How to use the DataForSEO Live SEO Data agent skill

What an agent skill is and what this one does

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file and optional reference files. When your request matches the skill's description, the agent loads those instructions and follows them, so it behaves in a consistent, documented way for that task.

This skill does not supply data on its own. It is a guide for using a DataForSEO MCP server, which provides the tools the agent calls. Once everything is connected, the agent can fetch live Google organic results, keyword ideas and search volume, keyword difficulty and intent, Google Trends data, backlink profiles, competitor domains, on-page analysis, business listings, and LLM mention tracking for generative engine optimisation (GEO).

• SERP analysis: organic results, YouTube search results and image elements from the organic SERP
• Keyword research: ideas, volume, difficulty, intent and trends
• Backlinks and competitors: backlink profiles, ranked keywords, domain intersection and traffic estimates
• On-page and content: page analysis, technology detection and content trends
• AI visibility: ChatGPT scraping and LLM mention tracking for GEO

What you need before installing

The skill depends on several pieces. It will not work without the DataForSEO extension, and every call is billed by DataForSEO, so you need an account with API credentials.

The source lists these requirements: the DataForSEO extension installed through ./extensions/dataforseo/install.sh, a DataForSEO account and API credentials, the DataForSEO MCP server (pinned to a specific package version in the source), and the claude-seo scripts runtime, which the cost-estimation and logging steps use. The skill also runs scripts and uses the network.

• A DataForSEO account with API credentials
• The DataForSEO extension, installed from the claude-seo repository
• The pinned DataForSEO MCP server package
• The claude-seo scripts runtime for cost estimation and logging

Install the skill from the ZIP or the Claude apps

To add the skill files, download the ZIP from this page and unzip it. For a personal setup, place the skill folder in ~/.claude/skills/. For a single project, place it in that project's .claude/skills/ folder. Check that the folder contains SKILL.md at its top level.

If you use the Claude apps instead, open Settings, go to Capabilities, and upload the skill under Skills.

Installing the skill files does not replace the extension step. The skill expects the DataForSEO extension and MCP server to be present, so complete the extension installation from the claude-seo repository as well.

• Personal install: ~/.claude/skills/
• Project install: .claude/skills/ inside your project
• Claude apps: Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, then upload

Check that the MCP tools are connected

Before any DataForSEO request, the skill tells the agent to confirm that the MCP server is connected by checking whether a DataForSEO tool such as serp_organic_live_advanced is available. If none are available, the agent should tell you the extension is not installed and point you to the install steps.

If you get that message, do not retry the same request. Finish the extension install first, then restart your session so the agent can see the new tools.

Trigger the skill with natural requests

You can ask in plain language. The skill's description lists trigger phrases such as 'dataforseo', 'live SERP', 'keyword volume', 'backlink data', 'AI visibility check' and 'real search data'. Naming the data you want and the domain or keyword usually works best.

You can also use the slash-command form from the reference table, such as /seo dataforseo serp followed by a keyword. Each command maps to specific DataForSEO tools, and the skill uses the default location of United States and English unless you specify otherwise.

• Give me the live Google results for 'standing desk reviews' and note which ones show featured snippets.
• What is the monthly search volume for these keywords: running shoes, trail shoes, marathon training plan?
• Pull the backlink profile for example.com and tell me the strongest referring domains.
• Run an AI visibility check on how often our brand appears in LLM answers for 'project management software'.

Understand the cost guardrails

DataForSEO charges per API call, so the skill adds a cost layer. Before each DataForSEO call, the agent runs a cost check. If the result is approved, the call proceeds. If it needs approval, the agent shows you the estimate and waits for confirmation. If it is blocked, the agent reports that the daily budget limit would be exceeded and does not run the call. After each call, the actual cost is logged.

You can review and configure spending with the cost commands. The source describes a threshold approval mode, which asks for confirmation above a set amount. The pricing table and budget presets are in references/cost-tiers.md.

• /seo dataforseo costs today shows today's spending breakdown
• /seo dataforseo costs summary shows 7-day spending history
• /seo dataforseo costs config --mode threshold --threshold 0.50 sets the approval mode

Safety notes: scripts and network access

This skill runs scripts and makes network requests to DataForSEO. The cost check and log steps run through the claude-seo scripts runtime, and the MCP tools send your queries to DataForSEO's API. Queries you send, including domains and keywords, leave your machine for that service.

The skill also warns before expensive work. Full backlink crawls, large keyword lists and filtered SERP queries that use site: or filetype: operators are flagged, because those operators incur 5x the API cost. Review the estimate before approving.

• Uses network: queries are sent to the DataForSEO API
• Runs scripts: cost checks and logs are executed through the claude-seo runtime
• Filtered SERP queries with site: or filetype: cost 5x more

Tips for lower costs and better results

Batch your requests. The skill prefers bulk endpoints over repeated single calls, and it avoids re-fetching data it already has in the same session. Ask for several keywords or domains in one request where the tool allows it.

Keep the default location and language unless your market differs. Set a daily budget in the cost configuration before large projects. For image research, note that the pinned MCP server has no Google Images tool, so the skill reports image elements from the organic SERP instead.

• Send several keywords in one volume request
• Set a threshold so you approve only costly calls
• Use the quick commands for small checks and reserve backlink crawls for specific needs
• Read references/cost-tiers.md before planning a large audit