# Hosted DataForSEO MCP server

> DataForSEO’s SEO and AI answer data in Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor, with nothing to install and no DataForSEO account. Manifold runs on DataForSEO and charges per call from prepaid credits.

## Connect

One server URL for every client: `https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`, streamable HTTP, with OAuth or an API key as a bearer token. Every workspace starts with 500 free credits and no card.

- [Claude](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude): Go to Settings, then Connectors, and add a custom connector. Paste the URL and sign in.
- [Claude Code](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude-code): Run this, then /mcp to sign in. `claude mcp add --transport http manifold https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [ChatGPT](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/chatgpt): Turn on developer mode. Go to Settings, then Apps & Connectors, and choose Create. Paste the URL.
- [Codex](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/codex): Run this, then codex mcp login manifold to sign in. `codex mcp add manifold --url https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [Cursor](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/cursor): One click, or paste the URL in the MCP section of Cursor Settings.
- [Gemini CLI](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/gemini): Run this, then /mcp auth manifold to sign in. `gemini mcp add --transport http manifold https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [Grok](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/grok): Go to Settings, then Connectors, and add a connector. Paste the URL and sign in.
- [Grok Bot](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/grok-bot): Paste this to the bot. It adds Manifold and asks you to sign in. `Add the Manifold MCP server as a plugin: https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp.`
- [OpenCode](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/opencode): Run opencode mcp add, choose Remote and paste the URL.
- [Any other client](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/other): Add it as a remote MCP server in any other client.

## The tools your agent gets

- [`seo_search_keywords`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_search_keywords): Get keyword ideas. Candidate keywords around a seed, with volume, difficulty, intent, CPC and trend for each. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_serp`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_serp): Get search results for a query. The top organic results and SERP features Google shows for one query. From 1 credit.
- [`seo_get_ranked_keywords`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_ranked_keywords): Get a domain's ranked keywords. Keywords a domain or one page ranks for in the top 100, with position, URL and metrics. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_backlinks`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_backlinks): Get backlinks. Individual backlinks pointing at a domain or page, strongest referring domain first. From 10 credits.
- [`seo_get_domain_overview`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_domain_overview): Get a domain overview. Traffic estimate, ranked keyword count, position spread, top pages and domain rank for one domain. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_run_technical_crawl`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_run_technical_crawl): Run a technical audit. Crawl a site for technical SEO issues. From 3 credits.
- [`aeo_run_ai_answers`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/aeo#aeo_run_ai_answers): Run AI answers for a prompt. What AI engines answer for a prompt, with the brands they mention and the sources they cite. From 2 credits.
- [`aeo_search_prompts`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/aeo#aeo_search_prompts): Search AI prompts. Prompts people ask an AI engine (ChatGPT or Google AI Overview) about a topic or brand, from the provider's index of observed answers. From 30 credits.
- [`aeo_get_site_readiness`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/aeo#aeo_get_site_readiness): Get AI readiness for a site. Whether a site is set up for AI answer engines, from about seventeen live fetches of its origin, free. Free.

Every parameter and return field: [SEO tools in the docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo.md).

## The same data, with the plumbing done

DataForSEO’s own MCP server, hosted or run locally, calls its API with your DataForSEO login and balance. Manifold holds the account, shapes the answers for agents, and charges repeat calls a fraction of the price.

| | DataForSEO’s own MCP | DataForSEO’s API | Manifold |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Needs a DataForSEO account | Yes | Yes | No |
| First payment | $50 minimum | $50 minimum | None, free credits |
| Setup | Your login in the config | Your own code | Paste one URL |
| Every DataForSEO endpoint | Many | Yes | The ones agents use |
| Social, Reddit and leads beside it | No | No | Yes |

## Things to ask

- What does Google show for “best running shoes” in the UK, with the AI Overview?
- Pull keyword ideas around “payroll software” with volume and difficulty.
- Which keywords does this domain rank for in the top 10? [domain]
- What do ChatGPT and Perplexity answer for “best payroll software”?
- List the referring domains of our competitor, strongest first.
- Crawl our site and list pages with missing meta descriptions.

## Pay per call

- Get keyword ideas: From 5 credits
- Get search results for a query: From 1 credit
- Get a domain's ranked keywords: From 5 credits
- The same answer again, from the cache: 25% or less

Details: [pricing](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/pricing.md) and [how credits work](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/credits.md).

## Questions about the DataForSEO MCP

### Is this DataForSEO’s data?

Yes. Every SEO and AI answer tool on Manifold runs on DataForSEO. The site readiness check and the on-page snapshot fetch the site directly.

### Do I need a DataForSEO account?

No. Manifold holds the account and charges credits per call, starting with a free grant and no card.

### Why not use DataForSEO directly?

If you want every endpoint and your own billing with them, do. Manifold is for an agent: fewer, clearer tools, answers trimmed to what an agent reads, a cache, and social, Reddit and leads on the same server. [SEO tools in the docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo.md).

### Which clients does it work with?

Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Grok, OpenCode and any other client that connects to a remote MCP server. Sign in with OAuth, or use an API key from the dashboard for scripts. [Setup guides for every client](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients.md).

### What does it cost?

Per call, in credits, with the price stated before your agent calls. A repeat of a recent call costs a fraction of the price. [How credits work](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/credits.md).

## On the same server

- [SEO MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/seo.md): Keywords, rankings, backlinks and audits.
- [AI visibility MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/ai-visibility.md): What ChatGPT, Gemini and others say and cite.
- [Ahrefs MCP alternative](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/ahrefs.md): Keywords and backlinks without an Ahrefs plan.
- [Semrush MCP alternative](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/semrush.md): Keyword research and rankings, pay per call.
- [Reddit MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/reddit.md): Threads, comments and subreddits.
- [YouTube MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/youtube.md): Videos, channels, comments and transcripts.
- [Apollo MCP alternative](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/apollo.md): Companies, people and verified work emails.
- [LinkedIn MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/linkedin.md): Posts, profiles and company pages.
- [All MCP servers](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp.md)