝 Index newly published PR and Cloud Stack URLs to reduce discovery lag. 2. 📝 Cloud Stacks should target specific URLs, not entire domains. 3. 📝 Review credit summary before publishing PR Distribution to avoid unexpected spend. 4. 💡 Authority Building tools are execution-focused and designed to be combined, not used in isolation. This article defines the execution layer of Authority in Search Atlas. It describes how authority signals are created, deployed, and surfaced through controlled distribution, cloud-based publishing, and indexation workflows. Each component in this layer is designed to operate independently while producing outputs that can be consumed by downstream systems, including indexing services, Digital PR, and AI Visibility (formerly LLM Visibility) workflows. No strategic interpretation or outreach logic is applied at this stage, only execution, state transitions, and measurable outputs. For research, opportunity discovery, and AI visibility, refer to the dedicated QUEST documentation. For outreach orchestration and response management, see the Digital PR and Templates execution layers. This separation ensures Authority remains modular, predictable, and scalable across different visibility and ranking use cases.

🔗 Backlinks

The Backlinks section provides a complete view of all links pointing to a domain, including their sources, growth trends, attributes, and structure. This tool lets you measure link authority, track backlink acquisition and losses, analyze link quality, and explore the full ecosystem of domains, anchors, and IPs connected to your website. You can also segment and filter backlinks using advanced controls to uncover actionable SEO insights. 🚀 How to Access Backlinks Backlinks navigation from Site Explorer From the left sidebar, click Site Metrics, then click Backlinks. Enter your domain in the search bar, select Domain from the dropdown, choose a country (for example, United States), and click Search. 📊 Top Metrics Backlinks, Referring Domains, and Referring IPs metrics At the top of the Backlinks dashboard: Backlinks shows the total number of links from other websites pointing to your target; Referring Domains shows the total number of unique domains linking to your target; and Referring IPs shows the total number of referring IPs with at least one link pointing to the analyzed domain or URL. 🎯 Scope Selector Use the dropdown next to the search bar to change the analysis scope: Domain, Sub Domain, Target Page, or Sub Folder. 📈 Backlink Growth and Trends Backlink growth and trends chart The main chart displays backlink activity over time — New Links, New ref. domains, Lost ref. domains, and Lost Links — in a weekly view, helping you identify link-building trends and sudden gains or losses. 📉 Historical Totals The Historical totals chart shows long-term trends for Backlinks and Ref. Domains. 🧩 Link Type and Attributes A Link Type chart shows the distribution of backlink formats — Frame, Form, Image, and Text — and a Link Attributes view shows the follow versus nofollow distribution. Follow links pass link equity and boost the PageRank of the linked-to site; nofollow links do not. 🌐 Network Graph The Network graph tab visualizes your main domain, the percentage of relevant domains, and domains on a shared network. If no data is available, it will show No data. 📑 Backlink Data Tabs Backlinks tab with source pages and anchor text Navigate across backlink datasets using the tabs: Network graph, Backlinks, Anchors, Referring domains, Referring IPs, Indexed pages, and Outbound domains. Backlinks — lists every discovered backlink, with columns for DP, Source Page, EXT Links, INT Links, Anchor and Target URL, First Seen, and Last Seen. Quick filters include All, Active, New, and Lost; link type filters include All, Follow, Nofollow, Sponsored, and UGC. Anchors — shows anchor text distribution, filterable by Contains, Exact match, or Does not contain, with columns for Anchor Text, Backlinks, Domains, First Seen, and Last Seen. Referring Domains — lists linking domains, filterable by All, Active, New, Lost, domain authority, category, IP, target URL, and country, with columns for Authority, Domain/Category, Backlinks, Country/IP, First Seen, and Last Seen. Referring IPs — shows backlink sources by IP, with columns for Country/IP, Domains, Backlinks, First Seen, and Last Seen. Indexed Pages — shows pages receiving backlinks, with columns for Page, Backlinks, Domains, External Links, Internal Links, and Last Seen. Outbound Domains — shows domains your site links to, filterable by authority score and category, with columns for AS, Domain/Category, Outbound Links, First Seen, and Last Seen. 🔎 Filters and Advanced Search Filter backlinks by page title or URL, link placement (Content, Header, Footer, Sitewide), referring page platform (Ecommerce, Wiki, Blog, Message board, CMS), referring page language, target URL, referring domains, anchors, link type, or IP — and combine multiple conditions using the advanced filter builder. 📤 Export You can export data from the Backlinks, Anchors, Referring domains, Referring IPs, and Outbound domains tabs. The Backlinks module provides a full backlink intelligence system that combines link tracking and monitoring, growth and loss analysis, anchor and domain breakdown, IP-level insights, indexed page visibility, outbound linking analysis, and advanced filtering and segmentation — helping you evaluate backlink quality, uncover SEO opportunities, and monitor authority growth across the web. 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.

✉️ Templates — Outreach Scaling & Standardization Layer (Search Atlas)

✉️ Purpose Standardize and scale outreach communication by defining reusable message structures that ensure consistency, personalization, and execution efficiency across Digital PR campaigns. 🎯 Primary Function Provide a centralized system for creating, managing, and reusing outreach message templates that can be applied across campaigns without rewriting content. 🧭 UI Entry Point Left Sidebar → Authority → Digital PR → Templates 📥 Inputs 1. Template name 2. Email subject 3. Email body content 4. Dynamic variables (merge fields) 5. Optional campaign or use-case context 🧩 Template Creation Action: Create a reusable outreach message template. User actions: click Create new template, define template name, write the subject line, and write the email body using the rich text editor. Templates are saved independently of campaigns, no emails are sent from templates directly, and templates act as message blueprints only. 🔀 Variable Insertion Action: Personalize templates dynamically at send time. User actions: insert available variables into the subject or body. Common variables include first name, last name, contact title, website URL, photo URL, Twitter URL, LinkedIn URL, and GitHub URL. Variables are resolved at send time, missing variables do not block sending, and variable values are pulled from contact or campaign context. 📝 Template Editing Action: Update existing templates. User actions: select a template card, modify the subject or body, and click Update template. Updates affect future sends only, previously sent emails are not modified, and templates remain reusable across campaigns. 🗂️ Template Organization Action: Locate and manage templates efficiently. User actions: use the template search bar, browse template cards, and open the template overflow menu if available. Templates are globally available, and no folder hierarchy is required for templates. 🔄 State Changes Template lifecycle: Created → Updated → Reused; templates do not have active or inactive states. Campaign interaction: templates are referenced at campaign execution, and template usage does not lock or mutate the template. 📊 Outputs 1. Standardized outreach messages 2. Consistent subject/body structures 3. Personalized emails at scale 4. Reduced campaign setup time 🔗 Dependencies Templates are consumed by Digital PR campaigns. Templates depend on connected email accounts (for sending) and campaign context (for variable resolution). Templates do not depend on QUEST, Authority Building tools, or the Indexer. 🚫 Non-Goals Templates do not send emails independently, perform outreach targeting, or manage replies or inbox state. They do not guarantee engagement or response rates, and they are not analytics or reporting tools. 📝 Notes & Tips - Keep templates short and modular to maximize reuse - Use variables sparingly to avoid broken personalization - Maintain separate templates for cold outreach vs. follow-ups - Template updates do not retroactively affect sent emails Templates define the standardization layer of Digital PR in Search Atlas. They decouple message creation from campaign execution, allowing outreach to scale without sacrificing consistency or control. This layer does not generate authority, targets, or responses. Its sole responsibility is to provide reliable message structures that downstream execution layers can apply repeatedly and predictably. Together with QUEST and Digital PR campaigns, Templates enable a modular, repeatable outreach system where research, execution, and communication remain cleanly separated. 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.

➕ Create a Press Release in Search Atlas

Search Atlas has introduced a redesigned press release creation experience that makes publishing faster, more flexible, and easier to manage, all within a single, full-page workflow. This new flow replaces the previous modal-based experience and gives you greater control throughout the entire creation process. 🛠️ How to Start a New Press Release From the Search Atlas left sidebar, go to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) and click New Release. This opens the new multi-step press release creation experience in a full-page view. ✅ Full-Page Editor Experience The press release creation flow now opens as a dedicated page instead of a modal. This lets you focus on content creation without interruptions, move between steps without losing progress, and review all inputs more clearly. 🔁 Flexible Step Navigation You can move forward and backward between steps during the creation process, including returning to earlier steps to make adjustments, switching between content creation options, and reviewing inputs before publishing. This flexibility was not available in the previous flow. 👀 Inline Review and Preview The new experience lets you edit press release content, preview the final output, and make changes in real time, all from the same view, without navigating to separate pages. 📤 Completing the Creation Process Once your content is finalized, you move to the Distribution Channels step to select publishing options and complete submission. Distribution channel selection, tiering, and performance metrics are covered in the Press Release Distribution Updates article. Creating a press release in Search Atlas is now faster, clearer, and more flexible. The redesigned flow replaces the previous modal-based experience with a full-page workspace that guides you through each step, letting you navigate between steps, make adjustments without losing progress, and preview your press release in real time before publishing. 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.

✍️ Write a Press Release Manually in Search Atlas

Search Atlas allows you to create press releases manually using the Write it myself option, giving you full editorial control while maintaining platform validation and publishing standards. This option is ideal if you already have prepared content or prefer to write without AI assistance. 🛠️ How to Access Write It Myself When creating a new press release, navigate to Content → Content Genius (What are we writing today?) and choose Write it yourself. This opens a manual press release editor inside the full-page creation flow. 🧾 Manual Press Release Fields When writing a press release manually, you are required to complete standard press release fields, including Headline, Summary, and Body content. The editor supports hyperlinks, images, and anchor text placement. All content is validated to ensure it meets publishing requirements. ✅ Built-In Content Validation To reduce rejections and formatting issues, Search Atlas applies validation rules to manual press releases, including required field completion, content structure checks, and formatting compliance. These validations help ensure submissions meet editorial standards before distribution. 👀 Edit and Preview in Real Time You can edit content directly in the editor, preview the final press release instantly, and make updates without restarting the flow. There is no limit on how many times content can be edited before publishing. Search Atlas gives you the flexibility to write press releases manually, without relying on AI-generated content. The Write it myself option is ideal when you already have prepared copy or want full editorial control over tone, structure, and messaging. This workflow lets you write, edit, and review your press release directly inside the platform while still benefiting from built-in validations that help ensure your content meets publishing requirements. You can add links, images, and formatting as needed, and preview the final result instantly. 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.

🧠 Using Knowledge Graph Data in Press Releases

Search Atlas allows users to pre-fill press release information using existing Brand Vault data associated with their projects. This helps speed up content creation and ensures consistency across brand assets. 🛠️ How Brand Vault Pre-Fill Works During press release creation, users can select an OTTO/Brand Vault project or a GBP (Google Business Profile) project (if available). When selected, Search Atlas automatically pre-fills available Brand Vault information, which may include business or entity details, descriptions, and images. ⚠️ Important Knowledge Graph Note Each press release gets its own per-release Knowledge Graph snapshot, seeded from your Brand Vault at creation time. Editing pre-filled information during press release creation only updates that press release's own snapshot — it does not write back to your shared Brand Vault. To update your Brand Vault data globally, edit it from the Brand Vault management area. 🔄 Switching Projects During Creation Users can unselect a project, switch between the OTTO/Brand Vault project or a GBP project, and update pre-filled data accordingly — all without restarting the press release creation process. To speed up press release creation and maintain consistency, Search Atlas allows you to pre-fill content using existing Brand Vault data linked to your projects. When you select an OTTO/Brand Vault project or GBP project during creation, relevant entity information such as descriptions or images can be automatically applied to your press release. This reduces repetitive data entry and helps ensure brand details remain consistent across distributions. The Brand Vault integration is designed as a time-saving enhancement, giving you a strong starting point while still allowing you to customize each press release as needed. Any edits made during creation apply only to that press release's own Knowledge Graph snapshot, keeping your core Brand Vault data intact. 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.

📣 Frequently Asked Questions — Press Releases & Digital PR

Press release creation and distribution in Search Atlas is handled by Signal Genesys, accessible at app.signalgenesys.io. You log in with your Search Atlas credentials. This article covers the most common questions. How do I create a press release? In Search Atlas, go to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) and click the New Release button. Three methods are available: - Write manually — fill in the headline, body, and summary yourself - Use a template — start from a pre-built structure for common announcement types - AI-assisted — provide a topic and key points; the platform drafts the full release (costs 1 HDC) Required fields are: headline, body, summary, and company/contact boilerplate. ✅ Once all required fields are filled, the Publish button becomes active. What is Signal Boost and does it rewrite my press release? Signal Boost is a distribution amplification option available at no additional HDC cost. It does not modify any content — your headline, body, and all text fields are completely untouched. Signal Boost optimizes the routing and timing of distribution submissions to maximize outlet pickup. You can safely enable it without worrying about your content being altered. What news outlets does Search Atlas distribute to? Available distribution channels include Frankly (local broadcast affiliates), AP News, MarketWatch, Digital Journal, USA Today, GoMedia, Benzinga, and Newsmax, among others. Each channel has its own HDC cost — USA Today, for example, guarantees one direct placement at 100 HDC. ⚠️ The distribution network is primarily focused on US and North American outlets. International customers in the UK, Europe, and other regions will find limited guaranteed pickup outside of AP News and Digital Journal. What does the "blog headline field is required" error mean when publishing? This error occurs when Signal Genesys requires a headline to be filled before distributing to specific channels. Make sure your press release has a headline that is not blank and meets the minimum character requirement (typically at least 10 characters). If you're using a template, the headline field may appear empty — scroll to the top of the editor to locate and fill it. My Signal Genesys API token failed and I can't publish. What do I do? API token failures are typically caused by a session expiration or a backend connectivity issue between Search Atlas and Signal Genesys. Try: (1) logging out of Signal Genesys and logging back in, (2) refreshing the page to force a new token, (3) contacting support if the failure persists — they can check the token status on the backend and reissue if needed. What is the HDC cost for a complete press release with distribution? | Action | HDC Cost | | --- | --- | | AI-generate content | 1 HDC | | Generate a content variation | 3 HDC | | Editorial review by a human editor | 10 HDC | | Signal Boost | 0 HDC | | Distribution per channel | Varies (e.g., USA Today = 100 HDC) | All press release costs use Hyperdrive Credits (HDC) — the same unified balance used for Link Lab placements and other premium services. Can I publish a Content Genius article as a press release? Content Genius is for writing SEO articles; it does not connect to press release distribution channels. To distribute content to news outlets, you must create the press release inside Signal Genesys. You can copy content from a Content Genius article and paste it into Signal Genesys, but the distribution step must happen inside Signal Genesys specifically. My press release shows as Published but a specific channel has no URL. What happened? A press release can have an overall status of "Published" while individual distribution channels report no pickup. This means the release was submitted to all your selected channels, but a specific outlet didn't pick it up. This can happen with any outlet, including USA Today. ⚠️ Contact support with your press release ID and the specific channel — they can investigate and, if a guaranteed channel failed, arrange a credit or resend. Do I need a separate API key for Signal Genesys? No. Your Search Atlas API key (from Settings → API Keys in the main dashboard) is the same credential used to authenticate against the Signal Genesys API. No additional API key is needed. How do I require a Brand Vault setup before creating a press release? Signal Genesys uses your Brand Vault for automated content generation. If you attempt to create an AI-generated press release without a Brand Vault set up, the platform will prompt you to configure one first. Go to the apps-grid icon → More Features → Brand Vault in the Search Atlas header, set up your brand profile, and then return to Signal Genesys to continue. 💡 Tip: Setting up Brand Vault once lets the AI pre-populate your company boilerplate on every future press release. Is there an editorial review option before distribution? Yes. For 10 HDC, a human editor reviews and polishes your press release before distribution. This is recommended for high-stakes announcements where tone and accuracy matter. Select the Editorial Review option before clicking Publish. The GBP project dropdown always selects the wrong project when creating a press release. How do I fix this? This happens when the Brand Vault for your intended GBP project is not linked or visible in the Press Releases section. Steps: (1) Confirm a Brand Vault exists for the correct GBP project — go to Brand Vault and verify the project is listed. (2) In the Press Release creation form, explicitly select the correct Brand Vault / GBP project before generating content — do not proceed if the dropdown is auto-populating incorrectly. (3) If the correct project does not appear in the dropdown despite having a Brand Vault, contact support — they can verify the Brand Vault is properly linked to the GBP project in your account. I'm getting a "blog headline field is required" error when publishing a press release. What does this mean? This error from Signal Genesys means a required field in your press release form is empty or not recognized. ⚠️ Check: (1) the Headline field is filled in and not blank, (2) the Subheadline is present if required by the selected distribution template, (3) the press release body has enough content. If all fields appear filled, try: refreshing the Signal Genesys form, re-typing the headline field from scratch (a copy-paste hidden character can sometimes cause validation to fail), then resubmitting. Contact support with a screenshot if the error persists after re-entering the headline.

🔗 Frequently Asked Questions — Link Lab & Authority

Search Atlas offers three distinct link building tools: Link Laboratory (paid marketplace), WILDFIRE (reciprocal exchange inside OTTO), and Managed Link Building (done-for-you service). This article covers the most common questions about each. What is the difference between Link Lab, WILDFIRE, and Managed Link Building? Link Laboratory (app.linklaboratory.com) is a self-serve marketplace where you browse real publisher sites and purchase editorial backlinks using HDC (Hyperdrive Credits). You choose every placement. WILDFIRE is a free reciprocal link exchange inside OTTO. You add outlinks to other Search Atlas users' sites; they link back to yours. No cost, but requires you to give links before you receive them (2:1 ratio). Managed Link Building is a done-for-you outreach service where the Search Atlas team handles prospecting, outreach, and placement on your behalf. Contact your account manager for pricing. What are HDC (Hyperdrive Credits) and how do I get more? HDC (Hyperdrive Credits) is Search Atlas's internal credit currency used for Link Lab placements, press releases, cloud stacks, and other premium services. It is a single shared balance — there is no separate Link Lab wallet. Your plan includes a monthly HDC allocation (the amount depends on your plan level). Additional HDC can be purchased as a top-up from your billing settings. 💡 Tip: Check your HDC balance in billing settings before placing large orders — credits are deducted at checkout, not at fulfillment. How do I order a backlink in Link Lab? 1. 1. Go to app.linklaboratory.com/site-catalog 2. 2. Filter publishers by niche, Domain Authority, and price 3. 3. Click Add to Cart on the sites you want 4. 4. Open your cart (/cart) and for each item: choose whether to provide your own article or use the writing service, enter your target URL and anchor text 5. 5. Checkout — HDC is deducted from your balance immediately 6. 6. The order goes to the publisher; typical fulfillment is 7–30 days ✅ Once checkout is complete, your order appears in the order list with an "In Progress" status. How do I provide my own article for a Link Lab placement? In the cart, select "Provide your own article" for that placement. You can either select an existing article from your Content Genius account or paste the title and article content directly. The publisher will review it before publishing. What is "Pending Actions" in Link Lab? Pending Actions is your task queue — items that are waiting on your input before the order can move forward. Common pending items: - Article content not yet submitted - Missing anchor text or target URL - Publisher requesting revisions to your article - Content ready for your approval before it goes to the publisher ⚠️ Check Pending Actions regularly if your orders appear stuck — most stalls are caused by an incomplete item on your side. How do I select a different publisher if I don't want the original one? In your order list, find the order and look for the option to swap or update the publisher. You can select a different site from the catalog before the article has been submitted. If the order is already in the writing or review stage, contact support — they can initiate a publisher change. How do I access publication.media publishers in Link Lab? publication.media publishers appear in the Link Lab site catalog alongside other publishers. Filter the catalog by niche or search by domain name. If you're looking for a publisher you previously used and it no longer appears, contact support — publishers can be deactivated if they no longer meet quality criteria. What are the fulfillment statuses in Link Lab? | Status | Meaning | | --- | --- | | In Progress | Order submitted, publisher is working on it | | Content Review | Article written, awaiting editorial review | | Pending Publication | Approved, waiting for publisher to go live | | Live | Published — your backlink is live | ⚠️ If an order is stuck "In Progress" for more than 30 days, contact support for a publisher status check. How does WILDFIRE work and how do I set it up? WILDFIRE is inside your OTTO project under Link Building → WILDFIRE. To participate: (1) add two outlinks from your site pointing to other WILDFIRE participants, (2) the system matches you with participants who will link back to your site. The 2:1 ratio means you must give two links to receive one. Links are real editorial placements on participating SA users' sites. Can I see which sites are linking to me through WILDFIRE? Yes. The WILDFIRE section inside your OTTO project shows your incoming link placements, the source domains, and the specific pages where your links appear. You can also view and manage your outlinks from the same interface. What is the Cloud Stack / Indexer service? Cloud Stacks are networks of interconnected web 2.0 properties (hosted on Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.) built around your brand and target keywords, designed to reinforce your site's authority signals. They are created and managed from Authority → Cloud Stacks. The Indexer is a separate service that forces search engine discovery of URLs you submit. It uses SERP-based indexing signals. Access it from Authority → Indexer (URL Indexer). Both services use HDC credits. Why is my Link Lab order not showing a live URL after it was marked Published? After a placement goes live, the publisher URL appears in your order detail view. If the status shows Published but no URL is listed, give it up to 24 hours for the URL to propagate to the platform. ⚠️ If it's been more than 24 hours, contact support with your order ID and they will follow up with the publisher to retrieve the live link. When I click on a publisher in Link Lab, I'm redirected to a login page. What should I do? The Link Lab publisher list is sourced from publication.media, which is a separate marketplace from Search Atlas. Viewing full publisher profiles and placing orders directly on that platform requires a separate account at publication.media. 💡 The recommended workflow is to browse publishers and submit orders through the Link Lab interface inside Search Atlas — this does not require a separate publication.media login. Only visit publication.media directly if you need marketplace features not available inside the SA dashboard. My publisher was rejected. How do I select a replacement? When a publisher rejects your Link Lab order, the order moves to the Pending Actions section in your order dashboard. Go to Link Lab → your order → Pending Actions. There you will see available replacement publishers curated to match your original order's requirements (niche, DA range, price). Select the replacement and the order resumes automatically. ⚠️ If no replacement publishers are available in Pending Actions, contact support with your order number — they can manually review and assign an alternative.

📋 Digital PR: Importing Domains via CSV and Managing Campaign Contacts

Import any list of domains into a Digital PR campaign using a CSV file — every domain you upload becomes an opportunity, even when Search Atlas cannot auto-discover a contact email for it. Once imported, add contacts to each opportunity individually or in bulk. 💡 Recently released: The behavior described here — every valid domain becoming an opportunity (even without an auto-discovered email) and bulk contact addition — was introduced as a recent improvement. If your workspace still drops domains without contacts, the update is rolling out and will reach your environment shortly. 📋 How Domain Import Works in Digital PR When you create or edit a Digital PR campaign using the Domains option and upload a CSV file, Search Atlas converts each domain into an opportunity inside your campaign. Every valid domain in your CSV appears as an opportunity — including domains where no contact email was automatically found. Your opportunity count will always match the number of valid domains in your CSV. - Domain with auto-discovered contact — appears as an opportunity with a pre-filled contact email, ready for outreach. - Domain without auto-discovered contact — still appears as an opportunity with no contact email. Add the contact manually or via bulk addition. What counts as a valid domain A valid domain is a properly formatted domain name such as example.com. Rows containing malformed URLs, IP addresses, or blank values are skipped and noted in the import summary shown after upload. 📂 How to Import Domains via CSV 1. Go to Digital PR in the left-hand navigation. 2. Open an existing campaign or click Create Campaign. 3. On the campaign creation wizard, at Step 2 — Input Method, select Domains. 4. Click the Import CSV button that appears directly below the input method selector, then select your file. 5. Click Confirm to begin the import. Once the import finishes, every valid domain in your file appears as an opportunity in the campaign dashboard. No valid domains are dropped silently — any skipped rows are listed in the post-import summary so you can review and re-upload them if needed. 📑 CSV Format Requirements Follow these requirements so Search Atlas can parse your file cleanly: - Encoding: UTF-8. - Structure: One domain per row, in a single column. A header row is optional and will be ignored automatically. - Maximum file size: 10 MB per upload, up to 10,000 rows per CSV. Split larger lists into multiple files. - Subdomains: Accepted (e.g. blog.example.com) and treated as distinct opportunities from their root domain. - Duplicates: Duplicate domains within the same CSV are de-duplicated automatically — only the first occurrence is imported. - Invalid rows: Malformed URLs, IP addresses, and blank values are skipped and reported in the import summary. Example CSV: domain example.com blog.example.com another-site.org 👤 How to Add a Contact to a Single Opportunity 1. Open the campaign dashboard and find the opportunity row for the domain you want to update. 2. Click Add Contact on that opportunity row. 3. Enter the contact's name, email address, and any additional details (such as role or notes). 4. Click Save. The contact email now appears in the opportunity row. Click the contact name at any time to edit or remove it. 👥 How to Add Contacts in Bulk Use bulk addition when you need to assign contacts to many opportunities at once — for example, after importing a large domain list where most opportunities have no auto-discovered email. 1. In the campaign dashboard, select the checkboxes next to the opportunities you want to update. Use the No Contact filter first to surface only opportunities that still need a contact. 2. Click the Bulk Actions button at the top of the opportunity list, then choose Add Contact. 3. Choose your input method in the bulk dialog: - Paste a list: Paste contact rows in the format domain,name,email, one per line. Search Atlas matches each row to the correct opportunity by domain. - Upload a CSV: Upload a CSV with the columns domain, name, and email. Match-by-domain works the same way. - Apply a single contact to all selected opportunities: Enter one name and email to assign to every checked opportunity. 4. Click Apply. Every selected opportunity is updated immediately and the contact email appears in each row. Opportunities that received a contact move into your active outreach queue automatically. ⚠️ What to Do When Opportunities Show No Contact An opportunity shows no contact when Search Atlas could not automatically find an email address for that domain. This is expected behavior — the opportunity is fully created and sitting in your campaign, waiting for outreach once you supply a contact. Opportunities without a contact are not removed or hidden. They remain visible in your campaign dashboard so you can fill them in at any time. - Use the No Contact filter in the campaign dashboard to surface all opportunities that still need a contact assigned. - Add contacts one by one using the single-opportunity steps above, or select multiple and use Bulk Actions → Add Contact to fill several gaps at once. Once a contact is added, the opportunity moves automatically into your active outreach queue. 🎯 You can now import a full domain list via CSV, understand why every valid domain appears as a campaign opportunity, and add contacts individually or in bulk. To set up and launch outreach sequences for your opportunities, see the Digital PR Outreach Sequences article in the Help Center.

📘 Getting Started with Search Atlas Authority Building & PR Distribution

👋 Welcome This feature is accessed through the left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) section of your Search Atlas dashboard. To help you hit the ground running, we've curated the most essential video tutorials and resources for you. These step-by-step guides will walk you through everything from initial setup to building your SEO strategy using the platform. 🎬 Top Video Tutorials to Watch First Start with these foundational tutorials to understand the full capabilities of the platform. Note that some videos reference legacy names such as "Signal Genesys" or "Media Room" — those videos cover Search Atlas's own Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) feature, which uses the separate Signal Genesys platform as its backend distributor. They are not tutorials for logging into Signal Genesys directly. Getting Started with Authority Building & PR Distribution Watch Now These two videos are your go-to guide for creating a repeatable SEO strategy. 10 Simple Steps to Ranking Anything – Part 1 Watch Part 1 10 Simple Steps to Ranking Anything – Part 2 Watch Part 2 Step-by-step guide for launching branded press distribution for your agency. Deploying Press Distribution for Your Agency Watch Tutorial 🧭 SEO Ranking Blueprint & Resource Hub We've created a comprehensive SEO blueprint that outlines the platform's strategies and best practices, including everything from content syndication to authority building. View SEO Ranking Blueprint Document 📊 Presentation Deck (for Agencies) Access the Slide Deck Here Note: please do not use the slides as-is. The deck is a base template. You're encouraged to customize it with your agency's branding and narrative. 💬 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.

📧 Digital PR Campaigns: Catch-All Domain Skipping

Search Atlas's Digital PR Outreach module includes a Skip Catch-All Domains toggle in the campaign creation flow. Enable it to automatically remove contacts with unverifiable email addresses before your campaign sends — keeping your deliverability and engagement metrics accurate. 📬 What Is a Catch-All Domain? A catch-all domain is a mail domain configured to accept every email sent to it — even if the specific mailbox does not exist. For example, if editor@example.com was never set up, a catch-all server still accepts the message instead of returning a bounce. Because the server accepts anything, no verification tool can confirm whether that address belongs to a real, active inbox. Sending to catch-all addresses inflates your send count while producing unreliable open, reply, and bounce data. ⚙️ How Catch-All Domain Skipping Works in Search Atlas Search Atlas checks each prospect's email domain during campaign setup. When Skip Catch-All is enabled: - Any contact whose email resolves to a catch-all domain is removed from the send queue before launch. - Those contacts move into a dedicated Catch-All bucket visible in your campaign details — they are not deleted, just separated for review. - Your delivered, opened, replied, and bounced counts reflect only contacts with verifiable inboxes. When the toggle is disabled, Search Atlas sends to every contact on your list, including those on catch-all domains. Reach is maximized, but engagement data will be less reliable. 🚀 How to Toggle Catch-All Domain Skipping in a Campaign 1. Go to Digital PR → Outreach in the left navigation. 2. Click Create Campaign. 3. Fill in the campaign name, target URL, and prospect list. 4. In the campaign settings section, find the Skip Catch-All Domains toggle. 5. Toggle it on to exclude catch-all addresses, or leave it off to include them. 6. Complete any remaining fields and click Launch Campaign. Search Atlas saves the toggle setting per campaign. Each new campaign can be configured independently based on your outreach goal. 📊 Understanding the Catch-All Bucket in Campaign Details After launching a campaign with Skip Catch-All enabled, open the campaign's detail view. The Catch-All stat shows: - Catch-All count — the number of contacts excluded because their domain was identified as catch-all. - These contacts received no email and are not counted in your delivered, opened, bounced, or replied totals. - Review this list to decide whether to reach those prospects through an alternate email address or a different channel. If the toggle was disabled when the campaign launched, the Catch-All bucket displays zero — all contacts were included in the send regardless of domain type. 💡 When to Enable vs. Disable Catch-All Skipping Choose the setting that matches your campaign priority: - Enable Skip Catch-All when accurate engagement data matters — for example, when open rate or reply rate will inform your next outreach round. This is the recommended default. - Disable Skip Catch-All when maximizing raw reach is the goal and you can tolerate less precise metrics — for example, broad brand-awareness sends where list size is the key variable. If you are unsure, enable the toggle. You can always review the Catch-All bucket and follow up with those contacts separately through a verified address. 🎯 You now know what catch-all domains are, how the Skip Catch-All toggle protects your campaign metrics, and how to read the Catch-All bucket in campaign details. For best results, pair this setting with a clean, deduplicated prospect list before each campaign launch.

📰 Press Release vs. Advertorial Content: Key Definitions and Differences

Only properly structured press releases are accepted by distribution partners — advertorial submissions are rejected outright. Review the definitions and comparison below to confirm your content qualifies before you submit. ⚠️ Language Requirement All press release content — including AI Writing Instructions entered in Step 2 of the submission workflow — must be written in English only. Non-English submissions are rejected by distribution partners. 📋 What Is a Press Release? A press release is an official written statement issued to media outlets and the public to announce something newsworthy. Organizations, businesses, and individuals use press releases to share updates such as: - Product launches - Company milestones - Partnerships - Events - Other significant developments Press releases follow a standardized format designed to attract media attention and give journalists the key information needed to develop a story. 🏗️ What Makes Up a Traditional Press Release? - Clear header and dateline - Proper company identification - Contact information - Boilerplate section - Limited superlative language - Natural third-person tone throughout 📣 What Is an Advertorial Content Post? An advertorial content post is a paid promotional article designed to resemble editorial content in tone and style while promoting a product, service, brand, or message. Unlike traditional advertisements, advertorials blend storytelling, insights, or tips with marketing objectives — engaging readers while building brand awareness or driving specific actions, while maintaining transparency about its sponsored nature. 🚫 What Makes a Post an Advertorial? - Promotional tone - Product-centric messaging - Customer testimonial-style anecdotes - Call-to-action or sales framing not related to information - Missing press release conventions - Unattributed or branded author (e.g., "Joe's Crab Shack") 📊 Press Release vs. Advertorial: Side-by-Side Comparison - Purpose: Press releases announce newsworthy information; advertorials promote a product, service, or brand. - Tone: Press releases are neutral, factual, and third-person; advertorials are promotional and persuasive, often first- or second-person. - Format Requirements: Press releases require a header, dateline, boilerplate, contact info, and limited superlatives; advertorials are editorial-style articles with sponsored framing and typically lack press release conventions. - Author Attribution: Press releases are attributed to a journalist or organization; advertorials are often unattributed or branded (e.g., "Joe's Crab Shack"). - Distribution Eligibility: Press releases are accepted by distribution partners; advertorials are rejected. - Credit / Cost Model: Credits are deducted only once the release is pushed to the wire; advertorial submissions are rejected without refund. 📡 Channel Status Explained When reviewing your Published Channels table, different statuses indicate where your release stands in the distribution process: - Generated: Content has been AI-generated and is ready for review but has not yet been pushed to the wire. No credits are deducted at this stage. - Published / Distributed: The release has been sent to the wire through the distribution partner and credits have been deducted. Verify the current status of each channel directly in the Press Release modal, under the Published Channels section. Only channels tied to active distribution partners are displayed. If a channel you previously used is no longer listed, its distribution partner may have been deactivated — contact support for assistance. ❗ Why This Distinction Matters Submissions that read as advertorials rather than press releases will be rejected by distribution partners. Ensure your content meets all press release conventions before submitting to avoid lost credits or distribution delays. 🎯 You now know exactly what separates an accepted press release from a rejected advertorial. Before submitting, confirm your content includes all required press release conventions: header, dateline, boilerplate, contact info, neutral third-person tone, and no promotional framing.

How to Connect Your Email Account in Digital PR (Gmail, Microsoft 365, Zoho, iCloud, and More)

Overview Digital PR now supports a wide range of email providers, so you can send outreach campaigns from the inbox you already use. Connect Gmail, Microsoft 365 / Outlook, Zoho, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap, or any custom domain using SMTP. There are two ways to connect, depending on your provider: - OAuth — a one-click secure login (Gmail and Microsoft 365). Recommended whenever available. - SMTP / IMAP — username and password (or app password) for all other providers. Before you start - Make sure you have admin access to the email account you want to connect. - If your provider uses two-factor authentication, you'll likely need an app password instead of your normal password. - Use a dedicated sending inbox for outreach to protect your primary domain's deliverability. How to open the Connect Email modal 1. Go to Digital PR in Search Atlas. 2. Open Settings > Email Accounts. 3. Click Connect Email. 4. Select your provider from the catalogue. Connecting via OAuth (Gmail & Microsoft 365) 1. Select Gmail or Microsoft 365 in the modal. 2. Click Continue with Google or Continue with Microsoft. 3. Sign in with the account you want to connect. 4. Approve the requested permissions: send (so Search Atlas can deliver your outreach emails on your behalf) and read / manage outreach replies (so we can detect inbound replies, thread them to the correct campaign, and pause sequences automatically when a prospect responds). Search Atlas only reads messages tied to your outreach campaigns. 5. You'll be redirected back to Search Atlas with your inbox connected. Tip: If you use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 with strict admin policies, your IT admin may need to whitelist Search Atlas first. Google Workspace admins can approve Search Atlas under Admin Console > Security > Access and data control > API controls > App access control. Microsoft 365 admins can approve it under Entra ID > Enterprise applications. If your admin needs the exact OAuth client ID or app identifier, contact Search Atlas support and we'll provide it. Connecting via SMTP / IMAP Use this method for Zoho, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap, or any custom domain. 1. Select your provider (or choose Custom / Other). 2. Enter your email address and password (or app password — see below). 3. For known providers, SMTP and IMAP server settings are filled in automatically. For custom domains, enter: - SMTP host and port (usually 465 SSL or 587 TLS) - IMAP host and port (usually 993 SSL) 4. Click Test & Connect. We'll verify both sending and receiving before saving. Threading mode When you connect an email account, the Connect Email modal includes a Threading mode dropdown. This setting controls how Search Atlas reads and groups inbound replies into conversation threads for the provider you're connecting, and it applies to every email account linked under that provider — not just the inbox you're currently adding. If you're unsure which option to choose, leave the default selected; you can revisit this setting later from Settings > Email Accounts. If replies aren't threading correctly after connecting, try switching the mode and reconnecting. (Reach out to support if you'd like guidance on which mode best matches your provider's IMAP/threading behavior.) Where to find an app password - iCloud: appleid.apple.com > Sign-In & Security > App-Specific Passwords - Yahoo: Account Security > Generate app password - Zoho: Account > Security > App Passwords - Fastmail: Settings > Privacy & Security > App Passwords - GoDaddy / Bluehost / Namecheap: use your standard mailbox password from your hosting control panel Common pitfalls - "Authentication failed" — You're using your regular password on an account that requires an app password. Generate one and try again. - OAuth blocked by admin — Ask your Workspace or Microsoft 365 admin to approve Search Atlas as a trusted app. - Wrong SMTP port — Try 587 (TLS) if 465 (SSL) fails, or vice versa. - Custom domain not connecting — Confirm your hosting provider has IMAP enabled; some shared hosts disable it by default. - Two-factor authentication errors — SMTP cannot bypass 2FA. You must use an app password. Next steps - Verify the connection: After saving, the inbox should appear with a green "Connected" status under Settings > Email Accounts. Click the inbox and use Send test email to confirm sending works end-to-end; the test message should arrive in the destination inbox within a minute. - Set your sender name and signature in Email Account settings. - Warm up new inboxes before launching large campaigns to protect deliverability. - Connect multiple inboxes to rotate sending and increase daily volume. - Head to Campaigns to start your first outreach sequence using the connected inbox as the sender. Need to disconnect or re-authenticate? Open Settings > Email Accounts, click the inbox, and choose Reconnect or Remove.

[UI Map] Authority

Authority Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution URL pattern: /outreach/press-release Distribute press releases to a wide network of media outlets, journalists, and online publications to maximize brand visibility and reach targeted audiences. Primary actions: - New Release - Resume - View report - Explore Training Calls - Word - HTML - All (242) - All GBP projects Key UI elements: - Press releases list table (Headline, Target Keywords, Status, Next step columns) - Release status summary bar (All, Live, Publishing, Stuck, Failed, Generated, Draft counts) - Search bar (Search headlines, URLs, keywords) - Pagination controls (10/page, page buttons, 12 pages total) - New Release button - All (242) filter button (AI Visibility) - All GBP projects filter button - Hyperdrive Credits counter - API key connection status indicator - Training Sessions banner - Per-row action menu (Preview, Export, Delete release) - Export format options (Word, HTML) Sub-pages - PR Distribution — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (URL: /outreach/press-release) — Distribute press releases to a wide network of media outlets, journalists, and online publications to maximize brand visibility and reach targeted audiences. — Actions: New Release, Resume, View report, Explore Training Calls, Word, HTML, All (242) (AI Visibility), All GBP projects - Cloud Stacks — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Cloud Stacks (URL: /outreach/cloud-stacks) — Builds interconnected web properties on high-authority cloud hosts that publish tailored content variations and link back to a target page, then indexes them. — Actions: Custom Template, New Cloud Stack, Select Sites, View sites, All (242) (AI Visibility), All GBP projects, Quotas - QUEST AI Visibility — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → QUEST AI Visibility (URL: /content/quest) — QUEST analyzes what Google is already showing for a subject and generates a set of questions with answers you can use in outreach emails for AI visibility and PR. — Actions: Analyze query, View, Explore Training Calls - Campaigns — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns (URL: /outreach/campaigns) — Streamline link prospecting, campaign management, and outreach by creating and managing outreach campaigns to find bloggers and publishers for link building. — Actions: Create new campaign, View, More filters, Explore Training Calls, Close banner, Link Building Exchange, Quotas - Inbox — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Inbox (URL: /outreach/inbox) — Track and organize conversations with contacts so no outreach opportunity is missed, displaying email threads from campaigns with status and milestone tracking. — Actions: Apply Filter, Explore Training Calls, Close banner, Quotas, Link Building Exchange, CONTACT, SUBJECT, LAST REPLY, CAMPAIGN / OPPORTUNITY, MILESTONE - Sent — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Sent (URL: /outreach/sent) — Review all emails already sent from campaigns and follow up on outreach conversations, with filtering by status milestone and other criteria. — Actions: Apply Filter, Explore Training Calls, Close banner, Quotas, CONTACT, SUBJECT, LAST REPLY, CAMPAIGN / OPPORTUNITY, MILESTONE - Templates — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Templates (URL: /outreach/templates) — Create and manage reusable email templates for various professional outreach and personal communication needs. — Actions: Create new template, Explore Training Calls, Close banner - 2149 — Navigation path: Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns → 2149 (URL: /outreach/campaigns/2149) — Displays the detail view of a specific outreach campaign, showing metrics, opportunity status, and tools to configure and manage outreach contacts. — Actions: Configure outreach, Start outreach, More filters, Apply Filter, Import Opportunities from CSV, Verify Email, Add to Outreach list, Contact in bulk, Explore Training Calls, Close banner Auto-generated by SA UI Mapper. Last updated: 2026-09-18.

📰 Core Components of a Press Release: Structure and Formatting Guide

Every press release you submit through Search Atlas must include specific components in a defined structure to pass distribution partner validation. Build each section correctly before you submit to avoid rejection and maximize media pickup. 🖼️ Logo - Format: PNG or JPEG, 72–300 DPI - Placement: Top-left or center ✍️ AI Writing Instructions (Step 2) Write your AI Writing Instructions in English. Non-English instructions are not supported and may produce unexpected results. A disclaimer appears in the product as a reminder. 📌 Headline (Recommended) - 70 characters or fewer - Title case - Include one main keyword - Avoid hype or jargon Example: Acme Corp Unveils AI-Powered Thermostat to Cut Energy Bills 📝 Sub-headline / Summary (Optional) - 120 characters or fewer - Sentence case, no trailing period Example: New platform improves delivery efficiency by up to 30% 📍 Dateline (Required) Format: CITY, STATE – Month Day, Year — all-caps city, two-letter state abbreviation, em dash before the date. Open your lead paragraph with the dateline in this exact format. Example: NEW YORK, NY – May 23, 2026 🔍 Lead Paragraph - Covers Who, What, When, Where, and Why - 1–2 direct sentences - Third-person, factual tone 📄 Body Paragraphs - Follow the inverted pyramid: most important details first - 2–4 sentences per paragraph - Include context, a quote, and a proof point - Attribute all quotes and claims Example quote: “We’re excited to bring this to market,” said Jane Doe, CTO of Acme Corp. Note: Place the Call to Action as a separate block after the boilerplate — do not include it within the body paragraphs. 🏢 Boilerplate Write a brief, factual about-the-company statement. Avoid marketing language. Example: About Acme Corp — Founded in 2015, Acme Corp develops smart home devices powered by AI, serving clients across North America. 📢 Call to Action (Optional) Include links or referrals for additional information. Keep the language neutral — avoid promotional or sales-driven phrasing. 📇 Media Contact (Required) Include a Media Contact block so distribution partners and journalists can follow up. Expected fields: - Full name of the press contact - Title - Company - Email address - Phone number (optional) Some fields may be auto-populated from your user profile. Review and update them before you submit. 📏 Length Guidelines - Recommended total: 400–600 words - Hard limit: Distribution partners may reject releases exceeding 800 words - Aim for 3–5 concise body paragraphs to stay within range ✅ Final Formatting Checklist - Single spacing with a line break between paragraphs - Left-align all text - End your release with ### or – 30 – - Total word count: 400–600 words 🚀 Next Steps: Submit for Distribution Once your press release follows the structure above, submit it for distribution directly within the platform. Before submitting, confirm that all required components — Dateline, Lead Paragraph, Boilerplate, and Media Contact — are complete to avoid validation errors from distribution partners. 🎯 You now have a complete reference for every press release component in Search Atlas. Review each required field against this guide before you click Submit.

