Onboarding

⚡ OTTO SEO Keyword Optimization and Blog Automation Setup

Set Up Local Pack Keyword Tracking by Location (Rank Tracker)

What Is Local Pack Tracking? Local Pack tracking monitors how your business appears in Google's Local Pack — the map-based results shown for location-specific searches. Setting this up correctly for the right locations gives you accurate, hyperlocal ranking data. Setting Up Local Pack Keyword Tracking Local Pack tracking is part of Rank Tracker. Local Pack tracking is tied to a location you specify (for example, a city and state) inside your Rank Tracker project — a precise location is what makes Local Pack data appear at all. A linked Google Business Profile is a separate, optional step: it does not gate whether Local Pack results show up, but it does let the system identify which result in the Local Pack is your own business so you can track your specific ranking position within it. 1. Open your Rank Tracker project via Keywords → Rank Tracker (Keyword Rank Tracker) and go to View Keywords. 2. Click Start Tracking to open the tracking setup modal. 3. Confirm the location shown, or add another one with + Add New Location. A single project can track more than one location. 4. After tracking begins, use the Local Pack filter tab to view keywords that rank in the Local Pack for that location. Two Ways to Add Keywords There are two supported ways to add keywords to a Rank Tracker project: - Manually: type the keywords into the "Enter keywords to track" box in the tracking setup modal opened from Keywords → Rank Tracker (Keyword Rank Tracker) via Start Tracking. - From Keyword Research: go to Keywords > Keyword Researcher, find keywords relevant to the location, and use Add to list. There is currently no one-click option to bulk-copy or transfer an existing keyword set from one project to another — keywords need to be added to each project using one of the two methods above. When to Contact Support If you can't find the Local Pack filter tab, keywords aren't populating after being added, or you're unsure how to structure locations for your account, our team can help. Please have ready: - The name of the project you're working with - The target location(s) you're trying to track - A description of where you're getting stuck or any error message you see 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.

🔍 Keyword Rank Tracking and Accuracy Overview

When keyword rankings don't match your expectations, the issue is usually tied to the tool being used and the level of data it provides. Search Atlas rank tracking is accurate, powered by first-party data directly from Google and reliable third-party sources, depending on the tool selected. This guide explains which tools provide precise local results, how broader tools differ, and the most common mistakes to avoid. 📍 Step 1: Use The Right Tool For Local Accuracy For detailed, location-based rankings, prioritize: - Keyword Rank Tracker - Local SEO Heatmaps - Local SERPs 🌎 Step 2: Use The Right Tool For Broader Visibility For national or country-level insights, use the GSC Performance Tool. 🔎 Step 3: Use The Right Tool For Research For broad snapshots and competitive analysis, use Site Explorer. ⚠️ Step 4: Avoid Common Mistakes - Using GSC to track local rankings (it is designed for country-level results) - Forgetting to connect GSC inside Search Atlas for first-party reports - Expecting state or city data from GSC (only global or country targeting is supported) - Creating the wrong GSC property type (Domain-Level vs. URL Prefix) - Misinterpreting GSC's average position data — it averages rankings over the selected date range - Not shortening the GSC date range when precise tracking is needed - Overlooking that Search Atlas includes 6–16 months of historical data, refreshed daily at no extra cost - Forgetting to enable the target location for GSC data - Not layering GA4 on top of GSC when you want user behavior metrics like bounce rate or conversions 📊 Keyword Rank Tracker Purpose: Precise keyword tracking by location, device, and refresh settings. How it works: - Define exact keywords you want tracked - Select the location level — country, state, city, or county - Specify the device type — desktop, mobile, or both - Set refresh frequency to match reporting needs - Add multiple locations within a single report to manage multi-location businesses Use case: Best for ongoing rank tracking in specific markets. Learn more about Keyword Rank Tracker 🗺️ Local SEO Heatmaps Purpose: Visualize Google Business Profile visibility for keywords across a geographic grid. How it works: - Display rankings across multiple grid points - Show map pack visibility within a city or service area Key considerations: Radius and spacing must match your service area, and refreshing while the business is open produces more accurate results. Use case: Best for evaluating map pack performance across neighborhoods. Learn more about Local SEO Heatmaps 📌 Local SERPs Purpose: Validate local results by simulating searches from a specific location. How it works: - Emulates searches directly in the target market - Removes bias from the searcher's real location Use case: Spot-checks what real users see in a city or neighborhood. Learn more about Local SERPs 🌐 GSC Performance Tool Purpose: Report website performance directly from Google Search Console. How it works: - Provides clicks, impressions, CTR, and rankings from GSC - Available globally or by country (not city/state level) - Includes 6–16 months of historical data, refreshed daily at no extra cost - Rankings reflect averages over the selected date range - Optional GA4 integration layers user behavior metrics Use case: Best for national trends, broad visibility insights, and macro reporting. Supports retroactive imports and site events to measure impact. 🔬 Site Explorer Purpose: Provide keyword rankings, traffic estimates, and difficulty scores for any site. How it works: - Shows snapshots of performance across many keywords - Refresh intervals vary by keyword Limitations: Not designed for exact local or daily tracking; country-level only. Use case: Ideal for research and competitive benchmarking. Learn more about Site Explorer ❓ FAQs Does Search Atlas show accurate rank tracking? Yes. Search Atlas rank tracking is accurate, powered by a mix of first-party Google data and reliable third-party sources. Why do rankings not match my expectations? Usually because the wrong tool is being used for the level of detail required. Which tool is best for local results? Use Keyword Rank Tracker, Local SEO Heatmaps, or Local SERPs. Which tool is best for national results? Use the GSC Performance Tool. Which tool is best for research? Use Site Explorer. Does GSC provide exact daily ranking data? No. GSC reports averages across the selected date range. Can GSC track state or city-level data? No. GSC only supports global or country-level reporting. Does Search Atlas include historical ranking data? Yes. Between 6–16 months of historical data depending on your plan, updated daily. Once you understand which tool to use for each level of reporting, you'll be able to analyze keyword rankings with confidence. Whether you need precise local tracking, country-level performance, or broad competitor insights, Search Atlas provides the right solution at every stage. Use this guide as a reference to avoid common mistakes and ensure your reporting reflects the most accurate results 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.

