Account Setup & First Steps
By Camilo Aponte
By Camilo Aponte
🚀 Get Started With Five Core Search Atlas Tools
🗺️ Overview Search Atlas offers a powerful suite of content and SEO tools. This article walks you through the essential setup and usage steps for five of the most frequently used features: Content Genius, Onpage Audit, Content Planner, Topical Maps, and Scholar. Follow the sections below in any order depending on your workflow. ✍️ Content Genius Content Genius is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you create SEO-optimised content briefs and drafts. 1. From the left sidebar, navigate to Content Genius. 2. Click New Document to open a blank editor. 3. Enter your target keyword in the setup panel and select your target country and language. 4. Click Generate Brief. Search Atlas will analyse top-ranking pages and produce recommended headings, word counts, and NLP terms. 5. Use the brief as a guide while writing directly in the editor, or navigate to Content → Content Genius (What are we writing today?) and click Write an article or Write with AI in Bulk to generate a draft automatically. 6. Monitor your real-time content score in the right panel and adjust your copy until the score reaches your target range. 7. Click Save or export the document when finished. 🔎 Onpage Audit Onpage Audit scans an existing page and identifies optimisation opportunities to improve its search performance. 1. From the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Onpage Audit. 2. Enter the URL of the page you want to analyse. 3. Add the primary keyword you want the page to rank for, then click Run Audit. 4. Review the audit results, which are grouped into categories such as title tags, meta descriptions, keyword usage, internal links, and page speed signals. 5. Work through the recommended fixes in priority order. Items flagged as Critical should be addressed first. 6. Re-run the audit after making changes to confirm your score has improved. 📅 Content Planner Content Planner helps you build a structured editorial calendar based on keyword opportunities and content gaps. 1. From the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Content Planner. 2. Click New Plan and enter your website domain or niche topic. 3. Search Atlas will suggest a list of content ideas grouped by topic cluster and search intent. 4. Select the ideas you want to include and assign a Target Date, Assignee, and Status to each item. 5. Use the calendar or list view to manage and track progress across your entire content pipeline. 6. Click any planned item to open it directly in Content Genius and begin writing. 🧭 Topical Maps Topical Maps visualises the full topic universe around a seed keyword, helping you build comprehensive content authority. 1. From the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Topical Maps (Topical Map). 2. Click Create Topical Map and enter a seed keyword that represents your core subject area. 3. Select your target country and click Create Topical Map. 4. Search Atlas will produce an interactive visual map of subtopics, related questions, and supporting content opportunities. 5. Click any node on the map to see keyword data and content suggestions for that subtopic. 6. Use the map to identify gaps in your existing content and prioritise which subtopics to cover next. 7. Export the map as a CSV or send nodes directly to Content Planner for scheduling. 🎓 Scholar Scholar surfaces authoritative research, statistics, and citations you can use to strengthen your content with credible sources. 1. From the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Scholar. 2. Enter a topic or question in the search bar and click Analyze page. 3. Browse the results, which pull from academic papers, authoritative websites, and trusted publications. 4. Click Copy Citation next to any result to copy a formatted reference you can paste directly into your content. 5. Use the Save to Document option to push a source directly into an open Content Genius document. 💡 Tips for Getting the Most Out of These Tools - Connect your domain early in your account setup so Onpage Audit and Content Planner can personalise recommendations to your existing site. - Start with Topical Maps if you are building a content strategy from scratch — it gives you the full picture before you plan individual articles. - Use Scholar inside Content Genius to add credibility signals that can improve both reader trust and search rankings. - Re-audit regularly — search landscapes change, and a page that scored well six months ago may now have new optimisation opportunities. 🆘 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.