📘 How to Publish Press Content in Search Atlas (Authority Building > PR Distribution)

📌 Overview Media Rooms help you showcase PR campaigns and brand mentions on a centralized, professional page. This capability is now managed from Authority → Authority Building → PR Distribution (Press Releases) in the left sidebar of your Search Atlas dashboard, and can be set up in a few different ways depending on your publishing workflow. This article walks you through the general approach for each method: Watch the original walkthrough video (this video shows the previous "Media Rooms" interface; the current steps are described below under Authority → Authority Building → PR Distribution (Press Releases)). - Manual setup - Using templates - Automated deployment ✍️ Method 1: Manual Setup Use this method if you want full control over the content and layout. - Go to Authority → Authority Building → PR Distribution (Press Releases) from the left sidebar of your Search Atlas dashboard. - Create a new press/media entry. - Manually add headlines, body copy, and media links. - Save and publish. 📐 Method 2: Using Templates Ideal for speed and consistency across campaigns. - Open the available templates from your PR Distribution settings. - Choose a saved layout or create a new one. - Apply the template to your selected PR campaign. - Customize as needed before publishing. ⚙️ Method 3: Automated Deployment Best for teams using automated publishing workflows. - Enable automation from your campaign settings. - Link your PR campaign and select the auto-publish option. - Define your publish triggers and content rules. - The platform will auto-generate and publish your press content. 💡 Pro Tips - Make sure your branding elements (logo, brand colors, fonts) are up to date in your account settings before publishing. - Use relevant keywords in titles and body copy to boost SEO. - Preview your content before publishing to ensure layout integrity. Note: exact menu names and button labels may vary as the platform evolves — if you don't see an option described here, check Authority → Authority Building → PR Distribution (Press Releases) or ask your Account Manager. 💬 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.

USA Today Press Release Content Guidelines & Best Practices

Why These Guidelines Matter USA Today is one of the most trusted and widely read publications in the United States, and it enforces strict editorial standards for press releases. Submissions that violate these rules may be rejected without refund, so it's essential to review and follow these guidelines carefully before selecting USA Today as a distribution channel in Search Atlas. Content Restrictions USA Today does not accept press releases that contain any of the following: - No advertorials: Content must be newsworthy, not sales-driven copy disguised as news. - No promotional claims: Avoid superlatives like "best," "#1," "leading," or other unverifiable marketing language. - No misleading statements: All claims must be accurate, verifiable, and supported by facts. - No medical claims: Health, treatment, or medical efficacy claims are not permitted. - No adult content: Any sexually explicit or adult-oriented material is prohibited. - No crypto promotions: Cryptocurrency promotional content is not accepted. Format Requirements USA Today requires content to follow a strict press-release format. This means: - Third-person voice throughout the release - A clear, factual headline - A dateline and lead paragraph summarizing the news - Supporting paragraphs with quotes, context, and details - Boilerplate company information at the end - Contact information for media inquiries Best Practices Before Submitting 1. Review your content carefully against each restriction listed above. 2. Remove promotional language and replace it with factual, newsworthy statements. 3. Verify all claims with sources or data where possible. 4. Confirm proper press-release structure before submitting. 5. Consider alternative channels if your content cannot meet these standards. Consequences of Non-Compliance Press releases that do not meet USA Today's editorial standards may be rejected during their review process. Because editorial review fees apply, rejections do not result in refunds. Taking time to align your content with these guidelines protects your investment and increases the likelihood of successful placement.

Premium Press Release Distribution Channels in Search Atlas

Overview Search Atlas has expanded its PR distribution network to include additional high-authority media outlets. These premium channels give users access to more visibility, stronger backlinks, and greater brand credibility through some of the most trusted publications available. Available Premium Distribution Channels USA Today One of the most trusted and widely read publications in the United States. USA Today offers massive reach and brand recognition, making it ideal for campaigns where visibility and credibility are top priorities. MarketWatch A leading financial news outlet with millions of monthly readers and strong organic reach. MarketWatch is especially valuable for finance, business, and investment-related press releases that benefit from a financially engaged audience. AP News A global news authority with unmatched syndication power. AP News placements are intended for brand credibility, trust signaling, and client-facing validation. Note that AP News distributions are no-index, so they are not designed to drive SEO or AI citation impact directly. DA80 Network A premium aggregated channel that distributes your content across 20+ outlets with an average Domain Authority of 80+ from a single submission. This provides efficient, high-authority coverage from one streamlined submission. Why These Channels Matter - Increased visibility: Reach audiences across some of the largest publications online. - High-authority backlinks: Earn links from domains with strong authority signals. - Brand trust: Boost credibility through placements on recognized media outlets. - No added complexity: Premium channels are integrated directly into the standard PR distribution workflow. Choosing the Right Premium Channel When selecting premium channels, consider your campaign's primary goal: - For SEO and AI visibility, choose indexed, do-follow channels such as USA Today and MarketWatch. - For brand credibility and trust signaling, AP News is ideal even though it is no-index. - For broad authority coverage, the DA80 Network distributes to 20+ high-DA outlets at once. Review the inline metrics shown during channel selection — including authority tier, estimated traffic, audience focus, and publishing time — to make informed decisions aligned with your campaign goals.

🔗 How to Use Link Laboratory

🔑 publication.media Account Required Link Laboratory publisher listings are hosted on publication.media — a platform that is separate from your Search Atlas account. When you click on any publisher, the page redirects to a publication.media login screen. Before you can view publisher details or place an order, you must register or log in at publication.media. Your publication.media credentials are independent of your Search Atlas login. 🚀 How to Set Up a Project and Place an Order 1. Go to the My Projects section and click Create Project. 2. Fill in the required information and save the project. Inside the project you can view all your orders and upload the articles you want published. You can also request that an article be written for you. 3. To choose a publication, open the Site Catalog tab. You'll find a list of publications with their SEO metrics. Click Add to Project or Add to Cart to proceed — clicking the publisher name opens its publication.media page, so make sure you're logged in to publication.media first. 4. For premium placements, open the Marquee Publications tab. These are higher-DA publications that lead their niches. 5. Monitor all your orders and live links from the Orders section. Links go live within 20–30 days after your order is placed. 🔮 Future Developments - AI-Powered Recommendations: Personalized publisher suggestions based on topical relevance. - Expanded Database: Continuous addition of global and niche-specific publishers. - Integrated Site Scoring: Balancing cost and authority to highlight the best-value publishers. ❓ Need Help? If you have any questions, reach out to the Search Atlas team through the live chat inside the platform. 🎯 You now know how to set up a Link Laboratory project, connect your Publication Media Account to access publishers, and track your live links. If you run into any issues with publisher access or order status, contact the Search Atlas support team via live chat.

🌐 Press Release Module: English-Only Content Requirement

The Press Release module's AI writing engine produces content in English only — writing instructions in another language will not change the output. Follow the translate-after-draft workflow below to publish your press release in any language. ⚡ What the English-Only Restriction Means The Search Atlas Press Release module generates all AI-written content in English only. Writing your instructions in another language — or explicitly directing the AI to write in French, Spanish, German, or any other language — will not produce non-English output. The AI engine defaults to English regardless of the instruction given in Step 2. 📍 Where the Restriction Applies The language restriction applies at Step 2: AI Writing Instructions — where you provide tone, key messages, talking points, and other guidance for your draft. - Affected field: The AI Writing Instructions text input in Step 2. - What is restricted: Any instruction directing the AI to generate content in a language other than English. - In-app notice: A warning displays directly below the AI Writing Instructions field, alerting you to this limitation before you submit. All other steps — entering company details, selecting a distribution category, and uploading media — are not affected by this restriction. 🌍 How to Create Press Releases for Non-English Audiences Use this two-step workflow to deliver a polished press release in any language: 1. Generate your press release in English. Complete all steps in the Press Release module using English AI Writing Instructions. Review and finalize the English draft before proceeding. 2. Translate the finished draft. Use a professional translator or a trusted translation tool such as DeepL (recommended for formal business content) or Google Translate to convert the finalized English draft into your target language. Translating a polished English draft consistently produces more accurate, professional results than attempting to direct the AI to output in another language. ❓ Why Is Output Limited to English? The AI writing engine is optimized and fine-tuned specifically for English-language press release content. Its tone calibration, structure awareness, and output quality are all built around English. Directing it to produce output in another language bypasses these optimizations and is not supported by the current engine. Support for additional output languages is on the product roadmap. ✍️ Tips for Effective AI Writing Instructions in Step 2 Follow these practices to get a high-quality English draft on the first attempt: - Write all instructions in English for the most consistent results. - Specify the desired tone — for example, formal and authoritative or conversational and engaging. - Include key messages, product or company names, spokesperson quotes, and any required statistics or facts. - Be specific about the announcement, target audience, and objective — more detail produces a stronger first-generation draft. - Keep all instructions in English — the AI disregards any directive specifying a non-English output language. 🛠️ Common Questions & Troubleshooting I wrote my instructions in Spanish (or another language) and still received English output. Is this a bug? No — this is expected behavior. The AI engine always outputs English, regardless of the language used in your instructions. Use the two-step workflow above to deliver your final press release in another language. The AI ignored my request to write 'en français' or 'auf Deutsch.' Why? Any directive specifying a non-English output language is not supported and will be disregarded. Write your instructions in English and translate the finished output using a professional translator or a tool such as DeepL. Can I write my AI instructions in my own language if I still want English output? Instructions written in English consistently produce the best results. While the AI may attempt to process instructions written in other languages, output quality and tone accuracy may vary. English instructions are strongly recommended. Will multi-language AI output be supported in the future? Support for additional output languages is on the product roadmap. Check the Search Atlas Release Notes for the latest feature announcements. 🎯 You now know where the English-only restriction applies and how to use the translate-after-draft workflow to publish your press release in any language. For a complete walkthrough of every step in the Press Release creation flow, see Getting Started with the Press Release Module.

📰 Press Release Links: Nofollow vs Dofollow Explained

🔍 Why This Matters for Your SEO When you distribute a press release through Search Atlas, your story gets picked up by a network of news and media sites. A common question is: why do these links show as nofollow instead of dofollow? This article explains how PR link attributes work, what you can realistically expect, and how press releases still deliver genuine SEO value. 📋 What Are Nofollow and Dofollow Links? Every hyperlink on the web can carry an instruction that tells search engine crawlers how to treat it: - Dofollow links pass link equity (often called "link juice") from the linking page to your site, directly influencing your domain authority and rankings. - Nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells crawlers not to pass link equity. They do not directly boost domain authority in the same way. - Sponsored / UGC links are additional attributes used for paid placements or user-generated content, and are treated similarly to nofollow by major search engines. 📰 Why Press Release Links Are Almost Always Nofollow This is a deliberate, industry-wide practice — not a bug or an error. Here is why virtually every legitimate PR distribution network publishes nofollow links: 1. Google's own guidelines require it. Google explicitly states that links in press releases and other distributed content should be marked nofollow or sponsored. Sites that publish dofollow PR links risk a manual penalty for selling links. 2. Media outlets protect their authority. High-authority news sites (AP News, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, etc.) apply nofollow to syndicated content by default to comply with Google's policies and protect their own rankings. 3. It has been the standard since 2013. Following Google's Penguin updates, the SEO industry universally recognised that dofollow links in mass-distributed press releases are a manipulative link-building tactic. Reputable networks stopped offering them. Because of this, receiving zero dofollow links from a press release distribution is completely normal and expected — it does not indicate a problem with your campaign. 💡 Do Nofollow PR Links Have Any SEO Value? Yes — and this is an important nuance that is often misunderstood. Nofollow links from press releases contribute to your SEO in several meaningful ways: - Brand visibility and referral traffic. When your press release appears on high-traffic news sites, real users click through to your website. That traffic signal is valuable. - Brand name mentions. Even unlinked brand mentions are processed by Google as implied associations. A press release that places your brand name on authoritative domains strengthens brand recognition in search. - Natural link profile diversification. A healthy backlink profile contains a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. A profile with only dofollow links can look unnatural to Google's algorithms. - Indirect authority signals. Google has confirmed it uses nofollow as a "hint" rather than a hard rule. Some nofollow links from highly authoritative domains may still pass partial equity. - Earned dofollow links downstream. Journalists and bloggers who discover your press release may write their own articles and link to you with a dofollow link — a natural outcome that carries significant SEO weight. 🚀 How to Maximise the Value of Your Press Release To get the most out of every press release distribution, follow these best practices: - Link to a high-value page. Point your in-content links to a landing page, product page, or cornerstone blog post — not just your homepage. - Use natural anchor text. Avoid exact-match keyword anchors. Use your brand name or natural phrases like "learn more about [brand]" to keep your link profile clean. - Write genuinely newsworthy content. Press releases that cover real news — product launches, partnerships, data studies, awards — attract organic coverage from journalists who may add their own dofollow links. - Track referral traffic, not just backlinks. Measure the success of a press release by the traffic and leads it generates, alongside its backlink count. - Combine PR with other link-building tactics. Use press releases as one part of a broader strategy that includes guest posting, digital PR outreach, and HARO to build dofollow authority. ⚙️ What Search Atlas Delivers with PR Distribution When you use the Press Release Distribution feature in Search Atlas, your release is submitted to a curated network of news syndication partners. Here is what you can expect: - Publication on a network of recognised news and media sites - Links that comply with Google's webmaster guidelines (typically nofollow or sponsored) - Broad brand exposure across high-authority domains - A distribution report showing pickup sites and link details Dofollow links are not guaranteed and are not a standard deliverable of press release distribution, in line with industry norms and Google's policies. If your campaign report shows all nofollow links, your distribution has been completed correctly. ❓ Still Have Questions? 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. Additional Notes There is no setting, upgrade, or workaround that changes press release links from nofollow to dofollow. Any tool or service claiming otherwise would put your site at risk of a Google manual penalty.

☁️ What Are Cloud Stacks (SEO Entity Stacking)?

☁️ What Is a Cloud Stack? A Cloud Stack is a network of interlinked, branded web properties hosted on high-authority cloud platforms — such as Google Sites, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and similar platforms. Each property in the stack references your main website and reinforces your brand as a trusted entity across the web. This technique is also known as SEO Entity Stacking because it signals to search engines that your brand is a real, established entity with a consistent presence across multiple authoritative domains. When these properties link to one another and to your primary site, they pass authority signals that can strengthen your overall search visibility. 🎯 Why Use Cloud Stacks? - Boost domain authority: Links from high-trust cloud platforms carry strong authority signals to your website. - Reinforce brand entity: A consistent brand presence across multiple platforms helps search engines validate your business as legitimate. - Diversify your backlink profile: Cloud Stacks add a natural variety of referring domains without relying solely on traditional link outreach. - Support local and national SEO: Cloud Stacks work for both local businesses looking to rank in specific areas and broader campaigns targeting national or global audiences. - Complement other authority strategies: Cloud Stacks pair effectively with press releases and link-building campaigns to create a layered authority-building approach. 🗺️ How Cloud Stacks Work in Search Atlas Search Atlas automates the creation of Cloud Stacks inside the Authority section. The platform builds your branded web properties, populates them with relevant content, interlinks them, and points them toward your target URL — all without requiring any technical setup on your part. Cloud Stacks are created using credits. The exact credit cost may vary depending on the scope and options you select during setup. Review the credit cost displayed before confirming your order. 🚀 How to Create a Cloud Stack To get started with Cloud Stacks, navigate to the Authority section of Search Atlas and look for the Cloud Stacks feature. From there you will be able to enter your target URL and brand details — accurate brand information helps the platform create consistent, entity-rich properties. Review any cost or configuration options shown on screen, then confirm your selections to begin the automated build process. Once your Cloud Stack is complete, you will be able to review the properties that were created directly within the Cloud Stacks area of the platform. 🛠️ Need Help Getting Started? If you have questions about how to set up a Cloud Stack, what information to provide, or what to expect from the process, our team is happy to walk you through it. 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.

📊 Understanding Moz Spam Score and Domain Power

🔍 What Are Moz Spam Score and Domain Power? Search Atlas surfaces two Moz metrics for every domain you track: - Domain Power (DP): A 0–100 score reflecting a domain's overall authority, based on the quality and quantity of its backlink profile. New sites almost always start at 0 or 1. - Moz Spam Score: A 0–100 score estimating how closely a domain resembles sites that have been penalised or banned by search engines. Higher scores indicate more spam-like signals. Both metrics are calculated by Moz and pulled into Search Atlas automatically. Search Atlas displays them as-is; we do not modify or adjust these values. 🆕 Why New Sites See Dramatic Early Fluctuations A sudden jump in Spam Score — such as going from 1 to 55 — or a drop in Domain Power from 1 to 0 is alarming, but it is very common for newly published domains. Here is why it happens: - Thin data window: Moz's algorithm scores domains based on patterns across their full backlink profile. When a site has fewer than 20–30 known linking root domains, a single low-quality link can shift the score dramatically because it represents a large proportion of the total signal. - Crawl timing gaps: Moz does not crawl the web in real time. Newly acquired links — good or bad — may appear in batches, creating sudden score movements that look alarming but reflect a delayed data refresh rather than a sudden event. - Default spam flags on new domains: Moz's model is trained on millions of domains. New domains with sparse content, few pages, or no inbound editorial links can pattern-match to spammy sites simply due to their early-stage profile, even with no malicious activity. - Domain Power at 0 is normal: A score of 0 or 1 means Moz has not yet detected enough authoritative inbound links to assign measurable authority. This is expected for any domain under roughly six months old. ⚠️ Should You Be Concerned About a Score of 55? Not necessarily — but the score deserves investigation. Use this general guide: - 0–30: Low spam risk. Normal for most legitimate new and established sites. - 31–60: Moderate. Worth auditing your backlink profile, but not an emergency. New sites in this range are common and recoverable. - 61–100: High. Prioritise a full backlink audit and consider disavowing confirmed toxic links. A score of 55 for a new site with minimal content changes most likely reflects the thin-data and crawl-timing issues described above, not active spam behaviour. Re-evaluate after the next Moz data refresh, which typically occurs every 3–4 weeks. 🔗 Will Quality Backlinks Lower the Spam Score? Yes — over time, earning high-authority editorial backlinks is the most effective long-term strategy. Here is how it works: - Quality backlinks increase Domain Power and dilute the proportional weight of any low-quality links already present. - As Moz indexes more legitimate referring domains, the spam-signal patterns weaken, and the score typically falls. - This process takes time. You should expect to see meaningful movement after two to four Moz refresh cycles (roughly 2–3 months) if you are actively building quality links. Building good links and disavowing toxic ones are not mutually exclusive — in fact, combining both is the strongest approach when you have confirmed spammy links. 🗑️ When Should You Disavow Links? Disavowing is appropriate when you have confirmed evidence of harmful links, not just a high Spam Score alone. Disavow when: - Your backlink audit reveals links from clearly irrelevant, low-quality, or penalised domains. - You have received a manual action notification in Google Search Console related to unnatural links. - The same toxic domains persist across multiple Moz refresh cycles with no organic improvement. Do not disavow links based solely on Spam Score. Moz's score is one signal among many and should be used alongside a full backlink audit, not as a standalone trigger for disavow actions. 📋 Recommended Action Plan for New Sites 1. Open Search Atlas and navigate to the backlink profile for the affected domain. 2. Filter by lowest Domain Authority and look for patterns: irrelevant anchor text, foreign-language spam sites, or link farms. 3. Export and review the full referring domain list. 4. Flag confirmed toxic domains in a disavow file if they meet the criteria above. 5. Begin an outreach or content strategy to earn two to five quality editorial links over the next 60 days. 6. Re-check Moz Spam Score and Domain Power after the next Moz data refresh (typically 3–4 weeks). ❓ Key Things to Remember - Moz Spam Score and Domain Power are third-party metrics calculated by Moz, not by Search Atlas. Discrepancies or unexpected changes should be interpreted in the context of Moz's own crawl schedule and algorithm. - A high Spam Score on a new domain is not a penalty. It is a predictive signal. Google's algorithms are independent of Moz's scoring. - Domain Power of 0 simply means insufficient backlink data — it does not mean your site is penalised or invisible. - Scores stabilise as the domain matures and accumulates a diverse, high-quality link profile. 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.

🖼️ Supported Image Formats for Press Releases

Press release images must be in a supported format before you publish. Uploading a WEBP, AVIF, or HEIC file triggers a validation error at the Step 3 preview — convert your image first to avoid a blocked submission. ✅ Accepted Image Formats Search Atlas accepts the following formats for press release image uploads: - JPEG / JPG — recommended for photos and product images - PNG — recommended for logos and graphics that require transparency - GIF — supported for static or animated images If your file is saved as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .gif in its true native format, it will pass validation and upload successfully. 🚫 Blocked Formats: WEBP, AVIF, and HEIC The following formats are not accepted and will be blocked at Step 3 (Preview) before your press release reaches the distribution network: - WEBP — a modern web format not supported by all press release distribution systems - AVIF — a next-generation image format not compatible with the distribution network - HEIC — the default photo format on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac) These formats are blocked to prevent broken or black-background images from appearing in your published press release. The validation check runs at Step 3, so your draft is saved when the error appears. Go back to Step 2 to replace the flagged image without losing any other press release content, then return to Step 3 to re-run the preview. ⚠️ Mislabeled File Extensions A file renamed to .jpg or .png but originally saved as WEBP, AVIF, or HEIC will also fail validation. The format check reads the actual file data — not just the file name — so renaming the extension alone does not fix the error. Re-export or convert the image to a truly supported format using the steps below. 🔄 How to Convert an Unsupported Image to JPEG or PNG Use any of the methods below to convert your image before uploading to your press release. On Windows 1. Open the image in Paint or Photos. 2. Select File → Save as. 3. Choose JPEG picture or PNG picture from the file-type menu. 4. Save the file, then upload the converted version to your press release. On Mac 1. Open the image in Preview. 2. Select File → Export. 3. Choose JPEG or PNG from the Format dropdown. 4. Click Save, then upload the exported file to your press release. Using a Free Online Tool 1. Go to a free converter such as Squoosh or Convertio. 2. Upload your WEBP, AVIF, or HEIC file. 3. Select JPEG or PNG as the output format. 4. Download the converted file. After converting, return to your press release draft, replace the flagged image with the new file, and proceed to Step 3. The validation check will pass and you can submit for distribution. 🎯 You now know that Search Atlas press releases accept JPEG, PNG, and GIF images only — and that WEBP, AVIF, and HEIC files (including files merely renamed to .jpg or .png) will be blocked at the preview step. Convert any unsupported file using the steps above, then re-upload to publish without errors. For more help building and distributing press releases, see the Press Release Creation Guide.

📘 Best Practices for Blogs & Press Distribution Using Search Atlas

📝 Overview This article shares best practices for using Search Atlas Authority Building and PR Distribution alongside your blog content to amplify your SEO strategy and generate strong, authoritative signals to targeted pages. Whether you're publishing new articles or enhancing existing ones, this guide helps you get the most value from your platform. 🎥 Watch: Best Practices Overview Watch the video. Note: this walkthrough references the legacy "Media Room" terminology; the same distribution capability is now managed from Authority Building > PR Distribution. ✅ Key Takeaways - Optimize blog structure: use consistent formatting, keyword placement, and link hierarchy to improve visibility. - Leverage PR Distribution: use it as a press hub to house your articles, boost credibility, and earn trust signals. - Drive authority signals: use Search Atlas's syndication features to send strong off-page SEO signals to specific blog posts or landing pages. - Track performance: monitor which pages get picked up by Google using tools like Search Console or your Search Atlas reporting. 💡 Pro Tips - Tag your blog articles by theme or target keywords for better content discovery. - Use the distribution option in your Search Atlas dashboard for important announcements. - Refresh old content using updated metadata and re-publish through syndication. 💬 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.

💳 Cloud Stack Press Release Provider Pricing

💳 How Cloud Stack Press Release Credit Pricing Works Cloud Stack press release distribution uses an incremental credit model. Your base cost of 15 HDC covers distribution to up to 14 providers. Selecting more than 14 providers adds 1 HDC per additional provider to your total. The platform calculates and displays your updated credit cost in real time as you select or deselect providers, so you always see the exact charge before you publish. 📊 Cloud Stack Provider Pricing Reference Use this reference to estimate your credit cost before selecting providers: - 1–14 providers selected: 15 HDC (flat base cost, no additional charge) - 15 providers selected: 16 HDC - 16 providers selected: 17 HDC - 20 providers selected: 21 HDC The formula for any selection above 14 providers: Total HDC = 15 + (providers selected − 14). ⚙️ How to Check Your Credit Cost Before Publishing 1. Open Cloud Stack and start or edit a press release. 2. Navigate to the Provider Selection step. 3. Select your distribution providers — the cost summary updates automatically with each selection. 4. Confirm the displayed HDC total before clicking Publish. Credits are deducted when the press release is first submitted for publication, and are refunded automatically if publication fails or the release is unpublished. 💡 Tips for Managing Your Provider Credits - Keep your selection at 14 or fewer providers to stay within the flat 15 HDC base rate. - When selecting more than 14 providers, prioritize high-authority or niche-relevant outlets — each extra HDC should support a distribution channel that matters for your campaign. - Check your available HDC balance before publishing a large-provider distribution to avoid an interruption mid-campaign. 🎯 You now know how Cloud Stack calculates press release distribution credits — a flat 15 HDC base for up to 14 providers, plus 1 HDC for each additional provider you select. To learn more about managing your credit balance, visit the Credits & Billing section of your account settings.

🔗 Understanding Placement Statuses: Publication-Unavailable vs Publisher-Rejected in Link Laboratory

When a placement in Link Laboratory requires your attention, it shows a Pending Action prompt. Two distinct statuses can trigger this prompt — publication-unavailable and publisher-rejected — and each has a different cause and a different path forward. 📋 What Each Placement Status Means Link Laboratory tracks the state of every placement you request. When something blocks a placement from moving forward, the status updates automatically and a Pending Action prompt appears for you to review. - Publication-unavailable — SearchAtlas deactivated and removed the publication from its network. The site is no longer available to any campaign, regardless of publisher willingness. - Publisher-rejected — The publisher reviewed your placement request and actively declined it. The site remains in the SearchAtlas network and may accept placements from other campaigns. Both statuses require you to take action before the placement can continue — which is why both trigger a Pending Action prompt. ⚠️ Publication-Unavailable: Cause and Next Steps A publication-unavailable status means SearchAtlas removed the site from its publisher network. This is not a decision made by the publisher — it is a network-level change by SearchAtlas, such as a quality review, policy update, or site removal request. Because the publication no longer exists in the network, your placement cannot be fulfilled on that site under any circumstances. 1. Open the affected placement in Link Laboratory. 2. Review the Pending Action message, which confirms the publication was removed from the network. 3. Select a replacement publication from the available inventory. 4. Submit your selection to resume the placement process. After you submit a replacement, the Pending Action prompt clears and your placement re-enters the standard fulfillment flow. 🚫 Publisher-Rejected: Cause and Next Steps A publisher-rejected status means the publisher reviewed your specific placement request and chose not to accept it. The publication itself is still active in the SearchAtlas network — only your particular request was declined. Publishers may decline a placement due to content mismatch, niche restrictions, or capacity limits. SearchAtlas does not share the publisher's specific reason for declining. 1. Open the affected placement in Link Laboratory. 2. Review the Pending Action message, which confirms the publisher declined your request. 3. Select a replacement publication from the available inventory, or refine your targeting criteria to find a better-matched site. 4. Submit your selection to continue the campaign. After you submit a replacement, your new placement request enters the publisher review queue as normal. 🔍 Key Differences Between the Two Statuses - Who triggered it: Publication-unavailable is triggered by SearchAtlas; publisher-rejected is triggered by the publisher. - Is the site still in the network? No for publication-unavailable; yes for publisher-rejected. - Can you resubmit to the same site? No for publication-unavailable; potentially yes for publisher-rejected in a future campaign. - Required action for both: Select a replacement publication to resolve the Pending Action prompt and keep your campaign moving. 🎯 Now that you understand the difference between publication-unavailable and publisher-rejected, you can respond to each Pending Action prompt with confidence and keep your link building campaigns on track. For more on managing your placements, see the Link Laboratory overview article.

📘 Pro Tips to Optimize Your Articles and Press Releases for Maximum Reach

📋 Overview Want your articles to get found, read, and indexed by search engines? This guide shares proven strategies to help you craft optimized content that performs well across search, social, and media outlets. ✅ Best Practices for Optimizing Articles 1. Use a Clear, Compelling Headline - Include your main keyword or phrase - Make it relevant and benefit-driven (what's in it for the reader?) 2. Lead with a Strong Opening Paragraph - Summarize your main message in the first 1–2 sentences - Use your primary keyword naturally within the first 100 words 3. Add a Meta Description - Keep it between 120–160 characters for optimal display in search results - Clearly summarize the content using target keywords 4. Use Headings (H2, H3) to Structure Content - Break up long text with descriptive subheadings - Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into subheadings - Improves skimmability for readers and crawlability for search engines 5. Add Multimedia (Images or Video) - Embed relevant media when possible to improve engagement - Use descriptive alt text that includes keywords for accessibility and SEO 6. Optimize for Syndication - Use clean, standard formatting (avoid special characters or inline styles) - Avoid overly promotional language that may be rejected by publisher networks - Make the article "publish-ready" for partner networks 🔑 Keyword Tips - Use your primary keyword naturally throughout the article — focus on readability rather than a fixed count, as keyword stuffing can harm rankings - Include semantically related terms (e.g., for "SEO optimization," also weave in "search engine visibility," "organic ranking," "on-page SEO," etc.) - Place your most important keyword in the headline, opening paragraph, at least one subheading, and the meta description 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.

📘 30 Press Release Ideas to Promote Your Business

📋 Overview If you're managing client campaigns or working on business exposure, press releases are a great tool to boost visibility, credibility, and SEO. Use this list of 30 press release triggers to inspire timely content for any type of business — from startups to well-established brands. 📅 When to Send a Press Release Here are 30 actionable press release ideas to guide your clients: Company & Product Launches - Announce the start of a new business - Promote a new product or service - Reveal a company rebranding or new name - Share the launch or redesign of a website Recognition & Milestones - Celebrate a company anniversary - Highlight an award or nomination - Acknowledge being featured in a publication - Celebrate major milestones (revenue, customer count, etc.) People & Roles - Share executive appointments or promotions - Mention employees named to community boards - Announce public appearances (TV, radio, events) - Make a statement on an industry issue or trend Partnerships & Collaborations - Launch a strategic partnership or alliance - Promote a new vendor or supplier agreement - Share a customer advisory board setup Growth & Expansion - Open a new office or branch - Share business expansion or renovation - Explain a business restructuring or pivot Funding & Investment - Announce a funding round or new investors - Share a merger or acquisition - Reveal a notable grant or financial award received Thought Leadership & Authority - Offer a free resource or information - Announce the results of research or surveys - Provide insights on future business trends Unique Stories & Strategies - Talk about overcoming adversity or challenges - Introduce a new strategy, method, or approach - Share an article series or educational content - Highlight a notable customer success story or case study Events & Community Involvement - Announce upcoming seminars, webinars, or workshops - Highlight philanthropic participation or donations - Declare availability for public speaking engagements 📥 Download PDF Version Get the full list of press release ideas: 👉 Download here 💡 Best Practice Tip Use these ideas to keep your content calendar full and show clients the many opportunities they have to generate buzz. Pair each press release with strong, relevant keywords for SEO benefit, and distribute through the right channels — newswires, your own blog, social media, and media outreach. Remember that press release links from reputable distribution services can contribute to your backlink profile and brand authority in search. 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.

🔗 Publisher Exchange / Link Laboratory

This article covers common questions related to Publisher Exchange and Link Laboratory in Search Atlas. About Publisher Exchange and Link Laboratory Publisher Exchange and Link Laboratory are tools within Search Atlas. Detailed workflow documentation for these features is still being developed. If you have a question or encounter an issue with either tool, the steps below will help you get the right support quickly. What to Do If You Have a Question or Issue Before reaching out to the team, gather the following information so your question can be resolved as efficiently as possible: - The name of the specific feature or workflow you are using (Publisher Exchange or Link Laboratory) - A clear description of what you were trying to do and what happened instead - The exact text of any error messages displayed on screen - The date and time the issue occurred - Your project or account name, if applicable Having these details ready will allow a team member to investigate your specific situation without needing to ask follow-up questions, reducing the time to resolution. 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.

🛠️ How to Resolve a Publisher Exchange Pending Action in Search Atlas

🛠️ How to Resolve a Publisher Exchange Pending Action in Search Atlas When a publication in your Authority Building order is rejected or becomes unavailable, Search Atlas opens a 3-day resolution window so you can choose exactly how your order moves forward. This article walks you through every resolution option available and how to confirm your choice before the deadline passes. ⏳ 🔍 Finding the Pending Action Resolution Screen You can reach the resolution screen in two ways. 📧 Via email: Click the direct link included in your Pending Action email. This takes you straight to the resolution screen for the affected order. 🖥️ Via the dashboard: Navigate to Dashboard → Authority Building → Orders → [Order Name] → Pending Actions in Search Atlas. Orders with an open pending action also display a Pending Action badge in the Orders list view, making them easy to spot at a glance. ✅ Your Three Resolution Options Once you are on the resolution screen, you will see three ways to handle the affected placement. Review each option carefully before confirming. 👇 📌 Option 1: Choose an Alternative Publication Yourself Browse the available Authority Building inventory and select a replacement publication that fits your campaign goals. This option gives you the most direct control over which site receives your placement. Look for publications that match your target niche, preferred domain authority range, and traffic expectations. ✅ Best for: Campaigns with specific niche or quality requirements where you want to hand-pick the replacement yourself. 🤖 Option 2: Choose for Me Let Search Atlas automatically select the best-matching replacement based on your original placement criteria — including niche, domain authority, traffic tier, and pricing band. This is the same logic Search Atlas uses when the 3-day window expires, but by selecting it yourself you confirm the choice immediately rather than waiting for the automatic fallback. ✅ Best for: Campaigns where the original criteria were a good fit and you trust Search Atlas to find a comparable replacement quickly. 💰 Option 3: Refund HDC Return the HDC credits associated with the rejected or unavailable publication directly to your Search Atlas account. No replacement publication is assigned when you choose this option — the credits simply become available for use on a future order or placement. ✅ Best for: Situations where no available replacement meets your standards, or when you prefer to reallocate budget to a different campaign entirely. 🔎 After a refund is applied, you can verify the credit balance by navigating to Avatar (top-right) → Billing (Plans & Top-ups) in Search Atlas. ✔️ Confirming Your Resolution Once you have reviewed the options and made your selection, click Confirm to finalize your choice. Your order updates immediately after you confirm, and Search Atlas sends a confirmation email to your address on file so you have a record of the resolution. 📬 ⚠️ Important: You must confirm your selection within the 3-day (72-hour) window that begins at the UTC timestamp shown in your Pending Action email. If the window expires before you confirm, Search Atlas automatically assigns a replacement publication using the same criteria as the Choose for Me option. ⏰ Act Early for the Widest Choice 📅 Inventory in the Authority Building marketplace changes continuously. Responding on Day 1 — as soon as you receive the initial Pending Action email — gives you access to the broadest selection of alternative publications. Waiting until Day 3 may limit the alternatives available to you. 🔔 Search Atlas sends two reminder emails automatically: one at 24 hours and another at 48 hours after the initial notification, so the deadline will not pass unnoticed. 🆘 Need More Help? For a full overview of how the 3-day resolution timeline works and what happens if the window expires without action, see the article Publisher Exchange Rejection: How to Resolve a Pending Action Email. For general placement management, visit the Authority Building Orders overview.

🏗️ Authority Building: Backlinks and Content Working Together

🎯 The Short Answer: Do Both After submitting a backlink — such as a TV interview feature — for indexing in Authority Building, you do not need to choose between indexing more backlinks and creating supporting content. These two activities work together to strengthen your site's authority. Stopping content creation while you wait for backlinks to index means leaving ranking power on the table. 🔗 What Indexing a Backlink Actually Does When you add a backlink to Authority Building and submit it for indexing, you are signalling to search engines that the link exists and should be crawled and credited to your site. Indexing resolves a common problem: high-quality backlinks that search engines have not yet discovered or processed. Submitting a backlink for indexing is a one-time technical step. Once submitted, the process runs in the background. You do not need to monitor it continuously or pause other work while it completes. ✍️ Why Supporting Content Amplifies Your Backlinks A backlink from a TV interview is a strong authority signal on its own. However, its impact grows significantly when complementary content reinforces the same topic cluster. Here is why: - Topical relevance: Press releases, blog posts, and articles published around the same subject tell search engines that your site has genuine expertise in that topic, making the backlink more contextually meaningful. - Internal linking opportunities: New content gives you natural places to link internally to the pages your backlinks point to, strengthening their ranking contribution. - Additional indexing signals: Each piece of published content you create can itself be submitted for indexing, creating multiple entry points for search engines to discover your authority signals. - Faster authority accumulation: Backlinks and content compound each other. A backlink pointing to a well-supported topic cluster builds authority faster than the same backlink pointing to a thin or isolated page. 📋 Recommended Strategy After Submitting a Backlink Follow this approach immediately after submitting a TV interview or similar high-authority backlink for indexing: 1. Submit the backlink for indexing inside Authority Building and confirm the submission is queued. 2. Publish a press release covering the TV interview. Include a link to the interview, relevant keywords, and a quote or key takeaway from the appearance. 3. Write a supporting blog post or article that expands on the topic discussed in the interview. Link internally to any pages the backlink targets. 4. Submit the new content URLs for indexing as well, so search engines process all related signals together. 5. Continue building backlinks on other topics or from other sources. You do not need to wait for one backlink to be fully indexed before adding more. ⚖️ When to Prioritise Backlinks vs. Content The choice is rarely either/or, but here is a practical guide for situations where you need to sequence your effort: - Prioritise indexing backlinks first if the linked page has thin or no supporting content. Getting the link indexed before the page is strengthened still works, but plan content creation as a fast follow-up. - Prioritise content first if the page the backlink points to does not yet exist or is a stub. A strong destination page makes the backlink more effective from the moment it is indexed. - Run both in parallel whenever your resources allow. This is the default recommended approach for ongoing authority campaigns. 🔍 Tracking Combined Impact in Search Atlas You can monitor how your backlinks and content work together using the following tools: - Go to More Features → Backlinks → Backlink Research to review newly indexed backlinks and confirm they are being credited to your domain. - Go to More Features → Backlinks → Topical Relevance to check whether your backlink profile aligns with the topic clusters your content covers. - Go to Site Metrics → Topical Dominance to measure whether your content and backlinks are building authority in your target topic areas over time. - Go to Site Metrics → Overview to track overall domain authority trends as your combined strategy takes effect. 💡 Key Takeaway Submitting a backlink for indexing and creating complementary content are not competing tasks. Indexing gets your backlink credited. Content makes that credit more powerful. The strongest authority-building campaigns run both activities simultaneously and consistently. After a TV interview backlink, the next best action is to publish a press release or supporting article, then submit those new URLs for indexing as well. 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.

🔍 Why Brand Insights Citations Show Unrelated Domains

📌 What This Article Covers If you have reviewed the Citations section of your Brand Insights report and noticed a domain that matches your topic but does not mention or belong to your business, you are not alone. This article explains why that happens, what those citations actually represent, and the steps you can take to evaluate them correctly. 🧠 How Brand Insights Gathers Citations The Citations section reflects the sources that large language models (LLMs) and AI search engines reference when answering questions related to your industry, topic, or service area. These are the same types of prompts your potential customers might ask an AI assistant. Because of this, the tool surfaces every domain the AI cited in response to a topic, not only the domains that name your specific business. The goal is to show you the wider landscape of who is being mentioned for the queries that matter to you. Keep in mind that Citations are distinct from your Visibility Score: Citations list the sources AI references for a topic, while your Visibility Score measures how often your brand specifically is mentioned. A domain can appear in Citations without that meaning it references your business. ❓ Why an Unrelated or Competitor Domain Appears Seeing a domain that is relevant to your topic but does not reference your business is expected behavior. Common reasons include: - Topic-based matching: The AI cited that domain because its content is relevant to the question, even though it does not mention your brand. - Competitor visibility: Other businesses in your space are being referenced for the same queries, which is useful competitive insight. - Authority sources: Directories, publications, or informational sites are frequently cited because AI models consider them trustworthy for the topic. - Source classification: Each cited domain is categorized by its relationship to your brand — for example as a competitor, a platform, or a general reference source — so a domain may be listed as a reference even though it does not mention your business. - Indirect association: A domain may share keywords, location, or services with your business without being connected to it. In short, a citation is a signal about the topic and the broader conversation, not confirmation that the source is about your company. 📊 How to Read These Citations Correctly Use the Citations section as a competitive and opportunity map rather than a list of brand mentions. When you review a citation, ask yourself: 1. Is the topic relevant to my business? If yes, the citation is working as intended. 2. Who is being cited instead of me? These domains show where you could earn visibility. 3. Is this a source I could be featured on? Directories and publications often present outreach or content opportunities. 4. Does this reveal a content gap? If competitors are cited for a topic you cover, it may signal an area to strengthen. ✅ What to Do With This Information Rather than treating an unrelated domain as an error, turn it into action: - Identify opportunities: Note authoritative domains where your business could be added or mentioned. - Benchmark competitors: Track which rivals appear for your key topics over time. - Guide your content: Create or improve content that targets the queries where you are not yet cited. - Monitor changes: Revisit the report regularly to see whether your visibility improves. ⚠️ When a Citation May Be Worth Reviewing While most unrelated citations are expected, you may want a closer look if you notice a domain that is entirely off-topic, in a different language or region than your audience, or repeatedly appearing without any clear connection to your industry. These cases are uncommon, but our team can help you interpret them.

🔗 Find Wildfire Niche Edits and Outbound Links

🔍 Overview Wildfire is Search Atlas's link-building feature that places Niche Edits (backlinks pointing to your site) and Outbound Links (links placed on your site pointing outward) across a network of publisher pages. This article explains exactly where to find and review both link types for any domain you manage. 🧭 How to Access Wildfire in Search Atlas Wildfire is managed through the OTTO SEO dashboard. Follow these steps to get there: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. From the left sidebar, select OTTO SEO. 3. Open or select the OTTO project associated with your domain (for example, peters-creek.com). 4. Inside the project dashboard, locate the Wildfire section. 📋 Locating Deployed Wildfire Niche Edits Niche Edits are backlinks that have been placed on third-party publisher pages and point back to your domain. To find them: 1. Open the Wildfire section within your OTTO project. 2. Click the Niche Edits tab (sometimes labelled Backlinks depending on your account view). 3. Use the Status filter and select Deployed to display only live, active placements. 4. Review the list — each row shows the publisher page URL, the anchor text used, the target URL on your domain, and the deployment date. Tip: If a link shows as deployed but does not appear in third-party backlink tools immediately, allow 2–4 weeks for crawlers to index the new placement. 🔗 Locating Approved Outbound Links Outbound Links are links placed on your own site as part of a Wildfire exchange — your site links out to a publisher page in return for receiving a Niche Edit. To review them: 1. Inside the Wildfire section, click the Outbound Links tab. 2. Filter by Status: Approved to see all outbound placements that have been confirmed and are currently active on your site. 3. Each row displays the outbound URL, the page on your site where the link lives, the anchor text, and approval date. Important: Outbound Links are distinct from Niche Edits. They are links leaving your site, not pointing to it. Do not confuse an approved outbound link with a received backlink in your reporting. 🔎 Filtering by Domain If you manage multiple sites and need to isolate data for a specific domain such as peters-creek.com: - Ensure you have selected the correct OTTO project for that domain before opening Wildfire. - Use the Search or Filter bar within the Niche Edits or Outbound Links tabs to type the domain name and narrow results. - The Target URL column in Niche Edits and the Source Page column in Outbound Links both display the domain, making it easy to confirm you are reviewing the right site. ⚠️ Known Limitations to Be Aware Of Our engineering team has recently resolved several Wildfire reporting issues. Here is what to keep in mind: - Link update delays: Wildfire link statuses may take up to 24 hours to refresh after a deployment or approval event. - Outbound links mistaken for backlinks: A previous bug caused some outbound links to appear in backlink counts. This has been fixed, but if you notice unusual backlink numbers, compare your Niche Edits and Outbound Links tabs carefully. - Referring page visibility: In some cases the referring page for an active backlink may not display immediately. Refreshing the Wildfire section or waiting for the next data sync typically resolves this. 💡 Quick Reference Summary - Deployed Niche Edits → OTTO SEO → Your Project → Wildfire → Niche Edits tab → Filter: Deployed - Approved Outbound Links → OTTO SEO → Your Project → Wildfire → Outbound Links tab → Filter: Approved 🆘 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 connected with a member of our team. Additional Notes Use exact domain formatting: When filtering by domain, enter the domain without https:// or a trailing slash to get the most accurate results.

