OpenSEO
An open MCP server and agent skill set for SEO: keyword research, competitors, backlinks and site audits powered by DataForSEO
Medium risk
We rate an entry medium when the tool runs code, makes network calls or reads project files. Check what exactly it does before installing.
Why this level
- Requires a paid third-party DataForSEO API key
- Self-hosting has no auth by default until it is shielded separately
Install
Manual install
cp .env.example .env
docker compose up -dBefore starting, set DATAFORSEO_API_KEY in .env; it comes up on localhost:3001 by default.
Security check
How we reviewMedium riskWe rate an entry medium when the tool runs code, makes network calls or reads project files. Check what exactly it does before installing.
- Requires a paid third-party DataForSEO API key
- Self-hosting has no auth by default until it is shielded separately
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
OpenSEO gives an agent access to SEO data through MCP tools: keyword discovery, volume and difficulty metrics, SERP rankings, competitor and backlink analysis, local SEO, and Search Console data. On top of the MCP there are ready agent skills that describe in what order to call the tools for a specific task like keyword-research or competitor-analysis, and how to save the result into the project. The SEO data itself comes from the third-party DataForSEO service, billed separately on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Who it is for. For marketers and site owners who want SEO data right inside an agent conversation instead of switching to Semrush or Ahrefs.
Good fit when
- You need keyword research with volume, difficulty and intent metrics right from the agent chat
- You need competitor or backlink analysis without switching to a separate SEO tool
- You need a site audit and recommendations the agent can apply to the project directly
Not a fit when
- There is no paid DataForSEO key and none is planned; without it the server returns no data
- A ready-made SEO tool with a UI is already enough and agent integration is not needed
Example request
Using OpenSEO, find keywords for this topic and check which ones a competitor already ranks forMCP
- Transport
- http
- Authentication
- API key
Environment variables
DATAFORSEO_API_KEYrequired, secret- Base64 access key for DataForSEO, the paid third-party SEO data source.
OPENROUTER_API_KEYsecret- Needed for AI features such as SAM.
Limitations
The data is paid: you need your own DataForSEO API key, with a minimum $50 top-up and only $1 of trial credit. The hosted OpenSEO plan costs $10 per month; self-hosting on Docker comes up with auth disabled by default and must be shielded behind your own reverse proxy or tunnel.
How to disable. For self-hosting, stop the container with docker compose down. For the hosted version, remove the MCP server from the agent config and cancel the subscription at openseo.so.
FAQ
Is a subscription to openseo.so mandatory?
No, you can self-host on Docker or Cloudflare for free, but DataForSEO data is always billed separately regardless.
Are there ready skills for specific tasks?
Yes, .agents/skills includes skills like keyword-research, competitor-analysis, backlinks and keyword-clustering that describe the order of MCP tool calls.
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README in short
The README presents OpenSEO as an open alternative to Semrush and Ahrefs, working through MCP and agent skills for Claude Code, OpenClaw and Hermes. It lists workflows: keyword research, rank tracking, competitor insights, backlinks, site audits, AI visibility. It emphasizes pay-as-you-go billing through your own DataForSEO key instead of a subscription to a whole SEO suite, with a $10/month hosted plan and Docker or Cloudflare self-hosting.
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