🚀 Search Atlas Setup Guide for React Projects
🧭 Overview If you have a React JS project and are unsure which Search Atlas features to prioritize, you are not alone. React sites have specific SEO challenges — including client-side rendering and dynamic content — that make certain platform tools especially valuable. This article walks you through the most impactful features, how to access month-to-month data, and where to find the heatmap so you can get the most out of your subscription. 📊 Will My Site Improve Without Actively Using the Tools? Search Atlas surfaces data and insights, but it does not automatically optimize your site on your behalf. To see month-to-month improvements, you need to actively use the platform: review recommendations, implement changes on your React project, and track results over time. Think of Search Atlas as your SEO command center — the more consistently you engage with it, the more value you unlock. 📈 How to View Month-to-Month Data Month-to-month performance data lives in the Rank Tracker and Site Explorer sections of the platform. Follow these steps to access it: 1. In the left sidebar, click Site Metrics (Site Explorer) to open your site overview at /site-explorer/list. 2. Select the property for your React project from the list. 3. Navigate to Keywords → Rank Tracker using the left sidebar sub-menu. 4. Use the date-range selector at the top of the page to compare month-over-month keyword positions, traffic estimates, and visibility trends. For keyword-level growth, also check Keywords → Keyword Magic to identify which terms are gaining or losing traction each month. 🗺️ How to Find the Heatmap The heatmap is part of the Local section of Search Atlas, which focuses on Google Business Profile (GBP) performance. To access it: 1. Click Local in the left sidebar. 2. Open your GBP project or create one if you have not done so yet. 3. Select Local SEO Heatmaps from the sub-menu to view the local visibility heatmap for your target keywords and service area. The heatmap displays a grid of geo-points showing where your business ranks for a given keyword across different locations. Review it monthly to spot gaps in local visibility and adjust your optimization strategy accordingly. 🛠️ Underutilized Tools That Are Most Helpful for React JS Projects React JS sites are often under-optimized for SEO because client-side rendering can make content invisible to search engine crawlers. The following Search Atlas tools are particularly effective for closing that gap: - Site Explorer (Site Explorer) — Audit your React site's indexed pages, backlink profile, and organic visibility. Go to Left sidebar → Site Metrics (Site Explorer) to start. Many customers overlook how much crawl and indexation data is available here. - Rank Tracker — Track keyword rankings week over week and month over month. Found at Left sidebar → Keywords → Rank Tracker. Essential for measuring whether your React rendering improvements are translating into ranking gains. - Keyword Gap — Compare your React site's keyword coverage against competitors and find terms you are missing. Navigate to Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Gap. This is one of the most underused tools in the platform and often reveals quick wins. - Keyword Magic — Discover new keyword clusters to target in your React app's page structure, metadata, and content. Found at Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Magic. - Local SEO Heatmaps (Heatmap) — If your React project serves a local audience, the heatmap at Left sidebar → Local → Local SEO Heatmaps shows exactly where you are winning and losing local search visibility. - Local Citations — Inconsistent business listings can drag down local rankings. Audit and fix them at Left sidebar → Local → Local Citations. ✅ Recommended Monthly Workflow for React Projects To build steady month-to-month improvements, follow this simple routine each month: 1. Open Site Explorer and review any new crawl issues or drops in indexed pages — React routing changes frequently cause unintended deindexation. 2. Check Rank Tracker to compare this month's keyword positions against last month. 3. Run a Keyword Gap analysis to find competitor keywords you should be targeting in your next content or metadata update. 4. If you have a local presence, open Local → Local SEO Heatmaps and review the heatmap for visibility changes in your target area. 5. Use Keyword Magic to plan new content topics or on-page optimizations for the coming month. 💬 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.
🤖 Search Atlas AI: What It Does and How to Start
🧠 What Is Search Atlas AI? Search Atlas AI is a built-in intelligence layer that works across the platform to surface insights, prioritise recommendations, and help you make faster, smarter SEO decisions. It analyses your site data continuously and presents findings in a clear, actionable format — so you spend less time diagnosing problems and more time fixing them. ⚙️ What Does Search Atlas AI Do Automatically? Search Atlas AI handles the analysis and recommendation side of SEO automatically. Here is what happens without any manual input from you: - Site auditing: AI scans your site and categorises technical issues by severity. - Prioritisation: Issues are ranked so you always know what to tackle first for the greatest impact. - Keyword opportunity detection: AI identifies keyword gaps and ranking opportunities based on your existing content and competitors. - Content suggestions: The platform surfaces topics and optimisation ideas aligned with your target keywords. - Performance monitoring: Rankings and site metrics are tracked continuously and flagged when significant changes occur. 