🔎 Site Metrics (Site Explorer): Overview

Site Metrics — also called Site Explorer — gives you an instant read on the strengths and weaknesses of any domain. It pulls together Domain Power, Backlinks, Organic Keywords, Organic Traffic, and other authority signals in one place, whether you're checking your own site or a competitor's. How do I look up a domain? In Site Metrics → Site Explorer (Site Explorer), enter a domain in the 'Enter domain, subdomain or URL' field, choose a country if you want country-specific data, and click Search. Search Atlas will pull the latest SEO metrics for that domain. How do I revisit domains I've already checked? Every domain you analyze is saved automatically. Use the Saved Projects button to jump back into a domain you've looked up before, or the History button to see your recent lookups. How do I work with the results? Results are shown in a sortable table. Use Filters to narrow down the list, and Columns to choose which metrics are visible. You can switch between table and other view modes depending on how you like to read the data. If you need help interpreting a specific metric, our support team is available via live chat in the bottom-right corner of the platform.

📍 Local Pack Keyword Tracking Setup and Transfer

What Is Local Pack Keyword Tracking? The Local Pack feature in Search Atlas lets you monitor how your business ranks in Google's local map results (the "3-pack" shown for location-based searches). By adding keywords to Local Pack tracking, you can see your local visibility alongside your standard organic rankings inside the Rank Tracker. How to Add Keywords for Local Pack Tracking To set up Local Pack keyword tracking for a project, navigate to the Rank Tracker section of your Search Atlas account and open the project you want to work with. From there, look for the option to add new keywords. When adding keywords, you should see settings that allow you to enable Local Pack tracking and specify a target location (such as a city, region, or postal code) so that local results are pulled for the correct area. Tip: For accurate Local Pack data, always set a specific local target rather than a broad country-level location. Local Pack results are highly location-sensitive. If you do not see the Local Pack option when adding keywords, or the workflow does not match what you expect, please reach out to our support team so we can walk you through the exact steps for your account. How to Transfer or Duplicate Keywords Between Projects Search Atlas supports copying keywords from one project to another so you do not have to re-enter them manually. To do this, open the source project in Rank Tracker (the project containing the keywords you want to transfer), select the keywords you want to move, and look for a bulk action or copy/transfer option that lets you send them to a destination project. Note: After transferring keywords, review the location settings in the destination project. Location settings are project-specific, so you may need to adjust them to match the new project's target area. If you cannot locate the transfer or duplicate option in your account, our support team can guide you through the process or perform the transfer on your behalf. Best Practices for Local Pack Tracking - Use specific locations: Broad or country-level locations may not return meaningful Local Pack data. Target a city or region instead. - Review settings after transferring: When keywords are copied between projects, confirm that Local Pack is still enabled and the location is correct in the destination project. - Allow time for data to populate: After adding new keywords, it may take up to 24 hours before tracking data appears. 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.

