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MCP Integration Guide
MCP SEO Ranking is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server with 68 specialized SEO tools. Connect it to Claude Code in one command and let AI execute your entire SEO strategy: keyword research, rank tracking, content audits, backlink analysis, and reporting. No copy-pasting between tools. Full automation. See all platform features or follow the 31-step SEO blueprint these tools automate.
Three steps to connect MCP SEO Ranking to Claude Code. The entire setup takes under 2 minutes.
Sign up at mcpseoranking.com/register, then go to Settings > API Keys and generate a new key. The key starts with msr_ and is stored as a SHA-256 hash on our side. Copy it immediately -- you will not see it again.
Run this command in your terminal to register MCP SEO Ranking with Claude Code:
claude mcp add --transport http --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY" mcpseoranking https://mcpseoranking.com/api/mcpReplace YOUR_KEY with the API key you generated in step 1.
Check that the health endpoint responds:
curl https://mcpseoranking.com/api/mcp/healthYou should receive a JSON response with {"status":"ok"}. Now start Claude Code and ask it to check a keyword ranking -- it will automatically call the seo_check_ranking tool.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI assistants call external tools. When you add MCP SEO Ranking as an MCP server, Claude Code gains access to68 SEO-specific tools. You simply describe what you want in natural language, and Claude selects and calls the right tools automatically.
"Check where example.com ranks for best CRM software"
seo_check_ranking with domain and keyword parameters
Position, URL, SERP features, recommendations, and next steps
Every tool response includes a _meta object with three fields that make the raw data actionable. This is what separates MCP SEO Ranking from generic API wrappers: the AI gets not just data but context, interpretation, and next steps.
A human-readable summary of what the data means. For example, when a rank check returns position 14, the interpretation might explain that you are on page 2 and need to improve content depth and acquire 3-5 backlinks to reach page 1.
Specific, actionable suggestions based on the data. Not generic advice like "improve your content" but specific actions like "add FAQ schema for the 4 People Also Ask questions found in the SERP" or "your title tag is 73 characters, shorten to under 60 to prevent truncation."
The suggested next MCP tool to call based on the current results. This enables Claude to chain tools together in intelligent workflows. For example, after seo_check_ranking, the nextStep might suggest seo_analyze_serp to understand why competitors outrank you.
Retrieve data without side effects. Safe to call at any time.
seo_get_project_statusReturns the current project overview including domain, health score, total tracked keywords, average position, indexed pages count, and last check timestamp. Use this as a starting point to understand the project state before running other tools.
seo_get_rankingsRetrieves all tracked keyword positions with full history. Returns current position, previous position, position delta, URL ranking, and a position history array. Supports filtering by keyword, date range, and minimum/maximum position.
seo_get_keywordsReturns the keyword research library with search volume, difficulty, CPC, SERP features, and intent classification for each keyword. Supports filtering by intent type and minimum volume.
seo_get_blueprint_progressReturns the 31-step blueprint completion status organized by phase. Each step shows completion status, verification result, and timestamp. Includes overall completion percentage.
seo_get_audit_resultsReturns on-page audit scores for all audited URLs. Each result includes scores for title, meta description, H1, headings, images, internal links, schema, and an overall score out of 100.
seo_get_competitorsLists all tracked competitor domains with their metrics: domain rating, organic traffic estimate, total keywords, and overlap percentage with your domain.
seo_get_backlinksReturns your backlink profile: total referring domains, dofollow/nofollow ratio, link velocity, top linking domains, and recent new/lost links.
seo_get_content_calendarReturns all content calendar entries with their status (planned, in-progress, published, archived), target keyword, publish date, and assigned author.
seo_get_geo_visibilityReturns AI search visibility scores across engines: Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT search. Includes visibility gauge score, engine breakdown, and suggested queries where your content could appear.