🛠️ What Requires Manual Action? Search Atlas AI identifies and recommends — but it does not make changes to your website directly. Any fix that affects your live site must be implemented by you or your development team. Common manual actions include: - Updating meta titles, descriptions, and on-page content based on AI suggestions. - Resolving technical issues such as broken links, missing alt text, or slow page speed. - Publishing or editing content informed by AI content recommendations. - Responding to reviews or updating local listing information flagged in the Local section. Think of Search Atlas AI as your expert SEO analyst — it tells you exactly what to do and why, and you carry out the changes on your site. 🚀 How to Create Your First Project Getting started in Search Atlas takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps to create a project and begin analysing your site: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Go to Home. 3. Click Create Project. 4. Enter your website URL and give the project a recognisable name. 5. Select your target country and primary language, then confirm. 6. Search Atlas will begin crawling your site. Initial results typically appear within a few minutes depending on site size. Once your project is set up, you can deepen your research using the sub-tools available under Keywords: - Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Magic — discover new keyword opportunities. - Left sidebar → Keywords → Rank Tracker — monitor your keyword positions over time. - Left sidebar → Keywords → Keyword Gap — compare your keyword coverage against competitors. 📍 Setting Up Local SEO If your business has a physical location or serves a local area, use the GBP Projects section to manage your Google Business Profile and local presence. Navigate via Left sidebar → Local → GBP Projects. From there you can access: - Overview — a snapshot of your local SEO health. - Posts — publish updates directly to your Google Business Profile. - Reviews — monitor and respond to customer reviews. - Local Citations — manage your business listings across directories. - Media Library — organise images and assets for your local profiles. - My Tasks — a to-do list of recommended local SEO actions. 💡 Tips for Getting the Most from Search Atlas AI - Check recommendations regularly: AI insights update as your site and competitors change — weekly reviews keep you ahead. - Act on high-priority issues first: The platform ranks issues by impact, so start at the top of each list. - Use Rank Tracker after making changes: Track whether your manual fixes translate into ranking improvements. - Connect all your tools: The more data Search Atlas has access to, the more accurate and personalised the AI recommendations become. 🙋 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 Onboarding, Demos, and Account Support
🗺️ Overview Search Atlas is a self-serve platform, which means you can get started immediately after signing up — no sales call or demo required. This article explains exactly what onboarding support is available, how training works, and what to expect from your account experience. 🎯 Does Search Atlas Offer Demos? Search Atlas does not offer pre-sale or on-request product demos. The platform is designed to be explored directly, and all paid customers receive structured onboarding resources to get up to speed quickly. There is no waitlist or scheduling process for a demo — your account is your demo. 👤 Are Dedicated Account Managers Available? Search Atlas does not assign dedicated account managers to individual customers. Instead, every paid customer has access to a responsive support team available directly inside the platform. This model allows us to keep response times fast and support quality consistent for all users, regardless of plan size. 📚 What Onboarding Support Do Paid Customers Receive? Once you are on a paid plan, you have access to a full suite of onboarding resources designed to get you productive as quickly as possible — even if you have no technical background. These include: - Onboarding training calls: Scheduled sessions with a member of our team to walk you through the platform based on your goals and use case. - Step-by-step guides: Written knowledge base articles covering every major feature and workflow inside Search Atlas. - Video walkthroughs: Short, focused videos that show you exactly how to use key tools. - Live chat support: Real-time help from our team available directly inside the platform whenever you have a question. These resources replace the traditional free trial or demo model. You get hands-on access to the full platform alongside structured guidance so you never feel lost. 🆕 I'm Brand New — Where Do I Start? If you have just signed up and are not sure where to begin, follow these steps: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform. 3. Type onboarding to be connected with a team member who can schedule your first training call and point you to the right getting-started resources for your goals. You do not need any technical background to use Search Atlas. Our onboarding team is experienced at supporting customers who are completely new to SEO software. 👥 Managing Your Team Inside Search Atlas If you want to add colleagues or collaborators to your account so they can also receive onboarding support, you can manage team access by clicking your avatar in the top-right corner and selecting Team Members (Settings). Adding teammates means everyone on your team can access guides, chat support, and training resources from their own login. 📅 Questions About Your Booked Appointments or Calendar Search Atlas support and the chat assistant do not have access to your personal calendar, external booking systems, or any appointments you may have scheduled outside of the platform. If you are looking for details about a specific meeting time — for example, a call you booked through a scheduling link — please check the confirmation email you received at the time of booking, or visit the scheduling platform directly (such as Calendly or Google Calendar). Our team cannot look up, confirm, or modify personal calendar entries on your behalf. 💬 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.