📍 Set Up Local Pack Keyword Tracking Across Locations

What Is Local Pack Tracking? Local Pack tracking monitors how your business appears in Google's Local Pack — the map-based results that show when users search for location-specific queries. Setting this up correctly for each location ensures you get accurate, hyperlocal ranking data across all your target areas. Setting Up Local Pack Keyword Tracking Search Atlas supports Local Pack keyword tracking as part of its Rank Tracker functionality. To get started, you will need to create a project for your target location and then add the keywords you want to monitor for Local Pack appearances. The general workflow involves the following steps: 1. Create a project for each location you want to track. Each location should have its own dedicated project so that ranking data remains clean and separated by area. When creating a project, you will typically provide the business details and target location. 2. Add keywords to your project. Once a project is set up, you can add the keywords you want to track. When adding keywords, look for the option to enable Local Pack tracking so that Google Local Pack rankings are captured alongside standard organic rankings. 3. Confirm your local target area (such as a city or region) to make sure results are pulled for the correct location. Managing Keywords Across Multiple Locations If you are managing several locations with overlapping keyword sets, Search Atlas provides options to help you replicate or transfer keywords between projects without re-entering them manually. Check the keyword management area of your Rank Tracker for available import or bulk-add options. Finding the Right Keywords to Track Before adding keywords, use the Keyword Research tools in Search Atlas to identify high-value local search terms relevant to your business and target areas. Filter by metrics such as search volume and keyword difficulty to shortlist the best candidates for each location project. When to Contact Support If you are unable to locate the Local Pack tracking option within your project, if keywords are not populating after being added, or if you are unsure how to structure projects for your specific use case, our team can guide you through the correct setup for your account. Please have the following ready when you reach out: - The name of the project or projects you are working with - The target location(s) you are trying to track - A description of the step where you are getting stuck or any error message you see 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.

📋 Keyword Lists Feature Overview and Rank Tracker Integration

🎯 What Are Keyword Lists? Keyword Lists is a research and organisation tool. It lets you save, group, and manage keywords you discover across Search Atlas — for example, from Keyword Magic or Keyword Researcher — so you can revisit them later without repeating your research. Think of Keyword Lists as a personal keyword library. You build collections of keywords by topic, campaign, client, or any structure that suits your workflow, and use those collections as a reference when planning content or setting up tracking. 🔗 How Keyword Lists and Rank Tracker Are Related Keyword Lists and Rank Tracker are separate tools with separate purposes. Keyword Lists stores and organises keywords for research. Rank Tracker actively monitors your website's ranking positions for specific keywords over time. Currently, there is no one-click integration that pushes an entire Keyword List directly into a Rank Tracker project. Keywords must be added to Rank Tracker either by manual entry or CSV import. This is a known workflow limitation, and understanding it upfront will help you plan the most efficient process. 📥 How to Add Keywords to Rank Tracker There are two supported methods for getting keywords into a Rank Tracker project: 1. Manual entry — Navigate to Left sidebar → Keywords → Rank Tracker, open your project, and type or paste keywords directly into the keyword field. Best for small sets of five to twenty keywords. 2. CSV import — Export your Keyword List to a CSV file, then import that file into Rank Tracker. This is the most efficient method when moving a large Keyword List into tracking and avoids retyping every keyword. 🗂️ Exporting a Keyword List to CSV 1. Go to Left sidebar → Keywords to open the Keyword Researcher. 2. Open the Keyword List you want to export. 3. Click the Export button at the top of the list and select CSV. 4. Save the file to your computer. 📊 Importing a CSV into Rank Tracker 1. Navigate to Left sidebar → Keywords → Rank Tracker. 2. Open the project you want to add keywords to, or create a new one. 3. Click Add Keywords and select the Import CSV option. 4. Upload the file you exported from your Keyword List. 5. Confirm the import. Your keywords will appear in the project shortly. ⚖️ When to Use Each Method - Manual entry — You have a handful of high-priority keywords and want to start tracking immediately without extra steps. - CSV import — You have built a Keyword List of twenty or more keywords and want to move them into Rank Tracker in bulk. This is the recommended path for most users. - Keyword Lists only (no Rank Tracker) — You are still in the research phase and not ready to track rankings yet. Save keywords to a list first, organise them, and import to Rank Tracker when the project is ready. 💡 Recommended Workflow The most efficient way to use both tools together is: 1. Use Keyword Magic (Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Magic) or Keyword Researcher (Left sidebar → Keywords) to discover and evaluate keywords. 2. Save promising keywords to a Keyword List as you research — this preserves your work and keeps keywords organised by theme or campaign. 3. When you are ready to monitor rankings, export the list to CSV and import it into Rank Tracker. This avoids manual re-entry entirely. This two-stage approach separates research from tracking, which keeps both tools focused and makes large-scale projects much easier to manage. ⚠️ Current Limitations - There is no direct Apply List to Project button that syncs a Keyword List with a Rank Tracker project automatically. - If you add new keywords to a Keyword List after the initial import, those additions are not automatically reflected in Rank Tracker. You will need to re-export and re-import, or add the new keywords manually. - Keyword Lists do not display live ranking data. For ranking positions, Rank Tracker is always the source of truth. 🆘 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.

