How to Migrate from SEOptimer to Search Atlas: Step-by-Step Guide

SEOptimer offers quick website audits and branded reports for agencies and small businesses. It creates...

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SEOptimer offers quick website audits and branded reports for agencies and small businesses. It creates easy-to-understand audit reports and lead generation materials with instant website scanning. Search Atlas provides the same audit features but adds AI automation that actually fixes SEO problems on your site.

With OTTO SEO, Search Atlas’s AI assistant, you get automated site analysis, performance tracking, competitor monitoring, technical problem detection, and direct website fixes, all done automatically.

SEOptimer creates reports and identifies issues, but doesn’t fix anything on your website, while Search Atlas takes action to solve the problems it finds.

Search Atlas includes free OTTO SEO activation with every plan. We’ll help you move from SEOptimer’s approach to Search Atlas’s complete system that turns audit results into automatic SEO improvements.

1. What Is the Initial Setup in Search Atlas?

Start by setting up your workspace to allow smooth monitoring, automation, and performance analysis.

Create Your First Project

Log in to your Search Atlas account, scroll down in the main Dashboard, and click + Create new.

search atlas Create a New Project step 1

Enter your domain, select the target country, and optionally enter primary keywords for tracking.

search atlas Create a New Project step 2

Add or remove recommended keywords and also add your main competitors. You will be able to change both of these options later.

search atlas Create a New Project step 3

Connect Key Integrations

Google Search Console (GSC)

Click on Site Metrics > All Sites > Connect GSC Account.

search atlas Connect GSC Account step 1

Authorize access and connect your verified property.

After GSC is connected, go to Manage Sites.

search atlas Connect GSC Account step 2 manage sites

A slider will appear showing all imported GSC properties (they are disabled by default). Find your domain and then click Enable.

search atlas Connect GSC Account step 3 activate sites

Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

From your GSC Performance dashboard, click on Connect Google Analytics 4.

search atlas Connect google analytics step 1

Select your GA property or connect your GA4 account. Authorize access and connect your verified property.

search atlas Connect google analytics step 2

Once enabled, Search Atlas will link keyword data, impressions, CTR, and engagement metrics automatically.

You can use publicly shareable links for fast access to verification if needed.

2. How to Export Site Audit Data from SEOptimer and Import to Search Atlas?

Search Atlas does not require you to import site audit data from SEOptimer. It performs fresh technical scans automatically using the Site Auditor. However, you can keep your old data for reference. 

Export from SEOptimer

Depending on the number of websites you manage, it can be useful to use the Bulk Reporting option to extract site audit data.

Create a CSV file with all your website URLs in one column. Upload the CSV to SEOptimer’s Bulk Reporting feature, select the “Data only” option, and click Start Bulk Reporting. Once complete, download the comprehensive CSV file containing all 96 data points for every audited website.

This exports your complete SEOptimer audit data in one consolidated file for analysis or migration purposes.

seoptimer bulk reporting export data
via SEOptimer

Set Up Site Audit in Search Atlas

Go OTTO & Audit > All Audits > Site Auditor.

Set Up Site Audit in Search Atlas step 1

Enter your domain and configure the crawling features:

Configure crawling with the following options:

  • User agent (use Searchatlas bot recommends for best accuracy)
  • Number of pages to crawl (default is 100)
  • Adjust crawl speed (default is 20 pages per second)
  • Set crawl frequency (default is every 7 days)
Set Up Site Audit in Search Atlas step 2

Run a full scan to launch the crawl across all pages under that domain.

Pro Plan Feature – Bulk Auditing:

For agencies or multi-site audits, go to Update Sites in Bulk and paste multiple domains to queue audits simultaneously.

This is ideal for auditing multiple projects quickly.

search atlas Update Sites in Bulk

3. How to Export Keyword Rank Data from SEOptimer and Import to Search Atlas?

To export your ranking data into Search Atlas, simply copy all your tracked keywords and import them into Search Atlas.

From SEOptimer

Check the boxes for the data you want to include (keyword rankings, traffic, Core Web Vitals, etc.), then generate and export your customized report. You can use CSV, Excel, or PDF formats.

seoptimer customizing reports
via SEOptimer

In Search Atlas

Go to Keywords > Keyword Rank Tracker

Search Atlas Keyword Rank Tracker step 1

Enter your domain or target page, specify the target location (country, state, city, county, or province).