🧠 Set Up Five Core Content Tools
🗺️ Overview Search Atlas includes five powerful content and SEO tools: Content Genius, Onpage Audit, Content Planner, Topical Maps, and Scholar. This article walks you through how to set up and use each one so you can start producing optimised content and building topical authority right away. ✍️ Content Genius What it does: Content Genius is an AI-powered writing assistant that generates SEO-optimised content briefs and drafts based on real SERP data. How to access it: In the left sidebar, navigate to Content Genius. 1. Click New Document to open a blank editor. 2. Enter your target keyword in the search field and select your target country. 3. Click Analyse. Content Genius will pull live SERP data and populate a content brief with recommended headings, word count, LSI keywords, and competitor insights. 4. Use the AI Writer panel on the right to generate sections, introductions, or full drafts. Click Insert to add generated text directly into your document. 5. Monitor your real-time Content Score in the sidebar as you write. Aim for a score of 70 or above before publishing. 6. When finished, click Export to download your content as a Word document or copy it to your clipboard. Common workflow: Research keyword → Generate brief → Write or AI-generate content → Optimise to target score → Export. 🔍 Onpage Audit What it does: Onpage Audit analyses an existing page against top-ranking competitors and surfaces specific on-page SEO fixes. How to access it: In the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Onpage Audit. 1. Click Run Audit. 2. Enter the full URL of the page you want to audit and your target keyword. 3. Select your target country and click Run Audit. 4. Review your Overall Score and the categorised recommendations below it. Issues are grouped into sections such as Title Tag, Meta Description, Headings, Content, and Page Speed. 5. Click any issue to expand a detailed explanation and a suggested fix. 6. Work through the recommendations in your CMS, then return to OTTO SEO → Site Audit → Overview (Website Overview) and click Recrawl Site to verify your improvements. Tip: Focus on Critical issues first — these have the highest impact on your page's ranking potential. 📅 Content Planner What it does: Content Planner turns seed keywords into organised topic clusters and maps them onto a publishing calendar. How to access it: In the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Content Planner. 1. Click New Plan and give your plan a name (for example, your website or campaign name). 2. Enter one or more seed keywords that represent your main topic area, then click Generate Keyword Clusters. 3. Content Planner will return a set of keyword clusters. Each cluster contains a pillar topic and a list of supporting subtopics. 4. Review the clusters and deselect any that are not relevant to your content strategy. 5. Click Add to Calendar for the clusters you want to schedule. Assign a publish date and a team member to each item. 6. Use the Calendar View to see your full publishing schedule at a glance and drag items to adjust dates. 7. Click any calendar item to open it directly in Content Genius and begin writing. Common workflow: Add seed keywords → Review and approve clusters → Schedule to calendar → Open in Content Genius → Publish. 🗂️ Topical Maps What it does: Topical Maps generates a visual map of all the topics and subtopics your site should cover to build full topical authority in a niche. How to access it: In the left sidebar, navigate to Content → Topical Maps (Topical Map). 1. Click Create Topical Map. 2. Enter your core niche or broad topic (for example, "personal finance" or "email marketing"). 3. Select your target country and click Generate Map. 4. The tool will return a hierarchical map showing pillar pages, cluster pages, and supporting content. Each node shows estimated search volume and keyword difficulty. 5. Click any node to see the full keyword details and to Add to Content Planner or open directly in Content Genius. 6. Use the Coverage tab to compare your existing content against the map and identify gaps you have not yet covered. Tip: Export your topical map as a CSV to share it with your team or import it into a project management tool. 🎓 Scholar What it does: Scholar helps you find authoritative sources, statistics, and citations to strengthen your content's credibility and E-E-A-T signals. How to access it: In the left sidebar, navigate to Scholar. 1. Enter a topic or specific claim you want to support with a source (for example, "email open rate statistics 2024"). 2. Click Search. Scholar returns a curated list of academic papers, studies, and high-authority articles relevant to your query. 3. Click View Source to open the original reference in a new tab and verify the data. 4. Click Copy Citation to copy a formatted citation ready to paste into your content. 5. Use Insert into Content Genius if you are working in an open Content Genius document — the citation is added automatically. Common workflow: Write a claim in Content Genius → Switch to Scholar → Search for supporting data → Insert citation → Return to Content Genius. 💡 Quick-Reference Workflow: End-to-End Content Creation 1. Topical Maps — identify all topics you need to cover in your niche. 2. Content Planner — cluster those topics and schedule them on your calendar. 3. Content Genius — write or AI-generate each piece with a live content score. 4. Scholar — add authoritative citations while writing. 5. Onpage Audit — audit the published page and fix any remaining on-page issues. 🆘 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.