🔗 Links Lab Marketplace (LinkLaboratory)

The Links Lab Marketplace gives you access to 50,000+ vetted guest-post publishers so you can build targeted backlinks. Use this article to browse placements, manage orders, and resolve issues quickly. 🔗 What is the Links Lab Marketplace? The Links Lab Marketplace is a catalog of 50,000+ guest-post opportunities across niches. Filter publishers by industry, domain power, spam score, and visibility. A blue check badge marks publishers with lower rejection rates. 📍 How to access Links Laboratory Go to Dashboard → Three Dots (⋮) → Authority Building → Links Laboratory. Publishing generally takes 30–45 days, and typical backlink lifespan ranges from 3 months to 1 year. ✍️ Content options and premium placements Provide your own draft or add writing support at checkout. Premium Marquee Publications — including Apple.com, Yahoo Finance, and Investing.com — are available for maximum reach and authority. 🔄 What happens if a placement is rejected? You're covered by our guarantee. We'll replace the link with an equal or better publisher, or refund the affected link(s). To select a replacement publisher yourself, open your order and click Pending Actions in the order dashboard — your available alternatives are listed there. ⚠️ What happens if my order can't be delivered as requested? You choose the path forward: - Select an alternative publisher: Open your order and click Pending Actions in the order dashboard. Suitable alternative sites that match your brief are listed there — select your preferred option to proceed. - Request a refund: We'll refund the undelivered link(s). If part of your order is already live, only the undelivered portion is refunded. 📧 What proof do I receive when my order is complete? We send a completion email with your live URL(s) and publish date. Screenshots are available on request. We verify each URL is publicly accessible and meets the ordered metrics. 🆔 What information helps support assist me fastest? Include your Order ID and Target Landing Page. With these, we can pull a live status and give you specific next steps immediately. 🎯 You now know how to browse the Links Lab Marketplace, manage orders, and find alternative publishers via Pending Actions after a rejection or non-delivery. For order-specific questions, contact support with your Order ID ready.

🔗 Backlink Indexing and Content Strategy Combined

🎯 Why Both Strategies Work Together A common question from customers is whether to stop creating content once a high-value backlink — such as a TV interview feature — has been successfully submitted for indexing. The short answer is: do both. Indexing a backlink and building supporting content are not competing strategies; they reinforce each other and produce stronger, faster authority signals for your site. 📌 What Happens When You Index a Backlink Submitting a backlink for indexing tells search engines that the link exists and should be crawled. Once indexed, the link can begin passing authority to your site. However, a backlink sitting in isolation — with no surrounding context or supporting signals — may take longer to have a measurable impact. Search engines evaluate not just the presence of a link, but the authority and relevance of everything connected to it. ✍️ Why Supporting Content Amplifies Your Backlinks Creating content and press releases around an indexed backlink gives search engines more signals to work with. Here is what supporting content does for your backlink strategy: - Reinforces the topic cluster: Articles and press releases that reference or contextualise a TV interview help establish topical relevance around the linked page. - Generates additional crawl paths: New content gives search engine bots more routes to discover and re-crawl the original backlink source. - Builds entity mentions: Consistent mentions of your brand or site across multiple pieces of content strengthen your entity recognition — a key authority signal. - Increases internal linking opportunities: You can link from new content back to the page that received the backlink, concentrating authority where it matters most. 🗓️ Recommended Workflow After Indexing a High-Value Backlink 1. Submit the backlink for indexing using the Authority Building tools in Search Atlas. Confirm indexing status before moving to the next step. 2. Publish a press release or blog post that references the interview or feature within one to two weeks of successful indexing. Mention the publication, the topic covered, and your brand naturally within the content. 3. Create at least one supporting article that expands on the subject matter of the interview. This deepens topical relevance and gives the backlink source more contextual weight. 4. Add internal links from your new content to the page on your site that is receiving the backlink authority. 5. Monitor authority signals by navigating to Left sidebar → Site Metrics → Overview and checking your domain metrics over the following four to six weeks. 6. Use Topical Dominance to track coverage gaps: Go to Left sidebar → Site Metrics → Topical Dominance to identify related topics where additional content could further support your authority strategy. 🔍 How to Research Supporting Backlink Opportunities Once your initial backlink is indexed and supporting content is live, you can identify further link-building opportunities using the Backlinks tools in Search Atlas. - Go to More Features → Backlinks → Backlink Research to discover additional relevant sources in your niche. - Use More Features → Backlinks → Link Gap Analysis to find backlink opportunities your competitors have that you do not. - Check More Features → Backlinks → Topical Relevance to ensure new backlinks you pursue align with the topics you are building authority around. ⚖️ How to Balance Indexing and Content Creation Over Time There is no fixed ratio of backlinks to content pieces, but a practical approach is to treat every significant backlink as the anchor for a small content cluster. For each high-authority backlink you index: - Aim to publish one to two supporting pieces of content within the first month. - Continue your regular content publishing schedule — do not pause it while indexing is in progress. - Revisit the backlink source after 30 days and check whether the page has gained visibility using Left sidebar → Site Metrics → Pages. Consistency matters more than volume. A steady combination of indexed backlinks and relevant supporting content builds cumulative authority over time and reduces reliance on any single signal. 💡 Key Takeaways - Indexing a backlink and creating content around it are complementary actions, not alternatives. - Supporting content strengthens topical relevance, increases crawl frequency, and amplifies the authority value of your indexed backlinks. - Use Search Atlas tools under Site Metrics and More Features → Backlinks to monitor results and find new opportunities. - Treat each major backlink as the starting point for a small cluster of related content. 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.

📰 Press Release Multi-Location Publishing and Website Integration

🗺️ Overview Search Atlas Press Release distribution supports multi-location businesses. If you manage several Google Business Profile locations, you can publish targeted press releases for each one and display those releases directly on your website. This article explains how both features work together. 📍 Managing Press Releases Across Multiple Locations Yes, you can create and manage separate press release campaigns for each of your business locations. Here is how it works: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to the Press Release section from the left sidebar. 2. When creating a new press release, look for the Location field during the setup process. 3. Select the specific Google Business Profile location this press release applies to. Each location you have connected to your account will appear in the dropdown. 4. Complete the rest of the press release details — headline, body copy, contact information, and distribution options — as you normally would. 5. Repeat this process for each location. Each press release is stored and tracked independently, so you can monitor performance per location. Important: Make sure all five of your Google Business Profile locations are connected to Search Atlas before you begin. If a location is missing from the dropdown, check your Google Business Profile integration settings. 🌐 Embedding Published Press Releases on Your Website Once a press release is published, you can feature it on your website in an "In the News" section using Search Atlas Website Studio. Follow these steps: 1. In the left sidebar, go to Website Studio (URL: /website-studio). 2. Open the page where you want to display your press releases — for example, a dedicated News or Media page. 3. Add a new content block or section to the page and choose the Press Release widget or embed block from the element library. 4. Configure the block to pull in your published press releases. You can filter by location if you want a location-specific feed, or display all published releases site-wide. 5. Customise the layout, heading, and styling to match your website design. 6. Click Save and then Publish to make the changes live. Your "In the News" section will automatically update as you publish new press releases, so you do not need to manually add each one to the page. 💡 Tips for Multi-Location Businesses - Use clear, location-specific headlines so visitors and search engines understand which area each press release targets. - Tag each press release by location during creation to keep your dashboard organised when you manage five or more profiles. - Create a separate News page per location in Website Studio if you run distinct websites or landing pages for each branch — then filter the embed block to show only that location's releases. - Monitor distribution reports for each press release individually to compare coverage across your locations and identify which topics drive the most pickups. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Can I publish the same press release to all five locations at once? Currently, each press release is created for a specific location. If you want to cover all five locations, you will need to create five separate press releases — one per location. This ensures each release contains accurate, location-specific details that resonate with local audiences and local distribution outlets. Will the embedded press releases on my website affect my SEO? Yes, positively. Featuring published press releases on your website adds fresh, keyword-rich content and creates internal links. Combined with the external backlinks generated by distribution, this strengthens your overall SEO profile. What if my press release is not showing up in the Website Studio embed? Check that the press release status is Published and not still in Draft, Generating, Generated, Publishing, Publish Stuck, or Publish Failed. Only fully published releases appear in the embed feed. 🆘 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 connected with a member of our team.

📘 Unbranded Marketing Flyers

We've created an unbranded digital marketing flyer you can personalize with your agency's branding. This flyer is perfect for sales conversations, outreach emails, or event collateral. 📄 How to Use This Flyer 1. Download the flyer (PDF): 👉 Download the Flyer 2. Open the PDF and add your agency's logo (top-right corner) and contact details (footer or anywhere relevant). 3. Share the customized flyer in client onboarding kits, cold outreach campaigns, presentations and proposals, and social media posts. 💡 Tip This flyer is unbranded, which means you can represent the services as your own. It's an easy way to boost your agency's credibility while showcasing what Search Atlas's Digital PR distribution capability can do behind the scenes. 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.

🔗 Reporting Harmful or Low-Quality Backlinks

🔍 Overview If you have received backlinks through Search Atlas that appear low-quality, spammy, or originate from harmful sources such as piracy-related websites, these can negatively affect your SEO performance and domain reputation. Search Atlas takes these reports seriously. This article explains what to expect and how to get the issue resolved quickly. ⚠️ What Counts as a Harmful Backlink? Not all backlinks are equal. The following types of backlinks are considered problematic and are eligible for removal and refund: - Piracy or illegal content sites: Links placed on websites that distribute copyrighted material without permission. - Low-quality or spammy domains: Links from sites with very low domain authority, thin content, or flagged as spam by major search engines. - Potentially damaging placements: Any backlink that could trigger a Google manual action or negatively impact your site's trust signals. 📋 Steps to Report a Harmful Backlink 1. Identify the backlink in question. Locate the specific link or domain causing concern within your Search Atlas account. Note the URL of the linking page and the target page on your site. 2. Gather your details. Before contacting support, collect the following: the referring domain and full URL of the backlink, the date the backlink was delivered or discovered, your order or campaign reference if available, and a brief description of why you believe the link is harmful. 3. Contact the support team immediately. Reach out to Search Atlas support and share the details you gathered in the previous step. ✅ What Happens After You Report Once your report is received by the support team, here is what you can expect: - A support agent will review the backlink placement and assess whether it meets the criteria for removal. - If confirmed as low-quality or harmful, the team will act to take down the article or placement containing the backlink. - Once removal is confirmed, a refund for the affected backlink order will be processed. - Your case will be tracked in the team's queue to ensure the removal is completed and to help prevent similar placements in the future. Based on real resolutions handled by our team, both the removal and refund are processed as a single coordinated action once the report is verified — you do not need to submit separate requests. 🛡️ How Search Atlas Prevents This from Happening Again Our engineering team continuously improves backlink quality controls. Recent improvements include enhanced retry and processing reliability for backlink tasks, which reduces errors that could contribute to

🗺️ Embedding Google Maps Links in Press Releases

🔍 Overview When creating a press release in Search Atlas, you may encounter an error when trying to include a Google Maps link. This usually happens because Google Maps URLs contain special characters or tracking parameters that the press release editor does not accept. This article explains the correct link format to use so your press release publishes without issues. ⚠️ Why Google Maps Links Cause Errors Google Maps URLs come in several formats, and not all of them are compatible with the Search Atlas press release editor. The most common causes of link errors include: - Long dynamic URLs — These contain many parameters (such as @, !, and 1m fragments) that can break the link field validation. - Shortened URLs (maps.app.goo.gl) — These redirect URLs may not be recognised as valid by the editor. - Embedded iframe code — Pasting raw iframe HTML from Google Maps is not supported in the link field. - Copied browser address bar URLs — These often include session-specific parameters that cause validation failures. ✅ How to Get the Correct Google Maps URL Follow these steps to obtain a clean, compatible Google Maps link: 1. Open Google Maps in your browser and search for the location you want to link to. 2. Once the location is displayed, click the Share button (the arrow icon) on the location card. 3. In the Share panel, select the Copy link option. This generates a clean, shortened link in the format https://maps.app.goo.gl/XXXXXXX. 4. If the shortened format does not work in the editor, switch to the Send a link to your phone tab, copy the URL shown there, or use the Embed a map tab to find the plain URL within the iframe code (the value inside src="..."). 5. Paste only the plain URL (not any surrounding HTML) into the link field in your press release. 🛠️ Adding the Link in Your Press Release Once you have the correct URL, follow these steps inside Search Atlas: 1. Navigate to Left sidebar → Authority (Press Releases) to open the press release editor. 2. Select the press release you are working on, or create a new one. 3. Highlight the text you want to hyperlink, then click the Insert Link icon in the editor toolbar. 4. Paste the clean Google Maps URL into the URL field. 5. Click Apply or Save to confirm the link. 6. Preview the press release to verify the link appears and resolves correctly before publishing. 💡 Best Practices for Location Links - Always test your Google Maps link in a private browser tab before adding it to a press release to confirm it loads the correct location. - Use a descriptive anchor text such as "View our location on Google Maps" rather than pasting the raw URL as visible text. - Avoid copying URLs directly from the browser address bar — always use the Share → Copy link flow in Google Maps. - If you need to link to a specific business, search for the business by name in Google Maps rather than navigating by coordinates, as name-based links tend to produce cleaner URLs. 🆘 Still Seeing an Error? If you have followed the steps above and are still experiencing a Google Maps link error in your press release, 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. Additional Notes Extract the URL from the iframe src attribute: copy only the URL between the quotation marks after src=, starting with https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=. Do not include the surrounding quotes or any other part of the iframe tag.

📊 Understanding Authority Scores in SEO

What Are Authority Scores in SEO? Authority scores are proprietary metrics that SEO platforms use to estimate the relative authority and ranking potential of a website. They're based on each platform's own backlink data and scoring models. Search engines do not publish or use these scores as direct ranking factors. Instead, authority scores provide a standardized way to: - Compare websites within your industry - Evaluate backlink opportunities - Benchmark competitors - Measure SEO progress over time How Authority Scores Are Calculated Every authority score uses a proprietary methodology. Most scoring systems analyze factors such as: - Backlink quantity and quality - Number of referring domains - Spam indicators and link health - Other domain authority signals Most platforms use a 0 to 100 scale, though the calculation method differs between providers. Because each tool weighs these factors differently and maintains its own link index, the same website can receive different authority scores depending on which platform you use. Why Authority Scores Vary Across Platforms The same domain can receive dramatically different scores from different SEO tools because: - Each platform crawls and indexes backlinks at different frequencies - Scoring models weigh backlinks, domain age, and other signals differently - Some metrics incorporate ranking and traffic data; others focus solely on link profiles - Update cadence varies—some refresh monthly, others weekly or daily Choosing an authority metric is less about finding the "correct" score and more about selecting a methodology that stays consistent across your reporting. Without understanding how each metric is calculated, comparing websites or measuring SEO progress over time becomes unreliable. What to Look for in an Authority Tracking Tool When evaluating an authority score tracking tool, prioritize these criteria: - Metric transparency: The tool should clearly document how its authority score is calculated, what signals it weighs, and how often it updates. Unexplained score shifts create confusion in client reporting. - Multi-domain tracking: Agencies managing multiple clients need to pull authority scores in bulk without opening each domain individually. Batch analysis and portfolio dashboards cut reporting time significantly. - Update frequency: A score that refreshes once per month provides a different baseline than one that updates every two weeks. Match update cadence to your reporting cycle. - Backlink index quality: Authority metrics are only as reliable as the backlink data behind them. Larger, more frequently crawled indexes produce scores that reflect current link profiles. - Integration with ranking and traffic data: Tools that combine authority scores with keyword rankings and organic traffic give a fuller picture of domain health than link-only metrics. Best Tools for Tracking Authority Scores The following tools are widely used for tracking authority scores and evaluating domain strength: - Search Atlas: Provides a Domain Authority score built on its own backlink index, with bulk domain analysis and portfolio-level dashboards suited for agencies. Scores are integrated alongside keyword rankings and site audit data in a single platform. - Ahrefs: Uses a Domain Rating (DR) metric based on the quantity and quality of referring domains. Ahrefs maintains one of the largest backlink indexes and updates DR frequently, making it a reliable benchmark for link-building campaigns. - Moz: Offers Domain Authority (DA), one of the most widely recognized authority scores. DA is calculated using a machine-learning model trained to correlate with Google search rankings. Moz also provides Page Authority (PA) for individual URLs. - Semrush: Uses an Authority Score that combines backlink data with organic traffic signals and spam detection. This blended approach means the score reflects both link profile strength and real-world search visibility. - Majestic: Offers Trust Flow and Citation Flow as complementary metrics. Trust Flow emphasizes link quality from trusted seed sites, while Citation Flow reflects raw link volume. Using both together gives a more nuanced view of backlink health. No single tool is objectively correct. The best approach is to select one platform as your primary authority benchmark and use it consistently across all reporting periods and client accounts. If you track multiple metrics, document which tool's score is being referenced in each report to avoid confusion. 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.

📅 Fix an Invalid Publish Date in Signal Genesys

🗂️ Overview When you try to publish a press release in Signal Genesys and see an "invalid publish date" error, it means the distribution date and time saved on the release does not meet the platform's requirements. This article walks you through the exact location of that field, the rules for setting a valid date, and how to fix access issues if the Signal Genesys portal does not load correctly. 🔍 Where to Find the Distribution Date Field The publish date in Signal Genesys is called the Distribution Date. It is not edited inside Search Atlas — you must go directly into the Signal Genesys portal to update it. Follow these steps: 1. From your Search Atlas dashboard, open Content in the left-hand navigation menu, then select Press Releases. 2. Locate the press release showing the error and click its title to open the detail view. 3. Click the View in Signal Genesys button. This opens your release inside the Signal Genesys portal at app.signalgenesys.io. If the page asks you to log in, see the Login and Access Issues section below before continuing. 4. Inside Signal Genesys, click the Edit button (pencil icon) at the top of your press release. 5. Scroll to the Distribution Settings section. You will see the Distribution Date and Distribution Time fields. 6. Update both fields to a valid date and time (see the rules below), then click Save. 7. Return to Search Atlas and click Publish again. The error should be resolved. 📋 Rules for a Valid Distribution Date Signal Genesys enforces the following constraints on the Distribution Date. Make sure your selection meets all of them: - Future date and time only: The distribution date must be set to a time that is at least 30 minutes in the future from the moment you save. Dates in the past or within the next 30 minutes will trigger the invalid date error. - Date format: Use the calendar picker inside Signal Genesys rather than typing a date manually. Manual entry can introduce formatting errors that the system does not always flag clearly. - Time zone: The time displayed in Signal Genesys defaults to Eastern Time (ET). If you are in a different time zone, account for the difference when selecting your distribution time so the release does not go out earlier or later than intended. - Business hours recommended: While Signal Genesys accepts any future time, press releases distributed between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET on weekdays reach the widest distribution network. 🔐 Login and Access Issues on app.signalgenesys.io If clicking View in Signal Genesys takes you to a login screen, a blank page, or returns an access error, work through the steps below in order: 1. Check your Signal Genesys credentials: Your Signal Genesys account is separate from your Search Atlas account. Go to app.signalgenesys.io directly in your browser and log in with the email address and password you used when your Signal Genesys account was created. If you are unsure which email was used, check your inbox for a welcome email from Signal Genesys. 2. Reset your password if needed: On the Signal Genesys login page, click Forgot Password and follow the instructions sent to your email. 3. Clear cache and cookies: A cached session from a previous login can block access. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try opening app.signalgenesys.io again in a fresh tab. 4. Try an incognito or private window: This rules out browser extension conflicts. Open an incognito window, go to app.signalgenesys.io, and log in fresh. 5. Check that your account is linked: Inside Search Atlas, go to Settings → Integrations and confirm that Signal Genesys shows as Connected. If it shows Disconnected or Not configured, click Connect and follow the on-screen steps to re-authorise the integration. Once reconnected, return to your press release and try View in Signal Genesys again. ✅ Quick Checklist Before You Publish Use this checklist each time you are ready to publish a press release to avoid the invalid date error: - Distribution Date is set to a date at least 30 minutes in the future. - Distribution Time is set using the Signal Genesys time picker, not typed manually. - You are logged in to app.signalgenesys.io with your Signal Genesys credentials. - The Signal Genesys integration in Search Atlas Settings shows Connected. - You clicked Save inside Signal Genesys before returning to Search Atlas to publish. 💬 Still 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.

⚡ Authority Building and Backlink Strategy Workflow

Overview: The Authority Building Workflow Getting a high-quality backlink — like a TV interview mention — is a great first step, but it is only one part of a complete authority-building strategy. Search Atlas provides tools to help you index your backlinks, amplify their impact, and build long-term domain authority. This article explains the general workflow from start to finish. Step 1: Submit Your Backlink URL for Indexing Once you have a live backlink URL, your first action is to submit it to the URL indexing tool inside Search Atlas so search engines can discover it quickly. Locate the URL indexing feature in your Search Atlas dashboard, paste your backlink URL into the input field, and submit it. Indexing can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the search engine. Once the URL has been submitted, no further action is needed inside the indexing tool — move on to the next steps to maximise the value of that link. Step 2: Create Supporting Content Around the Backlink Indexing a backlink gets it found, but supporting content helps search engines understand its relevance and increases its authority signal. After submitting your URL, create content that reinforces the topic of the backlink. - Blog posts or articles: Write a page on your own site that discusses the topic of the interview or mention, and link out to the backlink URL naturally within the content. - Press releases: Search Atlas includes press release capabilities. A press release announcing the same interview or achievement creates additional indexed references that surround and strengthen your primary backlink. - Supporting link properties: Search Atlas offers tools to build supporting web properties that point to both your backlink URL and your main site, creating a supporting link ecosystem. Explore the relevant sections of the platform to find these options. Content creation and press releases should be used in addition to indexing — not instead of it. Each layer amplifies the others. Step 3: Organise Your Efforts Into a Campaign Once you have your backlink indexed and supporting content live, use the campaign features available in Search Atlas to organise your work for better tracking and consistency. Add your target URLs and supporting assets to a campaign so all activity is tracked in one place, and monitor progress over time to ensure no step in your strategy is missed. Step 4: Monitor Your Backlink Profile As your strategy develops, regularly review your backlink profile inside Search Atlas to track new links, identify gaps, and measure improvements to your domain authority. Use the backlink and gap analysis tools available in the platform to guide your next steps. What to Do If You Need Help If you are unsure which specific tools to use for your authority-building workflow or need guidance on next steps, our team is happy to 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.

OTTO and Press Release Knowledge Graphs Explained

📌 Overview Search Atlas maintains two independent Knowledge Graphs for each project: one used by OTTO for AI-driven SEO automation, and a separate one used by the Press Release feature. These Knowledge Graphs do not sync with each other, so the data — including image counts — can differ between them. This is expected behaviour, not a bug. 🔍 Why Your Image Counts May Not Match If OTTO flags a different number of images than what you see in your Press Release Knowledge Graph, it is because each feature reads from its own independent data source. For example, OTTO may show 5 images while your Press Release Knowledge Graph shows only 3 — these are two separate records and neither one is wrong. - OTTO Knowledge Graph: Stores entity data, images, and structured information used to power OTTO's SEO recommendations and on-page automation tasks. - Press Release Knowledge Graph: Stores the business information, images, and entity details submitted specifically for press release campaigns. This graph is populated and managed separately. - Changes made in one Knowledge Graph are not automatically reflected in the other. 🖼️ How Press Release Image Validation Works When you activate a press release campaign, the system validates the content against the Press Release Knowledge Graph only — not the OTTO Knowledge Graph. The validation checks that the images attached to your Press Release Knowledge Graph meet the minimum requirements for distribution. ✅ How to Resolve an Image Count Mismatch If your press release campaign is blocked due to an image count issue, keep in mind that the image count shown in the OTTO Knowledge Graph is a separate record and does not affect press release activation. The images that matter for press release validation are those stored in the Press Release Knowledge Graph — these are managed independently. If you are unsure how to update the images in your Press Release Knowledge Graph or continue to experience issues after reviewing them, please reach out to our support team so we can guide you through the correct steps for your account.

📋 Changing a Press Release Category After Distribution

🔍 Overview Once a press release is submitted and distributed to our publishing partners, the category you selected at the time of submission is permanently locked. This is not a Search Atlas limitation — it is enforced by the distribution partners themselves, including outlets such as USA Today, AP News, and others in our network. If your press release defaulted to an incorrect category — for example, Apps and Software instead of Home Cleaning Service — this article explains exactly what that means for your published content and what steps you can take. ⚙️ Why Categories Cannot Be Changed After Distribution When you submit a press release through Search Atlas, it is immediately sent to our distribution partner network. Each partner ingests the content along with all associated metadata, including the category, at the moment of receipt. Because partners index and publish this data on their own systems, Search Atlas has no ability to push retroactive changes to fields like category, headline, or publishing date once distribution is confirmed. This behavior is industry-standard across all major press release distribution networks. Even if Search Atlas updates the record on our internal platform, those changes will not be reflected on the partner sites where your press release has already been published. 📋 How Category Defaults Work in Search Atlas When creating a press release in Search Atlas, the category field is a required selection before submission. If you do not manually choose a category, the platform will apply a default — typically the first available option in the list, which may not match your industry or topic. To avoid this in future submissions, keep the following in mind: - The category field appears during the press release creation flow under Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) → New Release. - Always review the category field before clicking Publish content, as it is one of several fields that cannot be edited post-distribution. - Take a moment to confirm the selected category reflects the subject matter of your release — for example, selecting Home Cleaning Service instead of accepting the default. 🔄 What Happens If Search Atlas Updates the Category Internally In some cases, our support team can update the category field within the Search Atlas platform record after distribution. However, it is critical to understand what this does and does not affect: - What changes: The category displayed inside your Search Atlas dashboard under Authority → PR Distribution → Published will reflect the corrected value. - What does not change: The category shown on every external partner site — including USA Today and others — where your press release was published will remain as originally submitted. Those records are outside Search Atlas's control. An internal update is primarily useful for your own records and reporting accuracy inside the platform. It does not constitute a re-distribution or correction on any partner site. ✅ Your Options Going Forward If an incorrect category was applied to your distributed press release, here is what you can do: 1. Accept the current publication: The press release is live and indexed. The category may affect how it is organized on partner sites, but the content itself and the backlinks it generates remain intact. 2. Submit a new press release: If the correct category is critical for your campaign goals, you can submit a new press release under Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) → New Release, this time carefully selecting the correct category before publishing. Note that this will count as a separate distribution. 3. Request an internal record update: If you need the category corrected within your Search Atlas dashboard for reporting or organizational purposes, contact our support team through the chat widget and they can assist with updating the internal record. 🛡️ Best Practices to Prevent Category Errors - Before hitting Publish content, review all required fields including category, target location, and headline. - Use the preview step to confirm metadata matches your intended submission. - If you are unsure which category applies to your business, select the closest match — most partner sites organize categories by broad industry rather than precise sub-niches. - Train any team members who submit press releases on the importance of category selection, since this field cannot be corrected after distribution. 💬 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.

🔗 Guest Post Permanence and Link Retention Policy

🏠 What Is a Guest Post Placement? When Search Atlas secures a guest post on your behalf, an original article containing your backlink is published directly on a third-party website. This is an editorial placement — not a rented slot, a widget, or a directory listing. The host website owns and controls the content once it goes live, which is exactly what makes these links so valuable. ✅ Are Guest Post Links Permanent? Yes. Guest post placements are permanent. Once your article is published on the host site, it lives there indefinitely as part of that site's editorial archive. Search Atlas does not control the host website, and the placement is not tied to any subscription agreement or recurring fee on your end. Key facts about permanence: - The article is owned and hosted by the third-party publisher, not by Search Atlas. - There is no expiry date or renewal requirement attached to the placement. - The backlink continues to pass signals to your site as long as the host page remains live. 🚫 What Happens to My Guest Posts If I Cancel? Nothing. Canceling your Search Atlas subscription does not remove, deactivate, or alter any guest posts that have already been published. Those placements remain live on the host websites exactly as they were on the day they went live. Your backlinks continue to work, continue to be crawled by search engines, and continue to send referral traffic — completely independent of your subscription status. Think of a published guest post the way you would think of a newspaper article: once it is printed and distributed, canceling your account with the printing service does not erase copies already in circulation. 🏆 Earned Assets vs. Rented Links It helps to understand the difference between two common link-building models: - Earned assets (guest posts): A one-time placement secured through editorial outreach. You pay for the work of researching, writing, and placing the article. Once published, the link belongs to the natural web and requires no ongoing payment to stay live. - Rented links: Some services place your link on a site for a monthly fee and remove it if you stop paying. These links disappear the moment you cancel, meaning all accumulated SEO value is lost. Guest posts through Search Atlas follow the earned-asset model. You are investing in a permanent addition to your backlink profile, not leasing temporary exposure. 🔍 How Do Nofollow and Sponsored Links Build Authority? A common concern is whether nofollow or sponsored link attributes reduce the value of a placement. The short answer is: these links still contribute meaningfully to your overall authority. Here is why: 1. Google treats nofollow as a hint, not a directive (since 2020). Following updates to Google's link attribute guidelines, nofollow links are now used as hints that Google may choose to consider when evaluating a page's authority. They are no longer universally ignored by the ranking algorithm. 2. Backlink profile diversification. A natural, healthy backlink profile contains a mix of followed, nofollow, and sponsored links. A profile made up exclusively of followed links can appear unnatural and trigger scrutiny. Nofollow placements add the diversity that signals organic growth. 3. Referral traffic is real traffic. Regardless of link attribute, a guest post on a high-traffic, relevant website sends real visitors to your pages. That traffic can drive conversions, brand awareness, and engagement signals that indirectly support your rankings. 4. Brand signals and mentions. Even when a link attribute limits direct PageRank transfer, the mention of your brand name in a published, indexed article contributes to entity recognition and topical association in search engines. 📊 How Guest Posts Compare to Other Link-Building Models Search Atlas also offers complementary authority-building tools, but it is important to understand how they differ from guest posts: - Press Release Distribution (found at Left sidebar → Authority): Press releases are syndicated to news outlets and aggregators. They generate broad, fast coverage and citation signals but are typically nofollow placements and are not the same as permanent editorial guest posts. - Cloud Stacks (found at Left sidebar → Authority → Cloud Stacks): Cloud Stacks build supporting web entities around your brand using authoritative platforms. They reinforce your site's topical authority but operate differently from direct third-party editorial placements. - Link rental services (third-party): As described above, these are recurring-fee placements that disappear when you stop paying — the opposite of an earned asset. Guest posts occupy a unique position: they are the only placement type that combines editorial credibility, permanence, and subscription independence in a single deliverable. 📋 Quick Reference Summary - Guest posts are permanent editorial placements on third-party websites. - Canceling your Search Atlas subscription does not remove published guest posts or their backlinks. - Links are earned assets — you pay once for the placement, not an ongoing rental fee. - Nofollow and sponsored links still build authority through Google's 2020 hint guidelines, profile diversification, and referral traffic. - Guest posts are distinct from press releases, Cloud Stacks, and link rental services. 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.

📍 Press Release Geographic Targeting: What's Available and How to Target Local Markets

🌎 Is geographic or state-level targeting available? Not as a direct targeting filter. Search Atlas Press Release distribution does not currently offer a state-level geographic filter where you select specific states or regions before distributing. 🏙️ How to target local and regional markets The best option for geographic targeting is the Local XPR channel: - Local XPR distributes to a curated network of local and regional news outlets across the United States - Coverage focuses on community newspapers, city news sites, and regional publications - It is the closest available option to geographic targeting within Search Atlas PR 🎯 Other options for geographic relevance - Include location in the press release content — mentioning the city, state, or region in the headline and body helps local outlets pick it up. In Step 1 of the press release flow, the address is auto-filled from your saved Locations data, so keeping the correct Location selected ensures the intended city and region appear in your release - Google Business Profile posts — for hyper-local announcements, GBP posts reach local search audiences directly

🚀 Set Up Quest LLM Digital PR Campaign

📋 Overview Quest LLM Digital PR automates outreach to journalists and publishers using AI-driven story angles. This article walks you through campaign creation, contact selection, and common reasons a campaign may remain in Paused status. 🛠️ Create a New Campaign 1. From the left sidebar, go to Authority → QUEST AI Visibility (formerly LLM Visibility). 2. Click Create Campaign to open the wizard. 3. Step 1 — Sources: Choose the content sources (press releases, blog posts, product pages) that will feed story angles. 4. Step 2 — Angles: Review AI-suggested angles or add custom ones. Each angle becomes a pitch variant. 5. Step 3 — Contacts: Select target contacts (see Contact Selection below). 6. Step 4 — Schedule & Launch: Set send dates, frequency, and click Launch. 🎯 Contact Selection Choosing the right contacts determines deliverability and response rates. - Use verified lists: Filter by Verified badge to ensure email accuracy. - Match niche: Apply topic tags (e.g., SaaS, FinTech) so pitches reach relevant journalists. - Limit per campaign: Start with 50–100 contacts for better personalization and lower bounce risk. - Exclude opted-out: The system auto-excludes contacts who unsubscribed or bounced previously. ⚠️ Why a Campaign Stays “Paused” If your campaign shows Paused for more than a few minutes, check these common causes: - Insufficient credits: Even with a positive balance, a campaign needs enough credits for the full contact list. Open Authority → Campaigns and verify the Credits Required column. - Missing required fields: Every angle must have a subject line, body, and at least one merge tag. Incomplete angles keep the campaign paused. - Contact list empty: If all selected contacts are filtered out (unverified, opted-out, or bounced), the campaign cannot start. - Scheduling conflict: A start date in the past or a frequency that exceeds daily send limits will pause the campaign. - System maintenance: Rare platform updates may temporarily hold campaigns. Check the status banner at the top of the dashboard. ✅ Quick Fix Checklist 1. Confirm credit balance covers the entire contact list. 2. Open the campaign, review each angle for completeness, and save. 3. Re-check contact count after filters; add more verified contacts if needed. 4. Adjust schedule to a future date and reasonable daily limit. 5. Click Resume on the campaign row. 📈 Monitor Performance After launch, track opens, replies, and placements in Authority → Inbox and Sent. Use the Reports tab for aggregate metrics. 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.

📋 Data Axle Citations: Timeline and Link Visibility

🔍 Overview When you order citations through the Data Axle aggregator in Search Atlas, your order status may show Completed shortly after submission — but this does not mean all citations are live yet. Data Axle distributes your business information to a large network of partner directories, and the full set of live citation links becomes available approximately 4 weeks after submission. This article explains what to expect at each stage and where to find your live links once they are ready. 📦 What "Completed" Status Actually Means The Completed status in your order confirms that Search Atlas has successfully submitted your business data to the Data Axle aggregator. It does not mean that all partner directory sites have published your listing yet. Data Axle operates as a data aggregator, meaning it distributes your business information across its network of partner directories and data consumers over time. The initial completed status typically reflects the primary Data Axle record being created. The broader network of downstream directories then picks up and publishes your information on their own schedules, which can vary significantly. Seeing only 1 citation immediately after completion is completely normal. ⏱️ The 4-Week Citation Timeline Here is what typically happens after your Data Axle submission is marked Completed: 1. Week 1–2: Your business data is queued and distributed by Data Axle to its partner directory network. The primary Data Axle record generally appears first, while partner and downstream directories publish your information on their own update cycles. Very few or no partner links may appear yet. 2. Week 3–4: Partner directories begin publishing your listing. Citations start appearing as live links in your Search Atlas dashboard. 3. Around Week 4: A complete report with all available live citation links becomes accessible. This is when you will see the full picture of your citation coverage. Full distribution across all partner sites may take longer in some cases. The exact timing can vary slightly depending on partner directory processing speeds, but the 4-week window is the standard expectation for a full report. This timeline is controlled by Data Axle and its network partners — it is not something Search Atlas can accelerate on your behalf. 🗺️ Where to Find Your Live Citation Links Once your citations begin going live, you can view them directly inside your Search Atlas account. Log in to Search Atlas, go to your Local SEO or Citations area, and open the relevant campaign or order. Navigate to your citation order within the platform and open the order details to see live citation links as each partner directory publishes your listing. Check back regularly over the 4-week period as new links are added. You do not need to take any action to trigger the links to appear — they populate automatically as partner sites go live. 🔗 Submitting Live Links to an Indexer Once your citation links are visible in your order details, you can copy them and submit them to an indexer to accelerate discovery by search engines. You can also use the platform's URL indexing feature for this purpose. This can help ensure search engines find and credit your new citations more quickly. 💡 Tips While You Wait - Do not resubmit the same order if links appear sparse early on — allow time for the network to propagate your data before taking further action. - If you are unable to locate your citation links within your account after an extended period, contact support with your order details so the team can look into the status directly. 📋 What to Have Ready If You Need to Escalate If after 4 weeks your citation links have still not appeared or you are seeing an unexpectedly low number of live citations, please be ready to provide the following when contacting support: - Your Search Atlas account or project name - The date your Data Axle order was marked Completed - The number of live citation links currently visible - Any error messages or unexpected statuses shown in your order 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.

🔍 How to Audit a High Spam Score Backlink Profile

If you've just onboarded a client with a high spam score, this article walks you through how to use Search Atlas to audit their backlink profile, identify the links dragging their score up, and take the right action — including disavow preparation and outreach prioritization. 🛠️ Step-by-Step 1. Open Site Explorer for the client's domain. Navigate to Site Metrics → Site Explorer from the left sidebar and enter the client's root domain. This pulls their full backlink profile including referring domains, anchor text distribution, and domain authority signals. 2. Filter for toxic or low-quality referring domains. Once the backlink data loads, sort or filter by spam score, domain authority, or trust metrics. Look for referring domains with very low authority scores, irrelevant niches, or patterns associated with link farms (e.g., high volumes of outbound links, thin content, foreign-language spam). 3. Review anchor text distribution. In the anchor text breakdown, flag over-optimized exact-match anchors or nonsensical anchors — these are strong indicators of manipulative link building that inflates spam scores. 4. Segment links into three action buckets. As you review, categorize each suspect link as: (a) Disavow candidate — low authority, irrelevant, or clearly spammy; (b) Outreach candidate — removable if you contact the linking site; or (c) Monitor only — borderline quality but not immediately harmful. 5. Export your disavow list. Use the export function in Site Explorer to download the list of toxic referring domains. Format the file per Google's disavow tool requirements (one domain per line, prefixed with domain:) before submitting it in Google Search Console. 6. Document baseline spam score. Before making any changes, record the current spam score and total backlink count so you have a clear before/after reference point for your client reporting. ✅ How to Confirm It Worked Backlink profile improvements are not immediate — here is what to check to confirm progress is happening: - Disavow file submitted: Confirm the disavow file was accepted in Google Search Console with no formatting errors. GSC will show a confirmation message on upload. - Referring domain count decreasing: Return to Site Explorer 2–4 weeks after submission and filter for the domains you disavowed. If Google has processed the file, those domains will no longer pass link equity even if they still appear in the raw backlink list. - Spam score trend: Re-run the Site Explorer report monthly and compare the spam score metric over time. A meaningful drop typically appears within 60–90 days of a disavow submission, depending on the volume of toxic links. - No new toxic influx: Set up regular monitoring in Site Explorer to catch any new spammy referring domains appearing after the initial cleanup — especially important for clients who have been targets of negative SEO. 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.

🔥 Finding and Using Wildfire and Link Laboratory

🗺️ Overview If you've followed older instructions and can't find Wildfire, Link Laboratory, or OTTO SEO features in your account, you're not alone. The Search Atlas interface has been updated, and some navigation paths have changed. This article reflects the current UI as of July 2026. 🔥 Where to Find Wildfire and Link-Building Tools Wildfire and related link-building features are now housed under the Authority section in the left sidebar. Here's what's available and how to reach each tool: - Cloud Stacks: Left sidebar → Authority → Cloud Stacks - Indexer (URL Indexer): Left sidebar → Authority → Indexer - QUEST LLM Visibility: Left sidebar → Authority → QUEST LLM Visibility - Campaigns: Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns - Inbox: Left sidebar → Authority → Inbox If you're looking for OTTO SEO features and don't see them listed under Authority, check that your current plan includes access to those tools — some features are plan-dependent. Link Laboratory is a separate product with its own dedicated support team; if you have a question about a Link Laboratory order, reach out through your Link Laboratory chat rather than general Search Atlas support. 🧭 How to Navigate to the Authority Section 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Look at the left sidebar — scroll down if needed until you see Authority. 3. Click Authority to expand the section. 4. Select the specific tool you want to use from the sub-menu. You can also navigate directly to the press release and outreach area by going to /outreach/press-release in your browser's address bar while logged in. ⚙️ Setting Up a Link-Building Campaign Once you're inside the Authority section, follow these steps to set up your first campaign: 1. Click Campaigns in the Authority sub-menu. 2. Select New Campaign and choose your campaign type. 3. Enter your target URL, keywords, and any additional settings relevant to your project. 4. Save your campaign and monitor progress from the Inbox tab, where outreach responses and updates will appear. 🏷️ Agency Whitelabel Settings If you're an agency user looking for white-label configuration, that option has moved. Go to More Features in the top navigation, then select Agency Hub (/agency-settings). You can also navigate directly to /agency-settings while logged in. ❓ What to Do If a Feature Seems Missing If you navigate to Authority and still can't find a feature you expect to see, try the following: - Confirm you are logged in to the correct workspace or project. - Check your subscription plan — some tools require a specific tier. - Clear your browser cache and reload the page, as cached versions of the UI can sometimes display outdated layouts. - Try a different browser or an incognito window to rule out extension conflicts. 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.

🏗️ Add Page-Specific Schema Markup in Authority

🔍 What Is Page-Specific Schema Markup? Schema markup is structured data that helps search engines understand what your page is about. Instead of applying one generic schema to your entire site, page-specific schema lets you assign the right schema type to each individual page — for example, Service schema on a locksmith service page, FAQPage schema on a frequently asked questions page, or LocalBusiness schema on a location page. Adding the correct schema to each page improves how your content appears in search results and strengthens your site's relevance signals. 🗂️ Supported Schema Types Search Atlas supports a wide range of schema types for page-specific markup, including: - Service — ideal for individual service pages (e.g., locksmith, plumbing, legal services) - FAQPage — for pages that list questions and answers - LocalBusiness — for location or contact pages targeting a specific area - Organization — for about or homepage-level business identity - Article / BlogPosting — for blog and editorial content - Product — for e-commerce or service product pages - BreadcrumbList — for navigation hierarchy signals 🛠️ How to Add Schema Markup to a Specific Page Follow these steps to assign schema markup to an individual page using OTTO SEO inside Search Atlas: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to your site's OTTO SEO dashboard. 2. In the OTTO interface, locate the Schema section or the list of pages OTTO has processed for your site. 3. Find the specific page you want to update — for example, your locksmith service page, FAQ page, or a location page. Use the search or filter options to narrow down the list quickly. 4. Click on the page to open its individual settings panel. 5. Look for the Page Type or Schema Type selector. Use this dropdown to choose the schema type that best matches the page's content (e.g., Service, FAQPage, LocalBusiness). 6. Fill in any required fields that appear for the selected schema type. For example, Service schema may ask for a service name and description; LocalBusiness may require an address and phone number. 7. Once all fields are complete, click Save or Apply to confirm your changes. 8. OTTO will process and deploy the updated schema markup to the selected page automatically. 💡 Best Practices for Schema Assignment Keep these tips in mind to get the most out of page-specific schema markup: - Match schema to page intent. Only use schema types that accurately reflect the page's primary content. Mismatched schema can confuse search engines rather than help them. - Use FAQPage schema only when the page has real Q&A content. Each question and answer pair should be visible to users on the page, not hidden in the code alone. - Apply LocalBusiness schema to every location page if you serve multiple areas. Each page should have unique address and geo-coordinate data for that specific location. - Avoid stacking incompatible schema types on a single page unless they are logically nested (e.g., a LocalBusiness that also contains a Service). - Validate your schema after deployment using Google's Rich Results Test (search.google.com/test/rich-results) to confirm there are no errors or missing fields. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Can I add schema to pages that OTTO has not yet processed? Yes. You can manually select a page within OTTO and assign a schema type even if OTTO has not automatically processed it yet. OTTO will include your manual selection when it next processes that page. What if the schema type I need is not in the dropdown? Search Atlas regularly expands its supported schema library. If you do not see the schema type you need, the live chat team can advise on the best available alternative or log a feature request on your behalf. Will adding schema markup affect my page's existing content or design? No. Schema markup is added as structured data in the background and does not change how your page looks or reads to visitors. How long does it take for schema changes to be reflected in search results? After OTTO deploys the schema, Google typically processes and reflects changes within a few days to a few weeks, depending on your site's crawl frequency. 🆘 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 connected with a member of our team.