Example: Track rankings for searchatlas.com in Las Vegas, Nevada

Click Start Tracking and connect your Google Business Profile (GBP), if applicable. Enter the name of your project, description, language, and keyword refresh interval (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Custom).

Search Atlas Keyword Rank Tracker step 2

Search Atlas will automatically recommend keywords, and you can choose between selecting them or pasting keywords manually from the SEOptimer CSV.

Search Atlas Keyword Rank Tracker step 3

4. How to Import Local SEO Data and Set Up GBP Project in Search Atlas

SEOptimer doesn’t have dedicated local SEO tools. Here’s how to set up Search Atlas local tools.

In Search Atlas

Go to Local SEO > Connect GBP, and link your verified listing.

Set Up GBP Project in Search Atlas step 1

Authorize access and connect your verified property.

Select your Business

Set Up GBP Project in Search Atlas step 2

Search by business name, Place ID, business URL, or import via email invitation.

Click + Save to create your local SEO project.

Configure the Heatmap

After GBP is connected and the project saved, go to Local SEO > Local SEO Heatmap.

Set Up GBP Project in Search Atlas step 3

Add the keywords that are going to be tracked, choose between circle or rectangle to define the tracking area, and set the radius. We recommend:

  • 3–5 miles → Use 3 layers or grids
  • 10–25 miles → Use 4–5 layers or grids

The bigger the mile radius, the more layers or grids you should use. This recommendation increases grid density for wider coverage.

Schedule refresh intervals and choose specific times when your business is open. Avoid midnight or off-hours, as it may show lower ranks than actual performance.

Configure the Heatmap step 1

Click on the pins to omit unnecessary ones (e.g., uninhabited areas) to save quota and avoid skewed average ranks.

Configure the Heatmap step 2

Editing Existing Reports

Click on an existing project and click on the top of the page.

Configure the Heatmap step 3

A timeline will be available to check the progress of the rankings over time. Click on Edit heatmap and you will be able to change all of the configuration.

Configure the Heatmap step 4

Compare Competitors

It’s possible to analyze how the business compares its rankings against each competitor in the area. Click on an individual pin you want to target.

Configure the Heatmap step 5

A list of local competitors will pop up for the same keyword and pin. Click on Compare to choose which one you want to compare.

Configure the Heatmap step 6

Your business and the selected competitor will be compared side by side. You can freely move the camera, zoom out, and zoom in to analyze all of the region.

Configure the Heatmap step 7

Set Up Local Rank Tracker

Go to Keywords > Keyword Rank Tracker

set up local keyword rank tracker search atlas step 1

Enter the business’ website or target page, select the exact location being targeted, and click on Start Tracking.

Set, device preference, language, frequency, custom naming, and description of campaigns or view.

Add the local keywords from your Morningscore sheet.

Add Multiple Locations

If you have multiple businesses for the same project, click + Add New Location to track keywords for multiple locations in one report (e.g., Las Vegas and New York) and assign different keyword sets to each.

set up local keyword rank tracker search atlas step 2

6. How Do You Migrate Backlink Analysis Data from SEOptimer to Search Atlas?

Download your backlinks data from SEOptimer for reference.

From SEOptimer

SEOptimer allows you to download your New, Lost, or all Backlink Changes to CSV, Excel, or PDF formats. 

In Search Atlas

Go to Backlinks > Backlink Research.

access backlink research from the dashboard

Add your Domain or Page and hit Analyze.

backlink tool search atlas usatoday

Receive a full report of the website backlink profile, inclu

7. How to Export Reports from SEOptimer and Set Up Reports in Search Atlas?

Save your reports for reference and automate your reporting fast in Search Atlas.

From SEOptimer

From the dashboard, go to Report Templates, select the on-page SEO results, add the white-lavel customizations, and download the PDF report.

In Search Atlas

Go to Report Builder > Report List

search atlas set up report Builder step 1

Choose the location, date range, and the widgets you want to report, like:

  • AI Summaries
  • Site Explorer
  • OTTO SEO
  • Orders & Tasks
  • Google Analytics data
  • Google Search Console data
  • Facebook Ads
  • Google Ads
  • Google Business Profile
  • Keyword Rank Tracking

Next, schedule the automated reporting by adding recipients, selecting the email frequency (weekly, monthly, or quarterly), and choosing what day of the week the report will be sent.

search atlas set up report Builder step 2

Choose between Default Layout and Custom Layout, and create the report.

Customize the Reporting

After creating the report, click Configure Report to change the Integrations, Scheduled emails, and Layout.