🚀 Staging vs Production Setup and GSC Connection
🗺️ Overview Two of the most common setup questions from new Search Atlas customers are: should I start on staging or production? and how do I connect my Google Search Console (GSC) account? This article answers both clearly so you can get up and running without delays. 🏗️ Staging vs Production: Which Should You Set Up First? The short answer is: always set up Search Atlas on your production site first. Here is why this matters and what each option means in practice. - Production is your live, public-facing website. This is where real users visit, real traffic is measured, and real SEO signals are generated. Search Atlas tools — including OTTO SEO, rank tracking, and site audits — are designed to work against live data. - Staging is a private copy of your site used for testing before changes go live. Because staging environments are typically blocked from search engines (via noindex tags or password protection), data collected there will not reflect your actual SEO performance. Setting up on production first ensures that your GSC data, backlink profiles, keyword rankings, and site audit results are accurate and actionable from day one. ✅ When Staging Can Be Useful While production is always the primary setup target, staging has a limited role in your workflow. You may use a staging environment to: - Preview and test OTTO SEO code changes before applying them to your live site. - Validate structured data or schema markup implementations. - Test site speed improvements before deploying to production. Important: Never connect your GSC property to a staging URL. GSC only captures meaningful data for verified, publicly indexed properties. Connecting a staging URL will result in missing or misleading data. 🔗 How to Connect Your Google Search Console Account Connecting GSC to Search Atlas links your real organic search data — impressions, clicks, average position, and indexed pages — directly to your dashboard. Follow these steps: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Site Metrics → Site Explorer. 2. Click Open Google Search Console to reach the Manage Sites page. 3. Click Connect GSC Account and sign in with the Google account that has access to your GSC property. 4. Select the correct GSC property from the dropdown. Make sure you select the production URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.com), not a staging or subdomain variant. Once connected, Search Atlas will begin pulling your GSC data. It may take up to 24 hours for the full data set to populate in your dashboard. ⚠️ If GSC Says to Reach Out to Support In some cases, the GSC connection screen will display a message instructing you to contact support. This typically happens when: - Your Google account does not have Owner or Full User permissions on the GSC property. - The GSC property has not been verified in Google Search Console yet. - There is a conflict with a previously connected Google account on your Search Atlas workspace. - Your Search Atlas plan requires a manual authorization step for GSC integration. Before reaching out, check the following in your Google Search Console account: 1. Go to Google Search Console → Settings → Users and permissions. 2. Confirm that the Google account you are using to connect has Owner or Full User access to the property. 3. Confirm that the property is verified and shows data (not a newly added, unverified property). 4. Return to Search Atlas and retry the connection using that verified Google account. If the issue persists after following these steps, our team can resolve it for you quickly. 🛠️ Quick Troubleshooting Checklist - Wrong property selected: Make sure you pick the exact property format that is verified in GSC (e.g., domain property vs. URL-prefix property). - Multiple Google accounts: If you manage several Google accounts, ensure your browser is logged in to the correct one before authorizing. - GSC data delay: New connections can take up to 24 hours to reflect data. Check back the following day before troubleshooting further. - Staging URL connected by mistake: Disconnect the staging property and reconnect using your production URL. 💬 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.
🚀 Get Started Fast While Awaiting Onboarding
🗓️ Why There May Be a Wait for 1:1 Onboarding Our onboarding specialists hold personalised sessions to walk you through Search Atlas in depth. During busy periods, the next available slot may be a few weeks out. The good news: you do not need to wait for that call to start getting value from your account. This guide will help you hit the ground running right away. ⚙️ Step 1 — Complete Your Account Setup Log in to your Search Atlas account and take care of the essentials first so everything is ready when your onboarding call arrives. 1. Add your website: From the left sidebar, go to Home (Hi, CSM. What will we get done today?) and click Create Project, then enter your domain. This unlocks site-specific tools like rank tracking, site audits, and backlink analysis. 2. Connect Google Search Console: From the left sidebar, go to Site Metrics → GSC Performance (Manage Sites / Connect GSC Account) to connect GSC and import real keyword and click data for your domain. 3. Set your target location and language: Configure these in your project settings to ensure keyword data is relevant to your market. 4. Invite your team: Go to the top-right avatar menu → Team Members (or navigate to /settings) to add colleagues so everyone has access before the onboarding session. 🔍 Step 2 — Explore Key Tools on Your Own Search Atlas is designed to be intuitive. You can start using the following tools independently — no guided session required. - Site Auditor: Run a full technical SEO audit of your website to identify crawl errors, broken links, and on-page issues. - Keyword Research: Use the Keyword Magic Tool or Keyword Gap to find opportunities your site can rank for. - Rank Tracker: Add your target keywords to begin monitoring daily ranking changes. - Backlink Analyzer: Review your current backlink profile and compare it against competitors. - Content Planner: Generate a data-driven content strategy based on your niche and competitors. 🎓 Step 3 — Use Self-Service Learning Resources Our resource library lets you learn at your own pace and get up to speed before your 1:1 call. - Knowledge Base: Browse articles covering every feature in Search Atlas — use the search bar at the top of this Help Center to find specific topics quickly. - Video Tutorials: Short walkthrough videos are available inside the platform and on our official YouTube channel. - OTTO SEO Setup Guide: If you plan to use our AI-powered SEO automation, search for the OTTO onboarding article in this Knowledge Base to configure it step by step. 💡 Step 4 — Prepare for Your Onboarding Call Getting set up early means your scheduled onboarding session becomes a strategy consultation rather than a basic walkthrough. Here is how to make it as productive as possible. - Run a site audit and note any questions about the findings. - Add at least 10–20 keywords to your rank tracker so you have real data to discuss. - Write down your primary SEO goals — organic traffic growth, local rankings, content production, or link building — so your specialist can tailor the session. - Invite all relevant team members to the call in advance. ⚡ Need an Earlier Onboarding Slot? If your business has an urgent launch deadline or you need a faster start, our team may be able to accommodate 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.