🔍 Restore a Deactivated Rank Tracker Project

🗂️ Overview Rank Tracker projects can occasionally become deactivated, making them invisible in your project list. When this happens, the keywords and historical ranking data inside those projects are not permanently deleted — they may still be recoverable by the engineering team. This article explains how to identify the issue, what information to gather, and how to request a restoration. 🔎 How to Tell If a Project Is Deactivated (Not Just Missing) A deactivated project is different from a deleted one. Signs that a project may be deactivated rather than gone include: - A project you created previously no longer appears in your Rank Tracker project list. - You remember the project name and the keywords it tracked, but there is no trace of it in the interface. - Other projects in the same account are working normally. - The disappearance happened suddenly, without you manually deleting anything. If one or more of your projects match this description, the data may still be restorable. 📋 Information to Collect Before Contacting Support Gathering the right details before reaching out speeds up the recovery process significantly. Please have the following ready: - Project name(s): The exact name or a close approximation of the missing project (for example, "For Reports" or "NJ v2-1--2026 Reports"). - Domain or website: The domain the project was tracking (for example, cortesandhay.com). - Approximate creation date: When you set up the project or when you last saw it active. - Number of keywords tracked: If you remember roughly how many keywords were in the project. - Date range of historical data: For example, "ranking history from December 2025 to April 2026." - Why the project matters: Note if the data is used for client reports or contains a long history that would be difficult to recreate. The more context you provide, the faster the engineering team can locate the correct project in the database. ⚠️ Important: Not All Projects Can Be Restored In some cases, engineering is able to locate and reactivate a deactivated project along with its full keyword and ranking history. However, restoration is not always possible for every project. In a recent case, one primary project with over 260 keywords and months of historical data was successfully restored, while two secondary projects in the same account could not be recovered. The support team will always attempt restoration and will be transparent about what is and is not possible. ✅ How to Verify Your Plan Features Are Active If you recently upgraded your plan — for example, to access LLM tracking or additional Rank Tracker capacity — and you are unsure whether the new features are active, check the following: - Review your current plan details from the top-right avatar → Billing (Plans & Top-ups) to confirm the upgrade was processed. - Look for the features associated with your new plan inside the Rank Tracker and any other relevant tools. - If the billing shows the upgraded plan but the features appear unavailable, this may be a display issue rather than an access issue — a support agent can verify feature access on the backend. In confirmed cases, plan feature access has been verified as active even when billing appeared inconsistent on screen. If you are uncertain, contact support and ask them to confirm your feature access directly. 🛠️ Steps to Request a Project Restoration 1. Collect all the project information listed in the section above. 2. 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. 3. Share the project name, domain, approximate date range, and the reason the data is critical (for example, client reporting or long-term historical tracking). 4. The agent will escalate your request to the engineering team for investigation. 5. Engineering will attempt to locate the deactivated project by its internal ID and restore it to your account. 6. You will be notified once the restoration is complete or if the project cannot be recovered. 💡 Tips to Prevent This in the Future - Export your ranking data regularly, especially for projects used in client reports. This gives you a local backup of historical data. - Note the names and approximate keyword counts of your most important projects so you can describe them accurately if support is needed. - If you notice a project disappearing, contact support promptly — the sooner a deactivated project is flagged, the better the chance of recovery. 💬 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.