Create or modify data. Each call triggers a real action.
seo_check_rankingChecks the live Google SERP position for a single keyword and domain. Calls the DataForSEO API in real time. Returns position, URL, SERP features, and competitor positions. Rate limited to 30 req/min.
seo_suggest_keywordsGenerates keyword suggestions from a seed keyword using DataForSEO. Returns up to 50 suggestions with search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, and competition level for each.
seo_analyze_serpFetches and analyzes the top 10 Google SERP results for a query. Returns each result with position, URL, title, description, domain rating, word count, and SERP features. Identifies search intent distribution.
seo_check_backlink_profileFetches the backlink profile for any domain using DataForSEO. Returns referring domains count, total backlinks, dofollow ratio, top anchor texts, and top linking domains.
seo_add_content_itemAdds a new entry to the content calendar. Accepts title, target keyword, planned publish date, content type, and notes. Returns the created calendar item.
seo_complete_blueprint_stepMarks a blueprint step as complete with optional verification data. Accepts step number and verification result. Updates the blueprint progress and returns the updated step status.
seo_get_alertsRetrieves smart alerts generated from rank checks, competitor movements, and audit results. Returns alerts categorized by severity (critical, warning, info) with actionable descriptions.
Utility tools for technical SEO checks and content generation.
seo_run_sitemap_checkFetches and validates an XML sitemap URL. Checks for valid URLs, response codes, lastmod dates, and sitemap index structure. Reports errors like broken URLs, missing pages, and oversized sitemaps.
seo_run_robots_checkFetches and parses a robots.txt file. Identifies blocked paths, crawl-delay directives, sitemap references, and potential misconfigurations that could prevent indexing of important pages.
seo_generate_schemaGenerates JSON-LD structured data markup for a given page type. Supports Organization, Article, FAQ, HowTo, Product, BreadcrumbList, and LocalBusiness schemas. Returns valid JSON-LD ready to paste into your page.
seo_get_competitor_analysis[DEPRECATED] Legacy single-competitor analysis. Prefer seo_competitor_deep_analysis (W3 workflow) which chains competitors + keyword gaps + SERP analysis in one call.
seo_generate_content_briefGenerates a data-driven content brief from a target keyword. Analyzes the top 10 SERP results to determine optimal word count, required H2 headings, questions to answer (from PAA), and secondary keywords to include.
Advanced analysis that processes data and returns insights.
seo_detect_cannibalizationScans your keyword portfolio for cannibalization: multiple pages competing for the same keyword. Returns groups of conflicting pages with the keyword they share and recommended resolution (merge, differentiate, or redirect).
seo_detect_content_decayIdentifies content that is losing rankings over time. Analyzes position trends over the last 30-90 days and flags pages with consistent downward movement. Suggests whether the page needs a content refresh, new backlinks, or technical fixes.
seo_classify_keyword_intentClassifies a keyword into search intent categories: informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional. Uses SERP analysis and keyword patterns. Returns intent type, confidence score, and recommended content format.
seo_check_page_speedRuns a page speed audit on a URL. Returns Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS), performance score, and specific optimization opportunities with estimated impact.
seo_get_anchor_analysisAnalyzes anchor text distribution across your backlink profile. Returns percentage breakdown by type (branded, exact match, partial match, generic, naked URL) and flags over-optimization risks.
Tools that cross-reference data sources to surface opportunities.
seo_get_onpage_scoreReturns the on-page SEO score for a specific URL. Checks title tag, meta description, H1, heading hierarchy, image alt text, internal links, schema markup, and content length. Scores each factor and returns an aggregate score out of 100.
seo_get_serp_featuresIdentifies which SERP features appear for a given query: featured snippet, People Also Ask, video carousel, image pack, knowledge panel, local pack, and more. Returns feature types and whether your domain appears in them.
seo_get_keyword_gapsCompares your keyword portfolio against one or more competitor domains. Returns keywords where competitors rank in the top 10 but your domain does not appear in the top 100. Sorted by search volume and opportunity score.
seo_export_reportGenerates a comprehensive SEO executive report in markdown format. Includes health score breakdown, ranking summary, traffic trends, backlink growth, blueprint progress, and prioritized action items. Ready for export or sharing.