🔍 Site Audits on Trial Accounts Explained
🧭 Overview If you are evaluating Search Atlas on a trial account, you can still run site audits for prospective clients using a dedicated lookup tool that does not consume one of your project slots, making it ideal for agency prospecting and pre-sales research. 📍 What Is the Difference Between Ongoing Projects and On-Demand Site Research? Search Atlas separates ongoing project tracking from on-demand site research: - Projects are created when you want to continuously monitor a specific website — tracking rankings, auditing on a schedule, and managing SEO tasks over time. Each project occupies one of your available project slots. - On-demand site research tools let you pull data for any domain at any time without creating a project and without using a project slot. This is the right approach to audit a prospective client's site quickly during a trial. 🗂️ How to Run a Site Audit Without Using a Project Slot 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Navigate to the appropriate on-demand research or site analysis area within the platform. 3. Enter the domain of the prospective client you want to audit. 4. Generate the report and review the available site data for that domain. You can repeat this process for as many prospective client domains as you need during your trial. 🎬 Finding Tutorial Videos and Getting-Started Resources If you want to learn more about how to use Search Atlas features during your trial, the most reliable way to find tutorial resources is to reach out directly through the platform's support chat. A team member can point you to the right videos and guides for the specific tools you want to explore. You can also browse any in-platform help options available within your account for contextual guidance on the page you are currently viewing. 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.
🚀 Get Started and Fix Ranking Drops
🎯 What This Article Covers If you are new to Search Atlas and want a guided walkthrough, or if your rankings have suddenly dropped and you are not sure why, this article will point you to the right resources and walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps. 🎓 How to Access Onboarding and Training Resources Search Atlas provides several ways to get up to speed quickly so you can start seeing results without needing to figure everything out on your own. - Onboarding Call: When you sign up, you are eligible for a live onboarding session with a member of our team. If you have not booked yours yet, 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 who can schedule this for you. - In-Platform Tooltips and Walkthroughs: Many features include inline guidance. Look for the ? icons next to settings and buttons throughout the platform for quick explanations. - Knowledge Base: You are already here. Browse articles by topic to find step-by-step guides for every major feature, including OTTO SEO, the Content Genius, and Local tools. 📊 Understanding a Sudden Rankings Drop A rankings crash can feel alarming, but most drops have a clear cause. Before assuming something is wrong with your site or your Search Atlas settings, work through the checklist below. 🔍 Step 1 — Confirm the Drop Is Real Ranking tools can occasionally show data anomalies caused by index refreshes or tracking delays. Do the following before taking action: 1. Check the date range in your rank tracker. Make sure you are comparing the same time period accurately. 2. Search for your target keyword manually in an incognito browser window to verify the drop reflects real search results. 3. Check whether the drop affects all keywords or only a specific set, which helps isolate the cause. 🛠️ Step 2 — Check for a Google Algorithm Update Google releases core and targeted algorithm updates frequently. A broad drop across many keywords shortly after an update is likely related to the update rather than anything you did. - Visit a trusted resource such as Google's Search Central blog or SEO news sites to check if an update was recently confirmed. - Algorithm-related drops often recover over time or require content quality improvements rather than technical fixes. ⚙️ Step 3 — Review Recent Changes to Your Site Rankings can drop if something changed on your website around the same time as the drop. Check the following: - Content changes: Were any high-ranking pages edited, deleted, or redirected recently? - Technical issues: Use Google Search Console to check for crawl errors, indexing issues, or manual actions against your site. - Site speed or Core Web Vitals: A significant drop in page performance can affect rankings. Check your Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console. - Backlink changes: A loss of high-quality backlinks or the acquisition of spammy links can cause drops. Review your backlink profile in Search Atlas under the relevant project. 📍 Step 4 — Check Your Local Rankings Separately If you are tracking local or Google Business Profile (GBP) rankings and see a drop, follow these steps inside Search Atlas: 1. Go to Left sidebar → Local → Overview to review your overall local visibility trend. 2. Navigate to Left sidebar → Local → Local Citations to check whether your business information is consistent across directories. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data can hurt local rankings. 3. Go to Left sidebar → Local → Reviews (GBP Reviews) to check for a recent drop in review count or rating, which can affect local pack visibility. 💡 Step 5 — Use OTTO SEO to Identify On-Page Issues If the drop is isolated to specific pages, OTTO SEO can help you identify optimisation gaps quickly. 1. Open your project in Search Atlas and activate OTTO SEO for the affected site. 2. Review the task list for any high-priority issues flagged since your last audit, particularly around content, meta data, and internal linking. 3. Resolve flagged issues in priority order and allow Google time to re-crawl and re-index your updated pages. 📈 What to Do If the Drop Persists If you have completed all the steps above and rankings have not recovered after two to four weeks, it is worth getting expert eyes on your specific situation. 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.