🚀 Rank Your Website for Keywords with Search Atlas

🎯 What This Article Covers This guide walks you through how to get your website ranking for the keywords that matter most to your business — using Search Atlas's built-in tools. Whether you're brand new to SEO or just new to the platform, the steps below will help you get set up quickly and confidently. 🔍 Step 1: Find the Right Keywords for Your Website Start by identifying which keywords your potential customers are actually searching for. 1. In the left sidebar, click Keywords, then select Keyword Magic (path: Keywords → Keyword Magic). 2. Enter a topic or phrase related to your business (for example, "courier services" or "same-day delivery"). 3. Review the list of keyword suggestions. Look for keywords with a healthy search volume and a competition level that matches your site's current authority. 4. Save the keywords you want to target by adding them to a list for easy reference. Tip: Focus on 5–10 highly relevant keywords to start. It's better to rank well for a focused set than to spread your efforts too thin. 📊 Step 2: Track Your Keyword Rankings Once you've chosen your target keywords, set up tracking so you can monitor your progress over time. 1. In the left sidebar, go to Keywords → Rank Tracker. 2. Add your website domain and enter the keywords you want to track. 3. Select your target location and device type (desktop or mobile) to match how your customers search. 4. Save your settings. Search Atlas will begin tracking your rankings and updating your data regularly. You'll be able to see your current ranking position for each keyword, how it changes week over week, and which pages on your site are ranking. 🔎 Step 3: Identify Keyword Gaps vs. Competitors If you want to grow faster, understanding what your competitors rank for — and you don't — is a powerful advantage. 1. Navigate to Keywords → Keyword Gap in the left sidebar. 2. Enter your domain alongside one or more competitor domains. 3. Review the keywords your competitors are ranking for that your site is missing. 4. Add the most relevant gap keywords to your Rank Tracker and content strategy. This is especially useful for businesses in competitive local markets, like courier and delivery services, where nearby competitors may already have strong keyword visibility. 🛠️ Step 4: Take Action to Improve Your Rankings Tracking keywords is only the beginning. To actually improve your rankings, you need to optimise your website content and technical SEO. Here's where to focus: - Create or improve pages that target your chosen keywords — make sure the keyword appears naturally in your page title, headings, and body content. - Use OTTO SEO (available in your dashboard) to get automated SEO recommendations and fixes applied directly to your site. - Build local SEO signals if you serve a specific area — add your location to your keyword targets in Rank Tracker and ensure your Google Business Profile is connected. - Monitor regularly — rankings take time to move, but consistent effort over weeks and months delivers lasting results. 💡 About 1-on-1 Onboarding and Live Guidance We understand that learning a new platform takes time, and some customers prefer hands-on guidance rather than working through it independently. While Search Atlas does not offer phone calls or personal Zoom sessions as a standard support channel, our team is available to help you in real time through the platform's live chat. If you'd like a walkthrough of the keyword setup process, have questions about your specific website, or want advice tailored to your industry, our team can guide you step by step through the chat — no phone call required. 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. ✅ Quick-Start Checklist - Identify 5–10 target keywords using Keyword Magic - Add those keywords to Rank Tracker with your domain and location - Run a Keyword Gap analysis against your top competitors - Optimise or create content around your target keywords - Check your rankings weekly and adjust your strategy as needed Getting your website ranked is a process that builds over time — but setting up the right tracking and keyword foundation from day one puts you in the best possible position to grow.

🔑 Keyword Research: Overview

The Keyword Research tool helps you find search volume and related metrics for any keyword, and organize the ones you care about into saved lists you can reuse across your SEO campaigns. How do I research a keyword? Enter one or more terms into the search field and click Search. Search Atlas returns search volume and related keyword metrics for each term you entered. How do I save keywords for later? From your search results, use Create List to save the keywords you want to keep working with. Your saved lists are available under the Keyword lists tab, where you can see how many keywords are in each list and open any list with View. How do I revisit past research? The History tab keeps a record of every keyword search you've run, so you can reopen a past query's results without searching again. If you need help with search volume discrepancies or other data questions, our support team is available via live chat in the bottom-right corner of the platform.