Individual tools are powerful, but the real value comes from chaining them together. MCP SEO Ranking also ships 6 pre-built workflow tools (W1–W6) that compose the steps internally — a single call replaces a multi-step sequence.
seo_full_site_auditW5 — Audit completo: rankings + on-page + speed + backlinks + blueprintseo_keyword_research_workflowW2 — Suggest + classify intent + detect cannibalization end-to-endseo_competitor_deep_analysisW3 — Competitors + keyword gaps + SERP analysis consolidadoseo_content_planning_workflowW4 — Keywords + calendar + blueprint + brief del top keywordseo_health_check_workflowW1 — Dashboard completo: status + rankings + alerts + speed + sitemap + robotsseo_geo_visibility_workflowW6 — GEO end-to-end: visibility metrics + AIO probing + recommendationsPrefer workflow tools when you want atomic, deterministic execution. Use manual chaining (below) when you need step-by-step control or custom branching.
1. Call seo_suggest_keywords with your seed keyword to get 50 suggestions
2. Call seo_classify_keyword_intent on each to categorize intent
3. Call seo_get_keyword_gaps to find what competitors rank for but you do not
4. Call seo_analyze_serp on your top 5 targets to assess difficulty
5. Call seo_generate_content_brief for each keyword you decide to target
1. Call seo_get_project_status for an overview
2. Call seo_run_sitemap_check and seo_run_robots_check for technical issues
3. Call seo_check_page_speed on your top 10 pages
4. Call seo_detect_cannibalization to find keyword conflicts
5. Call seo_export_report to generate a full health report
1. Call seo_get_competitors to list tracked competitors
2. Call seo_competitor_deep_analysis (W3 workflow) on each competitor domain
3. Call seo_get_keyword_gaps to find opportunity keywords
4. Call seo_check_backlink_profile on competitor domains
5. Call seo_get_anchor_analysis to compare link profiles
1. Call seo_geo_visibility_workflow — composed tool (W6) that chains:
a. seo_get_geo_visibility for AI Inclusion Rate + Share of Model per engine
b. For engines scoring below the healthy threshold, probes seo_analyze_serp
c. Returns consolidated recommendations per engine
2. Results include health labels (critical / emerging / healthy / dominant)
3. Tip: a single call replaces the sequence of the other W1..W5 workflows
The MCP SEO Ranking Skills pack ships 8 markdown playbooks with decision trees, numeric benchmarks, and phrasing that tell an AI agent exactly which tool to call in which order — no guessing.
skills/README.md on GitHub →All MCP requests require an API key sent in the Authorization header. Keys use the msr_ prefix and are stored as SHA-256 hashes on the server. Each key is scoped to a single user account.
Authorization: Bearer msr_your_api_key_hereDataForSEO tools: 30 req/min. General tools: 60 req/min. Body size: 1MB max.
JSON-RPC 2.0 over HTTPS. POST to /api/mcp. GET /api/mcp/health for status.
Common issues and how to resolve them.
Your API key is missing or invalid. Generate a new key in Settings > API Keys. The key must start with msr_ and be sent in the Authorization header as Bearer token.
You have exceeded the rate limit. DataForSEO routes are limited to 30 requests per minute. General API routes allow 60 requests per minute. Wait and retry.
Verify the endpoint URL is correct: https://mcpseoranking.com/api/mcp. Check that your network allows HTTPS connections. If using a corporate network, you may need to configure proxy settings.
Ensure you are using the exact tool name (e.g., seo_check_ranking, not check_ranking). Tool names are case-sensitive and always start with seo_.
Most read tools require an active project with data. Create a project, add your domain, and run at least one rank check before querying rankings or audit results.
Run claude mcp list to verify the server was added. If not listed, re-run the add command. Check that the --transport http flag is included. Restart Claude Code after adding.