DataForSEO AI Optimization MCP Server

Complete MCP server for tracking brand visibility in LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity).

🚀 Features

Tier 1: Core Tools (Solve 80% of demand)

• ✅ search_mentions - Find brand mentions across all LLMs
• ✅ ai_keyword_search_volume - Get AI-specific search volume
• ✅ chatgpt_live - Query ChatGPT with citations
• ✅ claude_live - Query Claude with citations
• ✅ gemini_live - Query Gemini with citations

Tier 2: High-Value Tools

• ✅ top_domains - Competitor analysis
• ✅ aggregated_metrics - Historical tracking
• ✅ perplexity_live - Complete LLM coverage
• ✅ chatgpt_scraper_live - Deep HTML extraction
• ✅ cross_aggregated_metrics - Multi-domain comparison

Tier 3: Power Features

• ✅ top_pages - Content optimization insights
• ✅ list_chatgpt_models - Available ChatGPT models
• ✅ list_claude_models - Available Claude models
• ✅ list_gemini_models - Available Gemini models
• ✅ list_perplexity_models - Available Perplexity models

Tier 4: Batch Operations

• ✅ chatgpt_task_post/ready/get - Bulk ChatGPT queries
• ✅ claude_task_post/ready/get - Bulk Claude queries

Total: 21 production-ready tools

📋 Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+
• DataForSEO account with API credentials
• Claude Desktop (for testing)

🔧 Installation

Step 1: Clone or Create Directory

mkdir dataforseo-mcp-server
cd dataforseo-mcp-server

Step 2: Create Virtual Environment

macOS/Linux:

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

Windows:

python -m venv venv
venv\Scripts\activate

Step 3: Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 4: Configure Credentials

1. Copy .env.example to .env:

cp .env.example .env

2. Edit .env and add your DataForSEO credentials:

DATAFORSEO_LOGIN=your_email@example.com
DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD=your_api_password_here

Get credentials from: https://app.dataforseo.com/api-dashboard

Step 5: Test Authentication

python test_auth.py

Expected output:

✅ SUCCESS! Your DataForSEO credentials are working!

🚀 Running the Server

Test Locally

python server.py

Configure Claude Desktop

macOS:

Edit: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dataforseo-ai": {
      "command": "/FULL/PATH/TO/venv/bin/python",
      "args": ["/FULL/PATH/TO/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "DATAFORSEO_LOGIN": "your_email@example.com",
        "DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD": "your_api_password"
      }
    }
  }
}

Windows:

Edit: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dataforseo-ai": {
      "command": "C:\\FULL\\PATH\\TO\\venv\\Scripts\\python.exe",
      "args": ["C:\\FULL\\PATH\\TO\\server.py"],
      "env": {
        "DATAFORSEO_LOGIN": "your_email@example.com",
        "DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD": "your_api_password"
      }
    }
  }
}

Get full paths:

# macOS/Linux
pwd  # Current directory
which python  # Python path (use venv/bin/python)

# Windows
cd  # Current directory
where python  # Python path (use venv\Scripts\python.exe)

Restart Claude Desktop

1. Quit Claude Desktop completely
2. Reopen Claude Desktop
3. Look for 🔌 icon in bottom-right
4. Click it - you should see "dataforseo-ai" listed

📖 Usage Examples

Example 1: Check Brand Mentions

Use search_mentions to check if "Semrush" is mentioned in LLMs

Example 2: Get AI Search Volume

Get AI search volume for: "SEO tools", "keyword research", "link building"

Example 3: Multi-LLM Comparison

Compare responses: Ask ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini "What are the best SEO tools?"

Example 4: Competitor Analysis

Use top_domains to see which competitors dominate for "project management software"

Example 5: Historical Tracking

Use aggregated_metrics to track semrush.com mentions from 2025-01-01 to 2025-03-01

💰 Cost Tracking

All tools log their credit costs:

• search_mentions: 2 credits ($0.002)
• ai_keyword_search_volume: 1 credit per keyword ($0.001)
• chatgpt_live: 5-20 credits depending on model ($0.005-$0.020)
• top_domains: 2 credits ($0.002)
• aggregated_metrics: 2 credits ($0.002)
• Model listings: FREE (0 credits)

🐛 Troubleshooting

Error: "DATAFORSEO_LOGIN and DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD must be set"

• Check .env file exists
• Verify credentials are correct
• No extra spaces around = signs

Error: "API Error: Authentication failed"

• Verify credentials at https://app.dataforseo.com/api-dashboard
• Check account has credits available
• Confirm using API password, not account password

Error: "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'fastmcp'"

• Activate virtual environment: source venv/bin/activate
• Reinstall dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt

Claude Desktop doesn't show the server

• Check config file path is correct
• Use absolute paths (not relative paths like ~/)
• Restart Claude Desktop completely
• Check logs in Claude Desktop settings

📊 Logging

All tools log:

• Input parameters
• Output summaries
• Credit costs
• Timestamps

Check terminal output when server runs for detailed logs.

🔐 Security

• Never commit .env to git
• .gitignore is pre-configured
• Credentials are loaded from environment variables only

📚 API Documentation

Full DataForSEO API docs: https://docs.dataforseo.com/v3/ai_optimization/overview/

🆘 Support

Issues? Check:

1. DataForSEO API status: https://status.dataforseo.com/
2. DataForSEO support: https://dataforseo.com/support
3. Your account credits: https://app.dataforseo.com/

📝 License

MIT License - Use freely in your projects

🎯 What Problems This Solves

1. ✅ Brand Invisibility - 43.4% of queries get zero mentions
2. ✅ Unknown AI Search Volume - Traditional volume doesn't translate
3. ✅ Multi-LLM Chaos - Different responses across LLMs
4. ✅ Competitor Blind Spots - Can't measure Share of Voice
5. ✅ Citation Paradox - High mentions ≠ website traffic

Built based on real market demand from SEO communities.