💳 Understanding AI Credits, Billing, and Backlinks

🔍 Overview This article explains the most common billing questions Search Atlas customers ask: what AI credits are, how top-ups and Pro subscription charges work, and where to locate purchased backlinks inside the platform. 🤖 What Are AI Credits? AI credits are the in-platform currency that powers Search Atlas's AI-driven tools. Every time you use a feature that relies on artificial intelligence — such as generating content, running AI-assisted SEO audits, or using QUEST LLM Visibility — the action consumes a set number of AI credits from your account balance. Common features that use AI credits include: - AI content generation — writing or rewriting page content and meta tags - QUEST LLM Visibility — analysing how your brand appears in large language model results - Automated SEO recommendations — generating prioritised action lists for your sites - AI-assisted drafting for Authority Campaigns — note: press release and Cloud Stack distribution itself draws from your shared Hyperdrive Credits balance, not AI credits 📦 What Is Included in the Pro Subscription? Your monthly Pro subscription charge covers your core plan entitlements. Depending on the tier you selected at sign-up, this typically includes: - A set monthly allocation of AI credits (refreshed on your billing renewal date) - Access to all core Search Atlas tools — keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, rank tracking, and content editing - Access to the Authority suite, including Cloud Stacks, URL Indexer, Campaigns, Inbox, and Sent - Access to More Features, including Backlink Gap Analysis and Backlink Research - Agency Whitelabel capabilities (if included in your plan tier) Your exact credit allocation and feature limits are shown under the top-right avatar → Billing (Plans & Top-ups tab) inside the platform. ⚡ What Are AI Credit Top-Up Charges? If you exhaust your monthly AI credit allocation before your renewal date, you can purchase additional credits through an AI top-up. Top-up charges appear on your invoice separately from your regular Pro subscription fee. They are a one-time purchase — not a recurring subscription — and the credits are added to your balance immediately after payment is confirmed. To check your current credit balance or purchase a top-up, navigate to your account billing or usage settings inside the platform. 📊 How to Monitor Your AI Credit Usage Keeping an eye on your credit consumption helps you avoid unexpected top-up charges. To review usage: 1. Log in to Search Atlas. 2. Open your account settings or billing dashboard. 3. Go to Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups (the "Your Plan and Credits" section) to see your quota totals. If your team uses credits faster than expected, consider reviewing which features are running automatically or how frequently AI-assisted tasks are being triggered. 🔗 Where to Find Your Purchased Backlinks Backlinks you have ordered or analysed through Search Atlas are accessible via the More Features section of the platform. There are two dedicated tools: - Link Gap Analysis — compare your backlink profile against competitors and identify link-building opportunities. Navigate to More Features → Backlinks → Link Gap Analysis. - Backlink Research — view a detailed breakdown of all backlinks pointing to your site, including new, lost, and existing links. Navigate to More Features → Backlinks → Backlink Research. If you have purchased backlinks as part of an Authority Campaign, you can track their status by going to Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns and selecting the relevant campaign. Related communications are available under Left sidebar → Authority → Inbox and Left sidebar → Authority → Sent. 🛠️ Quick Troubleshooting If something does not look right with your billing or credits, run through these checks first: - Unexpected charge on your invoice? — Confirm whether it is labelled as a Pro subscription renewal or a one-time AI top-up. Both appear on the same invoice but are separate line items. - Credits not refreshing? — Credits reset on your billing renewal date, not a fixed calendar date. Check your renewal date in your billing settings. - Cannot see purchased backlinks? — Make sure you are looking under More Features → Backlinks and that you are logged into the correct workspace if you manage multiple accounts. - Top-up credits not applied? — Allow a few minutes after payment confirmation. If the balance has not updated after 10 minutes, contact support using the method below. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

📣 Press Release Distribution, Hyperdrive & Cision Explained

📣 Overview of Press Release Distribution in Search Atlas Search Atlas lets you draft and distribute press releases directly from the platform. When you submit a press release for distribution, it is sent through a network of media outlets and news wires to help maximise your reach and generate high-authority backlinks. Distribution is powered by Hyperdrive, Search Atlas's built-in press release delivery system. Understanding how Hyperdrive works — and how credits are consumed — will help you plan your campaigns effectively. ⚡ What Is Hyperdrive? Hyperdrive is the press release distribution engine inside Search Atlas. It handles the syndication of your press release to a network of news sites, media outlets, and wire services on your behalf. You do not need a separate account with any third-party distributor to use Hyperdrive — everything is managed within the platform. Key things to know about Hyperdrive: - Each press release distribution consumes Hyperdrive credits. - The number of credits required depends on the distribution package you select when submitting your press release. - For details on credit pricing tiers, rollover policies, and what is included in your specific plan, reach out to our team via the chat widget — these details can vary by plan and our team can confirm the exact figures for your account. 💳 How Much Does It Cost to Send a Press Release? Press release distribution is a credit-based add-on, not a flat monthly fee. The credit cost varies by the distribution tier you choose at the time of submission. Because pricing and available tiers can vary by plan and over time, the most reliable way to confirm current credit costs is to contact our team before purchasing credits or submitting a distribution. 🛒 Where Do I Get Hyperdrive Credits? Hyperdrive credits can be obtained in the following ways: 1. Included in your plan: Certain Search Atlas subscription tiers include a monthly allocation of Hyperdrive credits. Check your account settings to see if credits are included in your current plan, or ask our team to confirm. 2. Purchase as an add-on: Additional Hyperdrive credits can be purchased through your account settings. Contact our team to confirm the available credit packages and current pricing before purchasing. 3. Plan upgrades: Upgrading to a higher Search Atlas subscription tier may increase your monthly credit allocation. Our team can advise which plan best suits your distribution volume. To check your current Hyperdrive credit balance, navigate to Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups (Billing). If you are unsure where to find your credit balance or if it does not appear as expected, our team can look this up for you directly. 🔗 What Is Cision and How Does It Connect to Search Atlas? Search Atlas integrates with Cision, a press release wire service. This integration allows press releases submitted through Search Atlas to be distributed via Cision's network. If you have questions about what the Cision integration specifically covers for your account — including which outlets are included and how distribution is tracked — contact our team for confirmation specific to your plan. 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.

📋 Citation Order Edit Processing Timeline and Workflow

🔍 Overview When you submit a citation order for edits, it goes through a structured multi-stage review and publishing process. This process takes 40 or more days to complete from start to finish. This timeline reflects the complexity of updating your business information across hundreds of directories, each with its own review and publishing cycle. This article explains every stage of the workflow so you always know where your citation edit order stands. 📍 Where to Find Your Citation Orders To view your citation orders and their current status, navigate to Left sidebar → Local → Local Citations (statuses shown: Complete, Incomplete, Warning). From here you can monitor the progress of any active or completed citation edit orders associated with your account. 🔄 The Four Stages of a Citation Edit Order Every citation edit order moves through four distinct stages. Each stage must be completed before the next begins. 1. Submission — Your edit request is received and logged in our system. Our team reviews the details you provided, including updated business name, address, phone number, website URL, or other listing information. Orders at this stage appear as On Hold while the submission is being prepared and verified before outreach begins. 2. Quality Assurance — Each citation is checked for accuracy and consistency before being sent to directories. Our team cross-references your submitted information against your existing listings to prevent errors and ensure your updates meet each network's formatting requirements. This stage is critical to reducing rejection rates across directories. 3. Live Checks — Updated citations are submitted to the relevant directories and networks. Our team actively monitors each submission and follows up where a directory requires manual approval, additional verification, or has its own internal review period. Individual directories can take days or weeks to approve and publish changes, which is the primary reason the overall timeline extends to 40 or more days. 4. Completion — All targeted directories have published your updated information. Your citation order is marked complete, and the updated links and listing details are reflected in your Local Citations dashboard. At this point your business information is live and consistent across the networks included in your order. ⏱️ Why the Process Takes 40+ Days The 40-plus day timeline is normal and expected for citation edit orders. It is not a sign that something has gone wrong. The following factors contribute to the full processing window: - Directory review queues — Each directory operates independently and processes update requests on its own schedule. Some publish changes within a few days; others require several weeks. - Manual verification requirements — Certain high-authority directories require phone verification, email confirmation, or owner authentication before accepting edits. - Rejection and resubmission cycles — If a directory rejects a submission due to formatting rules or duplicate detection, our team corrects and resubmits it, which adds time. - Network propagation — Once a primary data aggregator is updated, secondary directories that pull from it need additional time to reflect the change. 📊 Understanding the "Incomplete" Status If your citation order displays an Incomplete status, this does not mean there is a problem with your order or your account. Incomplete is the default status during the Submission and early Quality Assurance stages while the order is being prepared. It transitions automatically as your order progresses through the workflow. No action is required from you while an order is Incomplete. ✅ When Will Updated Links and Details Be Visible? Updated listing information and live directory links will appear in your Local Citations dashboard once your order reaches the Completion stage. You will be able to see the live URLs for each updated listing at that point. If you check your listings on a specific directory before the order is marked complete, the old information may still be displayed — this is expected while that directory is still processing your update. 💡 Tips While Your Order Is Processing - Avoid submitting duplicate edit orders for the same listing while an order is already active, as this can cause conflicts during the Live Checks stage. - Make sure your business details in Search Atlas remain current and accurate throughout the processing window so there are no discrepancies if additional verification is needed. - Check your Local Citations dashboard periodically for status updates rather than contacting directories directly, as independent outreach can sometimes reset a directory's review queue. 🆘 Need Help with Your Citation Order? If your citation edit order has been in a single stage for an unusually long period, or if you have questions about a specific order, our team is here to 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.

🔗 How to Edit the Target URL in a Draft Cloud Stack

📋 Overview The Target URL is the destination page your Cloud Stack points to and builds authority toward. When you create a Cloud Stack, this URL is used to generate the linking structure and anchor text across the stack. Occasionally you may need to change the Target URL — for example, if you entered the wrong page, updated your site structure, or want to redirect authority to a different landing page. As long as your Cloud Stack is still in draft mode (not yet published), you can edit the Target URL directly. 🧭 Where to Find Your Draft Cloud Stack All of your Cloud Stacks live inside the Authority section of the platform. To locate your draft: 1. In the left sidebar, click Authority. 2. Select Cloud Stacks from the sub-menu. 3. Find the Cloud Stack you want to edit in the list. Drafts are labeled with a Draft status. 4. Click on the Cloud Stack to open it. ✏️ How to Edit the Target URL Once your draft Cloud Stack is open, follow these steps to update the Target URL: 1. Open the draft Cloud Stack you want to modify. 2. Navigate to the Target URL field in the setup or configuration step. 3. Clear the existing URL and enter the new destination URL. Be sure to include the full URL, starting with https://. 4. Click Save to apply your changes. 5. Review the rest of the stack to confirm your anchor text and linking structure reflect the updated Target URL. Because the stack is still in draft, your edits are applied before any content is generated or published, so you can adjust freely without affecting a live campaign. ⚠️ Important Things to Know - Only drafts can be edited freely. Once a Cloud Stack has been published, the Target URL is locked because links and content have already been generated around it. - Save before leaving the page. If you navigate away without clicking Save, your Target URL change will not be retained. - Use a valid, indexable page. For best results, point your Target URL to a live, publicly accessible page so the host page URL can be properly indexed by Google. - Check your anchor text. After changing the Target URL, review the anchor text mix to ensure it still aligns with the new destination and your keyword strategy. 🛠️ Troubleshooting: My Changes Aren't Applying If you edit the Target URL but the change does not seem to save or take effect, try the following: - Confirm you clicked Save after entering the new URL. - Verify the Cloud Stack is still in Draft status — published stacks cannot be edited. - Make sure the URL is correctly formatted, including the https:// prefix, with no extra spaces. - Refresh the page and reopen the draft to confirm the new URL is displayed. - Clear your browser cache or try a different browser if the field appears unresponsive. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

🔍 Find the Backlink Gap Analysis Tool

🗺️ Where the Tool Lives Now The Link Gap Analysis tool (Backlink Research) has moved as part of a recent platform redesign. If you previously followed older instructions or watched a video tutorial, the navigation path shown there may no longer match the current interface. The steps below reflect the current, verified location as of July 2026. 🚀 How to Access Link Gap Analysis (Backlink Research) 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the header, click the apps-grid icon. 3. Select More Features. 4. Click Backlinks (this opens the Backlink Research page). 5. From the sub-menu (Backlink Research, Link Gap Analysis, Compare Backlinks, Topical Relevance, Backlink Velocity), select the relevant option. You will land on the Backlink Research page, ready to enter your domain and competitor domains. 🔎 What Link Gap Analysis (Backlink Research) Does The Link Gap Analysis tool (Backlink Research) helps you discover backlink opportunities by comparing your site's link profile against one or more competitor domains. Use it to: - Identify domains that link to your competitors but not to you. - Prioritise high-authority link-building targets. - Uncover gaps in your backlink strategy quickly. 📌 Related Tool: Backlink Profile Analysis While you are in the same section, you may also find the Backlink Profile Analysis tool useful. It sits alongside the other backlink tools under Header apps-grid icon → More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research page). Use it to get a full picture of your own site's existing link profile, including referring domains, anchor text distribution, and link authority metrics. ⚠️ Why Older Instructions May Not Match Search Atlas periodically updates the platform interface to improve usability. If you are following a video tutorial, a blog post, or documentation that predates July 2026, the navigation path described there may point to a location that no longer exists or has been renamed. Always refer to this article or the in-platform search for the most up-to-date directions. 💡 Tips for Finding Tools Quickly - Use the platform's built-in search bar at the top of the interface to search for any tool by name if you are ever unsure where it is located. - Bookmark the direct URL for tools you use frequently to avoid re-navigating each session. - Check the More Features section via the header apps-grid icon → More Features whenever a tool you knew previously seems to have moved — it consolidates many specialised features in one place. 🆘 Still Cannot Find It? 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.

🔥 Understanding WILDFIRE Backlinks and Reporting Metrics

🔍 Overview Two concerns often arise together when customers begin using WILDFIRE: the backlink count appearing lower than expected, and reporting dashboards showing metrics highlighted in red. This article explains both issues and what steps you can take to address them. 🔗 Why Your WILDFIRE Backlink Count May Not Match Your Outbound Links A common point of confusion is the difference between outbound links you create and backlinks counted by WILDFIRE. These are not the same thing, and understanding the distinction is essential. - Outbound links are the links you place pointing away from your site as part of a WILDFIRE campaign. - WILDFIRE backlinks are inbound links pointing back to your site that have been verified and indexed. Completing outbound links does not automatically generate an equivalent number of backlinks to your domain. Backlinks are earned based on participation and eligibility within the network — not on a one-to-one basis with the links you place outbound. Your backlink count will grow incrementally as other participants in the network link back to your content. The rate at which this happens depends on several factors: - The quality and relevance of your published content - How recently your outbound links were placed and crawled - The crawl and indexing schedule of third-party search engines Backlink acquisition through WILDFIRE is a gradual process. Seeing fewer verified backlinks than outbound links placed is expected, particularly at early stages, and does not necessarily indicate a problem with your account. 📊 Why Your Reporting Metrics May Appear in Red When you first connect a site to Search Atlas or launch a new campaign, the platform begins collecting fresh baseline data. During this initialisation period, metrics that were previously unmeasured — or measured on a different platform — will often display as declining or flagged in red. This does not necessarily mean your SEO performance has worsened. Here is what is actually happening: - Baseline establishment: Search Atlas needs several data cycles to establish accurate benchmarks for your domain. Early comparisons can appear negative simply because there is limited prior data to compare against. - Data source differences: Metrics from a previous tool will not align exactly with Search Atlas data. Rankings, backlink counts, and visibility scores are calculated differently across platforms, so a drop seen in Search Atlas may reflect a measurement difference rather than an actual ranking loss. - Crawl lag: Newly indexed pages, recently built backlinks, and freshly optimised content may not yet be reflected in the platform's reporting. Allow additional time for data to update before drawing conclusions about performance trends. If red metrics persist well beyond the initial setup period and you believe they reflect a genuine issue rather than a data-collection artefact, review your campaign settings and confirm that your site is properly connected and verified within Search Atlas. 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.

🔗 Order Backlinks via LinkGraph Partnership

🧭 Overview Search Atlas partners with LinkGraph to provide managed backlink placements directly inside the platform. Whether you are ordering for the first time or reordering a placement you purchased previously, the process runs through the Authority Building section — specifically the Link Laboratory tool. This article walks you through navigation, the ordering process, and how to track your order after it is placed. 📍 How to Navigate to Link Laboratory 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, locate and click Authority, then select Authority Building. 3. From the expanded menu, select Link Laboratory. This is the dedicated section for browsing, ordering, and managing all backlink placements fulfilled through the LinkGraph partnership. 🤝 How the LinkGraph Partnership Works LinkGraph is Search Atlas's integrated link-building partner. When you submit an order through Link Laboratory, the request is routed directly to the LinkGraph fulfillment team. You do not need to contact LinkGraph separately or create an account on any external platform — everything is managed inside Search Atlas. Here is what happens after you place an order: - Your order details are sent to the LinkGraph team for review and publisher matching. - LinkGraph identifies a suitable publisher site based on your target URL and anchor text. - The backlink is placed on the publisher site. - The completed placement is reported back inside your Link Laboratory dashboard. 🛒 How to Place a Backlink Order 1. Navigate to Authority → Authority Building → Link Laboratory using the steps above. 2. Follow the on-screen prompts to start a new backlink order. 3. Enter your target URL — the page on your site you want the backlink to point to. 4. Specify your preferred anchor text. If you are unsure, descriptive or branded anchor text is a safe choice. 5. Review the available options presented in Link Laboratory and select the placement that fits your needs. 6. Submit the order. You will receive an on-screen confirmation and the order will appear in your Link Laboratory dashboard. Reordering from a previous purchase: If you want to place a similar order to one you submitted previously, open Link Laboratory and review your order history to reference the details you used before. 📊 Tracking Your Order Once an order is submitted, you can monitor its status directly inside Link Laboratory. Check back regularly for updates as the LinkGraph team works through fulfillment. If an order status does not update as expected, note your order details and contact the support team for assistance. 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.

📘 LinkLaboratory Order Insights

📦 Order Status Definitions - In Progress: Your order has been accepted, and we're actively working to get your link(s) live. Expect proactive updates every 48 hours until publication. - Partially Complete: Some link(s) are live, and the rest are still posting. We'll share what's live vs. pending and push the remaining placements over the line. - Needs to Change: The proposed page doesn't meet the ordered metrics (e.g., authority/traffic) or isn't publicly viewable. We'll secure a compliant, public placement that matches the final URL's subdomain or offer alternatives. - Unfulfillable: We can't complete the order as specified. We'll show you close-match alternatives; if none fit, you'll receive a refund for the affected link(s). - Complete: All links are posted and validated as live. You receive the live URL(s), publish date, and a completion confirmation. ⏱️ Why Is My Order Delayed or Still "In Progress"? Timelines vary by site, some publications take longer than others. Share your Order ID and Target Landing Page with your account team for a same-day status update. We keep nudging and update you every 48 hours until each link is live; if timing becomes unreasonable, we'll propose alternatives. ✅ My Order Shows "Complete" but I'm Missing Links, What's Going On? "Complete" can reflect partial posting in multi-link orders. Send your Order ID, and we'll audit what's live vs. pending, give you a clear tally, and expedite the remaining placements with a firm update time. 🔁 Refunds & Alternatives If a placement can't be delivered as ordered, we'll send curated alternatives aligned to your brief (industry, authority, quality). If none fit, we'll refund any undelivered link(s). For partially fulfilled orders, the refund covers only the undelivered portion. Refunds are initiated within 2 business days after your confirmation. Funds typically settle to your original payment method within 3–10 business days, depending on your payment processor. You'll receive a confirmation as soon as it's processed. 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.

📰 Understanding Your PR Distribution Order Status

📋 What Does 'Publishing' Status Mean? When your PR Distribution order shows a status of Publishing, it means your press release has been submitted to our distribution network and is actively being picked up and published by media outlets. This is a normal, expected status that can persist for several weeks while syndication completes across all outlets. Seeing Publishing with no links yet is not a sign that something has gone wrong. Links are added to your order report progressively as each outlet confirms publication. ⏱️ How Long Does PR Distribution Take? PR Distribution orders can take an extended period of weeks to fully complete. This timeline reflects the real-world pace at which media outlets index, publish, and confirm placement of your press release. Here is what to expect at each stage: - Submission: Your press release enters the distribution network shortly after your order is confirmed. - Active Publishing: Outlets begin picking up and publishing your release. This phase can span several weeks. - Link Reporting: As placements are confirmed, live links are added to your order report. This happens progressively, not all at once. - Completion: Your order status updates to reflect full completion once all confirmed placements have been reported. Because syndication depends on the schedules and indexing speeds of many independent media outlets, there is no fixed date by which all links will appear. Variation between orders is completely normal. 📅 What to Expect While Your Order Is Publishing If your order is still showing Publishing with no links, it is likely within the normal processing window. Links may begin appearing at any point and will be added to your report as they are confirmed by each outlet. There is no action required on your part while your order is in Publishing status. 🔍 How to Check Your Order Report 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, navigate to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases). 3. Locate your order and click on it to open the order details. 4. Scroll to the links section to view any placements that have been confirmed so far. We recommend checking your report periodically rather than daily, as new links are added as outlets confirm publication. ⚠️ When Should You Be Concerned? In most cases, a Publishing status is nothing to worry about. However, you should reach out to our team if your order has been in Publishing status for an unusually long time with no links or updates appearing, so we can investigate the status of your distribution on your behalf. When contacting support, please have your order name, order ID, and the date the order was placed ready so we can look into it as quickly as possible. 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.

📣 Check Your Press Release & Digital PR Distribution Status

📋 Overview When you submit a Press Release or Digital PR campaign through the Authority Building section of Search Atlas, you can track exactly where your content has been published — and see any refund details if a channel was unable to complete distribution. 🔍 How to Check Your Distribution Status 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Navigate to the Authority Building section from the main left-hand menu. 3. Select Press Releases or Digital PR, depending on the campaign type you submitted. 4. Locate the campaign you want to review and click on it to open the detail view. 5. Scroll to the Distribution Status section to see a breakdown of each publication channel. 📡 Understanding Per-Channel Publication Status Each distribution channel in your campaign will display one of the following statuses: - Published — Your content was successfully distributed and is live on that channel. - Pending — Distribution is still in progress for this channel. Allow additional time for it to update. - Failed — The channel was unable to publish your content. See the refund section below for next steps. 💰 Refunds for Failed Channels If one or more distribution channels fail to publish your content, Search Atlas will issue a partial refund corresponding to the value of the failed channel(s). You can view the refund amount directly within the campaign's detail view under the Refund Summary section. Refunds are applied back to your Search Atlas account credits automatically — no additional action is required on your part. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

📋 Press Release Publication Timeline and Review Phases

📋 Overview After you submit a press release through Search Atlas PR Distribution, it goes through several stages before it appears as published. One of the most important — and commonly misunderstood — stages is the auditorium review. This article explains what to expect during this process. ⏱️ Press Release Publication Phases Once you submit a press release, it moves through a processing and review pipeline before it is published. A key part of this pipeline is the auditorium review — an editorial review phase that takes place after your press release has been submitted and processed. - Submission confirmed: Your press release has been received and queued for processing. No action is needed on your end. - Auditorium review: This is a separate editorial review phase. During this phase, the press release is assessed before it goes live. This review is a normal, expected part of the process — it is not a sign that something has gone wrong. - Published: Once the auditorium review is complete, the press release is published and the status updates in your PR Distribution dashboard. 🔍 What Is the Auditorium Review? The auditorium review is an editorial checkpoint that occurs as part of the press release publication process. It exists to ensure that press releases meet the necessary quality and compliance standards before going live. Key facts about auditorium review: - It is a normal, expected part of the publication process. - You do not need to resubmit or take any action during this time. - Your dashboard status will not change until the review is complete and the release is approved for publication. 📅 When Will the Status Change? Your press release status in the PR Distribution dashboard will update automatically once the auditorium review is finished and publication is confirmed. You do not need to contact support to trigger a status change — it will update on its own. If your press release has been in auditorium review for an extended period and you have concerns, please reach out to our team with your press release ID and submission date so we can look into the status for you. 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.

📰 Track Your Press Release Google Indexing Status

🔍 Overview After publishing a press release through Search Atlas PR Distribution, one of the most common questions is: "Has Google indexed my press release yet?" This article explains how to check indexing status, how long indexing typically takes, and what to do if your PR hasn't been indexed after several weeks. 📋 Where to Find Your Press Release Status To view the current status of your published press releases, log in to Search Atlas and navigate to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) in the left sidebar. Locate your submitted press release in the list to see its current distribution and publication state. This area is your central hub for monitoring all submitted press releases and their distribution progress. ⏱️ How Long Does Google Indexing Take? Google indexing is controlled entirely by Google's crawling schedule — Search Atlas cannot force or guarantee a specific indexing timeline. Indexing can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on a number of factors: - Site authority: The authority of the sites that picked up your PR influences how quickly Google crawls and indexes those pages. - Crawl frequency: How often Google visits the domains that syndicated your press release affects discovery speed. - Crawl queue demand: Overall demand on Google's crawl queue at any given time can slow or accelerate indexing. If you submitted your press release recently, waiting several weeks before concluding there is a problem is generally recommended — a delay does not necessarily indicate an issue. ✅ How to Manually Verify Indexing on Google You can verify whether Google has indexed your press release at any time using these methods: 1. Open a new browser tab and go to google.com. 2. In the search bar, type site: followed by the exact URL of your published press release (for example: site:example.com/your-press-release-url). 3. If Google returns a result for that page, your PR has been indexed. 4. Alternatively, search for a unique phrase or headline from your press release in quotation marks (for example: "Your Exact Press Release Headline Here") to find syndicated versions that have been indexed. This method works for both your primary press release URL and any syndicated versions picked up by news sites in the distribution network. 🛠️ What to Do If Your Press Release Has Not Been Indexed If a significant amount of time has passed and your press release still does not appear in Google search results, here are the steps to take: 1. Confirm the press release was successfully submitted and distributed by checking its status under Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) in the left sidebar of Search Atlas. 2. Use the site: search method described above to verify indexing directly on Google. 3. Check Google Search Console (if you have access) for the specific URLs where your PR was syndicated to see if any crawl errors or indexing issues are reported. 4. If you have confirmed distribution was successful but indexing has not occurred after an extended period, contact the Search Atlas support team with your press release details so they can investigate further. 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.

Embed Your Signal Genesys Press Releases on Your Website

📌 Overview Signal Genesys lets you publish press releases and display them directly on your website using an embed code snippet. This article shows you exactly where to find that snippet inside app.signalgenesys.io and how to paste it into your site. 🔍 Where to Find the Embed Code in Signal Genesys 1. Log in to your account at app.signalgenesys.io. 2. In the left-hand navigation, click Media Room. 3. Look for the embed or code snippet option within the Media Room section. The exact label or button may vary — if you are unsure where to locate it, contact our support team and we can guide you directly to the correct spot in your account. 4. Once you have located the embed option, copy the full block of HTML or JavaScript code it provides. That copied code is your embed snippet. It tells your website to pull and display all press releases from your Signal Genesys Media Room automatically. 🌐 How to Add the Embed Code to Your Website The steps below cover the most common website types. The process is the same regardless of platform — you are pasting a block of code into a page. - WordPress: Open the page or post where you want press releases to appear. Switch the editor to Code editor (or add a Custom HTML block), then paste the snippet. Publish or update the page. - Wix / Squarespace / Webflow: Add an Embed or Custom Code element to the page, paste the snippet inside it, and save. - Raw HTML site: Open the relevant .html file, paste the snippet where you want the press release list to appear (between the <body> tags), and save the file. Once the page is published and refreshed in a browser, your press releases should render in that location automatically. ✅ Confirming the Embed Is Working 1. Visit the page on your live website in a new browser tab. 2. You should see your press releases listed exactly as they appear in your Signal Genesys Media Room. 3. If nothing appears, hard-refresh the page (Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows, Cmd + Shift + R on Mac) to bypass any browser cache. 4. Make sure the snippet was pasted in full — partial code will not render correctly. Return to app.signalgenesys.io and copy it again if needed. ⚠️ Common Issues and Quick Fixes - The embed area is blank: Confirm you have at least one published press release inside Signal Genesys. Drafts will not display. - Code appears as plain text on the page: The snippet was pasted into a visual text field instead of an HTML/code field. Switch to the code or custom HTML view and paste it there. - Still not loading after following these steps: Reach out to our support team through the chat icon on this page and we will help you resolve it directly.

🔗 Managing Link Laboratory Orders, Refunds, and Exports

Overview Link Laboratory lets you purchase backlinks from vetted publishers. This article explains what to do if you need to cancel an order, request a refund, verify that a link appears in CloudStack, or export your order metadata. Can I Cancel a Link Laboratory Order? Order cancellation eligibility depends on the current status of your order. Here is what you need to know: - Pending orders — Orders that have not yet been accepted by the publisher can typically be cancelled. Contact support as soon as possible after placing the order. - In-progress or completed orders — Once a publisher has accepted and begun work on your order, cancellation may no longer be available. Our team will review the order on a case-by-case basis. - Unrelated website concerns — If you believe the publisher website does not match your niche or business category, this is a valid reason to raise a cancellation request. Our team will assess whether the placement meets quality standards. To check your order status, navigate to the Link Laboratory section of the platform. How Refunds Work If your cancellation request is approved, the support team will review your order details and process any applicable refund manually. Specific refund terms, including whether credits or another method are used, will be confirmed by the support team based on your individual order. Checking CloudStack Visibility for Your Link After a link order is fulfilled, it should become visible in CloudStack. If you cannot see your link after the order shows as completed, the order may need to be reviewed for delivery confirmation. Contact support and provide your order details so the team can investigate. Exporting Order Metadata You can export your Link Laboratory orders to review placement details or share records with your team. Navigate to the Link Laboratory section of the platform and look for the export functionality available within your order list. If you are unable to locate the export option or encounter any issues, contact support with your account details and the specific records you need. What to Have Ready When Contacting Support Because these requests require manual review by our team, please have the following information ready before reaching out: - Your Link Laboratory order ID or order details - The exact issue you are experiencing (cancellation, refund, CloudStack visibility, or export) - Any relevant screenshots or error messages - The date the order was placed 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.

🔍 Find and Verify Your WILDFIRE Backlinks

Overview After approving WILDFIRE backlinks for a client site, it can take some time before they appear in your account and become verifiable. This article explains what to do if your approved WILDFIRE backlinks appear to be missing, and how to escalate effectively if you cannot locate or confirm them. Why WILDFIRE Backlinks May Appear Missing There are a few common reasons an approved WILDFIRE backlink may not yet be visible or verifiable in your account: - Processing and placement time: Approved links do not go live instantly. There is typically a window between approval and live placement, and this can vary depending on the publisher and campaign. - Search engine indexing delay: Even once a link is placed on a publisher page, search engines may take additional time to index it — which can affect visibility in third-party tools. - Incomplete approval: In some cases, the link may not have been fully submitted through the approval process. Revisit your approval steps to confirm the link was successfully submitted. What to Do If a Backlink Seems Missing Because the specific navigation and UI for WILDFIRE campaigns can vary, we recommend taking the following general steps: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to the WILDFIRE section of the platform. 2. Locate the campaign or project associated with the link you are looking for. 3. If enough time has passed since approval, check whether a live URL is available for the placed link and open it directly in your browser to confirm the anchor text and destination URL match what you approved. 4. If you are unsure whether your link was fully approved, revisit the approval process to confirm submission was completed. If you have followed the steps above and the backlink is still missing or unverifiable, the issue likely requires a manual check by our support team. What to Have Ready When Escalating To help our team investigate as quickly as possible, please have the following information ready before reaching out: - The name of the WILDFIRE campaign or client project the link is associated with - The specific link or domain you are trying to locate - The date the link was approved - Any confirmation details you received at the time of approval 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.

🔗 Remove Dead OTTO Community Backlinks from Injected Elements

🔍 Locate the Injected Backlink Div OTTO SEO adds a hidden otto-community-backlink div to your pages that contains partner links. This div is not visible to visitors but exists in the page source. To find it, view the page source or use your browser's developer tools to search for the div by its class or ID. 📋 Extract and Verify the URLs Copy all URLs listed inside the otto-community-backlink div. Use a link checker tool or manually visit each URL to confirm which ones return a 404 error or otherwise fail to load. Make a list of only the dead or broken links. 📤 Share the Dead Links with Support Once you have identified the specific broken URLs, 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. Provide the list of dead URLs so they can be removed from your OTTO project. ✅ Confirmation and Resolution Our specialized team will process the removal of the reported dead links. You will be notified when the cleanup is complete. The injected div will remain on your pages, but it will no longer contain the broken partner links you identified.

🔗 Find and Export Spam Backlink Reports in Site Explorer

📋 Overview Site Explorer does not have a dedicated column labelled Spam Score or Spam Backlinks inside the backlinks data table. If you are looking for that exact label, you will not find it — and that is expected. Spam and toxicity filtering in Site Explorer works through a filter panel, not a standalone column. This article shows you exactly where to go and what to click. 🗺️ Where to Find Backlink Data in Site Explorer Site Explorer lives under the Site Metrics section of the left sidebar. Follow these steps to reach the backlinks view: 1. Click Site Metrics in the left sidebar. This takes you to the main Site Metrics dashboard at /site-explorer/list. 2. Enter or select the domain you want to analyse. 3. Open the Backlinks tab within the domain report. You are now in the backlinks data table. This table shows all detected inbound links for the domain, but it does not include a visible spam or toxicity column by default. 🚫 Why There Is No "Spam Column" in the Table The backlinks table displays link-level data such as source URL, anchor text, domain authority, and link type. Spam and toxicity signals are applied as filters rather than displayed as a sortable column. This keeps the table clean and prevents information overload when analysing large backlink profiles. Any previous guidance suggesting you should look for a Spam Score column or Spam Backlinks column directly inside the table was inaccurate. Use the steps below instead. 🔍 How to Filter Backlinks by Spam or Toxicity To isolate spammy or low-quality backlinks, use the filter panel above the backlinks table: 1. Inside the Backlinks tab, locate the Filters bar at the top of the data table. 2. Look for a filter option related to Toxicity, Spam Score, or Link Quality. The exact label may vary based on the current platform version. 3. Set the filter to surface links above a toxicity threshold — for example, filtering to show only links flagged as high-toxicity or low-quality. 4. The table will update to show only backlinks that match your selected criteria. If you do not see a toxicity or spam filter option, ensure your domain report has finished loading completely, as filter options appear after the data has been fully processed. 📊 How to Generate a Spam Backlink Report Once you have applied spam or toxicity filters to narrow the backlinks table, you can generate a report in two ways: - On-screen report: The filtered table itself acts as your spam backlink report. You can review each flagged link, check the referring domain, and note the anchor text without any additional steps. - Export: Use the Export button (typically located in the top-right area of the table) to download the filtered results as a CSV file. The export will include only the rows currently visible after your filters are applied, giving you a clean spam backlink list ready for a disavow file or outreach. ✅ Quick Checklist Before You Export - You are inside Site Metrics → Backlinks tab, not the Overview or Referring Domains tab. - At least one spam, toxicity, or link-quality filter is active so you are not exporting your entire backlink profile. - The domain report has fully loaded — partial loads can hide filter controls. - You have reviewed the flagged links to remove any false positives before exporting for a disavow file. 💬 Still 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.

🔗 Authority Builder vs Link Laboratory: Order Tracking

🧭 Overview Search Atlas has two separate systems for placing and managing link-building orders: Authority Builder and Link Laboratory. These systems operate independently, which means orders placed in one will not appear in the other. If you cannot find your order, it is likely because you are checking the wrong section of the platform. ⚖️ What Is the Difference? Link Laboratory is the platform's marketplace for browsing and purchasing individual link placements from a curated inventory of publishers. Orders placed here are tracked directly inside the Link Laboratory interface. Authority Builder is a separate outreach and campaign system designed for managed link-building services, press releases, cloud stacks, and other authority-building activities. Orders and campaigns placed through Authority Builder are tracked within the Authority section of the platform, not in Link Laboratory. 🔍 Where to Find Your Authority Builder Order If you placed an order through Authority Builder — for example, a press release, campaign, or outreach service — navigate to the Authority section of the platform. From there, look for the area that corresponds to the type of service you ordered. Locate your order using the order ID or campaign name provided at the time of purchase. 🛒 Where to Find Your Link Laboratory Order If you purchased a link placement directly from the publisher marketplace, your order will appear inside Link Laboratory. Navigate to Link Laboratory within the platform and look for your order by ID or date placed. ❓ How to Identify Which System Your Order Belongs To Not sure where you placed your order? Use these clues to identify the correct system: - If your order involved selecting a publisher from a list and purchasing a specific placement, it was placed in Link Laboratory. - If your order involved a managed service, outreach campaign, press release, or cloud stack, it was placed through Authority Builder and will be visible in the Authority section. 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.

📰 How to Request a Press Release Retraction

📋 Overview Once a press release is submitted through Search Atlas PR Distribution and published by a third-party distributor, the content is live on that distributor's network. Retractions are not guaranteed, but you can formally request one. This article explains the process, what to expect, and how our team can help. ⚠️ Important: What You Should Know Before Requesting a Retraction Please read the following carefully before proceeding: - Retractions are not guaranteed. Once a press release is published by a third-party distributor, that distributor controls whether the content is removed. Search Atlas can submit a retraction request on your behalf, but the final decision rests with the distributor. - Publication is final at the point of distribution. Distributors process and publish content automatically. There is no recall window after submission is confirmed. - Timing matters. The sooner you raise a retraction request after publication, the better the chances the distributor will act on it. Older publications are significantly harder to retract. - Partial removal is possible. Some distributors may remove content from their own site but cannot control syndicated copies picked up by other outlets. 🛠️ How to Submit a Retraction Request Search Atlas does not currently offer a self-serve retraction tool in the platform. To request a retraction, you must contact our support team directly so we can escalate to the distributor on your behalf. Follow these steps: 1. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform. 2. Type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team. 3. Provide the following details: - The full title of the press release. - The publication date. - The distributor name where you want the retraction submitted. - The reason for the retraction request. 4. Our team will log the request and contact the distributor. We will follow up with you once we have a response. ⏱️ Expected Timeline Response times vary by distributor. There is no guaranteed turnaround time, and our team will communicate any updates from the distributor as soon as they are available. 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.

Configure Your Knowledge Graph for PR Distribution

Why Your PR Won't Publish Despite a Filled-In URL If your website URL appears to be saved in your account settings but the system still blocks you from publishing a Press Release, the issue is almost always the source of that URL — not the URL itself. PR Distribution does not pull your website URL from your general account profile or your Google Business Profile (GBP). It requires the URL to be registered specifically inside the OTTO Knowledge Graph. If that information is missing or incomplete, publishing will remain blocked regardless of what is saved elsewhere in the platform. What Is the OTTO Knowledge Graph? The OTTO Knowledge Graph is a structured entity profile that OTTO (Search Atlas's SEO automation engine) uses to understand and represent your business across SEO tasks. It stores verified information about your brand, including your canonical website URL, and shares that data with other platform features — including PR Distribution. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a separate integration. Even if your GBP is fully connected and your URL appears there, PR Distribution does not read from GBP for publishing eligibility. The two sources are independent. How to Add Your URL to the OTTO Knowledge Graph Because the exact location of the Knowledge Graph URL field within OTTO SEO may vary depending on your account setup, we recommend reaching out to our team for guided assistance to ensure the setting is updated correctly for your project. When you contact us, please have the following ready: - The name of the project you are trying to publish a Press Release for - The full website URL you want to register (including https:// or http://) - A note confirming whether you have already attempted to update the URL in your GBP integration or general account profile Our team will locate the correct Knowledge Graph field for your project and confirm once the URL has been set so that publishing is unblocked. Common Mistakes to Avoid - Updating only the GBP integration: Changes made inside the Google Business Profile connection do not carry over to the OTTO Knowledge Graph. The two must be updated independently. - Using a URL without the protocol: The full URL including https:// (or http:// if your site does not use SSL) is required. Partial URLs may not be accepted. - Working in the wrong project: If you manage multiple websites, each project has its own Knowledge Graph. Make sure the correct project is being updated for the Press Release you want to publish. 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.

📋 Citation Submission Status and Processing Timelines

📋 Overview After submitting local citations through Search Atlas, it is normal for statuses to take some time to update. This article explains what happens after you submit a citation, how to check its current status, and how long the process typically takes. 🧭 How to Find Your Citation Submissions 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, click Local. 3. Select Local Citations from the sub-menu. 4. You will see a list of all citation submissions along with their current status. ⏳ Understanding Citation Processing Timelines Citation submissions go through a multi-step process before they are live on third-party directories. Here is a general breakdown of what to expect: - Submission queued (0–24 hours): Immediately after you submit, your citation enters a processing queue. During this window, the status may appear unchanged or show no activity — this is expected behavior. - Submission in progress (1–7 business days): Search Atlas begins submitting your business information to the relevant directories. Status updates will begin appearing as each directory is contacted. - Live or pending verification (7–21 business days): Most directories process and publish citations within this window. Some directories require additional verification steps, such as a phone call or postcard, which can extend this timeline. 🔍 What the Status Labels Mean Each citation in your Local Citations dashboard displays a status label. Here is what each one indicates: - Queued: Your submission has been received and is waiting to enter the active processing pipeline. - In Progress: Search Atlas is actively submitting your citation to the selected directories. - Submitted: The citation has been sent to the directory and is awaiting their review or publication. - Live: Your citation is published and visible on the directory. - Pending Verification: The directory requires you to complete an additional step (e.g., phone or postcard verification) before the listing goes live. - Rejected: The directory did not accept the submission. Check that your business information is accurate and complete, then resubmit. ⚠️ Why Your Status May Not Update Right Away If you submitted citations and the dashboard does not yet reflect any progress, this is usually not a cause for concern. Common reasons for a delayed status update include: - Your submission is still in the initial processing queue, especially if it was submitted within the last 24 hours. - The target directories have slower review cycles, particularly for new or unverified listings. - High submission volume across the platform can occasionally delay queue processing. Allow at least 2–3 business days before expecting visible status changes. If your citations remain in a Submitting state for more than 5 business days without any update, it is worth reaching out for support. ✅ Tips for Faster, Successful Citations - Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent and accurate before submitting. - Add a complete business description, website URL, and category to improve acceptance rates across directories. - Avoid submitting duplicate citations to the same directory — check your existing citations list first. - If a directory requires manual verification, complete that step promptly to avoid delays. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

⚡ WILDFIRE Link Building: Pricing and Usage Limits

What Is WILDFIRE? WILDFIRE is Search Atlas's AI-powered link building feature, available inside the Authority section of the platform. It helps you discover link opportunities, manage outreach campaigns, and build high-quality backlinks — all from one place. Is WILDFIRE a Paid Add-On? Whether WILDFIRE link building is included in your current Search Atlas subscription or requires a separate add-on depends on the specific plan you are on. If you are unsure whether your plan includes WILDFIRE access, our support team can confirm this for you based on your account. Are There Usage Limits? Yes — WILDFIRE usage is governed by limits tied to your specific subscription tier. This means the number of link building requests, campaign contacts, and outreach actions you can perform may be capped depending on the plan you are on. Key points to keep in mind: - Your plan's allowances apply — you cannot perform outreach actions without restriction. - Different subscription tiers come with different limits on outreach volume and campaign activity. - The exact limits for your plan are determined by your subscription and can vary. How to Find Out Your Exact Limits Because pricing and usage limits vary by plan and are not published in a single in-platform location that applies universally, the most reliable way to confirm your exact limits is to contact our support team. When you reach out, have the following ready so we can assist you quickly: - Your Search Atlas account email or username - The name of your current subscription plan (if known) - A description of what you are trying to do (e.g., number of campaigns or contacts you need) - Any error messages or limit notifications you have encountered, including the exact wording and when they appeared What If I Need More Capacity? If you are consistently hitting your limits and need higher outreach volumes, upgrading your plan may increase the number of link building requests, campaigns, and contacts available to you. Our support team can explain the options available based on your current plan and needs. Quick Summary - Is WILDFIRE an add-on? It depends on your plan — contact support to confirm. - Are there usage limits? Yes — limits are tied to your subscription tier. - How do I find my exact limits? Reach out to the support team with your account details and any error messages you have seen. 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.