In Layout you can fully customize the report.

choosing the report layout through SA report builder

Click Add custom text to add your own text or HTML, enabling you to add your branding like logo, banner, and even links.

add custom text or html search atlas set up report Builder step 5

Scroll down and click and drag each metric to the report. You are free to choose any place to add the report.

customize report search atlas set up report Builder step 6

Add the AI Summaries

In the Integrations, you can add the AI Summary Overview.

These are automated overviews that quickly highlight the key points of your report, making it much easier for both you and your clients to understand the results.

search atlas reporting ai summary overviews local seo

Creating a Local SEO Report

Click on Configure Report and navigate to the Local SEO and GBP Section. Integrate as many Local SEO projects and GBP Accounts as necessary for the report.

Creating a Local SEO Report step 1

The previously configured heatmap for each Local SEO project will be automatically added to the report. They are fully customizable.

Creating a Local SEO Report step 2

The GBP data will be automatically added to the report. Each metric is fully customizable.

Creating a Local SEO Report step 3

Sharing the Report

After configuring your report, download the report as a .PDF, or share via Share URL or Get iFrame Code.

IFrame Code is an HTML element that allows you to embed another HTML page within your own.

search atlas download or share report

White Label Reporting

Search Atlas enables you to completely white-label your dashboard and URL.

Go to Agency White Label and set your custom dashboard URL and logo.

agency hub search atlas activate white label SEO

When you share your report via Shareable URL, it will display yogh Shareable URL, it will show your logo and custom URL.

7. How to Enable Automated SEO Optimization in Search Atlas?

SEOptimer doesn’t include an AI SEO assistant.

With Search Atlas, you can set up OTTO SEO, the AI agent that automates nearly every SEO task, including technical audits, on-page optimization, link building, content creation and optimization, Local SEO and GBP optimization, and more.

Obs: It’s necessary to go through the Site Audit on your project before activating OTTO.

Go to Projects > + Add a Website

search atlas set up OTTO step 1

Select one of your projects that doesn’t have OTTO installed, or add a new website.

search atlas set up OTTO step 2

Select the GSC and GBP, and add the details about your business.

search atlas set up OTTO step 3

Next, proceed with the tutorial to install OTTO.

search atlas set up OTTO step 4

Installing OTTO on another CMS

Go to OTTO & Projects > Installation Guide. You will find short tutorial for:

  • Google Tag Manager
  • WordPress
  • Shopify
  • Webflow
  • Squarespace
  • ClickFunnels
  • Wix
  • GoHighLevel (GHL)
  • Custom Installation
search atlas OTTO installation guide

Here is a quick recap on how to install OTTO SEO on WordPress.

Go to your WordPress dashboard. Open the Plugins section. Search for “Search Atlas” in the plugin directory. Click Install Now, then activate the plugin.

otto installation wordpress step1

Copy the API key provided during setup. Open the Search Atlas plugin settings by clicking the Search Atlas logo in the left-hand menu. Navigate to General Settings. Paste the API key into the SearchAtlas API Key field and continue.

otto instalation wordpress step 3

Copy the code provided in the next step. Return to your WordPress dashboard. Access the plugin settings again. In General Settings, check the Enable OTTO box. Paste the code into the OTTO Pixel UUID field. Save changes.

otto instalation wordpress step 5

OTTO SEO now runs inside WordPress, automating fixes and SEO updates across your site.

How to Configure OTTO SEO?

Here is a quick tutorial on how to configure OTTO Autopilot and settings.

8. How to Leverage Search Atlas Onboarding Process?

Search Atlas offers multiple support channels to help you with any question or issue. Here is how to make the most of our onboarding process.

Watch Tutorial Videos

Search Atlas offers step-by-step tutorials on YouTube to help you set up reports, dashboards, and automations.

Book a 1:1 Onboarding Session

During your trial, you can schedule a 1:1 onboarding session directly from the dashboard. A product expert will help you customize your setup, connect integrations, and configure OTTO SEO for automation.

Follow the 7-Day Email Campaign

As soon as you start your free trial, you’ll receive a 7-day onboarding email sequence. Each email walks you through a core feature.

Technical Documentation

Access full technical docs via the Help Center for detailed instruc

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Ready to Replace Your SEO Stack With a Smarter System?

If Any of These Sound Familiar, It’s Time for an Enterprise SEO Solution:

You manage 25 - 1,000+ websites
You manage 25 - 1,000+ GBP accounts
You manage $50,000 - $250,000+ Google ad spend across your portfolio