DataSEO MCP
An MCP server with SEO data: backlinks, keyword difficulty and traffic estimates from the free Ahrefs tools
- 193 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
Broad access
Why this level
- The server sends Turnstile checks to a paid CAPTCHA service, which bypasses a third-party site protection and may breach Ahrefs terms
- Domains and keywords go to third parties: Ahrefs, CapSolver or Anti-Captcha, and OpenRouter
- The CAPTCHA service key is billed for every solve
Install
- Works in
Manual install
claude mcp add dataseo --scope user -- uvx --python 3.10 dataseo-mcpSet CAPSOLVER_API_KEY or ANTICAPTCHA_API_KEY first. uv is required.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- The server sends Turnstile checks to a paid CAPTCHA service, which bypasses a third-party site protection and may breach Ahrefs terms
- Domains and keywords go to third parties: Ahrefs, CapSolver or Anti-Captcha, and OpenRouter
- The CAPTCHA service key is billed for every solve
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server answers questions about domains and keywords right in the agent chat. `get_backlinks_list` returns domain rating, referring domains and backlink rows, `get_traffic` gives monthly traffic, top pages, countries and keywords. `keyword_generator` suggests keyword and question ideas, `keyword_difficulty` shows difficulty and the live SERP. The composite tools `domain_overview`, `compare_domains` for 2 to 5 domains and `backlink_opportunities` find links competitors have and your site lacks. The data comes from the free Ahrefs tools. To clear the Turnstile check on their pages the server hands the challenge to a paid CAPTCHA-solving service: CapSolver or Anti-Captcha. `ai_search_queries` and `seo_content_brief` add intent-grouped queries and a content brief draft through OpenRouter. The repository also ships a `dataseo-seo-research` skill that tells the agent which tool to pick and asks for conclusions instead of raw dumps.
Who it is for. SEO specialists and site owners who want quick checks of a backlink profile and competitors without exports or dashboards.
Good fit when
- You need to see which domains link to a site and its rating without opening a separate service
- An article topic needs keyword ideas and difficulty from the live SERP
- A site is compared with two to five competitors on links and traffic in one table
- You look for sites that link to competitors but not to yours
- A content brief is prepared for a keyword with SERP data
Not a fit when
- You need data with an availability guarantee and support: the server uses free Ahrefs pages that sit behind a check and may change
- You have no CapSolver or Anti-Captcha key: without one the Ahrefs-backed tools do not work
- Ahrefs terms forbid automated access in your case: the author leaves compliance with the terms to the user
- Bulk exports over thousands of domains: the server is built for one-off chat questions
Example request
Use DataSEO to compare my site example.com with three competitors on links and traffic and find domains that link to them but not to meMCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- API key
Environment variables
CAPSOLVER_API_KEYrequired, secret- CapSolver key for solving the Turnstile check. ANTICAPTCHA_API_KEY works instead.
ANTICAPTCHA_API_KEYsecret- Anti-Captcha key, the fallback when CapSolver is unset or fails.
OPENROUTER_API_KEYsecret- OpenRouter key for the ai_search_queries and seo_content_brief tools.
OPENROUTER_MODEL- OpenRouter model for the AI tools, for example openai/gpt-4o-mini.
DATASEO_REQUEST_TIMEOUT- HTTP timeout in seconds, 30 by default.
Limitations
- A key for one CAPTCHA-solving service is required: `CAPSOLVER_API_KEY` or `ANTICAPTCHA_API_KEY`. Every solved check costs money at a third-party service.
- The author states the project is for education and research and automates third-party services. Complying with the terms of Ahrefs, CapSolver, Anti-Captcha and OpenRouter is on you.
- The AI tools work only with `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`; without it their output is marked unavailable.
- Python 3.10 and `uv` are required.
How to disable. Run `claude mcp remove dataseo`. In Claude Desktop, Cursor or VS Code delete the dataseo entry from the config and revoke the CapSolver and OpenRouter keys if they are no longer needed. The cache lives in `~/.cache/dataseo-mcp`.
FAQ
How do I connect DataSEO MCP to Claude Code?
Set `CAPSOLVER_API_KEY` in the environment and run `claude mcp add dataseo --scope user -- uvx --python 3.10 dataseo-mcp`. No separate install: `uvx` fetches the package.
Why does the server need a CapSolver key?
The free Ahrefs tools sit behind a Turnstile check. The server sends it to CapSolver or Anti-Captcha to solve, and each solve costs money at that service.
Which tools work without OpenRouter?
All except `ai_search_queries` and `seo_content_brief`. Those need `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`; without it the AI part of the answer is marked unavailable.
Is this use of Ahrefs data lawful?
The author calls the project educational and research and leaves compliance with the terms to the user. Read the Ahrefs terms before any work use.
How does DataSEO MCP differ from paid DataForSEO?
DataForSEO sells data through a paid API. This server takes data from the free Ahrefs tools and pays only for CAPTCHA solving.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The file starts with sample questions to an assistant and a table of tools with their results. Then come quick start through `uvx`, environment variables for CAPTCHA, OpenRouter and the cache, and configs for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code. An API reference with sample responses and a warning about third-party terms follow.