🔍 How to Audit High Spam Score Backlinks

If you've taken on a client with a high spam score, this article walks you through how to use Search Atlas to audit their backlink profile, identify the most damaging links, and take action to reduce their spam score over time. This process works for both newly onboarded clients and existing projects. 🛠️ Step-by-Step 1. Create or open your client's project. From the left sidebar, navigate to Home → Classic and select your client's project, or create a new one using the Create a Project button. This ensures all audit data is scoped to the correct domain. 2. Open the Site Explorer for the client's domain. In your project, navigate to the Site Explorer tool. Enter the client's root domain to pull their full backlink profile. Wait for the data to load before proceeding. 3. Filter backlinks by spam score. Once the backlink data loads, look for the spam score or toxic link filter within the backlink report. Sort or filter the results to surface links with the highest spam scores first. Focus your review on links flagged as high-risk or toxic. 4. Evaluate each high-risk backlink. For each flagged link, review the referring domain's metrics: spam score percentage, domain authority, anchor text, and whether the link is dofollow or nofollow. Links with a spam score above 30–40% and low domain authority are typically the highest priority for removal or disavowal. 5. Export the toxic backlink list. Use the export function in the backlink report to download the flagged links as a CSV. This file will serve as the basis for your outreach and disavowal workflow. 6. Attempt link removal outreach first. Contact the webmasters of the most harmful referring domains and request removal. Document your outreach attempts, as this is required if you later submit a disavowal file to Google Search Console. 7. Build a disavowal file for links that cannot be removed. For links where removal outreach fails or is not feasible, compile the referring domains into a disavowal file (a plain .txt file with one domain per line, formatted as domain:example.com). Submit this file through Google Search Console under the disavowal tool for the client's property. 8. Refresh your backlink data regularly. Spam scores are not static. Schedule periodic re-audits — ideally monthly — by returning to the Site Explorer and re-running the backlink report to track whether removed or disavowed links have dropped out of the profile. ✅ How to Confirm It Worked After completing outreach and disavowal submission, confirm progress by checking the following: First, re-run the backlink report in Site Explorer and compare the number of high-spam-score referring domains against your original export — the count should decrease over time as disavowals are processed and links are removed. Second, monitor the client's overall spam score metric in the report; a downward trend over 4–8 weeks is a positive indicator that the cleanup is taking effect. Third, cross-reference in Google Search Console under Links > Top linking sites to verify that the most toxic domains are no longer prominently listed. Note that Google processes disavowal files gradually, so improvement may take several weeks to reflect in third-party spam score tools. 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.

📰 Retract a Published Press Release from a Distributor

🔍 Overview Once a press release is published through Search Atlas PR Distribution, it is submitted to third-party distributors in your selected network. Because these distributors are external platforms, removal requires a manual retraction request — it cannot be undone from within the platform alone. This article explains what information to have ready and how to submit a retraction request through the support team. 📋 Before You Begin Make sure you have the following information ready before requesting a retraction: - The title of the press release you want removed. - The specific distributor you want it retracted from. - The reason for removal (e.g., outdated information, published in error, client request). Knowing these details in advance speeds up the process significantly. 🗂️ Step 1 — Locate Your Published Press Release 1. Navigate to the PR Distribution section of the platform. 2. Find the press release you want retracted and note its full title and the distributors it was sent to. 💬 Step 2 — Submit a Retraction Request Because retraction involves coordinating directly with the external distributor, this action must be handled by the Search Atlas support team on your behalf. 1. Contact the support team using the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform. 2. Provide the following details in your message: - The exact title of the press release. - The distributor name. - Your reason for removal. Our team will log the request and contact the distributor directly to initiate the removal. ⏱️ What to Expect After You Request Removal Retraction timelines vary depending on the distributor's own editorial and publishing policies. Here is what typically happens: - Acknowledgement: The support team will confirm your request has been received and escalated. - Processing time: Processing timelines depend on the individual distributor's policies and are outside Search Atlas's direct control. - Status updates: The support team will communicate any updates as they become available. If you need a status update, reach out through the chat widget. 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.

📧 Connect Your Email for Digital PR Campaigns

📍 Where to Find the Digital PR Email Outreach Feature The Digital PR and email outreach tools in Search Atlas are located in the Authority section of the platform — not in OTTO SEO or OTTO SEO. If you have been looking in a different area, navigate to Authority in the left sidebar to find the email outreach and campaign features. ✅ Prerequisites Before Connecting Your Email Before you can send outreach emails or run campaigns, you must connect and verify an email account. Make sure you have the following ready: - Access to the email account you want to use for outreach (Gmail, Outlook, or a custom domain address). - Permissions to authorise third-party app access for that email account. - A confirmed Search Atlas account with an active subscription that includes the Authority features. 🔗 How to Connect and Verify Your Email Account 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, click Authority. 3. Navigate to the campaign or outreach area within Authority. 4. Look for the option to connect or link an email account and follow the on-screen prompts to authorise Search Atlas to send on your behalf. 5. Complete any verification steps as instructed on screen. 6. Once your email account is confirmed, it will be ready to use for campaigns. 🚀 Starting Your First Outreach Campaign With your email connected, you are ready to create and send campaigns from the Authority section. From there you can: - Create a new press release or outreach campaign. - Add contact lists and personalise your outreach messages. - Schedule sends and monitor delivery status. 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.

⚡ Top Up HyperDrive Credits in Authority

🔍 What Are HyperDrive Credits? HyperDrive Credits are used to power actions within the Authority section of Search Atlas, such as running Cloud Stacks, URL Indexer submissions, and other outreach workflows. When your credits run low, you can top them up at any time directly from the Authority tab — no need to contact support. 🗺️ Where to Find the Authority Tab To access the Authority section, look at the left sidebar in Search Atlas and click Authority. This will take you to the Authority hub, where you can manage related sub-tools and workflows. 💳 How to Top Up HyperDrive Credits 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, click Authority. 3. Click your Avatar, then go to Billing → Plans & Top-ups and use the Top Up / Add-on buttons to add HyperDrive Credits. 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to add credits to your account. 5. Select the credit amount you want to purchase from the available options. 6. Review your selection and confirm your payment using the payment method already saved to your account. 7. Once the transaction is complete, your HyperDrive Credits balance will update and be ready to use. 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.

⚡ Cloud Stack Submission Best Practices and Field Guidelines

What Is a Cloud Stack? A Cloud Stack is a set of interconnected web 2.0 and document-sharing properties built around your brand. Each property is interlinked and pointed toward your target URL, creating a powerful authority signal for search engines. Getting the fields right from the start ensures every submission is as effective as possible. How to Access Cloud Stacks To open the Cloud Stacks tool, navigate to the Cloud Stacks section within the Authority area of the platform. From here you can start a new submission or review existing ones. Business Description Field Guidelines The Business Description is one of the most important fields in your Cloud Stack submission. Because the source conversations for this article did not include confirmed character limits or specific formatting rules, the exact field specifications are not yet documented here. General best practices that have been communicated to customers include: - Do not include a URL link in the description: Your target URL is captured in its dedicated field — leave the description as plain brand and service copy only. - Write naturally and avoid keyword stuffing: Mention your primary keyword where it fits naturally, but do not force it into every sentence. FAQ Section Guidelines Cloud Stacks include an FAQ section that adds topical depth to your properties. The following general guidance has been confirmed in resolved support conversations: - Write questions the way a real customer would ask them. - Keep answers concise and factual. Short, natural answers are easier for the platforms to index. - Weave keywords in where they fit naturally — do not force a keyword into every answer. Specific confirmed counts for how many FAQ entries to include have not been documented in the source conversations. If you need the current recommended FAQ count or any other specific field limit, please reach out to our team directly so they can confirm the up-to-date guidelines for your submission. Should You Use Extra FAQs? If you have additional relevant questions beyond the standard FAQ section, you can add more entries to build further topical depth. Avoid padding with low-quality or repetitive content, as this can reduce the quality of the authority signal. Need Help With Your Submission? If you are unsure about any field requirement — including character limits, recommended counts, or formatting rules — our team can confirm the current guidelines before you submit. When reaching out, please have your project name and the specific field or question you need clarified ready so we can assist you quickly. 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.

🏗️ Authority Building Feature Guide and Troubleshooting

What Is the Authority Building Feature? The Authority Building section in Search Atlas is a suite of tools designed to help you grow your website's domain authority, improve link signals, and increase your brand's visibility across the web. It brings together several powerful sub-tools under one unified workspace. To access Authority Building, navigate to the left sidebar and click Authority. Overview of Authority Building Sub-Tools Once inside the Authority section, you will find the following tools in the left sidebar: - Cloud Stacks — Build structured cloud-based link networks to strengthen your site's authority signals. - URL Indexer — Submit URLs to help search engines discover and index your pages faster. - QUEST LLM Visibility — Monitor and improve how your brand appears in AI-generated responses and large language model outputs. - Campaigns — Create and manage outreach campaigns to build backlinks and press coverage. - Inbox — Review and respond to incoming messages related to your outreach campaigns. - Sent — Track all outreach emails and communications you have already sent. Getting Started with Authority Building 1. Click Authority in the left sidebar to open the section. 2. Choose the sub-tool that matches your current goal — for example, use Campaigns to launch a new outreach effort, or URL Indexer to speed up page indexing. 3. Follow the on-screen prompts within each tool to configure your settings and begin work. 4. Use the Inbox and Sent tabs to manage your outreach communications in one place. Common Tasks and How to Complete Them Here are some of the most frequent actions customers take inside Authority Building: - Starting a new outreach campaign: Navigate to Authority → Campaigns, click the button to create a new campaign, and follow the setup steps to define your targets and messaging. - Submitting URLs for indexing: Go to Authority → URL Indexer, paste the URLs you want indexed, and submit. Results typically reflect within a short processing window. - Setting up Cloud Stacks: Navigate to Authority → Cloud Stacks and follow the guided workflow to build your link stack structure. - Checking LLM brand visibility: Go to Authority → QUEST LLM Visibility to view how your brand is represented in AI-generated content and identify improvement opportunities. - Managing replies to outreach: Visit Authority → Inbox to see all incoming responses to your campaigns and reply directly. 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.

🚀 More Email Providers for Digital PR

Digital PR outreach now supports more email providers, so you can send campaigns from the inbox you actually use instead of being limited to Google. We've also made connecting your account easier with direct links to each provider's setup documentation. ✨ What's New In addition to Google, you can now connect the following email providers to send your Digital PR outreach: - Apple Mail (iCloud) - Yahoo - Zoho - Custom — use any host provider by entering your own SMTP/OAuth details To make setup simpler, each provider now links directly to its official documentation. With one click you'll know exactly how to generate the app password or credentials you need. 🛠️ How to Use It 1. Open your Digital PR campaign and go to the email connection settings. 2. Select your email provider from the supported list (Google, Apple Mail, Yahoo, Zoho, or Custom). 3. If prompted, click the provided documentation link to generate the app password or credentials for your provider. 4. For a Custom host, enter your own SMTP/OAuth details. 5. Confirm the connection and begin sending outreach from your chosen inbox. 📋 What to Expect You can now send outreach from the inbox you already rely on rather than being restricted to Google. Some providers require an app password or specific credentials, which is why each option links directly to its official setup documentation. The Custom option gives you full flexibility to connect virtually any host using your own SMTP/OAuth details.

⚡ Search Atlas Backlink Automation: What's Supported and What Isn't

Overview Search Atlas includes tools to support link-building campaigns, but it does not offer fully automated, hands-off backlink generation at scale. This article explains the general boundary between what is automated and what requires your input, so you can plan your link-building strategy with accurate expectations. What Search Atlas Does Not Support Search Atlas does not support fully automated backlink generation that acquires large numbers of live backlinks from diverse external websites without any human involvement or approval steps. If you have seen claims about tools that deliver this type of automation, they typically rely on low-quality link schemes that can violate search engine guidelines and harm your site's ranking. Search Atlas is built to support sustainable, quality-focused link acquisition. What Search Atlas Does Support Search Atlas offers link-building functionality that automates portions of the research and outreach process while keeping you involved in key decisions and approvals. Specifically, the platform supports: - Link prospecting: Automatically surface potential link opportunities based on your target keywords, niche, and competitor backlink profiles — so you spend less time manually hunting for prospects. - Publisher network access: Browse and filter a curated network of publishers where you can request placements, rather than sourcing sites entirely from scratch. - Semi-automated outreach: Use templated outreach sequences that automate follow-up emails and scheduling, while you retain control over which prospects to contact and which offers to approve. - Link monitoring: Track the live status of acquired backlinks so you are alerted if a link is removed or noindexed, without manually checking each placement. - Multi-domain campaign management: Manage link-building campaigns across multiple client or owned domains from a single workspace. In all of these workflows, final approval of individual link placements remains with you. The platform accelerates research and outreach tasks but does not acquire or publish backlinks on your behalf without your review. Next Steps If you want to start a link-building campaign in Search Atlas, navigate to the Link Building section of the platform, select your target domain, and use the prospecting tools to generate a list of opportunities. From there you can filter by domain authority, niche relevance, and traffic estimates before initiating outreach. 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.

📡 TNN Syndication Option: Publications, Pricing, Authority

📋 What Is TNN? TNN (The News Network) is a premium press release syndication channel available inside Search Atlas. At $150 USD per release, TNN distributes your content to a curated network of established news and media outlets, giving your press release broader reach and stronger authority signals than the standard syndication tiers. You can access syndication options within the press release campaign workflow in Search Atlas. 📰 Publications and Domain Authority When you select the TNN syndication option, your press release is distributed to a curated set of established news and media outlets. Each outlet carries a strong Domain Authority (DA) score, which contributes to the backlink and authority value of your campaign. For the current and confirmed list of publications included in the TNN tier — including their specific DA scores — please contact our support team, as outlet availability and metrics can change over time. 🌏 Geographic Coverage TNN publications have broad online readership. If you have questions about whether TNN is suitable for a specific geographic target — such as Australia, Canada, the UK, or another market — please reach out so our team can confirm the best syndication option for your goals. 💡 When to Use TNN vs. Other Syndication Tiers Use the comparison below to decide which syndication option best fits your goals: - Standard syndication (lower tiers): Best for budget-conscious campaigns, local announcements, or testing press release content before investing in premium distribution. - TNN ($150): Best when you need placements on recognisable, high-DA news outlets to build topical authority, earn strong backlinks, or support a product launch, partnership announcement, or reputation-building effort. - Other premium channels: If your focus is industry-specific verticals (finance, tech, health), compare TNN against available niche premium options shown at checkout — some may offer more targeted readership for your sector. 🚀 How to Get More Details If you want to confirm the exact publications, current DA scores, or geographic reach included in the TNN tier before purchasing, our support team can provide up-to-date information. 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.

✏️ Edit an Unpublished Press Release in PR Distribution

🧭 Overview If you have a saved but unpublished press release in PR Distribution, you can still make edits — including adding disclosures — before it goes live. This article explains how to locate your unpublished press release and open it for editing. 📋 Before You Begin - Make sure you are logged in to your Search Atlas account. - Navigate to the PR Distribution tool from the left-hand menu. - Confirm that your press release has not yet been published. 🔍 Step 1: Locate Your Unpublished Press Release 1. Open the PR Distribution tool. 2. Browse your list of press releases and find the one you want to edit. 3. Confirm it is not yet published — it should appear without a live publication date or show a draft indicator. ✏️ Step 2: Open the Press Release for Editing 1. Select or click on your unpublished press release to open it. 2. Look for an Edit option within the press release workflow and click it to open the content editor. 3. Make any changes you need — including updating the headline, body copy, formatting, or other details. 📝 Step 3: Add Disclosures to Your Press Release If you need to include a disclosure, add it directly inside the body of your press release within the editor. 1. Scroll to the bottom of your press release content in the editor. 2. Type your disclosure text at the end of the body — for example: Disclosure: [Your disclosure statement here.] 3. You can use formatting to visually distinguish the disclosure from the main content. 4. Once you have finished editing, save your changes and proceed through the remaining workflow steps to complete publishing when you are ready. ✅ Step 4: Complete the Publishing Workflow 1. After saving your edits, proceed through the remaining steps of the publishing workflow at your own pace. 2. Review any distribution or channel options presented before confirming publication. 3. Only confirm publication when you are satisfied with all content and settings. 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.

✍️ Write and Publish Custom Press Release Content

📋 Overview Search Atlas supports writing and publishing press release content using your own text — no AI generation required. This article explains what to have ready and how to get help completing a custom press release workflow inside the platform. What We Know About This Workflow The custom press release creation and publishing workflow allows you to write your own press release text directly inside Search Atlas rather than relying on AI-generated content. Because the exact steps and available options depend on your account configuration and the current state of the platform, we recommend reaching out to our support team directly so they can walk you through the correct process for your specific setup. Before You Contact Support — Have These Details Ready To help our team assist you as quickly as possible, please have the following information available when you open a support conversation: - Your project or workspace name — so the team can locate your account quickly. - A description of what you are trying to do — for example, whether you want to write a press release from scratch, paste in existing text, or publish finished content to a CMS or external destination. - The specific step where you are getting stuck — describe exactly what you see on screen and what happens (or does not happen) when you try to proceed. - Any error messages — copy the exact wording of any error or warning you encounter. - Screenshots if possible — these help the team identify the correct tool or panel for your workflow. 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.

Fix Broken Links and Update URLs in Link Lab

🔍 Overview Two common issues arise with Link Lab placements: needing to update the live URL for a published article, or finding that a publisher link has become broken or inaccessible. This article explains what each issue means and what information to have ready when you contact the team for hands-on help. 📋 Understanding the Two Issues - Manual URL update: The article has been published, but the URL recorded in your Link Lab order needs to be changed — for example, because the publisher moved the post to a different address. - Broken publisher link: The URL associated with your placement is no longer accessible (returning a 404, redirecting incorrectly, or otherwise unreachable), meaning the backlink may not be passing value. 🛠️ Requesting a Manual URL Update If the article is live at a different URL than the one recorded in your order, this requires a manual update by the Search Atlas team. You cannot edit the placement URL directly from within the platform. Before reaching out, please have the following ready: - Your Order ID and Placement ID - The current (incorrect) URL recorded in your order - The correct live URL where the article is published The team will process the update on your behalf once these details are provided. 🚨 Reporting a Broken or Inaccessible Publisher Link If the URL on your placement is returning an error or the page is no longer accessible, this needs to be escalated to the publisher for review and repair. The Search Atlas team will contact the publisher directly to investigate and restore the link. Before reaching out, please confirm the issue is not temporary — try loading the URL again after a few minutes, ideally in a private/incognito browser window. If the link is consistently broken, have the following ready: - Your Order ID and Placement ID - The broken URL - The specific error you are seeing (e.g., 404, blank page, redirect loop) 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.

Link Laboratory Geographic Availability and Pricing Explained

Why Publisher Availability Varies by Country Link Laboratory connects you with real publishers who have opted into the network. The number of available publishers depends entirely on how many site owners in each country have joined. Countries with large English-language digital publishing industries — such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia — have the highest publisher counts. Other markets, including Canada, have significantly fewer publishers in the network at this time. This is not a filter issue or a platform bug. It reflects the actual inventory available in that geography. If you search for Canadian publishers and see only one result, that is the current network coverage for Canada — not a display error. What to Do When Your Target Country Has Few Publishers If you need links but your preferred country has limited options, try the following approaches: 1. Expand your geographic filter. A link from a high-authority site in the US, UK, or Australia still passes strong SEO value and is often more impactful than a lower-authority local link. Broaden your country selection to surface more results. 2. Filter by topical relevance. Instead of filtering by country alone, look for publishers whose content and audience closely match your niche. Topical relevance is a key ranking signal, regardless of where the publisher is based. 3. Request assistance for low-inventory regions. If you specifically need placements in a geography with very few publishers, such as Canada, a team member can help identify options. Reach out via the support chat to explore managed or assisted options beyond the self-serve network. Link Laboratory Pricing Link Laboratory operates on a per-placement pricing model. Before you confirm a placement, the publisher's listing shows the fee that applies. For specific questions about what a fee includes or how pricing works for your use case, contact our team directly — details on how to reach us are below. 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.

❓ Does Downgrading My Plan Affect My Wildfire Backlinks?

If you have questions about how a plan downgrade may affect your Wildfire backlinks, this is something our team needs to review on a case-by-case basis. The interaction between plan changes and active backlinks depends on account-specific details that require manual investigation. What To Have Ready Before Reaching Out To help our team resolve your situation as quickly as possible, please have the following information ready when you contact us: - Your project name and Search Atlas account email - The date on which the plan downgrade took place - The specific backlink URLs that you believe have been affected - A description of the issue you are seeing (e.g., backlinks showing as inactive, quota discrepancies, unexpected changes) Next Steps Once you reach out, a member of our team will review your account, check the status of your Wildfire backlinks in relation to your current plan, and advise you on the best path forward — whether that involves restoring links, adjusting your plan, or another resolution. 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.

🔗 How to Format Reddit Backlink Posts in Link Lab

This article explains what a Reddit backlink publication looks like inside Link Lab and how to approach ordering a Reddit placement — a topic that often causes confusion when customers are unsure about format expectations. What to Expect from a Reddit Backlink Placement Reddit backlink placements through Link Lab are published to a relevant subreddit. Before ordering, review the listing details carefully to confirm the placement format and link type align with your campaign goals. How to Place a Reddit Backlink Order 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Link Lab (the backlink marketplace section of the platform). 2. Search or browse for Reddit placements — these are typically identified by the reddit.com domain or a subreddit reference in the listing name. 3. Open the listing detail page and review all available fields to confirm the placement matches your requirements before adding it to your order. 4. Enter the URL you want linked and the anchor text (the clickable words) in the designated fields on the order form. 5. Submit your order. Once published, you will receive confirmation of the live placement containing your link. How to Confirm the Placement Went Live 1. Check your order inside Link Lab for status updates once the order has been fulfilled. 2. Open the live Reddit placement and verify your URL appears as a clickable hyperlink within the content. 3. Confirm the link destination matches the URL you submitted by hovering over the hyperlink in your browser. 4. If the placement does not appear within the timeframe stated on the listing, return to your order in Link Lab and check for any status updates, or reach out to support using the method below. 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.

⚡ Entity-Based Link Valuation: What It Is and Why It Matters for SEO

What Is Entity-Based Link Valuation? Entity-Based Link Valuation is the process of evaluating a backlink based on entity relevance, semantic relationships, and knowledge graph alignment rather than raw domain authority or keyword anchors. Instead of asking "how powerful is this linking domain?", entity-based evaluation asks "how strongly does this link reinforce a defined entity within a structured semantic network?" This approach reflects how modern search engines operate: as entity matchers that prioritize meaning, contextual relevance, and relationship mapping over exact-match keywords and volume-based metrics. What Are Entities in SEO? Entities in SEO are uniquely identifiable concepts, brands, people, places, or topics that search engines store in knowledge graphs with defined attributes and relationships. Unlike keywords, entities carry meaning independent of the specific words used to describe them. A search engine can recognize that "Apple," "Apple Inc.," and "the Cupertino tech company" all refer to the same entity. Entity SEO evaluates how links and content strengthen those structured relationships across documents, rather than how often a particular keyword appears. How Entity-Based Link Valuation Differs From Traditional Link Evaluation Traditional link evaluation focuses primarily on: - PageRank and domain authority scores - Anchor text frequency and exact-match keywords - Raw volume of linking domains Entity-Based Link Valuation shifts that focus to: - Contextual Relevance Over Authority: Whether the linking page shares topical and semantic proximity with the target entity, not just whether the domain is generally powerful. - Entity Association Strength: How consistently and clearly the link reinforces a canonical entity across multiple documents and sources. - Semantic Connections: Whether structured data and cross-domain references confirm the same entity identity, enabling knowledge graph alignment. - Topical Authority: Whether the linking source sits within a coherent topic cluster that strengthens entity salience over time. Why Entity-Based Link Valuation Matters for SEO Search engines use knowledge graph systems that store vast numbers of entities and their relationships. These systems validate links based on entity alignment rather than relying solely on raw PageRank signals. A backlink from a semantically aligned, entity-rich source can carry more durable ranking impact than many links from high-authority but topically unrelated domains. Entity reinforcement compounds authority within semantic retrieval systems. Fewer, contextually aligned links can generate stronger and longer-lasting ranking improvements than large volumes of transactional placements. How to Apply Entity-Based Link Valuation in Practice To shift your link-building strategy toward entity-based evaluation, follow these concrete steps: 1. Define your target entities. Identify the core entities your site represents — your brand, key topics, products, or people. Make sure these are clearly expressed in your content and, where applicable, in structured data (schema markup) so search engines can associate them with your pages. 2. Audit your existing backlinks for topical alignment. Review your current backlink profile and ask whether each linking domain covers topics semantically related to your entity. Links from topically adjacent sources reinforce entity association more strongly than links from unrelated high-authority domains. 3. Prioritize link acquisition from entity-relevant sources. When prospecting for new links, filter candidates by topical relevance first, then authority. A link from a niche publication that consistently covers your topic space is generally more valuable under an entity-based model than a generic directory link from a high-DA domain. 4. Use consistent entity mentions in anchor text and surrounding context. Ensure that the anchor text and surrounding paragraph on the linking page clearly reference your entity by name or closely related terms — not just generic phrases. Consistent entity co-occurrence across linking documents strengthens knowledge graph association. 5. Reinforce entity signals on your own site. Internally link between pages that share entity relevance. Use structured data (such as Organization, Person, or Article schema) to make entity attributes machine-readable and help search engines map relationships accurately. 6. Track entity salience over time. Monitor whether your brand or topic entity appears more prominently in search features (knowledge panels, People Also Ask, related entities) as your link profile matures. Increasing entity salience is a signal that your entity-based strategy is working. 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.

💡 Understanding Hyperdrive Credits and Authority Building Usage

🔍 What Are Hyperdrive Credits? Hyperdrive Credits (HDC) are a dedicated credit currency used exclusively by Search Atlas Authority Building tools. They are separate from your general platform credits and are consumed whenever you use features such as PR Distribution, Cloud Stacks, and the URL Indexer. Previously labeled simply as "Credits" inside the Authority section, these have been officially renamed to Hyperdrive Credits (HDC) across the platform so you can always tell them apart from other credit types. ⚙️ Which Actions Consume Hyperdrive Credits? The following Authority Building actions deduct HDC from your balance: - PR Distribution — Creating or resuming a press release campaign consumes HDC based on the distribution scope selected. - Cloud Stacks — Building a new Cloud Stack or applying a custom template triggers an HDC charge proportional to the number of sites and assets generated. - URL Indexer — Each URL submitted for indexing deducts 1 HDC per URL. Large batches can therefore add up quickly. For example, submitting 100,000 URLs would consume 100,000 HDC. - QUEST AI Visibility — Running visibility analyses draws from your HDC quota as shown in the Quotas panel. - Campaigns — Active outreach campaigns may trigger ongoing HDC usage depending on their configuration. If you noticed a sudden, large drop in your credits — for instance, 100,000 HDC disappearing — the most common cause is a bulk URL Indexer submission or a large Cloud Stack build that ran in the background after being initiated. 🔎 How to Review Your Credit Activity To identify exactly what consumed your Hyperdrive Credits, follow these steps: 1. Click your avatar in the top-right corner of the platform. 2. Select Billing from the dropdown menu. 3. Open the Activity Log tab. 4. Review the timestamped entries — each HDC deduction is logged with the associated action, tool, and amount consumed. This log is the fastest way to pinpoint which action caused an unexpected credit drop. Filter by date to narrow down the timeframe in question. 📊 Checking Your Current HDC Balance and Quotas To see your current Hyperdrive Credit balance and remaining quotas: 1. Go to Left sidebar → Authority → QUEST AI Visibility. 2. Click Quotas to view your HDC allocation and remaining balance. 3. Alternatively, navigate to Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups and click Quota model details for a full breakdown of all credit types on your plan. 🌐 Can My Plan Support Two More Authority-Focused Websites? Whether your current plan can accommodate additional websites focused on Authority Building depends on two factors: - Website slot limit — Your plan may cap the number of projects or domains you can manage simultaneously. Check your plan details under Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups. - Hyperdrive Credit allocation — Authority Building tools are HDC-intensive. Adding two more websites running PR Distribution, Cloud Stacks, or the URL Indexer will increase your monthly HDC consumption significantly. Review your current usage trend in the Activity Log before scaling up. If your plan's HDC allocation is already being fully consumed by your existing website(s), you can purchase additional credits via Avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups → Add Payment Method or explore a higher-tier plan that includes a larger HDC quota. ✅ Best Practices to Avoid Unexpected Credit Usage - Before submitting URLs to the Indexer, double-check the batch size — each URL costs 1 HDC. - When creating a new Cloud Stack, review the site count and template scope on the confirmation screen before finalising. - Set a habit of checking the Activity Log weekly to catch unexpected usage early. - If you plan to scale Authority Building across multiple domains, contact our team in advance to ensure your plan's HDC allocation is sufficient. 🛠️ Need Further 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.

🔗 Understanding Link Visibility in OTTO's Knowledge-Based Trust

🧭 Overview When you add links to Knowledge-Based Trust or Factual Enhancement in OTTO, they do not appear immediately. Every link goes through a 3-day analysis cycle before it becomes visible and active within these features. This is expected behavior and does not indicate an error with your submission. ⏳ Why Is There a Processing Delay? OTTO analyzes each link you submit to verify its relevance, authority, and factual alignment with your content. This quality-check process ensures that only trustworthy, well-matched sources are used to strengthen your site's knowledge signals. The analysis cycle typically takes up to 3 calendar days from the moment you add the link. During this period, the link is queued and being evaluated in the background. You will not see it listed as active in Knowledge-Based Trust or Factual Enhancement until the cycle completes. 📋 What to Expect After Adding a Link - Day 0 (submission day): Your link is accepted and enters the processing queue. It will not yet appear in the feature interface. - Days 1–2: OTTO continues its analysis. The link remains in a pending state and is still not visible in Knowledge-Based Trust or Factual Enhancement. - Day 3 (and beyond): Once analysis is complete, the link becomes visible and active. You can now see it listed under the relevant feature and confirm it has been applied with your chosen keywords. In some cases, processing may complete slightly earlier than 3 days, but you should always allow the full 3-day window before assuming something has gone wrong. ✅ How to Confirm Your Links Were Added Correctly 1. Navigate to OTTO in your Search Atlas dashboard. 2. Open the Knowledge-Based Trust or Factual Enhancement section where you submitted the links. 3. Check whether the links are listed. If fewer than 3 days have passed since submission, the links are still processing and will not yet appear. 4. Note the date you added the links, then return to the same section after the full 3-day period has elapsed. 5. If the links are still missing after 3 full days, proceed to the troubleshooting steps below. 🔍 Troubleshooting: Links Still Missing After 3 Days If your links have not appeared after 3 full calendar days, consider the following before escalating: - Verify the submission was saved: Confirm you clicked the save or confirm button after entering the link and keywords. Unsaved submissions will not enter the processing queue. - Check the URL format: Ensure the link was entered as a complete URL, including https://. Incomplete or malformed URLs may be rejected silently. - Review keyword associations: Each link must be paired with at least one keyword. If no keyword was assigned at the time of submission, re-add the link and include the required keyword. - Confirm the correct OTTO project: Make sure you are viewing the same OTTO site project where the links were originally added. ➕ Re-Adding a Link That Did Not Process 1. Go to Knowledge-Based Trust or Factual Enhancement in OTTO. 2. Select the option to add a new link. 3. Enter the full URL and assign the relevant keyword or keywords. 4. Save or confirm the submission. 5. Record the date of submission and allow up to 3 days for the link to appear. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

📖 Site Catalog Overview (Advertiser View)

📖 What the Site Catalog Is The Site Catalog is where advertisers browse the full list of publisher websites available for guest posting through Link Laboratory's Publisher Exchange. From here you can filter publishers by quality metrics, review pricing, and add placements to your cart. Guest posting through this catalog is designed to get your site published on established websites that pass along referring traffic and authority signals, using a fully managed outreach and publication process. Note: Link Laboratory is its own product, separate from Search Atlas's built-in Authority Building and Digital PR / Press Releases features, and separate from Publication Media and Signal Genesys. If a customer is asking about a Link Laboratory order or the Site Catalog specifically, keep the answer scoped to Link Laboratory — don't mix in Search Atlas's own Authority Building or Press Release tools. 🧭 Where to Find It In the left sidebar, the navigation order is: My Projects, Marquee Publications, Sites Catalog, and Orders. - Sites Catalog is the full, filterable table of every active publisher site — this article covers that page. - Marquee Publications is a separate, curated view that spotlights a smaller, hand-picked selection of premium publications rather than the entire catalog. - My Projects lets you group placements under a specific website/project. - Orders shows placements you've already purchased and their status. At the top of the page you'll also see the Advertiser / Publisher toggle — Advertiser is the buyer view covered here; Publisher is the separate view used by sites selling placements. 🔍 Finding Publishers for Your Site Near the top of the page, the "Find relevant publishers related to your website" box lets you enter your site's URL to get a curated list of publishers matched to your content. Checking "Create a project for your site" automatically groups any placements you make into a project for that site. 🎛️ Filters Above the results table, a row of filter dropdowns lets you narrow down the catalog by: Publisher, Relevant for, Category, Country, Language, Organic Keywords, Traffic, Domain Power, Domain Authority, Domain Rating, Trust Flow, Spam Score, Price, TLD, Google Indexed, Common Crawl, Gemini LLM, and OpenAI LLM. You can also Exclude Hostnames or Invert Filters to flip a filter's logic. The catalog shows a running total (e.g. "Found Sites: 2K") that updates as you apply filters. The Gemini LLM and OpenAI LLM filters let you narrow the catalog to publishers that show up in those AI answer engines — useful if you're prioritizing placements for AI-search visibility, not just traditional SEO. 📊 Reading the Table Columns Each row in the catalog represents one publisher site, with these columns: - Publisher — the site's name/icon, with a verification badge if the site has been vetted. - Save to project — a dropdown to add this publisher directly to one of your projects. - Category — one or more topic tags for the site (e.g. Arts, Technology, Marketing). - Organic keywords and Organic traffic — the publisher's own estimated search performance. - DP, DA, DR — domain quality scores shown with a small gauge icon next to each. DA (Domain Authority) and DR (Domain Rating) are standard third-party authority scores; DP (Domain Power) is an additional score shown alongside them. We don't have a confirmed technical definition of exactly how DP is calculated versus DA/DR — treat all three as directional quality signals to compare publishers, and use the Domain Power / Domain Authority / Domain Rating filters above the table if you want to set a minimum threshold on any of them. - LLM Visibility — three icon columns showing whether the publisher's content currently appears in AI answer engines. Two of the three are confirmed to correspond to the Gemini LLM and OpenAI LLM filters described above; we haven't been able to confirm which specific engine the third icon represents, so treat it as an additional AI-visibility signal rather than a named engine until that's confirmed. - Backlinks/Ref.Domains and TF/CF — additional link-profile metrics for the publisher's site (Trust Flow / Citation Flow). - Spam Score — shown as a percentage; lower is better. - Notes — any internal notes on that publisher. - Placement Price — the base cost of a placement-only listing. If the row also shows a "Writing: +15 USD" line, that means the publisher can write the article for you for an additional fee — writing your own content and submitting it yourself has no extra charge. Use the Manage Columns button above the table to control which of these columns are visible, if you want a more focused view. 🛒 Adding a Placement Each row ends with an action button: Publish (add this placement to your cart) or, once it's already in your cart, the button changes to show In the cart. Your cart total appears as a badge next to the cart icon in the top-right corner, alongside your account name and a Logout option. 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.

🔗 Cloud Stacks Visibility and Link Lab Delivery

This article explains two common questions: why your cloud stack provider count may appear inconsistent across different views, and how Link Lab order delivery, refunds, and replacements are handled. Following these steps will help you confirm what you are billed for and what to do when a placement is delayed. ​ ☁️ Understanding Cloud Stack Provider Counts​ Cloud stacks report provider information in more than one place, and these views update on different schedules. It is normal to see a temporary mismatch. - List view (cs_list): Shows a summary value such as deployed_provider_count. This field is cached and refreshes periodically, so it can briefly display 0 while deployment is still being indexed. - Detail view (cs_get): Shows the real-time state of the stack. This is the accurate, authoritative source for how many providers are currently active.​ If cs_get confirms active providers (for example, 14) but cs_list shows 0, the detail view is correct. The list summary will catch up automatically, usually within 24 hours. This list/detail display inconsistency is a recognized issue, and our engineering team has a UI correction for cloud stacks currently in development. It does not affect your active providers or your billing. ​ 💳 What This Means for Billing​ Billing is calculated from the authoritative deployment state shown in cs_get, not from the cached summary in cs_list. A deployed_provider_count of 0 in the list view does not reduce or increase your charges, and it does not mean your providers were removed. To verify what you are being billed for: 1. Open the cloud stack detail view (cs_get) and confirm the active provider list. 2. Compare that count against your current plan or invoice. 3. If the detail view matches your expectations, no action is needed even if the list summary still shows 0. 4. Wait up to 24 hours and refresh the list view to confirm the summary has synced.​ If the detail view itself shows an unexpected provider count, or the list summary has not synced after 24 hours, reach out so we can investigate. ​ ⚠️ Known Issue: Publishing Appears Stuck​ When publishing a cloud stack, the assistant may appear to hang instead of confirming the order. This is a known issue, and the fix is complete and awaiting release. Because the failure is in the confirmation step, your order may actually have been submitted even though you did not receive a confirmation message — so do not assume it failed. Before re-attempting, open the cloud stack detail view (cs_get) to confirm the current state of your providers, and contact us if anything looks incorrect. ​ 📦 How Link Lab Order Delivery Works​ Link Lab placements are fulfilled by editorial and outreach partners, so delivery times vary by order. Each order has a standard delivery window, and most placements are completed well within it. - Standard window: Placements are expected to be delivered within 30 days of order confirmation. - Tracking: You can monitor the status of each placement directly in your Link Lab order dashboard. - Partial delivery: An order may be partially fulfilled, meaning some placements go live before others.​ ⏳ When a Placement Is Late or Undelivered​ If one or more placements in an order pass the 30-day delivery window without going live, you are entitled to a replacement or a refund for those specific placements. To request this, please have the following ready: 1. Your order number (for example, #24380). 2. The specific placements that remain undelivered. 3. Your preference: a replacement placement of equal value, or a refund for the undelivered items. Only the undelivered placements are affected. Placements that were already delivered within the order remain valid and are not refunded. ​ 🔄 Refund and Replacement Timelines​ - Replacements: A new placement of equal value is queued and follows a fresh 30-day delivery window. - Refunds: Approved refunds are issued back to your original payment method and typically appear within one billing cycle.​ ✅ Quick Troubleshooting Checklist - Provider count shows 0 in the list but correct in detail view? Trust the detail view and allow up to 24 hours to sync. - Worried about billing? Confirm the active providers in cs_get before raising a concern. - Publishing seems stuck without confirming the order? Check cs_get for the stack's current state before retrying, in case the order already went through. - Placement past 30 days? Gather your order number and undelivered items, then request a refund or replacement. - Detail view also looks wrong, or sync did not complete? Contact us for a manual review.

🔗 WILDFIRE Backlinks After Outlinks

🔗 How WILDFIRE exchanges work WILDFIRE helps sites exchange relevant backlinks. Submitting outlinks does not guarantee an immediate or automatic one-to-one return. For example, submitting 10 eligible outlinks may make you eligible to receive up to 5 backlinks, depending on the exchange rules, available matches, and successful verification. The number is not guaranteed until the submitted links are reviewed and matched. ⏳ Why backlinks may not appear yet - Your outlinks are still being reviewed or verified. - The pages do not meet current eligibility or quality requirements. - A suitable website match is not currently available. - The submitted links are not live, crawlable, or placed on the required pages. - The backlink exchange is still processing and has not updated in your project. ✅ What to check 1. Confirm that each submitted outlink is live and accessible without a login. 2. Check that the link appears on the intended page and points to the correct destination URL. 3. Review the WILDFIRE submission status for rejected, pending, or completed items. 4. Make sure your target page can be crawled and is not blocked by access rules. 5. Allow time for verification and matching before expecting backlinks to appear. 📊 Understanding the backlink count The expected return is based on eligible, verified submissions—not simply the number of URLs entered. If you submit 10 outlinks and the exchange ratio is 5 backlinks, you may receive up to 5 approved backlinks after processing. Some submissions may be excluded, delayed, or unable to find a match. 🛠️ When to request help If your submissions remain pending after the normal processing period shown in WILDFIRE, or if completed exchanges do not appear correctly, note the affected URLs and their statuses before contacting support. 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.

🗺️ Competitive Positioning Map vs Manage Competitors Explained

Overview Search Atlas has two separate features that involve competitors and positioning. They look similar in name but work very differently. This article explains both so you can find the right tool for what you need. The Competitive Positioning Map (Site Explorer) The Competitive Positioning Map is a bubble chart located inside Site Explorer. It automatically plots your domain alongside competing domains based on organic traffic and keyword overlap data pulled directly from Search Atlas's database. This chart cannot be manually edited. The domains that appear are determined automatically by Search Atlas based on shared keyword rankings and traffic signals — you cannot add, remove, or swap competitors shown in it. Here is what you can expect from this chart: - Competitors are selected automatically based on keyword overlap with the domain you enter. - The chart updates as Search Atlas refreshes its underlying data. If a competitor you expect to see is not appearing, it most likely does not share enough keyword overlap with the domain to qualify for inclusion at that point in time. Manage Competitors (AI Visibility) If you want to manually control which competitors you track, the right place is the Manage Competitors feature inside AI Visibility. Unlike the Competitive Positioning Map, this area allows you to define exactly which domains are tracked alongside yours. If you are unsure how to add, remove, or update competitors in this section, our support team can walk you through the exact steps for your account setup. This list is fully within your control and is separate from any automated data shown in Site Explorer. Quick Comparison - Competitive Positioning Map (Site Explorer): Automatic, data-driven, read-only bubble chart — cannot be edited manually. - Manage Competitors (AI Visibility): Manual, editable list — you choose which competitors to track. Which One Do I Need? Use this guide to identify the right feature: - If you want to see how your domain compares to automatically identified competitors based on keyword data, use the Competitive Positioning Map in Site Explorer. - If you want to choose specific competitors to track over time, use Manage Competitors in AI Visibility. When contacting support about either feature, please have ready: the domain you are analysing, the name of the feature you are using (Competitive Positioning Map or Manage Competitors), and a description of what you expected to see versus what actually appeared. 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.

