Roundup · checked October 2026
Best SEO MCP servers
The SEO MCP servers worth connecting to Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor: what data each gives your agent, its licence, how it runs and the cheapest way to use it, checked on each vendor's own site. OpenSEO is ours, and it is on the list; the others are right for different teams.
At a glance
SEO MCP servers compared
Vendor servers use the data in your plan; open-source servers need a data source you pay per lookup. Your own Search Console data is the one thing that is always free.
| Server | What it covers | Licence | Runs as | Cheapest way to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSEO | Keywords, SERPs to the top 100, backlinks, competitors, rank tracking, site audit, AI visibility, local, Search Console and GA4 | MIT | Hosted (OAuth or API key), or self-hosted with Docker | Free; data billed per lookup to your own YepAPI key, no plan |
| DataForSEO MCP | Raw access to the DataForSEO APIs: SERPs, keywords, backlinks, on-page, domain analytics | Apache-2.0 | Hosted, or local with npx or Docker | $1 trial credit, then pay as you go from a $50 top-up |
| Ahrefs MCP | Ahrefs data: backlinks, keywords, Site Explorer, rankings | Proprietary | Hosted, OAuth | Ahrefs plan from Lite, $129 a month |
| Semrush MCP | Semrush data: keywords, domains, backlinks, Projects (read-only) | Proprietary | Hosted, OAuth or API key | SEO Classic Pro, $139.95 a month (50K API units) |
| SE Ranking MCP | Keywords, backlinks, rank tracking, site audit, local, AI visibility | Proprietary (its Claude skills are open) | Hosted | 14-day trial with 100K credits, then $50 for 250K credits |
| Nightwatch SEO MCP | Your Nightwatch rank tracking data and reports | Not stated | Hosted, Bearer API key | Nightwatch plan from €79 a month (its pages differ on which plans include MCP) |
| Serpstat MCP | Serpstat data: keywords, domains, backlinks, SERPs | MIT | Local with npx | Serpstat Team plan, $100 a month (Individual has no API) |
| Mangools MCP (beta) | KWFinder keywords, SERPs and related Mangools data | Not stated | Hosted, OAuth or token | Free account: 100 keyword and 100 SERP lookups once; paid plans on Mangools’ site |
| Keywords Everywhere MCP | Keyword volumes, related keywords and backlink data | Not stated | Hosted, API key or OAuth | Bronze, $84 a year for 100K credits (annual only) |
| mcp-gsc (Search Console) | Your own Google Search Console data | MIT | Local with uvx or Python | Free |
| Similarweb MCP | Website traffic and market data | Not stated | Hosted | API access on Business or Enterprise; price not stated |
One by one
The best SEO MCP servers
1. OpenSEO
MCP serverOpenSEO · MIT · Hosted (OAuth or API key), or self-hosted with Docker · tools: 67
Ours. One open-source server that covers what usually takes three or four: keyword research, live SERPs, backlinks and link gap, competitors, rank tracking, site audits with Lighthouse, AI visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity, geo-grid local rankings, and seven free tools for your own Search Console and GA4 data. Every paid tool takes a dry run and a spending ceiling.
Cheapest way to use it: Free; data billed per lookup to your own YepAPI key, no plan
Good for
- One server for the whole SEO workflow
- Agents with a hard spending cap per call
- Your own Search Console data, free
Keep in mind
- Search data comes through one provider (YepAPI), not its own index
- A young project, in active development
2. DataForSEO MCP
GitHubDataForSEO · Apache-2.0 · Hosted, or local with npx or Docker · tools: 4 (a generic API request tool that reads the docs)
The data provider behind many SEO tools, with an open-source MCP server. Version 3 gives the agent the API documentation and one generic request tool, so it can call almost any DataForSEO endpoint. Powerful and cheap per call, but the agent does the work of building each request.
Cheapest way to use it: $1 trial credit, then pay as you go from a $50 top-up
Good for
- Developers who want raw data at API prices
- Custom agents that need endpoints no tool wraps
Keep in mind
- The agent has to compose raw API requests
- No rank tracking, audits or dashboards around the data
3. Ahrefs MCP
DocsAhrefs · Proprietary · Hosted, OAuth · tools: Not stated
Ahrefs’ hosted MCP server, for Ahrefs customers. It reads from Ahrefs’ own index, one of the largest backlink datasets, and draws on the API units in your plan.
Cheapest way to use it: Ahrefs plan from Lite, $129 a month
Good for
- Teams already paying for Ahrefs
- Deep backlink research from Ahrefs’ index
Keep in mind
- Needs an Ahrefs subscription
- Usage draws on monthly API units; Ahrefs’ terms forbid calling it from scripts or bridges
4. Semrush MCP
DocsSemrush · Proprietary · Hosted, OAuth or API key · tools: Not stated
Semrush’s hosted MCP server, for Semrush subscribers. It reads Semrush’s keyword, domain and backlink databases, and your Projects read-only, using the API units in your plan.
Cheapest way to use it: SEO Classic Pro, $139.95 a month (50K API units)
Good for
- Teams already on Semrush
- Competitive and keyword data from Semrush’s databases
Keep in mind
- Needs a Semrush subscription
- Clients outside Semrush’s supported list need approval from Semrush Support
5. SE Ranking MCP
DocsSE Ranking · Proprietary (its Claude skills are open) · Hosted · tools: 180+
A broad hosted server from SE Ranking with over 180 tools across its data and projects, including rank tracking, audits, local and AI visibility. Credits are bought in packs.