📅 Schedule a Demo With Your Account Manager
📋 Overview Whether you want a walkthrough of a specific feature, guidance on your SEO strategy, or help getting the most out of Search Atlas, you can request a demo session with your dedicated account manager at any time. This article explains how to get in touch and what to expect. 🤝 Who Is My Account Manager? Every Search Atlas account is assigned a dedicated account manager who can provide personalised support, product walkthroughs, and strategic guidance. Your account manager is your go-to contact for deeper onboarding and consultative sessions. 📬 How to Request a Demo There is no self-serve calendar booking tool inside the platform at this time. To schedule a demo with your account manager, follow these steps: 1. Log in to your Search Atlas account. 2. Click the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform. 3. Type human teammate in the chat to be connected with a member of our team. 4. Let the team member know you would like to schedule a demo with your account manager and mention any topics or features you would like to cover. 5. Our team will coordinate with your account manager and confirm a time that works for you. 💡 Tips for a More Productive Demo To make the most of your session, consider preparing the following before your demo: - Your goals: What SEO challenges are you trying to solve? - Specific features: Are there any Search Atlas tools you want a deeper walkthrough of — such as the Content Editor, Site Auditor, or Reports? - Your website or project details: Sharing your domain and target keywords in advance helps your account manager tailor the session. - Team members to invite: If colleagues will join, let the support team know so your account manager can plan accordingly. ⏱️ What to Expect After Requesting Once you submit your demo request via the chat widget, a member of our team will: - Confirm receipt of your request promptly during business hours. - Coordinate with your account manager to find a suitable time slot. - Send you a calendar invite or meeting link to confirm the scheduled session. Response times may vary depending on your time zone and current team availability, but our team aims to respond as quickly as possible. 🛠️ Need Help With Something Else? 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.
🚀 Atlas Account Getting Started Guide
🚀 Start with the Home dashboard After signing in, open Home from the left sidebar. This is your starting point for projects, playbooks, data updates, and Atlas Agent. 1. Select Browse all playbooks to find guided workflows. 2. Select Create Project to connect a website and begin collecting SEO data. 3. Select Refresh data when you need the latest available information. 4. Select Ask Atlas Agent to begin using automated SEO assistance. 🧭 Follow the built-in getting started guide Use the dashboard’s Get Started guide to work through the recommended setup tasks. Complete each step in order, then return to the guide to continue with the next action. If your account was provided through HighLevel, your access and available features may depend on the setup completed by your agency or workspace administrator. ✍️ Create content with Content Genius To access the content tools, go to Content in the left sidebar, then select Content Genius. You can choose the workflow that best matches your needs: - Generate: Start a new content workflow with guided suggestions. - Write with AI in Bulk: Create multiple content pieces efficiently. - Write it yourself: Draft content manually with SEO guidance. - Write an article: Create a single article from start to finish. - Rework existing article: Improve content you already have. 🔍 Review content performance Under Content → Onpage Audit, open a report or topic tab to review optimization opportunities. - Open a page tab, such as tim hortons catering coffee, then select Generate Report, Share, or Mark as Done. - Open Topical Terms to review related terms. Use Export or move between pages with Previous Page and Next Page. - Open Questions to review related search questions, then export or navigate between pages. 📚 Use a simple learning path 1. Create or open your project from Home. 2. Complete the dashboard’s Get Started tasks. 3. Browse a relevant playbook for guided recommendations. 4. Use Content Genius to create or improve an article. 5. Run an Onpage Audit and review terms, questions, and page recommendations. 6. Refresh your data regularly to track progress. 💡 Tips for learning faster - Start with one website and one clear SEO goal. - Complete one playbook before moving to another. - Save or export useful audit information for your content workflow. - Review recommendations before making changes to a live page. - Ask your workspace administrator if a HighLevel-provided account has restricted access. 🛠️ Get help inside 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.