📊 Report Campaign Backlinks by Source for Clients

Overview When clients ask what link-building work was completed, a single 'backlinks added' number rarely tells the full story. Search Atlas lets you report on each backlink source — Cloud Stacks, Press Releases, guest posts, and more — so every deliverable is visible and easy to explain. This article explains how to pull a source-level backlink report for a campaign directly from the platform. Step 1: Access Your Campaign in the Authority Section All link-building activity is tracked under the Authority section of Search Atlas. To get there: 1. Log in to Search Atlas and select the relevant project from the project selector at the top of the dashboard. 2. In the left-hand navigation, click Authority to expand the section. 3. Locate the campaign you want to report on. Campaigns are listed by name under the Authority section and correspond to the project you selected. Step 2: View Backlinks by Source Type Within your campaign, each link-building source is tracked separately. To find and review activity by source: 1. Open your campaign and look for the source tabs or filters — these include categories such as Cloud Stacks, Press Releases, Guest Posts, and Niche Edits. 2. Select each source type in turn. For each source you will see individual placements with their current status: Submitted, Live, or Indexed. 3. For Press Release campaigns, live pickup URLs are listed directly in the Press Release section of the Authority area. Each pickup row shows the referring domain, the live URL, and the publication date. 4. For Cloud Stacks, the Cloud Stacks section shows each property in the stack, the target URL it points to, and the anchor text used. 5. For guest posts and niche edits, outreach records including the target site, anchor text, and target URL are available in the Outreach section within Authority. Step 3: Check Indexing Status with the URL Indexer To confirm which links have been indexed by search engines: 1. Navigate to Authority → Indexer (URL Indexer) in the left-hand menu. 2. Any URLs you have submitted for indexing will appear here with their current indexing status. 3. Use this data to distinguish live-but-not-yet-indexed links from confirmed indexed links when reporting to clients — indexed links carry the strongest demonstrable value. Step 4: Compile the Client Report Once you have reviewed each source section, compile your report by grouping deliverables by source type. A complete source-level client report typically includes: - A summary of all link-building activities completed during the reporting period, grouped by source (Cloud Stacks, Press Releases, Guest Posts, Niche Edits, etc.) - Status for each placement (Submitted, Live, or Indexed) - Live pickup URLs where available (copy directly from the Press Release or Outreach sections) - Referring domain, target URL, and anchor text for each manual placement - Indexing confirmation from the URL Indexer for your strongest placements If You Cannot Locate a Specific Source or Campaign If a campaign or source type does not appear in the Authority section, check that the work was logged under the correct project. Switch projects using the project selector at the top of the dashboard and re-open the Authority section. If the data is still missing, note the campaign name, project name, and the source type you are looking for before reaching out — this will allow the support team to locate your data quickly. 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. Additional Notes Label the Cloud Stacks section 'Cloud Stack Properties Built' and reference the number of properties alongside target URLs so clients can verify the work. Also: Press Release CSV exports are a primary workflow for client reporting (OTTO Authority Building tab mentioned as second workflow).

📋 Press Release Content Guidelines: What Gets Approved and What Gets Rejected

📋 Why Releases Get Held or Rejected Every press release submitted for distribution goes through an automated quality check, with manual review for anything flagged — typically within 24 business hours. Understanding the rules below explains most rejection or hold cases customers ask about. ✍️ Format Requirements - Headline: under 80 characters, with an active verb and subject, accurately reflecting the content, and genuinely newsworthy. - Summary: 1–2 sentences, distinct from the opening paragraph. - Body: 400–2,500 words, written in third person with an objective, news-style tone — not written like an ad or sales letter, and not posed as a series of questions. - Images: up to 3 per release, each under 200KB, in jpg/png/gif format only. - Links: capped at 1 per 200 words, must resolve correctly, and no more than what's needed for a natural news piece — no link stuffing, hidden links, or affiliate/cloaked links. - The release must state the originating city (usually the company's HQ location), and email addresses cannot appear in the body text. 🚫 Common Rejection Reasons - Reads like an advertisement rather than genuine news — promotional language, discounts/coupons/sales language, or a "why you should buy this" angle. - Duplicate or near-duplicate content — submitting the same release (or a lightly reworded version) more than once. The original must be removed before resubmitting, and duplicates already sent into the system are still billed. - Unverifiable or misleading claims about the company, a sponsor, or a third party, or content alleging illegal/unethical behavior or threatening legal action against another party. - Topics that are restricted outright, including: loans, cannabis/CBD/vaping products, gambling, escort/adult content, political or religious advocacy, cryptocurrency promotion, unregistered stock tickers, device unlocking/jailbreaking, and pure opinion/speculation pieces. - Non-newsworthy announcements — a plain website or blog launch with no real news angle typically won't qualify. ⚖️ What Happens After Submission - Content must be legal to publish in all 50 US states. A release that's denied for a content violation still incurs its distribution fee — there's no refund for a rejected submission. - Once distributed, content can still be removed later if it's found to violate guidelines, and individual distribution partners may also remove it independently. - Repeated rule violations can lead to account suspension, and unused credits aren't refunded in that case. 🧭 Keeping This Separate from Search Atlas's Own PR Feature These content rules apply to press releases distributed through Signal Genesys — which is also what powers Search Atlas's own Authority Building > PR Distribution feature behind the scenes, so the same standards apply whether a customer submits through Signal Genesys directly or through the Search Atlas dashboard. 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.

📊 Report Backlinks by Source for Clients

🎯 Overview When clients ask what link-building work was completed, a generic backlinks-added count is not enough. Search Atlas gives you the tools to break down authority-building activity by source — Cloud Stacks, press releases, guest posts, and more — so your reports reflect the actual work delivered. This article walks you through the two primary workflows: the OTTO Authority Building tab and Press Release CSV exports. 🗂️ Where to Find Campaign-Specific Backlink Data All authority-building activity is managed inside the Authority section. To get there, click Authority in the left sidebar. From here you can access: - Cloud Stacks — Left sidebar → Authority → Cloud Stacks - Campaigns (guest posts, niche edits, and other outreach) — Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns - Press Releases — Left sidebar → Authority (the main Authority page at /outreach/press-release) Each of these sections records the specific links built, the target URLs, and the dates — giving you the source-level detail clients expect. 🔗 Reporting Cloud Stacks Cloud Stacks create a network of branded properties pointing to your client's site. To pull this data for a report: 1. Go to Left sidebar → Authority → Cloud Stacks. 2. Select the relevant client project from the project selector at the top of the page. 3. Review the list of deployed Cloud Stack properties. Each row shows the property type, target URL, and creation date. 4. Use your browser's built-in print or screenshot function, or copy the table data, to include this in your client-facing deliverable. 5. In your report, label this section Cloud Stack Properties Built and reference the number of properties alongside the target URLs so clients can verify the work. 📰 Exporting Press Release Data Press releases are one of the most client-visible authority-building activities. Search Atlas lets you export a full record of published press releases for any project. 1. Go to Left sidebar → Authority (the main Authority page). 2. Make sure the correct client project is selected at the top. 3. Locate the press release campaign you want to report on. Each press release entry shows the headline, publication date, distribution outlets, and target URL. 4. Click the export or download icon associated with the campaign to download the data as a CSV file. 5. Open the CSV to review columns including publication outlet, live URL, anchor text, and date published. 6. Paste or attach this CSV in your client report, or summarise the outlet count and live link count in your report narrative. Tip: The CSV export is the most reliable way to show clients exactly which outlets published their press release and confirm that live backlinks exist. 📋 Reporting Campaigns (Guest Posts and Outreach Links) The Campaigns section tracks outreach-based link placements such as guest posts and niche edits. 1. Go to Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns. 2. Select the client project from the project selector. 3. Open the relevant campaign. Each campaign lists individual placements with the target domain, live link URL, anchor text, target page, and status. 4. Filter by status Live to show only completed placements to your client. 5. Export or screenshot the live placements list. Include the domain authority or domain rating of each placement site where available, as this adds credibility to your report. 📑 Building a Client Report in Report Builder Once you have source-level data from Authority, you can tie it into a polished client report using the Report Builder. 1. Go to Left sidebar → Reports. 2. Open or create the report for the relevant client project. 3. Add a dedicated Authority Building Summary section to the report. 4. Manually annotate or insert the exported data from Cloud Stacks, press releases, and Campaigns as supporting evidence within the report. 5. Add commentary that maps each link source to the campaign goal — for example, "3 Cloud Stack properties built targeting the homepage to improve topical authority" or "1 press release distributed to 200+ outlets with 45 live backlinks confirmed." This approach transforms raw data into a clear narrative that shows clients the work completed and the strategic intent behind each link type. ✅ Best Practices for Source-Level Backlink Reporting - Separate each link type — Cloud Stacks, press releases, and guest posts serve different purposes. Keep them in separate sections of your report so clients understand the strategy. - Always include live URLs — Clients want to click and verify. Export live link URLs wherever possible. - Report by campaign period — Filter data to the reporting month or quarter to avoid double-counting links from previous periods. - Add placement metrics — Where available, include domain authority, traffic estimates, or outlet reach to demonstrate the quality of placements, not just the quantity. - Archive your CSV exports — Save a copy of each export at the time of reporting so you have a historical record if a client questions past work. 💬 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.

📰 Press Release Status States and HDC Credit Lifecycle

Overview When you submit a press release for distribution in Search Atlas, it moves through a defined set of status states. Understanding these states helps you know exactly where your press release is in the process and why your HDC credits may have been deducted before distribution is fully confirmed. Press Release Publish Statuses Press releases in Search Atlas pass through the following statuses that reflect where they are in the publication and distribution process: - Pending — Your press release has been submitted and is queued for processing. No distribution has occurred yet. - Processing — Your press release is actively being prepared and sent through the distribution pipeline. This is a transitional status. - Published — Distribution is confirmed as complete. Your press release has been successfully distributed. If the status label you see in your account does not match one of the above, or if you are unsure what it means, our team can clarify this for you. How HDC Credits Are Consumed HDC credits are associated with the press release publication process. Credits may be consumed when you initiate publication — that is, when the press release moves into Publishing — rather than only after the Published status is confirmed. If you believe a credit deduction was made in error, or if your press release appears stuck in an intermediate status, please contact our support team with the following information ready: - The name of the press release in question - The exact status currently displayed on your press release - The approximate date and time you initiated the publication - Any error messages you have seen If Your Press Release Appears Stuck If your press release has remained in a Publishing or Publish Stuck status for an extended period, or if you have concerns about credit consumption, do not attempt to resubmit without speaking to our team first, as this could result in duplicate submissions. Reach out with the details listed above so our team can investigate the status of your distribution and your credit balance. 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.

🔗 Accessing Publisher Sites in Link Laboratory

🔍 Overview​ Link Laboratory helps you discover high-quality publishers where you can place backlinks to grow your website's authority. When browsing the publisher list, you may click a publisher name and be taken to a login screen instead of the publisher's website. This is expected behavior, and this article explains why it happens and how to move forward correctly. ​ ❓ Why You See a Login Screen​ The links shown inside Link Laboratory point to publication.media (also referred to as PubMedia), the partner platform that manages publisher relationships, pricing, and order fulfillment. Because publisher access and ordering are handled there, clicking a publisher redirects you to the publication.media login page rather than opening the publisher's site directly. In other words, you do not browse each publisher's website on your own. Instead, you place orders through the connected platform, which coordinates the placement on your behalf. ​ 🔑 How to Get Access to Publishers​ Follow these steps to access publishers without hitting a login wall: 1. Open Link Laboratory from your Search Atlas dashboard. 2. Browse or filter the available publishers by metrics such as domain authority, category, traffic, or price. 3. When you select a publisher, you will be directed to the publication.media platform to continue. 4. Sign in using your existing credentials, or create an account if it is your first time. 5. Once logged in, you can view full publisher details and submit your order.​ 🆕 First-Time Users​ If you have never used the connected publisher platform before, you will need to register an account on the login screen the first time you click through. This is a one-time setup. After your account is created and verified, future clicks from Link Laboratory will take you straight to the publisher details once you are signed in. The direct publisher-name redirect to publisher details is available specifically for authorized (signed-in) users, which is why clicking through without an active session sends you to the login screen first. Signed-in users also see a clickable URL column in the publisher list, giving you another direct way to open publisher details. ​ 💡 Tips for a Smooth Experience​ - Stay signed in: Keeping an active session on the publisher platform prevents the login screen from appearing each time. - Use one account: Always use the same publisher-platform account so your orders and history stay in one place. - Check pop-up settings: Make sure your browser is not blocking the new tab or window that opens when you click a publisher. - Compare before ordering: Use the filters in Link Laboratory to shortlist publishers before clicking through, so you spend less time signing in and out.​ 🛠️ Troubleshooting​ If you are repeatedly sent back to the login screen or cannot access a publisher, try the following: - Confirm you are entering the correct username and password for the publisher platform. - Clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign in again. - Try a different browser or an incognito/private window to rule out extensions. - Ensure your account registration is complete, including any verification step. - Occasionally a publisher shown in the list may be inactive or no longer available on publication.media. If you are signed in and still cannot open a specific publisher, it may be unavailable rather than an access problem on your end — contact support to confirm its status before troubleshooting further.​

🏛️ XACT Framework: Site Authority and Ranking Resilience Explained

🔍 Why Some Sites Rank Well Despite Weaker Metrics It can be puzzling to see a client's website holding strong rankings even when it has infrequent content updates or lower UX scores compared to competitors. The answer lies in how Google actually weighs ranking signals — and specifically in the XACT framework, which Search Atlas uses to help you understand and interpret those signals. XACT is a framework for evaluating a site's overall authority and ranking durability. A site with strong authority and trust factors can sustain solid rankings even when other signals are not at their peak. 🏗️ The XACT Framework Pillars The XACT framework organizes ranking signals into core pillars related to site experience, authority, content, and trust. These pillars do not carry equal weight in every situation, and the relative importance of each depends on the site, niche, and competitive landscape. - Experience: Signals related to user experience on the site. Poor scores here can affect rankings, but their impact can be moderated when other pillars are very strong. - Authority: The strength of a site's backlink profile and overall link equity accumulated over time. A well-established backlink profile is one of the most durable ranking assets a site can have. - Content: Relevance, depth, topical coverage, and update frequency of on-page content. Fresh, comprehensive content can accelerate rankings, but well-indexed content on authoritative sites continues to perform over time. - Trust: Brand signals, entity recognition, and historical domain reliability. Trust is built over years and acts as a buffer against ranking volatility. ⚖️ Why Authority and Trust Create Ranking Resilience Sites that have spent years earning high-quality backlinks and building brand recognition accumulate what is sometimes called ranking resilience — a buffer that allows them to maintain positions even when other signals dip temporarily. Think of it like momentum: a large, heavy object keeps moving even when the driving force slows down. This is why a well-established website can outrank a newer site with better UX scores and more frequent content updates. The established site's authority and trust factors are compensating for its weaker experience and content signals. Google has already validated this site's credibility over a long period, and that validation does not disappear overnight. This is not a flaw in Google's algorithm — it is by design. Older, trusted domains are less likely to be spam or low-quality, so they receive a degree of ranking protection that newer sites must earn over time. 📊 Investigating XACT Signals for Any Domain To understand why a specific domain is ranking the way it is, review the available site metrics and backlink data within Search Atlas. Focus on which signal categories are particularly strong or weak relative to competing domains. If you have questions about interpreting these signals for a specific site, our support team can help clarify what the data indicates and how to act on it. 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.

🗺️ Embed Google Maps Links in Press Releases

🔍 Overview When building a press release in Search Atlas, you can include a Google Maps link to help readers find a business location. However, Google Maps does not always provide a plain URL directly — it often gives you an iframe embed code instead. Pasting that iframe code into the press release field will cause a link error. You need to extract the URL from inside the iframe code first. This article walks you through the complete process. 📋 What You Will Need - A Google Maps embed code for the location you want to link (available from Google Maps Share menu) - Access to the Search Atlas platform - A press release project open or ready to create 🗂️ Step 1: Get the Embed Code from Google Maps 1. Open Google Maps in your browser and search for the business or location you want to feature. 2. Click Share on the location panel. 3. Select the Embed a map tab in the Share dialog. 4. Copy the full iframe code that appears. It will look similar to this: <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=…" width="600" height="450">``</iframe> ✂️ Step 2: Extract the URL from the Iframe Code You only need the URL value that sits inside the src="" attribute of the iframe — not the entire iframe tag. 1. Look at the copied iframe code and locate the part that begins with src=". 2. Highlight and copy only the URL that appears between the quotation marks after src=. The URL starts with https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb= and ends before the closing quotation mark. 3. Do not include the surrounding quotation marks or any other part of the iframe tag. For example, from this iframe code: <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18…" width="600" height="450">``</iframe> You would copy only: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18… 📝 Step 3: Add the URL to Your Press Release 1. In Search Atlas, navigate to Left sidebar → Authority (Press Releases) and open your press release project, or start a new one. 2. Locate the Google Maps link field inside the press release editor. 3. Paste the extracted URL (the src value only) directly into that field. 4. Save or continue editing your press release as normal. The platform will now correctly process the link and display the map location without generating a link error. ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid - Pasting the full iframe code — Search Atlas expects a plain URL, not HTML code. Always strip out the iframe tags before pasting. - Using the short share link — The short link from the Send a link tab (e.g., https://maps.app.goo.gl/…) may not be accepted in the maps field. Use the full embed URL from the Embed a map tab instead. - Including quotation marks — Make sure no quotation marks from the iframe code are included when you paste the URL into Search Atlas. 💡 Quick Reference - Go to Google Maps → Share → Embed a map - Copy only the URL inside src="…" - Paste that URL into the Google Maps field in your press release 🆘 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.

🔗 Choosing Publishers and Understanding the Indexation Guarantee

What Is Link Laboratory? Link Laboratory is Search Atlas's built-in link-building marketplace. It connects you with vetted publishers so you can place high-quality backlinks on relevant, authoritative websites. You can access it from within the Search Atlas platform. How to Identify the Best Publishers for Your Industry Not every publisher is a perfect fit for every niche. Use the following general criteria when evaluating publishers inside Link Laboratory to find the most relevant placements. 1. Filter by topic or niche: Use the available filtering options to surface only publishers relevant to your industry. This prevents irrelevant placements that add little SEO value. 2. Check domain authority metrics: Aim for publishers whose authority is equal to or higher than your own site. Higher-authority domains pass more link equity. 3. Review organic traffic estimates: A publisher with strong organic traffic signals that search engines already trust and index the site regularly. Prioritise publishers with consistent, growing traffic trends. 4. Read the publisher's existing content: Click through to the publisher's site and confirm the existing articles are topically aligned with your niche. Relevance is a key ranking signal. 5. Consider delivery timelines: Each publisher listing may show an estimated delivery window. Factor this into your campaign timeline, especially for time-sensitive projects. Taking a few minutes to compare these factors before placing an order can significantly improve the quality and impact of your link-building campaign. How to Match Publishers to Your Specific Niche If you operate in a competitive or specialised industry — such as finance, health, legal, or e-commerce — consider these additional steps: - Search by relevant keywords: Use available search functionality to look for publishers whose content themes closely match your target topics. - Review the publisher's existing articles: Reviewing sample content helps you judge quality and topical alignment before committing to a placement. - Check geographic focus: If you are targeting a specific country or region, look for publishers whose readership aligns with that market. Understanding the Indexation Guarantee A common point of clarification for Link Laboratory orders is what the indexation guarantee actually covers. The specific terms, timelines, and remediation steps associated with the indexation guarantee can vary and are best confirmed directly with our support team, who can review the details of your specific order and placement. When reaching out about the indexation guarantee, please have the following ready so our team can assist you as quickly as possible: - Your project or campaign name - The specific Link Laboratory order or placement in question - The URL where the link was placed (if available) - The date the order was placed and any confirmation details - A description of the indexation issue you are experiencing 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.

✅ Content Approval Workflow for Link Building Packages

🔍 Overview When you purchase a backlink package or link building package through Search Atlas, all content goes through a structured approval process before any manual outreach begins. This ensures the content representing your brand meets your standards and aligns with your SEO goals. 📋 How the Content Verification Process Works Once your backlink or link building campaign is set up, our team prepares the content that will be used for outreach. Here is what happens at each stage: 1. Content creation: Our team drafts the content based on your campaign brief, target URLs, and anchor text preferences. 2. Internal review: The content is reviewed internally to ensure it meets quality and relevance standards before it reaches you. 3. Customer approval: You receive the content for review and must approve it before any manual outreach takes place. No outreach is initiated without your sign-off. 4. Outreach begins: Only after you approve the content does our team proceed with contacting publishers and securing placements. ✅ Do I Need to Approve Content Before Outreach? Yes. Content approval is a required step before manual outreach begins. This applies to both backlink packages and link building packages. You will not be bypassed in this process — outreach is held until your approval is confirmed. 🔗 Does This Apply to Link Building Packages That Do Not Use Social Media? Yes. The content approval requirement applies to all link building campaigns managed through Search Atlas, including those that do not involve social media placements. Whether your campaign targets editorial links, niche site placements, or other non-social outreach channels, the same approval workflow is followed without exception. 📍 Where to Monitor Your Campaigns You can track the status of your active link building and backlink campaigns directly inside the platform. Use the following navigation paths: - Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns — view and manage your active outreach campaigns - Left sidebar → Authority → Inbox — review incoming messages related to your campaigns - Left sidebar → Authority → Sent — see outreach communications that have already been dispatched after your approval These sections give you full visibility into where your campaign stands at any point in the workflow. 💡 Tips for a Smooth Approval Process - Review content promptly when notified — delays in approval can push back your outreach timeline. - Check that your target URLs and anchor text are correctly reflected in the content before approving. - If you need revisions, request them before approving so outreach is not sent with incorrect details. - Keep your campaign brief up to date inside Left sidebar → Authority → Campaigns to ensure future content drafts are accurate from the start. 🛠️ 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.

🔗 Backlinks vs Brand Mentions: Understanding Modern Off-Page SEO

What Is Off-Page SEO and Why Is It Evolving? Off-page SEO refers to all the actions taken outside of your own website that influence your rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs). Historically, this meant one thing above all else: building backlinks. But the off-page SEO landscape has evolved significantly, and understanding that evolution is essential for any modern SEO strategy. Today, search engines like Google evaluate a much broader set of signals beyond hyperlinks — including unlinked brand mentions, entity prominence, co-citation patterns, and sentiment. Practitioners who understand this shift are better positioned to build sustainable, long-term search authority. The Historical Role of Backlinks Backlinks became the foundation of search authority in the late 1990s with the development of PageRank. The core idea was borrowed from academic citation: if a reputable source links to your page, it acts as a vote of confidence. The more high-quality votes you accumulate, the more authority your site earns. For decades, this model worked well. Links from trusted, topically relevant websites reliably correlated with higher rankings, and an entire industry of link building emerged around acquiring them. However, the same model also created incentives for manipulation — paid links, link farms, private blog networks, and other schemes designed to game the system. Search engines responded with algorithmic updates specifically targeting link spam, adding complexity to link evaluation through attributes like nofollow, sponsored, and ugc tags. Over time, the raw number of backlinks became a less reliable signal on its own, and quality, relevance, and context became far more important factors. What Are Brand Mentions and Implied Links? A brand mention is any reference to your brand, product, or entity online — whether or not it includes a hyperlink back to your site. When a mention does not include a link, it is often referred to as an implied link or unlinked mention. Search engines have grown capable of detecting and evaluating these implied links using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and entity recognition. Rather than relying solely on the presence of a hyperlink, algorithms can now understand that a brand is being discussed, assess the context of that discussion, and assign signals of authority or trust accordingly. Key concepts in this space include: - Implied links: References to your brand or URL without an active hyperlink, which search engines may still interpret as a signal of relevance or authority. - Co-citation: When your brand is consistently mentioned alongside other recognized authorities or entities in the same topic area, which can reinforce your topical relevance. - Entity SEO: The practi 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.

🚀 Digital PR Outreach Multi-Channel Redesign

Digital PR Outreach has been updated with a multi-channel redesign. The details of this update are still being documented by our team. If you have questions about what changed or how to use the new workflow, the steps below explain how to get hands-on help. What Changed A multi-channel redesign has been released for Digital PR Outreach. Because the full details of this update were not captured in documentation at the time this article was written, we are not able to confirm specific feature names, screen layouts, or workflow steps here. If you are seeing something unexpected or unfamiliar in the platform, our team can give you accurate, confirmed guidance based on your specific situation. If You Are Unsure How to Use the New Workflow 1. Navigate to the Digital PR Outreach section of the platform. 2. Look for any updated prompts or in-product guidance that appear after the redesign. 3. If you reach a step that is unclear or a feature does not behave as expected, note the exact screen or message you are seeing. 4. Contact our team directly (see below) and share what you were trying to do, what you clicked, and what happened — this will help us give you accurate, confirmed guidance for your specific situation. What to Have Ready When You Contact Us - Your project or campaign name - A description of the step where you got stuck or the feature that is not working as expected - Any error messages shown on screen, copied exactly - A screenshot if possible 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.

📦 Understanding Multiple Link Building Placement Deliveries

🔍 Overview When you order more than one link building placement, each placement is fulfilled individually — not all at once. This means you may see only one live link in your results shortly after ordering, while the remaining placements are still being processed. This is completely normal and expected behavior. 📅 Delivery Timeline Per Placement Each placement in your order may take additional time to be delivered after the previous one is confirmed. Because placements can be staggered, a multi-placement order may take longer in total before all links are live. Factors that influence timing include: - Publisher review and editorial approval - Content creation and placement scheduling - Site-specific publishing queues These timelines are standard across the industry and ensure that each placement meets quality standards before going live. 👁️ Why You May Only See One Placement at First When you view your order, the results only display placements that have already been published and confirmed. If your order includes two or more placements and only one is visible, this means: - The first placement has been successfully delivered and is live - The remaining placement(s) are still in progress and have not yet been published The absence of a second link in your order results does not indicate a problem with your order. It simply means that placement is still within its delivery window. 🗂️ How to Check the Status of Your Full Order To confirm that all ordered quantities are accounted for and being processed, follow these steps: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Left sidebar → Authority → Link Building Exchange 2. Locate the relevant campaign or order in your list 3. Check the order details to confirm the total number of placements purchased matches what is shown 4. Review the status of each placement — delivered placements will show a live URL, while in-progress placements will show a pending or processing status If the total quantity shown in your order details matches what you purchased, your order is on track. No action is needed while a placement is still within its expected delivery window. ✅ What to Do If a Placement Appears Overdue If a placement has not appeared and you believe it is outside the expected delivery window, here is what to do: - Review your order details to confirm the placement status and the date it was expected to begin fulfillment - Check any in-platform notifications or messages for updates from the campaign team - If the status still shows pending beyond the delivery window, reach out to the support team for a manual status check — have your order details, the number of placements purchased, and any relevant dates ready when you contact us 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.

📌 How Backlink Placement Quality and Relevance Impact SEO Rankings

Why Backlink Quality Matters More Than Quantity Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors in search engine optimization. However, not all backlinks deliver the same results. The placement quality, referring domain authority, and anchor text relevance of a backlink all play significant roles in determining how much SEO value it transfers to a page. Understanding these distinctions helps you build a link profile that drives lasting improvements in rankings, organic traffic, and search visibility — rather than chasing raw link volume with diminishing returns. What Makes a Backlink High Quality? A high-quality backlink generally has several characteristics that distinguish it from a low-quality one: - High referring domain authority: Links from websites with strong trust signals, healthy link velocity, and a track record of positive SEO impact tend to transfer more ranking power. - Topical relevance: A backlink from a page or domain that covers subject matter closely related to your target page carries more contextual weight than a link from an unrelated source. - Natural placement within content: Links embedded within the body of relevant, well-written content are generally valued more highly than links placed in footers, sidebars, or isolated link lists. - Contextually relevant anchor text: The clickable text of a link signals to search engines what the linked page is about, making anchor text a meaningful factor in how rankings respond to a new backlink. How Anchor Text Influences Backlink Effectiveness Anchor text acts as a relevance signal that can amplify the SEO impact of a backlink. There are several categories of anchor text commonly used in link building: - Exact match: The anchor text matches a target keyword precisely. This can be powerful but risks over-optimization if overused. - Partial match or phrase match: The anchor text includes a variation or subset of a target keyword phrase. This tends to look natural while still conveying topical relevance. - Branded: The anchor text uses your brand name. Useful for brand recognition but provides less keyword-specific ranking signal. - Generic: Phrases like "click here" or "read more" provide minimal topical context and are generally considered the weakest anchor text type for SEO purposes. - Semantic or contextually aligned: Anchor text that is closely related in meaning to the target page's core topic — even without being an exact keyword match — can provide strong relevance signals. Semantically aligned anchor text, when paired with a link from a high-authority domain, tends to produce stronger ranking improvements than branded or generic anchors from the same domain. This means your outreach strategy s 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.

📍 Geographic Targeting for Press Release Distribution

📋 Overview Search Atlas distributes press releases through established distribution channels rather than a geographic filter you apply manually. This article explains how the current system works and what options exist for reaching local or regional audiences. 🗺️ How Distribution Works When you create and publish a press release in Search Atlas, you select one or more distribution channels to publish through. You are choosing which networks carry your release — not a specific state, city, or region. There is currently no direct geographic or state-level targeting filter inside the platform. You cannot hand-pick a list of states or regions and restrict distribution to only those areas. 📡 The Closest Option: Local Distribution If reaching a local or regional audience is your goal, look for any locally focused distribution channel option available within your press release publishing workflow. Such channels typically distribute your release to a curated network of local and regional news outlets. Keep in mind: - What a local channel does: Distributes your press release to local and regional news outlets. - What a local channel does not do: Allow you to hand-pick specific states, cities, or individual outlets within that network. The local network is curated by the channel itself, not by you. Selecting a locally focused channel when publishing gives your release the best chance of appearing in regionally relevant outlets, but the exact geographic reach is determined by the channel's own network. 🚀 What to Do Right Now 1. Navigate to the press release distribution section of your Search Atlas account. 2. Start a new release or open an existing draft. 3. When choosing distribution channels, select any locally or regionally focused channel option if a local audience is your priority. 4. Consider combining a local channel with broader channels to maximize overall reach alongside local distribution. 🗓️ Roadmap: What's Coming Geo-targeted press release distribution — the ability to select specific geographic areas directly within the platform — is on the product roadmap as a planned feature. It is not available yet. We cannot confirm a release date at this time. 💡 Quick Reference Summary - State/region filter available now? No. - Closest current option? A locally focused distribution channel, which covers local and regional outlets. - Can I choose specific outlets? No — the network within each channel is curated, not user-selectable. - Is geo-targeting planned? Yes — it is on the roadmap, but no release date has been confirmed. 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.

🔗 How to Reduce a Client's Backlink Spam Score

If you've onboarded a client with a high spam score, Search Atlas provides tools to audit their backlink profile and identify harmful links. This article outlines the general approach to investigating and addressing toxic backlinks using the platform's backlink features. 📍 Where to Find It Navigate to the Backlinks section of the platform to access backlink research and analysis tools for any domain. 🛠️ General Approach 1. Open the backlink analysis tool: Enter your client's root domain (e.g., example.com) and run an analysis to pull up their full backlink profile. 2. Review the spam score: Once the report loads, look for the spam score information associated with the domain. Note the figure so you have a baseline to compare against later. 3. Isolate toxic links: In the backlink table, sort or filter by spam score to surface the most harmful referring domains. Focus on those with the highest spam scores as your primary targets for remediation. 4. Examine each toxic referring domain: Review the linking pages individually. Consider whether the site has real content, whether anchor text looks manipulative (e.g., exact-match commercial keywords in bulk), and whether the page has an unusually high number of outbound links. These signals help confirm whether a link is genuinely harmful. 5. Compile the toxic link list: Use any available export option within the backlink tool to compile the list of harmful referring domains. You'll need this for your disavow file. 6. Build and submit a disavow file: Format the toxic domains as a plain-text disavow file and submit it via Google Search Console under the Links section. This instructs Google to ignore those links when evaluating your client's site. 7. Identify and protect strong backlinks: Also review low-spam, high-authority links in the backlink report. Document these so they aren't accidentally included in the disavow file and can serve as benchmarks for future link-building efforts. ✅ How to Confirm Progress Spam score reduction is not instant — it reflects how link-analysis tools re-crawl and reprocess a backlink profile over time. Re-run the backlink report on the same client domain periodically after submitting the disavow file and compare the new spam score to your original baseline to track improvement. 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.

📰 Press Release Links: Nofollow, Dofollow, and SEO Value

📋 Overview If you ran a press release through Search Atlas and noticed that all the links pointing back to your site are marked as nofollow, this is completely expected. It is not a bug, a platform error, or a result of publication dates. Press release distribution links are nofollow by industry standard, and this applies to every press release distributed through any major PR network — not just Search Atlas. This article explains why that is the case, what SEO value press releases still provide, and how to use Search Atlas tools to acquire dofollow backlinks as part of a complete link-building strategy. 🔗 Why Are Press Release Links Always Nofollow? When a press release is distributed across a wire service or syndication network, the publications that pick it up apply nofollow attributes to outbound links automatically. This happens for several reasons: - Google guidelines: Google has long advised that links in press releases and other large-scale distributed content should be nofollow to avoid appearing as manipulative link schemes. Reputable publications follow this guidance to protect their own domain authority. - Editorial policy: News sites and wire publishers treat syndicated press release content differently from editorially placed links. Because the content is paid or distributed rather than independently written, links are tagged accordingly. - Network-wide enforcement: PR Newswire, Business Wire, PRWeb, and every other major distribution network apply nofollow to outbound links by default. This is a network-level decision, not something Search Atlas or individual publishers control on a per-release basis. There is no setting, upgrade, or workaround that changes press release links from nofollow to dofollow. Any tool or service claiming otherwise would put your site at risk of a Google manual penalty. 📊 Do Press Releases Provide Any SEO Value? Yes — press releases contribute to your SEO strategy in meaningful ways even without passing direct link equity. - Brand visibility and indexing: Press releases published on high-authority news domains help Google discover your brand name, products, and URLs more quickly. - Referral traffic: Readers who see your press release on a news site can click through to your site, generating real visits regardless of link attribution. - Earned media opportunities: Journalists and bloggers who find your press release may independently cover your story and link to you with a fully editorial, dofollow link — which carries full SEO weight. - Brand authority signals: Consistent press coverage builds topical authority and brand recognition, which indirectly supports rankings over time. Think of press releases as awareness and credibility tools, not direct link-building vehicles. 🛠️ How to Acquire Dofollow Backlinks With Search Atlas If your goal is to build dofollow backlinks that directly pass link equity to your site, Search Atlas has dedicated tools for that purpose. Press release distribution and link building are complementary strategies — not the same thing. 1. Link Building Tool: Use the Link Building module to identify prospects, manage outreach campaigns, and track placements. These are editorial or placement-based links that can be dofollow. 2. Prospecting and Outreach: Search Atlas lets you research high-authority domains in your niche and build targeted outreach lists for guest posts, resource links, and partnership placements. 3. Backlink Analyzer: Monitor your existing backlink profile to understand your current dofollow-to-nofollow ratio and identify gaps to address in your link-building plan. 4. HARO and Digital PR integration: Combine your press release strategy with reactive PR tactics. When journalists cite your press release and write original coverage, those inbound links are often dofollow. A strong SEO backlink strategy typically uses press releases for reach and visibility while relying on dedicated link-building outreach for dofollow acquisition. ⚠️ Common Misconceptions to Avoid - "My press release links are broken." Nofollow links are not broken links. They are functioning links with a specific attribute that tells search engines not to pass PageRank through them. - "This is a 2021 policy change." There was no date-specific policy change affecting press release link attributes. Nofollow on press release links has been the industry norm for over a decade. - "I can republish the release to get dofollow links." There is no republish feature that converts nofollow links to dofollow links. This is not a supported function in Search Atlas or on any PR distribution network. - "Nofollow links are worthless." Nofollow links still drive traffic, support brand indexing, and can trigger earned media coverage that results in dofollow placements. ✅ Quick Reference: Press Releases vs. Link Building - Press releases → Brand awareness, media pickup, referral traffic, indexing signals, nofollow links - Link Building Tool → Targeted outreach, editorial placements, dofollow backlinks, direct link equity - Best practice → Use both together for a complete off-page SEO strategy 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.

📡 What Features Does Signal Genesys Have That Search Atlas Doesn't?

Both Search Atlas and Signal Genesys are powerful platforms, but they serve different primary purposes. If you are evaluating which tool to use — or whether to use both — it helps to understand the distinct features that Signal Genesys offers that are not available inside Search Atlas. Here is a breakdown of what makes Signal Genesys unique: - Fully Integrated Brand Publishing Ecosystem: Signal Genesys provides an all-in-one solution for automating press release distribution, embedding rich SEO metadata, and hosting a dedicated Media Room. This makes it a turnkey option for agencies and businesses that want a complete content publishing and visibility workflow in a single platform. - Dedicated Media Room: Signal Genesys includes a branded Media Room that automatically updates whenever you publish a new press release. This feature meaningfully strengthens your E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals on Google. Search Atlas does not offer a standalone Media Room feature. - Automatic Embed Code Generation: Signal Genesys automatically generates embed codes for your press releases, making it straightforward to integrate PR content into client websites and ensuring seamless visibility across the web. - Press Release Syndication Network: Signal Genesys is specifically built for authority building. It syndicates your press releases across a curated network of premium and mid-tier outlets, formatted with structured SEO schema. This is particularly valuable for reputation management, establishing thought leadership, and building Google entity trust. - Simplified, Role-Based Workflow: The platform is designed with non-technical users in mind. It offers clear, step-by-step workflows for writing, reviewing, and publishing press releases, so your entire team can participate without needing deep technical knowledge. To summarize: choose Signal Genesys when your primary focus is PR publishing, brand authority building, and delivering client-ready visibility tools. Choose Search Atlas when you are managing broader SEO campaigns and need a comprehensive optimization toolkit. If you are unsure which platform best fits your current goals, feel free to chat with a human teammate using the live chat widget in the app — we are happy to help you find the right fit.

View Wildfire Niche Edits and Outbound Links

🔍 Overview Wildfire Niche Edits and Approved Outbound Links are two key link-building features in Search Atlas. This article explains where to locate them within the platform for a specific domain, such as peters-creek.com. 🗂️ What Are These Features? - Deployed Wildfire Niche Edits: These are contextual backlinks that have been placed on relevant third-party pages as part of your Wildfire link-building campaigns. The Deployed status means the link is live. - Approved Outbound Links: These are outbound links associated with your domain that have been reviewed and approved within the platform, confirming they meet quality and relevance standards. 🧭 How to Locate Wildfire Niche Edits 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, click Wildfire to expand the section. 3. Under Wildfire, click Niche Edits. 4. In the Niche Edits table, locate the domain filter or search field and enter your target domain (for example, peters-creek.com) without https:// or a trailing slash. 5. Filter or sort results by the Deployed status to see only live niche edit links for that domain. 🧭 How to Locate Approved Outbound Links 1. In the left sidebar, click Wildfire to expand the section. 2. Under Wildfire, click Outbound Links. 3. Use the domain filter or search field to enter your target domain (for example, peters-creek.com). 4. Filter results by the Approved status to view all outbound links that have passed the quality review for that domain. 💡 Tips for Reviewing Link Data - Use exact domain formatting: When filtering by domain, enter the domain without https:// or a trailing slash to get the most accurate results. - Check the status view: Make sure you are viewing the correct status for the links you need — Deployed for niche edits, and Approved for outbound links — to avoid missing relevant entries. 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.

🔗 Choosing Quality Publishers and Understanding Indexation Guarantees

Selecting Quality Publishers in Link Laboratory Link Laboratory provides options to help you find publishers that are a good fit for your niche. When browsing available publishers, look for signals that indicate relevance and authority for your industry, such as the publisher's topic focus, audience, and general site quality metrics displayed in the marketplace. If you are unsure which publishers are the best match for your goals, or if the available filters are not surfacing what you need, the Support team can help you identify suitable options based on your specific industry and campaign objectives. Understanding Indexation Guarantees Search Atlas offers guarantees related to link indexation and link longevity as part of its link-building service through Link Laboratory. The specifics of what is covered — including any indexation windows, live-link duration commitments, and the process for requesting replacements — depend on the terms associated with your order. If you have a question about whether your order includes an indexation guarantee, or if you believe a placed link has not been indexed or has gone down prematurely, gather the following information before reaching out: - Your order ID or reference number - The target URL the link points to - The published article URL where the link was placed - The date the link went live Having these details ready will allow the Support team to review your case and advise on the appropriate next steps, whether that is a replacement link, further investigation, or another resolution. 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.

📋 Press Release Cancellation and Publishing Status Explained

🔍 Overview Once a press release enters Publishing status, the distribution process begins immediately across all selected channels. This article explains what you can and cannot do at each stage — and what happens to your credits and published copies if you take action after submission. ⚙️ Understanding Press Release Statuses Before taking any action, it helps to know what each status means: - Draft: Your press release has been created but not yet submitted. You can freely edit or delete it at this stage. - Pending: Your press release has been submitted but has not yet been distributed. - Publishing: Your press release is actively being distributed to news channels and syndication networks. - Published: Distribution is complete. Your press release is live across all selected channels. 🚫 Can I Cancel a Press Release in Publishing Status? No. Once a press release moves into Publishing status, cancellation is not possible. The distribution process starts the moment you confirm submission, and content is sent to external news networks in real time. There is no pause or recall mechanism once this process begins. This means: - You cannot stop distribution mid-way through the Publishing stage. - You cannot retract or unpublish content that has already been sent to syndication channels. - Editing the press release inside Search Atlas will not update or remove copies that have already been distributed externally. Important: Any tool or suggestion indicating that a press release can be "unpublished" after distribution is inaccurate. Once content is live on external networks, Search Atlas has no ability to remove it on your behalf. 💳 What Happens to My Credits? Credits are consumed at the point of submission — when you confirm and send your press release for distribution. Here is what to expect: - Credits are non-refundable once a press release enters Publishing status, regardless of whether you later delete the record inside the platform. - Deleting a press release from your Search Atlas dashboard removes it from your account view only — it does not retract distributed copies or return your credits. - If distribution encounters a technical error before completion, our team will review credit eligibility on a case-by-case basis. 🗑️ What Happens If I Delete a Press Release After Publishing? Deleting a published press release inside Search Atlas only removes it from your dashboard. It does not: - Remove the press release from external news sites or syndication networks where it was distributed. - Retract any indexed copies from search engines. - Refund any credits used for the original distribution or any additional channel expansions. If you purchased distribution to additional channels after the initial publish, those credits are also non-refundable once distribution has been triggered. ✅ Best Practices Before You Submit To avoid issues, review the following before confirming submission: 1. Proofread your press release carefully, including the headline, body, and all metadata fields. All fields must be complete before the Publish button becomes active. 2. Confirm your selected distribution channels match your goals — you cannot downgrade channels after submission. 3. Double-check that the content is final. There is no edit or recall option once Publishing begins. 4. Ensure your account has sufficient credits for the channels you have selected. 🆘 Need Help? If you believe your press release encountered a technical error during distribution, or if you have questions about your credits, we are here to 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.

🔗 Are the Links in My PR or Guest Post Do-Follow?

Whether your links pass SEO equity depends on which Search Atlas feature you are using to publish or distribute content. The two main placements — Press Releases (Signal Genesys) and LinkLab guest posts — follow different rules. Press Releases (Signal Genesys) All links in a press release are no-follow. The distribution template automatically applies the rel="nofollow" attribute to every link included in the release. This applies to: - Links embedded in the body content of the press release - The company website link included in the contact section - Any social media profile links This is a hard-coded standard across the entire Signal Genesys distribution network. It exists to ensure compliance with search engine guidelines for syndicated content and cannot be changed on a per-release basis. LinkLab (Guest Posts and Backlinks) Links placed through LinkLab can be either do-follow or no-follow, depending on the individual publisher's settings. Each publication listed in the LinkLab catalog has a designated link type assigned by the publisher: - DOFOLLOW — The publisher permits standard link equity to pass through to your site. - NOFOLLOW — The publisher applies the no-follow attribute to outbound links. You can check the link attribute for any specific publication before purchasing or approving a placement. To do this, browse the LinkLab catalog directly or review an Authority Blueprint, where the link type is displayed for each publication. If you have questions about a specific placement or need help identifying the right publications for your link-building goals, please use the in-app chat to connect with a human teammate.