Cheapest way to use it: 14-day trial with 100K credits, then $50 for 250K credits
Good for
- A very wide tool set
- SE Ranking customers
Keep in mind
- Proprietary and hosted only
- API keys can’t be made read-only yet
6. Nightwatch SEO MCP
Product pageNightwatch · Not stated · Hosted, Bearer API key · tools: Not stated
A hosted MCP server for the Nightwatch rank tracker, so an agent can read your tracked rankings and segments.
Cheapest way to use it: Nightwatch plan from €79 a month (its pages differ on which plans include MCP)
Good for
- Nightwatch customers
- Asking an agent about rankings you already track
Keep in mind
- Needs a Nightwatch plan
- Its MCP page says Professional and above; its pricing page says every plan
7. Serpstat MCP
GitHubSerpstat · MIT · Local with npx · tools: 65
An open-source local server for Serpstat’s API with 65 tools over its keyword, domain and backlink data.
Cheapest way to use it: Serpstat Team plan, $100 a month (Individual has no API)
Good for
- Serpstat customers
- A local, open-source client
Keep in mind
- Needs a Team plan or above
- Limited to 1 request a second on Team
8. Mangools MCP (beta)
Product pageMangools · Not stated · Hosted, OAuth or token · tools: About 35
A beta hosted server for Mangools’ keyword and SERP data, with a small free allowance to try it.
Cheapest way to use it: Free account: 100 keyword and 100 SERP lookups once; paid plans on Mangools’ site
Good for
- Trying keyword research in an agent for free
- Mangools customers
Keep in mind
- In beta
- The free allowance is one-time
9. Keywords Everywhere MCP
Product pageKeywords Everywhere · Not stated · Hosted, API key or OAuth · tools: 14, all read-only
A light hosted server over Keywords Everywhere’s credits, for volumes, related keywords and backlinks. Cheap if you already use the extension.
Cheapest way to use it: Bronze, $84 a year for 100K credits (annual only)
Good for
- Low-cost keyword volumes
- Keywords Everywhere users
Keep in mind
- No rank tracking or audits
- Annual billing only; up to 120 calls a minute
10. mcp-gsc (Search Console)
GitHubAmin Foroutan (community) · MIT · Local with uvx or Python · tools: About 19
The most popular community Search Console server: performance data, URL inspection and sitemaps for properties you own. Google has no official Search Console MCP.
Cheapest way to use it: Free
Good for
- Free Search Console analysis in an agent
- Running locally with your own Google credentials
Keep in mind
- Your own sites only: no keyword or competitor data
- Doesn’t work in the claude.ai browser
11. Similarweb MCP
Product pageSimilarweb · Not stated · Hosted · tools: 26
Similarweb’s hosted server for traffic and market intelligence on any website.
Cheapest way to use it: API access on Business or Enterprise; price not stated
Good for
- Traffic and market research at enterprise level
Keep in mind
- API plans only, priced on request
Choosing
Which SEO MCP server to use
Most teams end up with one broad server plus their own Search Console data. Pick by what you already pay for.
| If you want | Use |
|---|---|
| One server for the whole SEO workflow, no plan | OpenSEO |
| Your own Search Console data, free | OpenSEO (7 free tools) or mcp-gsc |
| You already pay for Ahrefs or Semrush | Their own MCP, on your plan |
| Raw API data for a custom agent | DataForSEO MCP |
| The widest tool set on one vendor | SE Ranking MCP |
| Cheap keyword volumes | Keywords Everywhere or Mangools (free allowance) |
FAQ
SEO MCP servers FAQ
What is an SEO MCP server?
A server that gives an AI agent SEO tools through the Model Context Protocol. Once connected, Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another MCP client can look up keyword volumes, read live Google results, check backlinks or your Search Console data, and act on what it finds, from one instruction.
What is the best SEO MCP server?
There is no single best one; it depends on what you already pay for. If you are on Ahrefs or Semrush, use their MCP with your plan. For raw data in a custom agent, DataForSEO. For one server that covers keywords, SERPs, backlinks, rank tracking, audits, AI visibility and Search Console with no subscription, OpenSEO.
Is there a free SEO MCP server?
The software can be free: OpenSEO, DataForSEO’s server, Serpstat’s server and mcp-gsc are open source, and OpenSEO charges nothing for its hosted server either. Search Console data is free in OpenSEO and mcp-gsc because Google doesn’t charge for it. Keyword, SERP and backlink data always comes from a paid source: a provider billed per lookup or a vendor plan.
How do I connect an SEO MCP server to Claude?
In Claude, add a custom connector with the server’s URL (for OpenSEO, its /mcp endpoint) and sign in when asked; in Claude Code, run claude mcp add with the URL. Local servers are added to the client’s config file instead. See Connect your agent.
How do I stop an agent from overspending on SEO data?
Use a server that quotes before it spends and enforces a ceiling. OpenSEO’s paid tools take dry_run (price only) and max_cost_usd (refused above it), and a monthly limit stops all spending. With vendor plans, the plan’s units or credits are the limit.
Licences, hosting, prices and tool counts checked on each vendor's own docs, pricing page or repository in October 2026. Prices change; check the vendor before you buy. Names are trademarks of their owners. See also open-source SEO tools.