Frequently Asked Questions

OpenSEO is an open-source SEO tool designed for marketers, website owners, and AI enthusiasts who want powerful SEO insights without the high cost and complexity of tools like Semrush or Ahrefs.

It's perfect for:

• Freelancers and Agencies: Need powerful SEO tools on a flexible budget.
• Website Owners: Want to track their site's performance and improve rankings.
• AI Power Users: Looking to integrate SEO data directly into their AI workflows with agents like Claude, OpenClaw, or Hermes.
• Privacy-Conscious Users: Who want to control their data and avoid vendor lock-in.

Getting started with OpenSEO is simple. You can choose between a hosted version or self-hosting the application yourself.

Hosted Version (Recommended for most users):

• Visit openseo.so to sign up for a free account.
• No installation is required; you can access the tool directly from your browser.
• If you want to support the project, you can upgrade to a hosted subscription for $10/month.

Self-Hosting (For advanced users):

• You can self-host OpenSEO on your own server. We provide guides for Cloudflare (recommended) and Docker setups.
• This option gives you full control over the application and your data.
• You'll need to provide your own DataForSEO API key to fetch SEO data.

Once you have access, simply connect your DataForSEO API key to start performing SEO research and analysis.

OpenSEO provides a comprehensive suite of SEO tools through a modern, simple interface. It focuses on key workflows without the bloat of traditional SEO suites.

Main SEO Workflows:

• Keyword Research: Discover profitable keywords with search volume, difficulty, and trend analysis.
• Rank Tracking: Monitor your website's rankings across search engines and locations.
• Competitor Insights: Analyze competitors' strategies, top content, and keywords.
• Backlinks: Track and analyze your backlink profile with detailed metrics.
• Site Audits: Get a comprehensive website analysis with actionable SEO recommendations.
• AI Visibility: Leverage AI-powered insights to optimize content and improve search visibility.

Unique Features:

• MCP Server Integration: Seamlessly connect with AI agents like Claude Code, OpenClaw, and Hermes.
• Agent Skills: Use pre-built or custom workflows to guide AI agents through SEO tasks.
• Customizable UI: A focused, modern interface that's easy to navigate and use.

OpenSEO offers flexible pricing models to suit different needs, with a core principle of paying only for what you use.

1. Self-Hosted (Free to use):

• You host the application yourself on your own server.
• You pay only for the DataForSEO API calls you make directly to DataForSEO.
• There are no markups or additional fees from the OpenSEO project.
• Requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance.

2. Hosted Subscription ($10/month):

• Use our web-based application with zero setup required.
• Price includes a markup on the DataForSEO API calls (28%) to cover hosting, development, and support.
• Includes priority customer support and regular updates.
• Perfect for individuals and teams who want a hassle-free experience.

3. Enterprise (Custom):

• For large teams or organizations with specific needs.
• Includes advanced features, dedicated support, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Custom integrations and on-premise deployment options available.
• Contact our sales team for a custom quote.

Unlike traditional SEO tools with monthly subscriptions, OpenSEO's pricing is directly tied to your usage. This model gives you complete control over your SEO costs.

For Self-Hosted Users:

• You purchase an API key directly from DataForSEO.
• Each SEO action (e.g., a keyword search, a rank check) consumes a certain number of credits from your DataForSEO account.
• You pay DataForSEO based on your actual consumption, with no minimums or monthly fees from OpenSEO.
• This is the most cost-effective option if you have fluctuating or low SEO data needs.

For Hosted Users:

• The $10/month subscription covers the cost of our platform and service.
• We handle the DataForSEO API calls on your behalf and add a 28% markup to cover our operational costs.
• Your total cost will be the $10 fee plus the cost of your API usage, which is clearly itemized in your account.
• This model is convenient as you receive a single, consolidated bill.

At OpenSEO, we take data security and user privacy seriously. Our approach is transparent and puts you in control of your data.

Your Data is Yours:

• When you self-host OpenSEO, all your SEO data remains on your own server. You have complete ownership and control.
• With the hosted version, we process data only to provide the SEO services you request and do not sell your data to third parties.

Third-Party Data (DataForSEO):

• OpenSEO uses the DataForSEO API to fetch public SEO data (like search results and rankings).
• DataForSEO is a reputable data provider with its own privacy policy and security measures.
• Your queries to their API are logged, but we do not store your raw search queries or results indefinitely beyond what's necessary for the service.

Security Practices:

• All communication with the OpenSEO application is encrypted using HTTPS.
• We follow industry best practices for data handling and security.
• As an open-source project, the codebase is open to community scrutiny, which helps identify and fix potential security issues.

We offer multiple channels for support to ensure you can get help when you need it. Our community is a key part of the OpenSEO ecosystem.

Documentation:

• Comprehensive guides are available at openseo.so/docs.
• Covers everything from getting started with MCP and Agent Skills to self-hosting instructions.

Community Support:

• Join our active community on Discord to chat with other users and the development team.
• Ask questions, share tips, and get help from fellow OpenSEO users.

Priority Support (Hosted Users):

• Users with a hosted subscription ($10/month) receive priority email support.
• We guarantee a response time for critical issues to ensure your SEO work is not interrupted.

Community Engagement:

• Follow us on X (Twitter) for the latest updates and announcements.
• Sign up for our mailing list on our website to receive important news and feature updates.

OpenSEO's MCP (Model Context Protocol) and Agent Skills features are what set it apart from traditional SEO tools, enabling a new level of AI-powered automation.

What is MCP?

• MCP is a standardized protocol that allows AI agents (like Claude Code, OpenClaw, or Hermes) to securely connect to external tools and data sources.
• OpenSEO exposes itself as an MCP server, meaning your AI agent can directly query your SEO data through the tool, without you needing to manually copy and paste information.
• This allows for a seamless workflow where an AI agent can perform complex SEO analysis, generate reports, or suggest optimizations based on live data.

What are Agent Skills?

• Agent Skills are pre-built, reusable workflows that guide your AI agent through specific SEO tasks using the OpenSEO MCP connection.
• For example, a "Competitor Analysis" skill might instruct the agent to fetch top keywords for your competitors, analyze their backlink profiles, and summarize the findings.
• We provide a library of pre-built skills for common tasks, but the platform is designed for extensibility, allowing you to create your own custom skills to tailor OpenSEO to your unique workflow.

Getting Started:

• Learn how to set up the OpenSEO MCP server with your AI agent in our documentation.
• Explore and set up pre-built Agent Skills or learn to create your own with our skills guide.