🔍 How to Analyze and Reduce a Client's High Spam Score

This article explains how to use Search Atlas to assess a new client's backlink profile when they arrive with a high spam score. You will learn where to run the analysis, how to read the data, and how to confirm that your cleanup efforts are having a measurable effect. 📍 Where to Find It All backlink analysis tools are grouped in one place. In the top-right header, click the apps-grid icon, then go to More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research). You will see the following sub-tools: - Backlink Research — full backlink profile for any domain - Link Gap Analysis — compare your client's links against competitors - Compare Backlinks — side-by-side domain comparison - Topical Relevance — assess how contextually relevant linking domains are - Backlink Velocity — track the rate at which links are being gained or lost 🛠️ Step-by-Step 1. Run a Backlink Research audit. Go to the top-right header (apps-grid icon) → More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research) and enter your client's root domain. Click Analyze. This pulls the full backlink profile including spam metrics for each linking domain. 2. Identify high-risk links. In the results, sort or filter by spam score. Focus on referring domains with a spam score above 30% — these are your highest-priority targets. Look for patterns: private blog networks, unrelated foreign-language directories, or domains with no organic traffic and thin content. 3. Assess topical relevance of linking domains. Go to the top-right header (apps-grid icon) → More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research) → Topical Relevance and enter the client's domain. Links from topically unrelated domains compound a spam risk even if their raw spam score is moderate. Flag any that are both off-topic and low-authority. 4. Check velocity for unnatural link patterns. Go to the top-right header (apps-grid icon) → More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research) → Backlink Velocity. A sudden spike in link acquisition — especially from low-quality domains — is a common trigger for algorithmic penalties. Note any spikes that coincide with ranking drops. 5. Build your disavow list. Compile all domains flagged in steps 2–4. Export the data and format it into a Google Search Console disavow file (one domain per line, prefixed with domain:). Submit this file through Google Search Console to signal to Google that these links should not be counted against the site. 6. Begin a targeted link-building campaign. Use the top-right header (apps-grid icon) → More Features → Backlinks (Backlink Research) → Link Gap Analysis to find high-quality, topically relevant domains that link to competitors but not to your client. These become your outreach targets to replace toxic links with authoritative ones. ✅ How to Confirm It Worked Re-run Backlink Research on the client's domain after 4–6 weeks. You should see: - A measurable decrease in the average spam score across referring domains — compare the new figure to your baseline from step 1. - Fewer flagged high-risk domains appearing in the filtered view (spam score above 30%). - Backlink Velocity showing a stabilised or positively trending link acquisition rate from higher-quality domains. - If rankings were suppressed, expect gradual recovery over 8–12 weeks once Google re-crawls the disavow file and indexes new quality links. 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.

📡 What Is Signal Genesys, and How Is It Different from Search Atlas's Own Press Release Feature?

📡 What Signal Genesys Is Signal Genesys is a press release distribution platform that Search Atlas acquired. It has its own login, its own dashboard, and its own set of features — it is not the same product as Search Atlas's built-in Authority Building / Digital PR press release tools, even though the two are connected behind the scenes. 🔗 How Signal Genesys and Search Atlas's Press Release Feature Connect Search Atlas's own Authority Building > Press Release Distribution feature can use Signal Genesys as its backend distributor. That means a press release created inside Search Atlas may actually be submitted, reviewed, and distributed through Signal Genesys's systems — which is why customers sometimes see press release status in both places, and why the two can look connected or get mixed up. A few things worth knowing if you're troubleshooting a press release issue: - The Signal Genesys API token used by Search Atlas to deploy press releases is a backend-managed credential — it is not something the customer configures themselves. If a customer sees an authentication error mentioning a Signal Genesys token, that's on the backend connection, not something in their own account settings. - Not every Search Atlas customer is a Signal Genesys customer. Signal Genesys branding can appear inside the Search Atlas dashboard (for example, in press-release-related settings) even for customers who never signed up for Signal Genesys directly — that branding refers to the distribution backend, not a separate subscription the customer needs. - If a press release's status looks different between Search Atlas and Signal Genesys, treat it as a sync issue between the two systems rather than something the customer misconfigured. ✅ What Signal Genesys Offers as Its Own Platform For customers or partners using Signal Genesys directly (its own login, separate from the main Search Atlas dashboard), the confirmed core features are: - AI-assisted press release writing and review — an AI quality gate reviews releases for quality, structure, and compliance before they go out. - Enterprise Media Room — a page hosted on the customer's own domain (for example, a "/media-room/" page) where their published press releases are displayed, in addition to wider syndication. - White Label Dashboard — agencies can run Signal Genesys under their own branding and domain (their own login URL and logo) instead of the standard Signal Genesys site. We don't yet have confirmed details on Signal Genesys's exact pricing structure, release lifespan, or the full list of "signal" categories referenced in its marketing — if a customer asks about those specifics, don't state an exact number or policy unless it's been separately confirmed; escalate instead of guessing. 🧭 Keeping This Separate from Other Search Atlas Brands Signal Genesys, Link Laboratory, and Publication Media are three different products, each with their own Help Center, login, and support team. None of them should be described as the same thing as Search Atlas's own Authority Building or Digital PR features, or as each other. If you're not sure which product a customer is actually asking about, confirm before answering rather than assuming. 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.

📡 Understanding Press Release Distribution Channels

📡 Two Kinds of Distribution Channels When submitting a press release through Signal Genesys, the channels available fall into two categories: - Single-site channels — a placement on one specific, named publication (for example, USA Today). - Multichannel distributors — a single submission that gets picked up across a network of many sites at once, rather than one specific outlet. These are grouped and named by network (for example, a "DA 80" tier or a "Local & National" network), not by an individual publication name. Custom or location-specific channel selection (for example, requesting a specific state-level or local TV channel by name) isn't offered — channel options are chosen from the existing single-site and multichannel options rather than built to a custom request. 🧭 Keeping This Separate from Other Search Atlas Brands Press release distribution channels are a Signal Genesys concept. Signal Genesys is a separate product from Search Atlas's own Authority Building / Digital PR feature (which uses Signal Genesys as its backend distributor), and it's unrelated to Link Laboratory or Publication Media, which are backlink/guest-post marketplaces rather than press release distribution. Don't mix distribution-channel terminology into a Link Lab or Publication Media conversation, or vice versa. 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.

📊 Follow Up on Manual Link Exports

🔍 What this process covers This guide explains how to follow up when Search Atlas has agreed to create one or more Link Laboratory XLS exports manually, but the files or delivery date have not yet been provided. It also shows how to request the latest status for a related Rank Tracker defect and order. 📁 Check your order first 1. Open the Avatar Menu (👤) from your avatar in the top-right corner. 2. Select My Orders, then open Order Builder. 3. Review the relevant order and select View Details. 4. Note the order name, order ID, requested export type, filters, and current status. You can also open App Ecosystem from the Avatar Menu (👤), select the Publisher Exchange tab, and choose Go to Link Laboratory to review the related Link Laboratory information. 📤 When an agreed XLS export is missing Manual exports are handled as a follow-up task rather than an automatic download. If the agreed files are still outstanding, check whether an attachment or download link was added to the relevant conversation or order record. Do not assume the export was delivered if no file is visible. Prepare the following details before requesting an update: - Order name and order ID - The number of XLS files expected - The export filters or date range - The date the exports were requested or promised - Whether you received any attachment, link, or partial delivery 🛠️ Request a firm delivery update Ask for confirmation of both points separately: whether each expected XLS export has been generated, and the firm date when any missing file will be delivered. If only one file was received, identify the missing file by name or export criteria. A useful request is: “Please confirm the status of both agreed manual XLS exports, attach any completed files, and provide a firm delivery date for anything still outstanding.” 🐞 Follow up on a Rank Tracker defect Include the affected project, keywords or campaign, the behavior you expected, and the date you noticed the issue. Ask for the current defect status, including whether it is open, being investigated, fixed, or awaiting verification. Also ask whether the defect affects your specific order or only Rank Tracker reporting. Resolved or canceled engineering work does not automatically confirm that your account issue is fixed. Request confirmation that the correction applies to your project and order before treating the issue as closed. ✅ Confirm the order status Ask the team to confirm the order status separately from the defect status. For example, an order may be completed while an export is still being prepared, or a Rank Tracker defect may be unrelated to order fulfillment. Request the latest status for each outstanding export and the overall order. 💬 Get help without another escalation When contacting support, provide the order details, expected files, delivery history, and Rank Tracker symptoms in one message. This helps the team investigate without repeating questions. 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.

🔄 How to Request a Specific Alternative Publisher

🤔 Why You're Asked to Choose an Alternative When you buy a placement through Link Laboratory, the publisher occasionally cannot complete the order. This happens for two main reasons, and the platform shows a different message for each: - Publisher rejected — the site's editorial team declined your content or topic. - Publication unavailable — the site is temporarily out of inventory or paused. In both cases, an Alternatives drawer opens on your order with up to three suggested replacement publishers that are matched to the original site's metrics, niche, and price. 📋 Your Options in the Alternatives Drawer Before requesting a specific site, review the built-in options: 1. Accept a suggested alternative — pick one of the up-to-three publishers shown, and the order continues as normal. 2. Choose for Me — let our team select the closest matching replacement for you. 3. Refund HDC — cancel the placement and return the credit to your account balance. If none of the suggestions work for you — for example, all three are in the same niche you want to avoid — you can request a specific publisher instead. 🎯 How to Request a Specific Alternative Publisher You can ask for any publisher in our catalog, such as bmmagazine.co.uk. Follow these steps: 1. Open the order in Link Laboratory: go to the top-right corner (avatar) → App Ecosystem → Publisher Exchange tab → Go to Link Laboratory, then locate the affected order. 2. Copy your order number (for example, #26388) and the exact domain you want, including the extension, such as bmmagazine.co.uk. 3. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate. 4. Share your order number, the exact domain you want, and a short note explaining that the suggested alternatives do not fit your campaign. A team member will check availability and confirm next steps with you before anything changes on the order. ✅ What Happens After You Submit a Request - We confirm the publisher is currently accepting placements in your niche and language. - If the site's price differs from your original order, we tell you the difference up front — you can pay the difference or request a partial refund. - If the site is not available, we suggest the closest matches from the full catalog, and you make the final call. - If you would rather not wait, you can still use Choose for Me or Refund HDC from the Alternatives drawer at any time. 💡 Tips for Faster Resolution - Check the catalog first: search the domain in Link Laboratory to see if the publisher is listed and in stock. - Send the exact domain with the correct extension (.co.uk, .com, .net) to avoid mix-ups. - Include your target URL and preferred anchor text so the replacement can start without another round of questions. - If timing matters, say so — we can prioritize orders with deadlines. 💬 Still 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.

☁️ Cloud Stack and Press Release Retention

📌 Retention overview Cloud stacks and press releases do not have one universal expiration date. Their availability depends on the service, the publishing site, and whether the item is removed or changed. ☁️ Cloud stack duration A cloud stack remains in place while its configured publishing sites continue to host the content and the stack remains active in Search Atlas. Search Atlas does not promise that every third-party site will keep a page live indefinitely. A site may remove, update, or stop serving a page because of its own policies, maintenance, content changes, or technical issues. These changes can affect the stack even when no action is taken in Search Atlas. 📰 Press release duration A press release remains available on each publisher's site according to that publisher's retention policy. Some publishers may keep releases live indefinitely, while others may archive or remove them after a period of time. Search Atlas cannot guarantee a permanent live URL on every third-party publisher. Distribution completion does not guarantee that every publisher will accept, index, or retain the release. The publisher's live page is the best source for confirming current availability. 🔎 How to check status and self-serve common questions 1. To check the status of a press release, log in to Search Atlas and locate the relevant release in your account. Review any URLs that were generated at the time of distribution and visit them directly in your browser to confirm whether the page is currently live. 2. If a URL no longer loads, the publisher has removed or archived the release according to their own policy — this is outside Search Atlas's control. 3. To check the status of a cloud stack, log in to Search Atlas and locate the relevant stack in your account. Review the publishing sites associated with that stack and visit their published URLs directly in your browser to confirm whether those pages are still live. 4. If a page is no longer available, the hosting site may have removed it due to their own content or maintenance policies. 5. If a cloud stack or press release was recently submitted and URLs are not yet appearing, allow time for indexing and propagation, as this can take hours to days depending on the publisher. 6. If pages were live previously and have since disappeared without any action on your end, note the specific URLs, the item name, and the approximate date the content was last confirmed live before reaching out for support. ✅ Key points - There is no single guaranteed retention period for all cloud stacks or press releases. - Cloud stacks remain active while their sites and configuration remain available. - Press releases remain available according to each individual publisher's retention policy. - If content disappears without any action on your end, gather the affected URLs and timeline details before contacting support. 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.

TNN Syndication Channel: Publications and Coverage Details

What Is the TNN Syndication Channel? The TNN syndication channel is a press release distribution option available in Search Atlas. It distributes your press release to a curated network of news and media publications, helping you build backlinks and brand visibility across multiple authoritative domains. Which Publications Are Included? The TNN network distributes press releases across a broad set of news and media outlets. The specific outlets that pick up any individual release can vary based on your content's topic, timing, and fit with each publication's editorial focus. This is standard across syndication networks — not every outlet in the network will publish every release. Once your press release has been distributed, you can check for live coverage by: - Searching for your press release headline in Google News or a standard web search to find syndicated pickup URLs. - Using a backlink monitoring tool (such as Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz) to discover newly acquired backlinks pointing to your domain after distribution. - Checking the press release distribution report inside your Search Atlas account, where published syndication links are surfaced after your release goes live. What Are the Domain Ratings of TNN Publications? Domain ratings (DR) across the TNN network vary by outlet. Because outlet composition and individual site metrics change over time, there is no single fixed DR list. To evaluate the authority of your specific coverage: - Collect the live syndication URLs for your release (via Google News search or your backlink tool). - Run each URL through your preferred DR tool — such as Ahrefs Site Explorer, Moz Domain Authority checker, or Semrush — to get up-to-date metrics. - Focus your SEO reporting on the outlets with the strongest authority and traffic metrics relative to your target niche or geography. How to Evaluate Your TNN Coverage Once you have your live syndication URLs, you can assess coverage quality by: - Checking each outlet's DR and estimated organic traffic using a backlink analysis tool. - Identifying which outlets align best with your target audience, niche, or geographic market. - Monitoring new referring domains in your Search Atlas dashboard or a third-party backlink tracker to confirm links are being indexed. When Does My Press Release Go Live? Syndication timing varies by outlet, as each publication in the TNN network operates on its own publishing schedule. In most cases, distribution begins within one to two business days of submission. If your release does not appear in search results or your backlink tools within a few business days of your expected go-live date, that is the right time to escalate for a status check. 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.

📰 Publish and Embed Press Releases Across Locations

🗺️ Overview The Search Atlas Press Release (PR) tool supports multi-location businesses and includes website integration options. You can create separate PR accounts for each of your Google Business Profile locations and link your published press releases directly on your website — for example, in an In the News section. 📍 Creating PR Accounts for Multiple Locations If you manage multiple Google Business Profile locations, you can set up a dedicated PR account for each one. This keeps your press release activity organised by location and ensures each property is credited correctly during distribution. To get started with multi-location PR accounts, navigate to the Press Releases tool from the left sidebar. From there, look for the option to add or switch between location accounts. When creating or drafting a press release, make sure to associate it with the correct location so the right business details appear in the distribution. Each account operates independently, so press releases, distribution history, and performance data are tracked separately per location. If you are unsure how to set up or manage additional location accounts within the PR tool, our support team can walk you through the current workflow. Please have the following ready when you reach out: the business names and website URLs for each location you want to add. 🌐 Adding Published Press Releases to Your Website Once a press release has been published and distributed, you can link to it on your own website. This is a supported feature and a great way to build social proof in an In the News or Press section. The standard approach for adding published PRs to your site is: - Direct link: Copy the public URL of your published press release and add it as a hyperlink anywhere on your website. This works with any website platform. To locate the sharing options for a published press release, open the Press Releases tool from the left sidebar and find the press release you want to feature. Look for the sharing or link option associated with that press release, then copy the relevant URL and paste it into your website builder or CMS. If you cannot locate the link option for a specific press release, please contact our support team with the name of the press release and the date it was published so we can assist you directly. 📋 What to Have Ready When Contacting Support If you need hands-on help with multi-location PR setup or website linking, please have the following information available before reaching out: - The names and website URLs of each business location you want to add - The name and publication date of any press release you need help locating or linking 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.

🏥 Finding Relevant Publishers for Medical Niche Orders

🔍 Why Publisher Relevance Matters for Medical Orders When placing a link-building or content order in a medical niche — such as medical equipment supply, healthcare services, or clinical products — publisher relevance is critical. Google places medical content under its Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) guidelines, meaning that links from unrelated or low-authority publishers can harm rather than help your rankings. Selecting the right publisher ensures your order delivers genuine SEO value. 📋 Understanding Publisher Approval After you submit an order, Search Atlas matches it to available publishers. A publisher may not be approved for your order for several reasons: - The publisher's site topic does not align with your niche or content requirements. - The publisher's domain authority or traffic metrics fall below the threshold you selected. - The publisher has paused or restricted new orders temporarily. - Your content brief included requirements the publisher could not fulfil (e.g., dofollow links, specific anchor text, or medical disclaimers). If a suggested publisher is rejected or does not fit your business, you can request a replacement by contacting the support team directly through the platform. 🛠️ How to Find Publishers for a Medical Niche Because publisher selection for medical and healthcare niches involves niche-specific matching that may require manual review, the most reliable path is to work directly with the Search Atlas team. When reaching out, be prepared to share the following details so the team can identify the best available publishers for your order: - Your order ID or order name — so the team can locate your specific order quickly. - Your target niche or topic — for example, medical equipment supply, clinical products, healthcare services, or B2B healthcare. - Any minimum quality thresholds you require — such as minimum domain authority, traffic levels, or content type preferences. - Any specific requirements from your content brief — such as dofollow links, particular anchor text, or the need for medical disclaimers on the publisher's site. The support team will review available publishers that match your niche and quality criteria and update your order accordingly. 💡 Tips for Medical Equipment and B2B Healthcare Niches Medical equipment supply sits at the intersection of health and B2B content, which means relevant publishers may be listed under health, science, or industry/business categories. When describing your niche to the support team, mention both the healthcare angle and the commercial/B2B angle so they can search across all relevant publisher categories on your behalf. 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.

🔗 How to Update a Link Lab Placement URL

🔍 Overview After a link placement is created in Link Lab, the destination URL assigned to your order may occasionally need to be updated — for example, if a product page has moved or the original URL was entered incorrectly. This article explains what information is required, how to submit the request, and what to expect. 📋 When Is a Manual URL Update Needed? A manual URL update may be necessary when: - The target page has been migrated to a new URL after the order was placed. - The wrong URL was submitted at the time of ordering. - A product, article, or landing page has been restructured and the original link now returns a 404 error or redirect. Because placements are tied to specific publisher agreements, URL changes cannot be made directly by customers inside the platform — they must be processed by the Search Atlas team. 📝 What Information You Will Need To process your request as quickly as possible, have the following details ready before contacting support: - Order ID — the unique number assigned to your Link Lab order (e.g., 26079). - Placement ID — the unique identifier for the specific link placement within that order (e.g., 229745). - Current URL — the full destination URL that is currently recorded on the placement. - New URL — the exact, correct URL you want the placement updated to. Make sure this page is live and accessible before submitting. You can find your Order ID and Placement ID by navigating to your Link Lab orders within the platform and opening the relevant order. 🛠️ How to Submit a URL Update Request 1. Log in to Search Atlas and locate your Order ID and Placement ID from your Link Lab orders. 2. Confirm that the new URL is live, resolves without redirects, and points to the correct page. 3. Contact the Search Atlas support team and provide your Order ID, Placement ID, current URL, and new URL. 4. A team member will confirm the change and let you know once the placement has been updated. ⏱️ What to Expect After Submitting Once your request is received, the Search Atlas team will verify the new URL and coordinate with the publisher if required. You will be notified once the update has been applied. Processing time may vary depending on publisher availability, but most updates are handled promptly during business hours. ✅ Tips to Avoid URL Issues in Future Orders - Double-check that all destination URLs are live and stable before submitting a Link Lab order. - Avoid using URLs tied to temporary promotions or pages that may be removed after a campaign ends. 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.

⚡ TNN Syndication Option: Publications and Domain Ratings

What Is the TNN Syndication Option? The TNN (The News Network) syndication option is a press release distribution add-on available within Search Atlas. When you select this package, your content is syndicated across a curated network of news and media publications, helping you build backlinks, increase brand visibility, and boost your content's authority through high-DR placements. Publications and Domain Ratings The TNN syndication package distributes your press release to a network of news and media outlets. Each outlet is associated with a Domain Rating (DR) score, which reflects that site's overall link authority as measured by Ahrefs. For the current and complete list of included publications and their respective DR scores, please contact our support team directly, as the outlet network and DR values may be updated periodically. Who Should Use This Option? The TNN syndication package is ideal for customers who want to: - Earn high-authority backlinks from well-known media domains - Increase online visibility and brand credibility - Support PR campaigns with wide-reaching news distribution - Strengthen their domain's backlink profile with high-DR placements How to Add TNN Syndication to Your Press Release 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, go to Authority (Press Releases). 3. Create or select an existing press release draft. 4. Look for the syndication or distribution options associated with your press release. 5. Select the TNN Syndication package and confirm the add-on fee. 6. Complete your order and submit your press release for distribution. If you are unsure where to find the TNN Syndication option within your account, our support team can walk you through the exact steps for your current plan and interface. Important Things to Know - Publication placements: Exact outlets may vary depending on content category and editorial review. Not every article is guaranteed placement on every outlet in the network. - Content requirements: Your press release must meet TNN editorial guidelines. Content that is purely promotional, contains unsupported claims, or violates publication policies may be rejected. - DR fluctuation: Domain Ratings are dynamic metrics updated regularly by Ahrefs. Any values shared by our team are approximate and may change over time. - Pricing and turnaround: For current pricing, turnaround times, and the full list of included publications, please reach out to our support team for the most up-to-date details. 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.

📦 Why Some of My PR Links Show an "Archive" Status

If you notice that some of your press release links are labeled "Archive" in your report, this means that the distribution site received your content but did not successfully publish it as a live, indexed article. Here is what you need to know about the Archive status: - It is not a Search Atlas error. The Archive status is determined entirely by the distribution site itself. Each distributor has its own internal selection criteria, editorial standards, and content category requirements that dictate whether a submission is published or archived. - It is outside of our control. Because the decision rests with the third-party distributor, we are unable to force a site to publish content that it has chosen not to feature as a live article. - Your report can be cleaned up. If you would prefer not to have Archive links appear in your report, we can remove them for you so your results reflect only successfully published placements. If you would like Archive links removed from your report, or if you have any other questions about your PR distribution results, please use the in-app live chat widget to chat with a human teammate and we will be happy to assist you.

Find Backlink Opportunities and Export Keyword Gap Data

What This Article Covers This guide addresses two tasks that gym website owners and SEO managers frequently ask about: finding backlink opportunities by analysing competitor link profiles, and exporting keyword gap rankings to action them outside the platform. Finding Backlink Opportunities for Gym Websites Backlink gap analysis lets you see which websites link to your competitors but not to you — revealing high-value link-building targets in the fitness and gym niche. To get started in Search Atlas: 1. Log in to Search Atlas and open the backlink gap analysis feature from your dashboard. 2. Enter your gym website's domain and add one or more competitor domains you want to compare against. 3. Run the analysis to see a list of referring domains that link to your competitors but not to your site. 4. Review and filter the results to identify the highest-value prospects for your link-building campaign. 5. Use the identified domains as outreach targets for your link-building campaign. If the backlink gap feature does not appear available on your current plan or you are unsure how to access it, contact support with the following information ready: - Your Search Atlas project name or the domain you are working with - The competitor domains you want to compare against - A description of what you are trying to achieve (e.g. finding gym niche backlink prospects) - Any error messages or unexpected behaviour you have encountered Exporting Keyword Gap Rankings Exporting keyword gap data allows you to build content plans, share findings with your team, or import rankings into other tools. To export keyword gap data in Search Atlas: 1. Open the keyword gap analysis feature and enter your domain alongside the competitor domains you want to analyse. 2. Apply any filters you need to narrow down the results to the most relevant keywords for your gym website. 3. Once your filtered results are displayed, use the export option within the tool to download the data to your device. 4. Open the downloaded file in a spreadsheet application to build your content plan or share it with your team. If you cannot locate the export option or it does not appear available on your account, contact support with the following information ready: - Your Search Atlas project name or domain - The competitor domains included in your keyword gap comparison - The file format you need - Any filters you applied or want to apply 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.

🔗 OTTO Automatically Manages External Footer Backlinks

🤖 What OTTO Does With External Footer Links When OTTO is activated on your site, it may add external backlinks to a footer element that it controls. OTTO takes ownership of these links — it monitors them and handles any that become broken or return a 404 error automatically. You do not need to find, edit, or replace these links yourself. Any attempt to manually modify this footer element is unnecessary and may interfere with OTTO's management of it. 🔍 Why You Might Notice a 404 on These Links If a site audit or external tool flags a broken link inside OTTO's footer element, this is expected behaviour during normal operation. There is a short window between when a linked resource becomes unavailable and when OTTO detects and resolves it. Specifically: - OTTO monitors external links it has placed in your footer. - When a link returns a 404 or is otherwise unreachable, OTTO automatically handles the replacement. - The broken link is resolved without any action required from you. ⚠️ What You Should NOT Do Because OTTO fully manages its footer backlink element, please avoid the following actions, as they can cause conflicts or unexpected behaviour: - Do not manually edit, remove, or replace links inside OTTO's footer element through your CMS, theme editor, or any other tool. - Do not use the Site Audit Tool to attempt to fix these specific external links — the Site Audit Tool is designed for links you own and manage, not for OTTO-controlled footer links. - Do not raise a 404 flagged on this footer element as a site error that needs your intervention. It is already being handled by OTTO. 🛠️ What the Site Audit Tool Is Used For The Site Audit Tool is the right place to find and fix broken links across your own site content — internal links, links within your pages and posts, and other elements you control. Use it to address issues in content you manage directly, not for links inside OTTO-controlled footer elements. ✅ What You Can Expect From OTTO OTTO's automatic management of its footer backlink element means: - Broken external links in that element are detected and replaced without your involvement. - You will not receive alerts or tasks asking you to fix these links — they are outside your action queue by design. - Your site audit reports may temporarily show a 404 on one of these links, but it will clear once OTTO completes its replacement process. 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.

✏️ How to Edit a Generated Press Release Draft

🔍 Overview When a press release shows a Generated status in PR Distribution, the item row itself is not directly clickable. Instead, you need to use a specific action button to open and edit the draft. This article explains exactly where to find that button and how to make changes to your content. 🗺️ Getting to Your Press Releases 1. In the left sidebar, click Authority. 2. Select PR Distribution. You are now on the /outreach/press-release page. 3. Locate your press release in the list. Confirm it shows a status of Generated. ⚠️ Why You Cannot Click the Row Directly Press releases with a Generated status are not row-clickable in the same way other items may be. Clicking on the title or anywhere along the row will not open an editor. This is expected behaviour. To access and edit the content, you must use the dedicated action button associated with that item. ✏️ How to Edit a Generated Press Release 1. Find your press release in the PR Distribution list. 2. Look to the right side of the row for the available action buttons. 3. Click Resume. This opens the generated draft in the editor so you can review and modify the content before distribution. 4. Make your changes inside the editor. 5. When finished, save or proceed with the next steps in the workflow. Note: The Resume action is the correct entry point for any press release at the Generated stage. The other available actions — View report, Word, and HTML — serve different purposes and do not open an editable version of the draft. 📋 Summary of Available Actions by Stage - New Release — starts a brand-new press release from scratch. - Resume — opens a Generated draft so you can edit and complete it. - View report — displays distribution and performance data for a published release. - Word — downloads the press release as a Word document. - HTML — downloads the press release in HTML format. 💡 Tips - If you do not see the Resume button, try refreshing the page. The action buttons can occasionally take a moment to load. - Make sure your browser zoom level is set to 100%. At higher zoom levels, action buttons can shift off-screen and appear unclickable. - If the button appears greyed out, the press release may be processing. Wait a few seconds and refresh before trying again. 🆘 Still 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.

🔗 Find the Search Atlas Link Exchange Tool

🔍 Overview The Link Building Exchange (also called the Publisher Exchange) is not located in the main left sidebar. It is accessed through the App Ecosystem menu in your account settings. If you previously found it in a different location, it may have moved during a platform update. This article shows you exactly where to find it today. 🧭 How to Access the Link Building Exchange 1. Click your avatar or Avatar Menu (👤) in the top-right corner of the platform. 2. Select App Ecosystem from the dropdown menu. 3. Click the Publisher Exchange tab. 4. Click Go to Link Laboratory to open the full link exchange tool. You will be taken directly to the Link Building Exchange where you can browse opportunities, connect with publishers, and manage your link exchange activity. 💡 Tips for a Smooth Experience - Bookmark the Link Laboratory URL after your first visit so you can return to it quickly in the future. - Make sure you are logged in to your Search Atlas account before following the steps above, as the App Ecosystem menu is only visible to authenticated users. - If you click the link and are redirected to an external site, this is expected — the Link Laboratory opens outside the main platform. Allow the page a moment to load and confirm you are signed in. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Why is the Link Exchange not in the left sidebar anymore? The Link Building Exchange is a specialised external tool connected to Search Atlas via the App Ecosystem. It lives under your Avatar Menu (👤) rather than the main navigation sidebar to keep it grouped with other integrated applications. I clicked the link but nothing happened. What should I do? Check that your browser is not blocking pop-ups or new tabs from Search Atlas. The Link Laboratory may open in a new browser tab. If you still see no response, try refreshing the App Ecosystem page and clicking again. Do I need a specific plan to access the Link Exchange? Access may depend on your current subscription. If the Publisher Exchange tab is not visible or the Go to Link Laboratory button is greyed out, your plan may not include this feature. Visit avatar → Billing → Plans & Top-ups to review your current plan or upgrade. 🆘 Still 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.

🔥 Remove a Pending Wildfire Backlink Request

🔍 Overview The Wildfire feature in Search Atlas allows you to exchange backlinks with other websites through automated outreach campaigns. Occasionally, a request may be created by mistake or for a domain you no longer want to target. This article explains what to do when you need a pending Wildfire backlink request removed. 🗺️ Where to Find Wildfire Requests Wildfire backlink requests are managed inside the Authority section of the platform. To navigate there: 1. Click Authority in the left sidebar. 2. Select Campaigns from the sub-menu. 3. Locate the campaign associated with the pending backlink request you want to remove. 🛠️ How to Remove a Pending Request Because the removal of pending Wildfire backlink requests is handled on the backend, our support team will need to action this on your behalf. Self-serve removal controls may not be available for all request states. To get a pending request removed as quickly as possible, please have the following information ready before reaching out: - The project name associated with the Wildfire campaign. - The domain of the pending backlink request you want removed (for example, the target site URL). - Any relevant campaign name or ID visible in your Authority → Campaigns view. Once you contact support with these details, a team member can locate and remove the pending request directly. ⚠️ If the Remove Option Is Not Available In some cases you may find that no removal option is accessible from within the platform. This is expected behaviour for certain request states — the support team can still remove the request on the backend regardless. Do not attempt workarounds such as deleting the campaign entirely before speaking with support, as this may affect other active requests. ✅ Best Practices to Avoid Unwanted Requests - Review all pending Wildfire requests in Authority → Campaigns regularly to catch any entries created by mistake early. - Before activating a campaign, double-check the target domain list to ensure only intended sites are included. - If you did not intentionally set up a Wildfire campaign, check whether your project was auto-enrolled and contact support to have it reviewed. 💬 Need Further 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.

🔍 Locate and Use OTTO's Press Release Feature

Overview The Press Release feature in OTTO has its own dedicated section inside the OTTO dashboard. If you are having trouble locating it, or if you have questions about how the Press Release Knowledge Graph percentage relates to your client's main Knowledge Graph score, this article will help you get started and escalate effectively if needed. Finding the Press Release Feature in OTTO The Press Release section is located in the left sidebar under Authority (Press Releases). To find it, log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Left sidebar → Authority (Press Releases). If you are unable to locate the Press Release section after loading your client workspace, it is possible the feature may not be enabled for your account or that it requires additional setup. In that case, please reach out to our support team so they can confirm whether the feature is available for your plan and guide you to the correct location. Understanding Press Release Knowledge Graph Completion You may notice that the Knowledge Graph completion percentage shown in the Press Release section differs from your client's main Knowledge Graph score. This is expected behavior — the two scores track different sets of data and will not always match. Having a high main Knowledge Graph score does not automatically mean your Press Release Knowledge Graph score will be equally high. If you are unsure why your Press Release Knowledge Graph score shows a particular value, or if you need help understanding which information still needs to be provided, contact our support team and share the following details so they can assist you efficiently: - The name of the client account you are working with - The current Press Release Knowledge Graph percentage you are seeing - Any specific error messages or unexpected behavior you have encountered - A screenshot of the relevant section if possible Next Steps If you can locate the Press Release section but are unsure how to complete the required information or generate a press release, our support team can walk you through the process for your specific account. 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.

🔒 Can You Edit a Press Release After It's Published?

🔒 Once a Press Release Is Published, It's Locked A press release distributed through Signal Genesys cannot be edited in place once it's live. This applies to the content itself as well as any linked entity/brand information — once distribution begins, that version is treated as final. ✏️ When Edits ARE Possible You can still make changes to a press release, including its content, up until one of these points: - Before it goes through the review process, or - Before its selected publication date arrives. Once either of those has passed and distribution starts, the release is locked. ➕ Adding a New Distribution Channel Is Different from Editing If you want to distribute an already-published release to an additional channel, that's still possible — but it doesn't modify the original release. Adding a new channel creates a separate version of the content for that channel, so your original published release remains untouched. 🔄 If You Need to Change Something After Publishing If a published press release genuinely needs to be corrected or taken down, the option is to have it retracted rather than edited: - Support can submit a removal/retraction request to the distributor(s) that carried the release. - Once retracted, you can then publish a corrected version as a new press release. If a press release has an issue caused by a distribution error, quality rejection, or a distributor problem (rather than something you want to change yourself), let support know — those cases are handled case by case and can include a refund rather than requiring a full retraction/republish. 🧭 A Note on Signal Genesys vs. Search Atlas's Own PR Feature This locked-after-publishing behavior applies to press releases distributed through Signal Genesys, which is also what powers Search Atlas's own Authority Building > PR Distribution feature behind the scenes. If a customer is asking from inside the main Search Atlas dashboard rather than Signal Genesys directly, the same publishing rules still apply, since it's the same distribution system underneath. 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.

🔗 How to Place a Reddit Link in Link Lab

This article explains how Reddit link placements work inside Link Laboratory and how to understand the Link Type field when placing your order — the specific detail customers most often cannot locate on their own. 📍 Accessing Link Laboratory Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Link Laboratory. If you are unsure where to find it within the platform, our support team can walk you through the exact steps for your account setup. 🛠️ Placing a Reddit Link Order 1. Open Link Laboratory from within your Search Atlas dashboard. 2. Browse or search the publisher marketplace for Reddit placements. You can filter results to narrow down Reddit-specific listings. 3. Select a Reddit publisher listing that fits your campaign and open the order form. 4. Locate the Link Type field within the order form. This field controls how your link will be attributed in the Reddit placement. The two most common options are: - Dofollow — the link passes SEO authority (link equity) to your target URL. Choose this option when the primary goal is to build backlink authority for your domain. - Nofollow — the link includes a rel="nofollow" attribute, meaning it does not pass SEO authority directly. Choose this option when the goal is referral traffic or brand visibility rather than link equity.If only one option is available for a specific listing, the publisher has set that attribution type as fixed and it cannot be changed at the order level. 5. Complete the remaining order fields and submit your order. ✅ After Submitting Your Order Once your order has been submitted, monitor the placement status in Link Laboratory. When the placement goes live, verify that the post appears in the correct subreddit and that your link is displayed as intended. If the result does not match what you selected, note the order ID, the listing name, and the Link Type you chose, then reach out to our team for review. 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.

🔄 How to Request a Publisher Change for Niche Mismatch

If one or more of your in-progress links has been matched with a publisher whose website is not relevant to your niche — or whose content you do not want your brand associated with — you can request a publisher change. Because these links are already in progress, you cannot edit the publisher assignment directly from your dashboard. This article explains exactly what information to submit and how to confirm the request has been received and acted on. 🛠️ Step-by-Step 1. Locate the affected links in your active link-building campaign. Note the full URL or domain of each publisher you want replaced, along with the target URL and anchor text associated with each link order. 2. Note the specific reason for the mismatch — for example, the publisher's niche, content type, or any brand-safety concern. The more detail you provide, the faster our team can find a suitable replacement. 3. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to reach our support team directly. 4. Share the following in your message: the publisher domain(s) to be replaced, the link order ID(s) if visible in your dashboard, and a brief description of the niche mismatch or association concern. 5. Our team will pause or reassign the affected orders and confirm the new publisher options with you before proceeding. ✅ How to Confirm It Worked After submitting your request, you should receive a confirmation from our team that the publisher assignment has been updated. To verify on your end, return to your active link-building campaign and check that the publisher domain(s) you flagged are no longer listed against those orders. If the orders still show the original publisher after 24 hours, follow up in the same chat thread with your order details so our team can escalate. 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.

✍️ Using Brain AI to Edit Press Releases Accurately

🧠 Understanding Brain AI and Press Release Editing Brain AI is a content assistant available within Search Atlas that can help you work on press release drafts. If you need to make edits to a press release — such as adjusting length or refining phrasing — Brain AI is one tool available to assist with that process. Reviewing Brain AI's output carefully before applying any changes is recommended to ensure accuracy. ✍️ How to Use Brain AI for Press Release Edits To edit a press release using Brain AI in Search Atlas, follow these general steps: 1. Open your press release draft. Navigate to the press release workflow in Search Atlas and locate the draft you want to edit. 2. Access Brain AI. Within the press release editor, use Brain AI to submit your editing request for the content. 3. Review the output before applying it. Compare Brain AI's suggested edit against your original draft to confirm that only the intended changes were made and that all factual details remain intact. 4. Iterate if needed. If the result is not what you expected, you can refine your request and try again without applying an output you are not satisfied with. ⚠️ What to Do If Brain AI Returns an Unexpected Result If Brain AI makes changes to your press release that you did not intend — such as altering facts, restructuring content, or changing more than you asked — do not apply the output. Return to your original draft and resubmit a more targeted request. If the issue persists, contact support and have the following ready: - The name or draft title of the press release you are working on. - A description of the specific edit or change you were trying to make. - The instruction you submitted to Brain AI. - A description of what Brain AI returned and how it differed from what you expected. 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.

📰 Track and Expedite Your Press Release Distribution

📋 Overview When you submit press releases through Signal Genesys, distribution is handled automatically across a network of outlets. Most submissions process within the expected window, but if you need a status update — especially when a client is waiting — this article explains exactly what to do. 🔍 How to Check Your Press Release Status You can review the current state of any active press release directly inside the platform: 1. In the left sidebar, go to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases). 2. Locate the submission you want to check. 3. Click on the press release to view its current status. If the status shown does not give you enough detail for a client update, or if the submission appears to have stalled, contact our support team directly for a real-time progress report. 🚀 How to Request Expedited Processing If a press release has been pending longer than expected — or if you need to provide a timely update to a client — our support team can review the active job and escalate it internally if needed. To request expedited processing, have the following ready before reaching out: - The name of each press release you need help with - The submission date of each affected release - A brief note that the client update is time-sensitive Our team has direct visibility into active distribution jobs and can provide a real-time progress report or escalate priority where possible. 💡 Tips for Managing Client Expectations - Submit with lead time. Where possible, submit press releases ahead of any client-facing deadline to allow time for processing and follow-up if needed. - Contact support early. If you anticipate a tight turnaround, reach out to our team proactively so they can monitor the job on your behalf. 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.

✍️ What You Control vs. What the Publisher Controls in Managed Link Building

When you place a managed link building order through Search Atlas, the final article is written and published by an independent third-party publisher. This means there is a clear division between what you can request and what ultimately falls within the publisher's editorial authority. Understanding this distinction upfront helps you set accurate expectations and get the most out of your order. What you can request: - Topic direction: You can indicate the general subject or angle you would like the article to cover. - One link and anchor text: You may specify a single target URL along with your preferred anchor text for that link. - Up to two neutral references: You can request up to two additional reference sources to be mentioned or cited within the article. - Avoid terms: You can provide a short list of words, phrases, or topics you would like the writer to steer clear of. What the publisher controls: - Title and headings: The publisher has final say over the article title and any subheadings used. - Wording and tone: The specific language, phrasing, and overall voice of the article are at the publisher's discretion. - Paragraph structure: How the content is organized and broken up is an editorial decision made by the publisher. - Link placement: While you specify the link and anchor, where exactly the link appears within the body of the article is determined by the publisher. - Other style elements: Formatting choices, image use, and any other stylistic decisions remain with the publisher. These guidelines exist because publishers maintain editorial independence over their sites, which is also part of what makes the placements valuable for SEO purposes. If you have questions about a specific order or are unsure whether a particular request falls within scope, please chat with a human teammate directly in the app and we will be happy to help clarify.

🏥 Finding Relevant Publishers for Medical & Healthcare Niches

Why Publisher Relevance Matters for Medical Businesses When you place a link-building order, Search Atlas suggests publishers based on your website and order settings. For niche industries like medical equipment supply, general suggestions may not always align closely with your audience. This article explains how to approach publisher selection so your links appear on sites that are relevant to your business and trusted by your customers. Getting Help Finding the Right Publishers Because the publisher marketplace and its available filters can vary depending on your plan and order type, the most reliable way to find publishers suited to a medical or healthcare niche is to contact our support team directly. When you reach out, have the following ready so we can assist you as quickly as possible: - Your website URL — so the team can assess your niche and suggest appropriate publisher categories. - Your order details — including the order name or ID if you have an existing pending order. - A description of your target audience — for example, whether you supply hospitals, clinics, procurement teams, or consumers. - Any specific topics or keywords you want the publisher's content to cover (e.g., medical devices, healthcare supply, clinical technology). What to Expect Our team can review available publishers on your behalf, identify those with strong topical alignment to your niche, and guide you through selecting or updating publishers within your order. For YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) industries like healthcare, publisher relevance and site quality are especially important, and our team can help you evaluate options accordingly. 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.

🔗 How to Format Reddit Links in Link Lab

This article covers how Reddit link placements work inside Link Lab, including how they appear in your campaign and how to format them correctly. 📍 Reddit Link Placement Format in Link Lab Reddit link placements are a supported placement type in Link Lab. If you are trying to log or review a Reddit placement in your campaign and are unsure how to proceed, here is what to do: 1. Open your Link Lab campaign and locate the section where you add or review individual link placements. 2. Enter the full Reddit URL for the post or comment where your link appears. Use the direct URL from your browser (for example, https://www.reddit.com/r/subredditname/comments/postid/post_title/) rather than a shortened or redirect URL. 3. Select the appropriate link type for Reddit from the available options in your workspace. If you are unsure which option to choose, or if no suitable option appears, this may require a configuration adjustment by our support team. 4. Save the entry to record the placement in your campaign. If you are unsure how a specific field is labeled in your workspace, or if the available link type options do not include a clear Reddit category, please reach out to our team — workspace configurations can vary and our team can confirm the correct setup for your account. 🛠️ If You Run Into Issues Before reaching out to support, it helps to have the following ready: - The full Reddit URL you are trying to log. - The name of the Link Lab campaign you are working in. - A description of what you see when attempting to add the placement (for example, which options appear or what error, if any, is shown). 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.

📋 Check PR Network Sites Before Ordering

🔍 Why Check the Channel Details First? Before placing a PR distribution order, it helps to understand what each distribution channel offers so you can match it to your audience, niche, or goal. 📋 What Information Is Available Before You Order Each distribution channel is shown in the selection step with details such as the estimated number of links, authority tier, and audience focus. Some views may also show a small sample of sites included in the channel. The complete list of publisher sites in a network is not available to customers. This applies both before and after ordering, and the sites in a network are updated periodically to maintain quality. 🛠️ How to Evaluate a Channel 1. Log in to your account and open the PR Distribution section. 2. Start a new release and open the channel selection step. 3. Compare the details shown for each channel. 4. Choose the channel that best fits your campaign goal. 5. After distribution, review the live URLs generated for your release to see where it was published. 💡 Tips - Match audience and goal: pick channels whose focus matches your industry or announcement type. - Do not rely on site count alone: quality and relevance matter more than quantity. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Can I get the full list of sites in a network? No. The full publisher list is not available to customers. Use the channel details shown in the selection step. Can I request a custom site list? No. Channels are predefined and cannot be customized individually. Do site lists change over time? Yes. Networks are updated periodically to maintain quality. 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.