Onboarding, Demos, and Account Manager Access
Search Atlas offers onboarding support, product demos, and account management resources to help you get the most out of your subscription. Availability of these services depends on your plan tier. 🚀 Getting Started with Onboarding Customers on eligible plans — including active trial users — can access 1:1 onboarding sessions designed to help you configure your workspace and get up and running quickly. A typical 1:1 onboarding session covers: - Connecting your websites, Google Search Console, and ad accounts - Setting up your first projects in tools like Keyword Research, Content Genius, and OTTO SEO - Understanding your dashboard and key reporting features - Best practices tailored to your use case — agency, in-house team, or freelancer You can book your 1:1 onboarding session directly from the onboarding screen in your Search Atlas dashboard using the built-in booking calendar. If you are unsure whether onboarding is included in your plan, contact our team via live chat and we will confirm your eligibility and next steps. Note for agency users: Child accounts (sub-accounts) do not have access to the 1:1 onboarding booking feature. If you are on a child account and need onboarding support, please reach out via live chat and we will assist you. 🎯 Requesting a Product Demo Whether you are evaluating Search Atlas or exploring a feature set you have not yet used, you can request a guided demo at any time. Our team can walk you through: - Features most relevant to your workflow or industry - Advanced capabilities in tools you are already using - New product updates and how to apply them to your strategy To request a demo, reach out via live chat and a team member will coordinate the session with you directly. 👤 Account Manager Access Dedicated account manager (AM) support is available on select plans. Your account manager acts as your strategic partner within Search Atlas and can assist with: - Reviewing your SEO strategy and overall platform usage - Identifying growth opportunities and underutilized features - Escalating complex technical or billing issues to the appropriate internal team - Scheduling regular check-ins aligned to your goals If you are not sure whether your plan includes a dedicated account manager, or you have not yet been introduced to yours, our support team can verify your account status and connect you with the right person. 📋 How to Get Connected 1. Open the live chat widget in the bottom-right corner of your Search Atlas dashboard. 2. Let us know whether you are looking to schedule an onboarding call, request a demo, or reach your account manager. 3. Provide your account email so we can verify your plan and route your request to the right person. 💬 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.
🚀 Get Started Guide & Promotional Credits: How to Unlock Hyperdrive Credits
Welcome to Search Atlas! To help you hit the ground running, we've built a simple step-by-step onboarding guide that rewards you for exploring the platform. 🧭 What Is the Get Started Guide? The Get Started Guide is a step-by-step onboarding checklist built into your dashboard. It's designed to help you: - Set up your Search Atlas account - Create your first project and connect Google integrations - Activate OTTO and explore key features like Content Genius and Backlink Builder Each completed step earns you points — and completing the full guide unlocks a $50 credit bonus for premium features. 🎁 What's the Reward? Complete all 11 onboarding tasks and you'll automatically receive: - ✅ $50 in Hyperdrive Credits These can be used on advanced SEO features like: - 🔗 Cloud Stacks - 📣 Press Releases - ⚙️ Future AI-powered tools 👀 Who Can Access the Guide? The Get Started Guide is available only to users who created their accounts on or after July 14, 2025. If your account was created before that date, the guide won't appear — but don't worry, you still have full platform access, and our support team is always here to assist you. Note: Child accounts (for White Label customers) do not see the guide. Parent accounts will display it with your custom branding. 📍 Where Can I Find It? If eligible, you'll find the guide in two places: - ✅ A floating widget on your Home - ✅ A button labeled "Finish Setup" at the top of your dashboard Each time you complete a task, your circular progress tracker will update — and once you reach 100%, you'll unlock the reward. 🧾 What Are the 11 Steps? The complete checklist includes actions like: - ✅ Create a Project - ✅ Connect Google Search Console - ✅ Connect Google Business Profile (if applicable) - ✅ Complete your Knowledge Graph - ✅ Create a Content Brief - ✅ Publish a Blog Draft - ✅ Join a Group Training Session - ✅ Activate OTTO - ✅ Add Top Pages - ✅ Run a Backlink Audit - ✅ Launch your First OTTO Google Ads Campaign Each task = 50 points (550 total). Once complete, your credits are automatically added to your Hyperdrive balance. If that doesn't happen, you can request them manually via support. You'll know the guide is active if you see a checklist panel on your homepage. Once all 11 tasks are completed, your credits will be automatically added to your Hyperdrive balance. 🧠 Troubleshooting & FAQ ✅ Checklist not showing? Double-check your account creation date. The guide is only available to new users after July 14, 2025. ✅ Finished but didn't get credits? Wait 1–2 minutes, then refresh the page. If the credits still don't show, reach out to support — we'll manually verify and reward you. ✅ Completed steps not marked as done? Some tasks require page reloads or diagnostic scans to register. Be sure to finish each step inside the platform. ✅ Summit Prize Credit redemption link not working? A promotional email referencing a Summit prize credit (e.g., a $100 credit for press releases and brand amplification) was sent accidentally during internal testing. The activation link in that email is not functional. If you received this email and attempted to redeem it, please contact support — we'll be happy to add complimentary Hyperdrive credits to your account as a thank-you for your patience. 🎟️ About Promotional & Summit Prize Credits From time to time, Search Atlas runs promotions (such as Summit prize giveaways) that award Hyperdrive credits for premium features like Press Releases, Cloud Stacks, and brand amplification. If a promotional redemption link is not working, it may have been sent in error or the promotion may have expired. Reach out to support with the email you received and we'll verify eligibility and apply any appropriate credits manually to your Hyperdrive balance. If you've completed all onboarding steps but don't see your reward, the checklist isn't showing for your account, or a promotional redemption link isn't working — contact our support team. We'll be happy to take a look and make it right.