🚫 Handling Unsolicited Link-Building Vendor Solicitations

🔍 What Is This About? Some Search Atlas users have reported receiving unsolicited messages from external vendors offering paid guest posts, contextual links, or link-building packages. These messages are not sent or endorsed by Search Atlas. This article explains what these solicitations are and how to handle them appropriately. ⚠️ What Are Unsolicited Vendor Solicitations? Unsolicited solicitations are outreach messages sent by third-party vendors — not affiliated with Search Atlas — who are trying to sell link-building services. These vendors may contact you through various outreach channels and ask you to reply with your interest. Search Atlas does not facilitate, verify, or endorse any of these offers. ✅ What Should You Do? 1. Do not reply to unsolicited vendor messages. Engaging may result in further solicitations. 2. Do not share sensitive information such as your website credentials, payment details, or personal data. 3. Do not click any links included in the message unless you are certain of the sender's legitimacy. 4. Delete or dismiss the message from your inbox or outreach workspace to keep it clean. 5. Contact our support team so they can investigate if needed and advise you on next steps specific to your account. 🔐 Is My Account or Data at Risk? Receiving an unsolicited message does not mean your account has been compromised. It is a common occurrence across outreach platforms. However, if you suspect any unauthorised activity on your account, contact our team immediately and have your account details and any relevant message information ready. 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.

📰 How Many Press Releases Should You Publish Each Month?

The ideal number of press releases to publish each month largely depends on your specific marketing goals and budget. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the general guidelines can help you build a strategy that works for your business. For consistent brand visibility, many Search Atlas clients aim to publish between 4 and 10 press releases per month. This range provides a steady cadence that helps maintain a regular presence in search results and news channels without overextending your resources. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding how many PRs to publish: - Marketing goals: If you are focused on aggressive brand awareness or launching a new product, a higher volume of PRs can help you gain traction more quickly. If your goals are more modest or long-term, a lower cadence may be sufficient. - Budget: Each press release represents an investment of time and money. Make sure the volume you choose is sustainable within your current budget without sacrificing quality. - Content quality: It is always better to publish fewer, high-quality press releases than to flood channels with thin or repetitive content. Each PR should offer genuine news value to your audience. - Industry and competition: More competitive industries may benefit from a higher publishing frequency to stay visible alongside competitors who are also actively distributing content. Start with a cadence that feels manageable, track your results over time, and adjust your volume based on the visibility and traffic outcomes you observe. If you are unsure what frequency makes sense for your specific situation, feel free to chat with a human teammate directly in the app for personalized guidance.

🔄 Handle Publisher Mismatch and Order Refunds

🔍 Overview When a publisher is unable to fulfill your Link Lab order, Search Atlas may offer replacement publisher options. Occasionally, none of the suggested replacements may align with your target country or niche. This article explains what to provide when requesting help with a publisher mismatch and order refund. 📋 Publisher Replacement Mismatch If the replacement publishers offered for your order do not meet your niche or country requirements, do not accept a mismatched option. Gather the affected order number, the original publisher, the replacement options offered, and the specific reasons they are not suitable. ⚠️ Requesting Help With the Order 1. Review the replacement options. Confirm which publisher requirements are not met, such as the target country or niche. 2. Keep the order details ready. Include the order number, original publisher, replacement options, and a clear explanation of the mismatch. 3. Contact support. Ask the team to review the mismatch and your refund request. 💰 Order Refunds If the offered replacement publishers do not meet your requirements, contact support with the order details and explain that you are requesting a refund because of the mismatch. The team can review the order and advise you on the available resolution. 🛠️ Information to Provide - The affected Link Lab order number - The original publisher - The replacement publisher options offered - The niche or country requirements that were not met - Your request for an order refund 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.

🔗 Link Laboratory Submission Processing Times

🔗 What “In Progress” means A Link Laboratory submission marked In Progress is moving through the publisher and editorial workflow. The publisher may still be reviewing, approving, scheduling, or placing the submission. ⏱️ How long processing takes There is no fixed or guaranteed timeframe for Link Laboratory submissions. Processing time varies by publisher, editorial review, availability, and the steps required before a placement is completed. Because each publisher follows its own process, a submission can remain in progress longer than expected without indicating a platform issue. ⚠️ Reasons a submission may be delayed - The publication or editor has not completed its review. - The publication is temporarily inactive or unavailable. - The submission was rejected and requires follow-up or an alternative next step. - Additional scheduling or editorial changes are needed before placement. 📍 How to check your submission 1. Open Authority from the left sidebar. 2. Select the relevant Link Laboratory area under the Authority section. 3. Review the submission status and available order details. If the submission has remained in progress longer than expected, have the order details ready so its status can be reviewed. An order-specific update may be needed when a placement has stalled, a publication is inactive, or a submission was rejected. 💬 Need an order-specific update? 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.

🗞️ View PR Network Sites Before Placing an Order

📋 Overview Before placing a PR distribution order, you can review the distribution channels available to you. This article explains what information is shown before you order and what is not. 🔍 What You Can See Before Ordering When you choose distribution channels for a press release, the selection step shows information about each channel, such as an estimate of the links it can produce (for example, "Up to X links"). Some channel views may also show a small sample of the sites in the channel. ⚠️ What You Cannot See The complete list of publisher sites in a distribution network is not available to customers, either before or after you order. The full roster is managed internally and is not exposed in the ordering flow, so there is no button or panel that lists every site in a network. ✅ How to Choose a Channel With Confidence - Compare the details shown for each channel in the selection step, such as the estimated link count, authority tier, and audience focus. - Choose the channel whose description best matches your campaign goal. - After your press release is distributed, review the live URLs generated for your release in your account to see where it was published. 💡 Good to Know Network sites are updated periodically to maintain quality, so the sites in a channel can change over time. 💬 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 connected with a member of our team.

✏️ Do I Have to Pay Extra to Edit a Press Release?

Yes, editing a press release after submission does involve an additional charge. This is because the edited version must go through the same review and approval process as the original submission — including a fresh round of evaluation that may result in approval or rejection before the press release is published. Here is what you need to know about your options when you need to make changes: - Paid editing (standard process): If you submit an edit through the platform, the updated press release will be treated as a new submission. It will re-enter the full review queue and be evaluated accordingly before any publication decision is made. - Free minor edits (while in pending status only): If your press release is still in a pending status and you would like to avoid re-evaluation and the associated editing fee, you can reach out and share your requested changes directly. If the changes are minor, a moderator may be able to apply the adjustments before the approval process begins — at no additional cost. To take advantage of the free minor-edit option, please make sure to act quickly, as this is only available while the press release remains in pending status. Once it has moved further along in the review process, the paid editing route will apply. If you are unsure which option is right for your situation, or if you have questions about the status of your press release, please use the in-app chat to connect with a human teammate who can help you right away.

🛠️ Update PR Categories to Lifestyle

📌 About the Lifestyle Category Lifestyle is a standard Press Release (PR) category in Search Atlas. Use it when your distribution requirements or review documentation specify that a PR belongs under Lifestyle. ⚙️ Update a PR in the Wizard 1. Open the Press Release wizard and edit the applicable PR. 2. Go to Step 4: Categories during creation or distribution. 3. Select Lifestyle for each PR that should use this category. 4. Save your changes and confirm the category before finalizing the PR. If multiple PRs should be listed under Lifestyle, update the category on each PR individually. 🔧 Use the Content Generation API When creating or distributing a PR through the Content Generation API, set the category to Lifestyle. Its supported category value ID is 18. ✅ Important Timing Requirement Categories can be assigned or updated as long as the PR has not been finalized and published. After publication, category changes may no longer be available for that distribution. 🔍 Confirm the Update - Review the category shown in Step 4 before finalizing. - Verify that every applicable PR is set to Lifestyle. - Compare the selected category with the requirements in your distribution specification or review document. 💬 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 instantly connected with a member of our team.

📡 What Signal Boost Does That Standard Publishing Doesn't

When you publish a press release through Search Atlas, you have two options: standard publishing and Signal Boost. While standard publishing distributes your press release to a solid baseline of news outlets, Signal Boost takes that distribution significantly further. Signal Boost expands your press release's reach by distributing it to a wider range of news sites and content aggregators that are not included in the standard publishing tier. This broader distribution increases the number of places your press release appears online, which can lead to greater brand visibility, more referral traffic, and stronger overall content syndication. Here is a quick summary of what sets Signal Boost apart: - Distribution to a wider range of news sites beyond the standard publishing network - Increased presence across content aggregators that pick up and republish syndicated news Signal Boost is best suited for announcements where maximum reach is a priority, such as product launches, major company milestones, or time-sensitive news you want to spread as widely as possible. If you have questions about whether Signal Boost is the right choice for your press release, or if you need help selecting the best publishing option for your goals, please use the chat widget in the app to connect with a human teammate.

📊 How Search Atlas Vets Citation and Link Quality

Search Atlas vets the quality of links and citation sources using Majestic Trust Flow (TF) and Citation Flow (CF) — not Domain Authority (DA). There is no DA cutoff enforced by Search Atlas for citations. Here is how the quality check actually works: - Trust Flow below 5 is automatically flagged as low-quality ("Disavow: Metric"). - A low Trust-to-Citation Flow ratio (roughly TF ÷ CF below 0.25) is automatically flagged as potentially spammy ("Disavow: Ratio"), regardless of the absolute Trust Flow score. - Trust Flow below 10 combined with a TF/CF ratio below 0.5 may be flagged as a possible disavow candidate for manual review. A few things to keep in mind: - Higher Trust Flow and a healthy TF/CF ratio indicate a more trustworthy source. These are Majestic's own quality metrics, not an official Google ranking factor. - Context matters. In some niches, high-Trust-Flow sources may be harder to find. Using the best available source is always better than using none at all. - These metrics are one signal among many. Relevance, recency, and accuracy of a source still matter when choosing what to cite. If you have questions about how citation quality is being evaluated for your specific content, feel free to chat with a human teammate using the in-app live chat widget.

📡 What Is Signal Boost and How Does It Work?

Signal Boost is a feature within Search Atlas that enhances the reach of your press releases by indexing them and distributing them across a broader network of news sites beyond the standard distribution channels. When you apply Signal Boost to a press release, it works in two key ways: - Wider distribution: Your press release is pushed out to an extended network of news sites that goes beyond what standard distribution covers, increasing the number of outlets that carry your content. - Improved indexing: The press release is indexed more broadly, helping search engines discover and recognize the content faster and more consistently. Together, these two mechanisms improve the overall visibility of your press release and strengthen its search engine traction. This makes Signal Boost particularly valuable when you want to deliver greater impact for your clients, whether that means more brand exposure, stronger link signals, or broader media presence. If you have questions about whether Signal Boost is right for a specific campaign or need help applying it to a press release, feel free to chat with a human teammate directly through the in-app live chat widget.

☁️ Cloud Stacks and WILDFIRE Explained

🌐 What Are Cloud Stacks? Cloud Stacks are a powerful link-building feature inside Search Atlas that helps you build topical authority by creating a network of interlinked, keyword-rich cloud properties. These properties — hosted on high-authority platforms — point back to your money site, signaling trust and relevance to search engines. Each Cloud Stack is built around your target keywords and brand, creating a structured web of supporting content that reinforces your site's authority in a given niche. 🔥 What Is WILDFIRE? WILDFIRE is Search Atlas's automated amplification system for Cloud Stacks. Once your Cloud Stack is live, WILDFIRE distributes and syndicates links across a broader network of properties, dramatically increasing the reach and impact of your Cloud Stack campaign. Think of WILDFIRE as the engine that pushes your Cloud Stack's authority signals outward — creating a cascade of supporting links that multiply the SEO value of your initial stack. 🤝 How Cloud Stacks and WILDFIRE Work Together Cloud Stacks and WILDFIRE are designed to complement each other as part of a complete authority-building workflow: 1. You build your Cloud Stack — a tiered network of cloud properties targeting your keywords and brand. 2. WILDFIRE activates — it syndicates your Cloud Stack links across an extended network, amplifying signals to search engines. 3. Authority accumulates — your money site receives a growing stream of relevant, high-quality backlinks from multiple tiers of supporting properties. This two-layer approach ensures your link-building efforts have both depth (from the Cloud Stack structure) and breadth (from WILDFIRE's syndication reach). 🛠️ How to Create a Cloud Stack in Search Atlas 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. In the left sidebar, navigate to Authority → Cloud Stacks. 3. Click New Cloud Stack to start a new campaign. 4. Select your target sites using the Select Sites option. 5. If you have a preferred layout, use Custom Template to apply it. 6. Complete the setup details — including your target keywords, brand name, and money site URL. 7. Submit your Cloud Stack order and allow the system to build and deploy your properties. Once your Cloud Stack is live, WILDFIRE syndication begins automatically based on your campaign settings, extending the reach of your link network without any additional manual steps. 💡 Best Practices for Cloud Stacks and WILDFIRE - Use precise, relevant keywords — the more accurately your stack reflects your target topic, the stronger the relevance signals sent to search engines. - Target one niche per stack — focused stacks outperform broad ones because they build concentrated topical authority. - Pair with other Authority tools — combine Cloud Stacks with PR Distribution and the Indexer (also found under Authority in the left sidebar) to maximise your results. - Allow time for results — link authority builds over weeks, not days. Monitor your campaign progress regularly. - Use Campaigns to track performance — navigate to Authority → Campaigns to view the status and impact of your Cloud Stack and WILDFIRE efforts. 📊 Monitoring Your Cloud Stack Campaign You can track the progress and performance of your Cloud Stack campaigns directly in Search Atlas: - Go to Authority → Campaigns in the left sidebar. - Use View to open a specific campaign and review its status. - Apply More filters to narrow results by date, status, or campaign type. - Cross-reference authority gains using Authority → QUEST AI Visibility to see how improved link authority correlates with your AI and search visibility metrics. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions - Does WILDFIRE cost extra? WILDFIRE syndication is included as part of your Cloud Stack campaign. Check your current plan details for usage limits. - How long does a Cloud Stack take to build? Build times vary depending on the size of your stack, but most campaigns are live within a few business days of submission. - Can I use a custom template? Yes — select Custom Template when creating a new Cloud Stack to apply your own structure and layout preferences. - Is there a video walkthrough? Written step-by-step guidance is available here and in related KB articles. For a personalised walkthrough, contact our support team via the chat widget. 💬 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.

📡 Available Press Release Distribution Channels

When you distribute a press release through Search Atlas, your content is sent to a curated network of established media outlets and distribution partners, including: - GoMedia - GoMedia 2 - GoCanada - GoInvest - Newsmax - Frankly - Digital Journal - MarketWatch - AP News - Yahoo - USA Today - USA Today News - NewsRamp - TheStreet - Street Insider - Benzinga - AFP News - Apple News - StockTwits - Local XPR These channels work together to help maximize the reach and visibility of your press releases across broadcast and digital media landscapes. If you have questions about which channel is best suited for your goals, or if you need help getting started, feel free to chat with a human teammate using the live chat widget in the app.

📊 Understanding Low Authority Scores

🔍 What the Authority score measures The Authority score reflects Semrush’s assessment of your domain’s backlink profile. Search Atlas displays this score on a 0–1 scale using Semrush data, with URL metrics used as a fallback when available. It is not an internal Search Atlas score, and it does not directly measure how many OTTO SEO playbooks you have run. 📉 Why your score may be low - Your domain may have few high-quality backlinks. - Your backlinks may come from low-authority, unrelated, or untrusted websites. - Your competitors may have stronger and more established link profiles. - New backlinks may not yet be included in the data source. - Your domain’s score may be based on an older or incomplete data record. ⚙️ Why playbooks do not immediately raise it OTTO SEO playbooks can improve on-page content, technical issues, internal linking, and other ranking signals. These improvements may support stronger rankings over time, but they do not automatically create authoritative backlinks. Authority scores usually change gradually because external links must be discovered, evaluated, and reflected in the underlying data. Running more playbooks alone does not guarantee an immediate score increase. 🧭 What to check in Search Atlas 1. Open OTTO SEO from the left sidebar to review your active playbooks and confirm that recommended tasks are completed. 2. Review your site’s backlink profile in More Features → Backlinks → Backlink Research. 3. Check whether referring domains are relevant, trustworthy, and pointing to important pages. 4. Use AI Visibility → Summary and AI Visibility → Visibility to track visibility separately from Authority. 5. Compare the score over several weeks rather than judging it immediately after making changes. ⏳ When a score may show zero A score of zero can mean the required data is missing, still processing, or does not contain an Authority value. In some cases, Search Atlas may use available URL metrics instead. Data processing and refresh delays can also temporarily affect the displayed result. ✅ Best ways to improve authority over time - Create useful, original content that other websites want to reference. - Earn relevant backlinks from credible websites in your industry. - Fix broken pages and redirect issues so valuable links reach live content. - Use OTTO SEO to address technical and on-page recommendations. - Monitor competitors to identify relevant topics and legitimate link opportunities. 💬 Need help checking your data? 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.

🔄 How to Request a Publisher Replacement for Niche Mismatch

📰 How to Find Your Created Press Releases

📌 Overview After you create a press release in Search Atlas, you can go back to it at any time from your dashboard. This article shows you where to find it, how to read its status, and what to check if you can't see it. 🔍 Where to Find Your Press Releases 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Make sure the correct project or workspace is selected. Press releases are saved under the project where you created them. 3. In the left-hand menu, open the Press Release section. Depending on your plan, it may be listed under a PR or Content tool group. 4. Open the list of your press releases. Each one appears with its title, status, and date. 5. Click a press release title to open it and view the full content. 📊 Understanding Press Release Status The status shows you where each press release is in the process. Common statuses include: - Draft: The press release is saved but not yet finalized or submitted. - In progress or processing: The press release is being generated or reviewed. This can take some time. - Published or completed: The press release is finished and ready to view. Exact labels may vary slightly depending on your plan and the latest platform version. 🛠️ Can't See Your Press Release? If your press release isn't showing up, try these quick checks: - Check your project: Use the project selector to switch to the project where you created the press release. This is the most common reason a press release seems to be missing. - Check your filters: Clear any status, date, or search filters that may be hiding it. - Refresh the page: Reload your browser to load the latest list. - Wait a few minutes: If you just submitted it, it may still be processing and may not appear right away. - Check your account: Confirm you're logged in with the same account you used to create it, especially if your team has multiple users. 💡 Tips for Keeping Track - Use clear, descriptive titles so you can spot a press release quickly in your list. - Bookmark the Press Release page in your browser for fast access. - Review your list regularly to see which press releases are still in draft. 💬 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.

🔗 How to Reduce High Spam Score Backlinks

🔄 Updating Your Domain Authority for Activation

📌 Overview Some Search Atlas features and activation steps depend on your website's Domain Authority (DA). If your DA has recently gone up but the platform still shows an older number, you may be blocked from activating even though your site now qualifies. This article explains why that happens and what to do about it. 🔍 Why the Platform Shows an Old DA Score Domain Authority is a score that is calculated and refreshed on a schedule. It is not a live number. This means: - The value in the platform is a saved snapshot from the last time your site was checked. - Third-party tools and browser extensions may show a newer score than the platform if they refreshed more recently. - Different tools use different methods, so scores can vary slightly between them. - Your site may have improved after our last check, so the platform has not caught up yet. For example, if your site is now DA 21 in another tool but the platform still shows a lower number, the platform is most likely displaying older data. It does not mean your improvement was lost. ✅ Before You Request a Recheck A few quick checks will help us resolve this faster: 1. Confirm your current DA. Check your score in a reliable DA checker and note the number and the date you checked it. 2. Take a screenshot. Capture the DA value shown in the platform and the value from the other tool. 3. Confirm the exact domain. Make sure the domain added to your project matches the one you checked, including whether it uses www or not, and http or https. 4. Refresh your view. Reload the page, or log out and back in, to rule out a cached display. 🔁 How to Resubmit Your Website for a Recheck 1. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform. 2. Type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team. 3. Tell us you would like your website resubmitted for a Domain Authority recheck so you can proceed with activation. 4. Share the details below so we can act without extra back-and-forth. Please include: - Your website address exactly as it appears in your project - The DA currently shown in the platform - The updated DA you see in another tool, and the date you checked it - The feature or activation step you are trying to complete - Your screenshots Our team will review your site, request a fresh check where possible, and let you know the result. ⏱️ What to Expect After You Resubmit - Our team will confirm whether the updated score has been picked up. - If the new score meets the requirement, we will help you move forward with activation. - If the score still does not meet the requirement, we will explain the next best steps for your site. Some scores take time to refresh. If the update does not appear right away, that is normal, and you can continue the conversation in the same chat. 🚀 Tips to Strengthen Your Domain Authority If your DA is close to the requirement but not quite there, these steps can help build it over time: - Earn quality backlinks. Links from trusted, relevant websites have the biggest impact on DA. - Remove harmful links. Review your backlink profile for spammy or irrelevant links and address them. - Publish useful content. Helpful, original content is more likely to attract links naturally. - Fix technical issues. Broken pages, slow load times, and crawl errors can hold your site back. - Be patient. DA changes gradually, so check progress every few weeks rather than every day. 💡 Common Questions Can I update the DA manually in the platform? No. The score is pulled from data we collect, so it cannot be edited by hand. Our team can request a recheck for you. Will my DA always match other tools? Not always. Each tool uses its own data and update schedule, so small differences are normal. My DA went down after I resubmitted. Why? The score reflects the latest data available. Fluctuations can happen when link data changes, and the new number may be more current than the old one. Do I need to delete and re-add my project? No. Please do not remove your project, as this is not needed and may cause you to lose existing data. Ask our team to request the recheck instead. 🛟 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 instantly connected with a member of our team.

🔗 Marquee Publication Links: Dofollow Policy Explained

🔍 Quick Answer Customers often ask whether links placed on Marquee publications are dofollow. Link attributes can differ between publications and can change over time, so the most reliable approach is to check the live link and confirm the policy for your specific publication with our team. This article shows you how to do both, and what to do if your link was rejected. 📖 Dofollow vs. Nofollow: The Basics Every link on a web page can carry an instruction that tells search engines how to treat it: - Dofollow (the default, with no special tag): search engines may follow the link and count it as a signal pointing to your site. - Nofollow: asks search engines not to pass ranking credit through the link. - Sponsored: marks the link as paid or commercial. - UGC: marks links in user-generated content, such as comments or forums. A link without any of these labels is treated as a standard (dofollow) link. Search engines may also treat labels as hints, not strict rules. 🛠️ How to Check Whether Your Link Is Dofollow Once your link is live, you can verify it in under a minute: 1. Open the published article in your browser. 2. Right-click the page and choose View Page Source. 3. Press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac) and search for your domain name. 4. Look at the link code around your URL. Check its rel attribute. 5. If you see nofollow, sponsored, or ugc in the rel attribute, the link is not a standard dofollow link. If there is no rel attribute, or it contains none of those values, the link is dofollow. You can also use a free browser extension that highlights nofollow links on any page, which is handy if you do not want to read page code. ✅ Confirming the Policy for Your Publication If you need a definite answer before you place an order, our team can confirm the current link policy for the publication you are considering. Have these details ready: - The name or URL of the publication - The page or campaign you plan to link to - Whether you need dofollow links specifically This helps us give you an accurate answer based on the most up-to-date information. ⚠️ If Your Link Was Rejected A rejected link does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your site. Common reasons can include: - The target page is not closely related to the publication's topics - The page does not meet the publication's content or quality guidelines - The anchor text or link request looks overly promotional - The destination page is thin, unfinished, or not publicly accessible Check any rejection notes shown in your order or campaign first. They usually point to the cause. 🚀 Finding Alternatives After a Rejection If you still need a quality link, try these steps: 1. Adjust the target page. Choose a page that closely matches the publication's subject, such as a helpful guide or resource instead of a sales page. 2. Refine the request. Use natural, descriptive anchor text and avoid exact-match keyword stuffing. 3. Choose a different publication. Pick one that is closely aligned with your industry and audience. 4. Check the link attribute again. If dofollow is a requirement, confirm it before ordering. 5. Mix your link types. A healthy backlink profile usually includes both dofollow and nofollow links. Nofollow links can still bring referral traffic, brand visibility, and a natural-looking profile. 💡 Tips to Reduce Rejections - Make sure the destination page loads quickly and is publicly accessible. - Match your topic to the publication's audience. - Keep requests informative rather than promotional. - Review the publication's guidelines before you submit. 💬 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.

☁️ Cloud Stack and Press Release Guide

📌 Overview Customers often ask three things about press releases in Search Atlas: what a Cloud Stack is, which outlets are on the DA80 list, and how pricing works. This article answers each question in plain language so you can choose the right package with confidence. ☁️ What Is a Cloud Stack? A Cloud Stack is an add-on that supports your press release. It publishes related content on trusted cloud-hosted platforms, and that content points back to your release. Your news then appears in more places online, not just on the outlets that carry the release itself. Here is why people add one: - More visibility: your release shows up in more places. - More supporting links: the extra pages reinforce the release and your brand. - Faster discovery: more connected pages can help search engines find your release sooner. ⚡ The Quickest Convincing Pitch If you need one sentence for a client, a teammate, or yourself, use this: A Cloud Stack spreads your press release across trusted cloud platforms, so it gets found faster and builds more authority. An even shorter version: A press release gets your news published; a Cloud Stack helps people and search engines actually find it. 🏆 What Does DA80 Mean? DA stands for Domain Authority. It is a score from 1 to 100 that estimates how strong a website is in search results. A DA80 outlet is a high-authority website, so a mention there carries more weight than one on a small or new site. A few things to keep in mind: - DA is a third-party score, not a Google ranking factor. It is a useful guide, not a guarantee. - Higher-DA packages usually cost more because the placements are harder to secure. - Outlet availability can change over time, so a fixed public list would go out of date quickly. 📋 Where to See the DA80 Outlet List The outlets in each package depend on the distribution option you choose. To see which outlets are included, open the press release ordering page in the platform and review the details for the package you are considering. The list shown there is the most current one. We recommend checking the list before you buy, especially if you need a particular type of outlet, such as a specific industry or region. 💰 How Press Release Pricing Works Pricing depends on a few choices you make when you order: - Distribution package: packages with higher-authority outlets, such as DA80, usually cost more than standard ones. - Add-ons: a Cloud Stack is priced separately from the press release itself. - Extras: some options, such as additional content services, may change the total. For exact, up-to-date prices, check the order page in the platform. The total is shown before you confirm, so you can review it first. 🛠️ How to Add a Cloud Stack to Your Press Release 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and open the press release section. 2. Choose your distribution package and review the included outlets. 3. Find the Cloud Stack add-on and select it. 4. Check the order summary to confirm the total and what is included. 5. Complete your order. 💡 Tips for Getting the Most Value - Pick a clear, newsworthy topic, such as a launch, milestone, or announcement. - Include your brand name and main topic in the headline and first paragraph. - Add a Cloud Stack when you want wider reach and stronger online presence for the release. - Choose a DA80 package when authority and credibility matter most. ❓ Quick Answers - Is a Cloud Stack required? No. It is an optional add-on. - Does DA80 guarantee rankings? No. It shows the outlets are strong, but results depend on many factors. - Can I see the outlet list before paying? Yes, on the ordering page in the platform. 💬 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.

📊 Why Publication Media DA Differs From Other Tools

🔍 Overview You may add a website to Publication Media and see a Domain Authority (DA) score that is lower than the one shown in another SEO tool. For example, a third-party tool may show 40 while Publication Media shows a lower number that does not meet the site requirements. This is a common question, and it usually has a simple explanation. This article explains why the numbers can differ, how to check them fairly, and what to do if a site is still not accepted. 🧠 Why the Numbers Are Different Domain Authority is not a single, official score. Every SEO tool estimates it with its own data and formula. Two tools can look at the same website on the same day and show different numbers. The most common reasons are: - Different metrics: Some tools show Domain Authority (DA), while others show Domain Rating (DR), Authority Score (AS), or Domain Score. These names look similar but are not the same measurement and are not directly comparable. - Different data sources: Each provider builds its own index of the web and its own database of backlinks. A site may look stronger in one database than in another. - Different update schedules: Scores are refreshed at different times. One tool may show a recent value while another still shows an older one. - Different scoring methods: Each tool weighs link quality, link quantity, and other signals differently, so the final number varies. - Different versions of the domain: A score for the root domain, a www version, or a subdomain can differ from the others. ✅ How to Compare the Numbers Correctly Follow these steps to make sure you are comparing like with like. 1. Confirm the metric. Check whether the third-party tool shows DA or a different metric, such as DR or AS. If the names differ, the numbers are not expected to match. 2. Check the exact domain. Make sure the domain you add to Publication Media is the same one you checked in the other tool. Compare the root domain (example.com) rather than a subdomain or a specific page. 3. Check the protocol and www version. Confirm that you entered the domain in the same format in both places. 4. Note the date. Look at when each tool last updated its data. A recent change in one tool may not yet be reflected in the other. 5. Take a screenshot. Save an image of the score in the third-party tool, including the tool name, the metric name, and the date. This helps our team review your case faster. ⏳ Allow Time for Scores to Refresh Authority scores are not live. They are recalculated on a schedule, so a recent change to a website, such as new backlinks or a new domain, may take time to appear. If your site's score in another tool has recently increased, Publication Media may need time to reflect the same improvement. If you added the site very recently, wait a short time and check the score again before taking further action. 📋 Why Publication Media Uses Its Own Score Publication Media applies a consistent authority standard to every site on the platform. Using one data source for all sites means every website is measured the same way, instead of mixing numbers from several tools that each calculate authority differently. As a result, a score shown elsewhere may not be used when checking whether a site meets the requirements. This means the score shown inside Publication Media is the one that counts for eligibility, even if another tool shows a higher number. 🛠️ What You Can Do If Your Site Does Not Meet the Requirement - Re-check later: Scores change over time. Review the site again after the next data refresh. - Build quality backlinks: Earning links from relevant, trusted websites is the most reliable way to raise authority across all tools over time. - Improve content and site health: Fix broken pages, publish useful content, and keep the site active and well maintained. - Review the domain version: If your site uses multiple versions, make sure you are submitting the main one. - Try other sites: If one site does not meet the criteria yet, you can continue adding other websites that do. 💡 Quick Tips - Do not rely on a single number from a different tool as proof of eligibility. - Always compare the same metric from the same date when possible. - Remember that a score of 40 in one tool does not mean 40 in another. - Keep screenshots of any score you want our team to review. 💬 Still Seeing a Problem? If the score in Publication Media still looks wrong after you have checked the points above, our team can review it with you. Please have the website URL, the third-party tool name and metric, and a screenshot ready. 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.

🚀 Boosting Local Contractor Authority Beyond Cloud Stacks

🎯 Overview Publishing a Cloud Stack is a great first step, but it is only one signal. If the authority bar in OTTO shows a low number (for example, 7) for a local contractor such as a concrete company in Raleigh, NC, that is common for newer or smaller sites. Authority grows as your site earns more quality links and mentions over time. This article explains what to do next. 📊 What the Authority Bar Tells You The authority bar gives you a quick view of how strong your site's link profile looks compared with other sites. It is a directional indicator, not a ranking guarantee. A few points to keep in mind: - Authority usually rises gradually. One Cloud Stack will not move it dramatically. - Quality matters more than quantity. A few relevant local links beat many unrelated ones. - For local contractors, ranking in your service area depends on relevance, proximity, and reviews as well as authority. 🧱 Step 1: Make Sure Your Site Is Ready Links work best when your site gives visitors and search engines something worth linking to. Before you build more links, check these basics: - Each core service has its own page (for example, driveways, patios, foundations, stamped concrete). - Service pages mention your city and nearby areas, such as Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Wake Forest. - Your business name, address, and phone number are clearly shown and match your other listings. - You have a project gallery with real photos and short descriptions. Use OTTO to review and apply on-page recommendations so your pages are optimized for the links you are about to earn. 📍 Step 2: Build Local Trust Signals Local signals support both authority and local rankings. Start with the most reliable ones: 1. Google Business Profile: Claim and complete it. Add services, photos, and your service area, and keep it updated. 2. Consistent business listings: Add your business to respected directories and make sure the name, address, and phone number are identical everywhere. 3. Reviews: Ask happy customers for reviews after each completed job. Reply to every review. 4. Local associations: Join and get listed with groups such as your local chamber of commerce, a builders or home builders association, or industry bodies for concrete contractors. 🔗 Step 3: Earn Relevant Backlinks Backlinks from real, relevant websites are the biggest driver of authority. Good options for a local contractor include: - Local sponsorships: Sponsor a youth sports team, charity event, or community project. Many organizations link to sponsors from their websites. - Supplier and partner links: Ask suppliers, manufacturers, or partner trades (landscapers, builders, remodelers, and so on) whether they list preferred contractors. - Local news and community sites: Share newsworthy projects, milestones, or community work with local outlets and blogs. - Project features: If a homeowner, designer, or builder shares your work, ask them to link to your site. - Unlinked mentions: If your business is mentioned online without a link, politely ask the site owner to add one. Avoid buying large bundles of low-quality links or using link schemes. They can harm your site more than help it. ✍️ Step 4: Publish Content People Want to Link To Helpful content attracts links naturally and supports your Cloud Stacks. Ideas for a concrete contractor: - A local cost guide, such as what a concrete driveway typically costs in the Raleigh area. - Seasonal advice, such as how North Carolina weather affects concrete and when to pour. - Before-and-after project stories with photos. - Answers to common questions about permits, curing time, and sealing. Share each piece with local partners, on social media, and in your Google Business Profile posts so more people see it. ☁️ Step 5: Keep Using Cloud Stacks Strategically A Cloud Stack works best as part of a steady plan. Consider: - Publishing additional Cloud Stacks that point to different service pages, not only your homepage. - Spacing them out over time rather than all at once. - Keeping the topics relevant to your services and location. 📈 Step 6: Track Progress and Set Expectations Authority changes take time. Links need to be discovered and processed before the bar updates, which can take several weeks or longer. Rather than watching only the number, track: - Rankings for your main local keywords (for example, "concrete contractor Raleigh NC"). - Calls, form fills, and direction requests from your Google Business Profile. - The number of new quality links and mentions each month. A realistic goal is steady month-over-month improvement, not a specific number by a set date. ✅ Quick Action Checklist 1. Review and apply OTTO recommendations on your key service pages. 2. Complete your Google Business Profile and request reviews. 3. Submit your business to trusted local directories with consistent details. 4. Pursue three to five relevant local links (sponsorships, suppliers, associations). 5. Publish one helpful local content piece per month. 6. Add more Cloud Stacks pointing to different service pages over time. 7. Check your authority and rankings monthly. 💬 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.

📊 Why Your Domain Authority Score Is Low

🔍 Quick Answer A low domain authority score, such as 2/100, is common for new sites and sites with few backlinks. Running playbooks and working on your site daily is the right approach, but domain authority is not a score you can raise by on-site work alone. It mostly reflects how many trusted websites link to you, and that takes time to build. 📖 What Domain Authority Actually Measures Domain authority is an estimate of how much trust and influence your whole website has compared with other sites. It is a predictive score, not a ranking factor that search engines use directly. The score is calculated mainly from: - Backlinks: how many other websites link to yours. - Link quality: whether those links come from trusted, relevant, established sites. - Referring domains: how many different websites link to you, not just the total number of links. - Site age and history: newer domains usually start near the bottom of the scale. Content quality, page speed, and technical fixes are very important for rankings and user experience. However, they have only an indirect and slower effect on this score. 🤔 Why Is My Score So Low Even After Running Playbooks? If you see a very low score on one or more sites, these are the most common reasons: - The domain is new or recently launched. Most new sites start at 0 to 10, no matter how much work is done on them. - There are few or no backlinks yet. Without links from other sites, the score has little to grow from. - The score updates slowly. Authority metrics are refreshed periodically, so recent work may not show up for weeks or longer. - Playbooks focus on different areas. Playbooks improve things like on-site optimization and content. These help your pages perform better, but they do not create backlinks on their own. - The links you do have are low in strength. A small number of links from weak or unrelated sites adds very little. ✅ Is a Low Score a Problem? Not necessarily. A low score does not mean your work is failing or that your site cannot rank. Many pages rank well for specific, lower-competition keywords on sites with modest authority. Judge your progress by results that matter to your business: - Keyword rankings moving up over time - Growth in impressions and clicks - More pages indexed and visible in search - Increased organic traffic and leads Domain authority is best used as a comparison tool. Compare your score with competitors who are in a similar stage, rather than treating the number as a grade out of 100. 🚀 How to Improve Your Domain Authority Over Time 1. Earn quality backlinks. Focus on links from relevant, trusted websites in your industry. A few strong links are better than many weak ones. 2. Publish content worth linking to. Guides, original data, tools, and helpful resources naturally attract links. 3. Build relationships and mentions. Partnerships, guest contributions, local directories, and industry listings can all lead to links. 4. Keep your site healthy. Fix broken pages, avoid duplicate content, and keep your site fast and easy to use. 5. Stay consistent. Authority builds gradually. Expect changes over several months, not days. 6. Check progress monthly. Track the number of referring domains alongside the score, because it often moves before the score does. ⏱️ What Results Can I Realistically Expect? Every site is different, so no exact timeline can be promised. As a general guide: - First 1 to 3 months: Small or no change in the score is normal, especially for new domains. - 3 to 6 months: With steady link building and content, you may start to see the score climb. - 6 months and beyond: Gains tend to compound as more trusted sites link to you. 📞 Book a Training Call If you would like help understanding your score, choosing the right next steps, or getting more from the playbooks, you can request a training call with our team. Before you ask, it helps to have the following ready: - The names of the sites or projects you are asking about - The playbooks you have already run - Your main goal, such as more traffic, more leads, or better local visibility - Any competitor sites you want to compare against To book, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform, type human teammate, and tell the team you would like a training call. 💬 Still Have Questions? 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.

💡 How to Submit a Publication Media Counteroffer

Found a price you want to change on one of your Publication Media sites? You submit a counteroffer from the Publication Media dashboard, not from the Search Atlas customer dashboard. This article explains how, what happens next, and how to avoid delays. 📌 What Is a Counteroffer? A counteroffer is a new price you propose for your own publication, instead of the price currently listed. Search Atlas reviews your proposal and decides whether to accept it. Submitting a counteroffer does not guarantee acceptance. ✅ Before You Start - Make sure you are logged in to your Publication Media publisher account. - Have the site you want to target ready. - Decide on the maximum price you are comfortable paying. - You do not need an account balance or a payment method to submit a counteroffer. The offer is only a proposed listing price. 🛠️ How to Submit a Counteroffer 1. Log in to the Publication Media dashboard and open Publications. 2. Search or browse for the site you want to publish on. 3. Find the site in your Publications list. Its current price is shown on the card. 4. Select the option labeled Counter Offer. On an existing site, edit the publication and use the Counter Offer field. Or, in the Counter Offer section, click Decline on that site and use Make offer. 5. Enter the price you want to offer. 6. Enter the price, then save the publication or click Make offer. For several sites, use Bulk Counter Offer, enter each price, and click Submit Offers. The offer must be greater than 0. Use the labels Counter Offer, Decline, Make offer, and Submit Offers. They do not change based on your plan. ⏳ What Happens After You Submit - Your offer is sent to Search Atlas for review, and you receive an email saying your offer is under review. - Search Atlas can accept your price or decline it. If you were sent a price, you can click Accept Offer to take it, or click Decline and submit a different price with Make offer. - Incoming offers waiting for you appear in the Counter Offer section. After you submit your own offer, you can see the amount in the Counter Offer field when you edit that publication. You are emailed when an offer is accepted. - Once your offer is accepted, that price becomes the listed price for the publication. Future orders use it. It does not change orders already placed. Review is handled by Search Atlas, so allow some time. Eligible offers can also be accepted automatically. You are emailed when yours is accepted. 💡 Tips to Improve Your Chances - Keep an increase within the site's price cap. An offer above 2.5 times the site's Domain Authority is rejected, and you are asked to lower it and try again. An increase can also be blocked for 30 days after a previous increase, while a payout is still open, or while an article is assigned and not yet posted. Lowering the price is allowed. - You can submit a new offer for the same site. The new amount replaces the one still waiting for review, so send the price you actually want."} - Choose sites that fit your niche so your content is a good match for the publication. - If an offer is declined, try a slightly higher price or look at similar sites. ❓ Common Questions Can the support team accept my counteroffer for me? No. Acceptance is decided by the publication, and our team cannot approve an offer on its behalf. The best way to get a response is to submit your offer through the dashboard and check its status there. I submitted an offer, but I don't see a response. What should I do? Check the status in your dashboard first. If it still shows as pending, the publication has not responded yet. Please allow some time for review. Can I change my offer after submitting it? If the platform lets you edit or withdraw a pending offer, you will see that option on the listing. If not, wait for the publication's response, then submit a new offer if needed. My offer was declined. Can I try again? Yes. You can submit a new offer with a different price, or choose another site that fits your budget. 🔧 Troubleshooting - Can't find the counteroffer option: Not every listing may allow price negotiation. Check whether the option appears on other listings. - Offer won't submit: Refresh the page, confirm you entered a valid number, and try again. - Status looks wrong: Log out and back in to refresh your dashboard. 💬 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. Please mention the site name and the price you offered so we can look into it faster.

💰 Resolving Publisher Payout Disputes for Link Placements

📌 Overview If you are a publisher and you have placed links but cannot see the matching payment, you are not alone. This article explains why a payment may show as sent when you have not received it, how to check it, and how to report a dispute so it can be reviewed quickly. You may have been given a transaction ID that you cannot find or do not recognize. This guide covers that situation too. 🔎 Why a Payment May Show as Sent but Not Arrive A transaction ID is a reference number created when a payment is started. It does not always mean the money has reached your account. Common reasons for a gap include: - Processing time: Banks and payment providers can take time to complete a transfer, especially across countries. - Different reference formats: The ID you were given may be the sender's reference, which can look different from what appears in your own account. - Incorrect payment details: A typo in an account number, wallet address, or email linked to your payment account can delay or redirect a payment. - Pending or held payments: Your provider may hold a payment for verification or compliance checks. - Currency or fee differences: Conversion rates and fees can make the received amount look different from the expected amount. ✅ Steps to Take Before Reporting a Dispute These quick checks often solve the issue on their own: 1. Check your payment account: Look at pending, on-hold, and recent transactions, not only completed ones. 2. Search by transaction ID: Enter the ID you were given in your bank or payment provider's search tool. If you are unsure how to do this, ask your provider's support team. 3. Confirm your payment details: Make sure the account or wallet details on file are correct and up to date. 4. Confirm the placements: Check that the links in question are live and match what was agreed. 5. Allow for processing time: If the payment was sent recently, give your provider a little time to finish processing it. 📝 Information to Include in Your Report The more detail you share, the faster a teammate can review your case. Please have the following ready: - The transaction ID you were given - The payment method and the account or wallet where you expected to be paid - The URLs of the pages where the links were placed - The date each link went live - The amount you expected and the amount received, if any - A screenshot of your payment account history for the relevant dates - A short note explaining why you believe the payment was not received ⚠️ Please Keep Your Links Live While We Review We understand that an unpaid placement is frustrating. However, we recommend not removing the links while your dispute is being reviewed. Removing them can complicate the review, may affect your standing as a publisher, and can slow down the resolution of your payment. Instead, report the issue through the chat widget and share the details above. This lets our team verify the payment record and work toward a fair outcome for both sides. ⏱️ What Happens After You Report - A team member reviews the placement details and the payment record. - You may be asked for extra information, such as a screenshot or confirmation of your payment details. - If a payment was sent to the wrong details or did not complete, the team will explain the next steps to correct it. - If the payment is confirmed as delivered, we will explain how to trace it with your provider. Review times can vary depending on the payment method and the complexity of the case. Replying promptly to any follow-up questions helps speed things up. 💡 Tips to Avoid Future Payout Issues - Keep your payment details accurate and up to date. - Save the link URLs, go-live dates, and agreed amounts for your records. - Take a screenshot of each payment confirmation when you receive it. - Report any mismatch as soon as you notice it, rather than waiting. - Use consistent communication through the platform so there is a clear history of your request. 🙋 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.