Best SEO MCP Servers: Ahrefs, Semrush, Search Console and More
An SEO MCP server acts as a bridge, enabling AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, or Cursor to access real-time SEO data (such as keywords, backlinks, analytics, and crawl results) directly in the conversation, eliminating the need for manual CSV exports and pasting prompts.
In brief: connect the server of your existing SEO suite that offers MCP access, utilize the community mcp-gsc for Search Console, and link to Google’s server for GA4. If you need the AI to modify SEO fields on a WordPress site, the final entry in the list below, Easy MCP AI, is specifically designed for that purpose.
If you’re new to the Model Context Protocol, the concise guide to MCP in WordPress provides essential information. The following table compares all nine Servers, while the selections at the end associate each server with a specific task.
| server | Publisher | Data Accessed | Hosting | Login Method | Pricing Plans (as stated by vendor) | Editable Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs MCP | Ahrefs | Ahrefs API data (keywords, backlinks, domains) | Hosted | Consent screen, MCP-scoped key | Lite plan or higher; chargeable from 50 units | As per documentation |
| Semrush MCP | Semrush | SEO data, traffic, market insights, project data | Hosted | OAuth, or API key header | Four SEO plans provide 50,000 units per renewal | Read-only |
| SE Ranking MCP | SE Ranking | Keywords, backlinks, audits, AI search visibility | Hosted | OAuth 2.1, or a pasted API key | Included in all subscriptions | As stated; read-only with restricted key |
| Serpstat MCP | Serpstat | Keywords, competitors, backlinks, audits | Hosted or local | OAuth (hosted) or API token (local) | Team plan and higher; 7-day trial available | Serpstat projects (local server) |
| DataForSEO MCP | DataForSEO | Live SERPs, keywords, backlinks, on-page data | Hosted or local | OAuth 2.0, or API login and password | Pay as you go; minimum payment of $50 | As per documentation |
| mcp-gsc | Community (AminForou) | Search Console analytics, indexing, sitemaps | Local | Google account, or service account | Free (MIT license) | Sitemaps and properties; default off on three tools |
| Google Analytics MCP | Google Analytics accounts, reports, real-time data | Local | Google credentials, read-only scope | Open source (Apache 2.0); price stated | Read-only | |
| Screaming Frog MCP | Screaming Frog | Crawl data, exports, screenshots | Local app | Sign-in stated; paid licence required | USD $279 per licence annually | Crawls and local files |
| Easy MCP AI | Themeisle | Your WordPress site plus six SEO data providers | Your WordPress site | OAuth 2.1 or provided API key | Free; Semrush, SE Ranking and DataForSEO charge from your accounts | Your site and enabled tools |
Methodology of the List Compilation
The criteria for this comparison include the type of data each server accesses, operational platforms, login requirements, pricing, and their editing capabilities. The sources are the documentation from each vendor, price pages, and repositories, reviewed on October 5, 2026; Easy MCP AI was also evaluated against its source code, WordPress.org listing, and practical tests on a demo WordPress site, as detailed later in this document. No scores or star ratings were allocated, as each server addresses different data needs; the order is based on the type of data, prioritizing backlink and keyword tools, followed by raw SERP data, Google’s internal data, a crawler, and the WordPress solution.
1. Ahrefs MCP
Ahrefs MCP is a hosted server that facilitates AI agents querying the Ahrefs API, incorporating genuine Ahrefs data such as keyword research and backlink profiles within example prompts. It operates remotely at https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp using Streamable HTTP; local setup is no longer supported, and the previous local server repository is archived on GitHub.
Connection involves an authorisation consent screen; upon approval, the link manifests in the Ahrefs account with a unique API key designated with MCP scope. Workspace administrators may establish monthly API unit restrictions for each key to prevent excessive explorations by the AI assistant. Enterprise clients can additionally use their API keys for connection.
Calls that incur costs begin at 50 API units each, with the exact consumption varying based on the request’s complexity. The same monthly unit pool supports Ahrefs MCP, Ahrefs Connect, and direct API v3 usage. Documented free endpoints and cached responses also consume units. Plans beneath the Enterprise tier limit the number of rows a single request can return.
Pricing: Paid plans commence from the Lite tier, with an added fee for the MCP server itself.
2. Semrush MCP
Semrush MCP allows AI agents to tap into Semrush’s public APIs (covering keyword data, domain specifics, backlinks, traffic, and market information, along with read-only project data) from a hosted endpoint (https://mcp.semrush.com/v2/mcp), using streamable HTTP exclusively. It is additionally available as an official Semrush application within Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, enabling setup through the application directory rather than requiring a configuration file.
Default login is facilitated through OAuth, with an API key in the Authorization header for clients lacking OAuth support. To access, an eligible plan is necessary. The Semrush One Starter, Semrush One Pro+, SEO Classic Pro, and SEO Classic Guru each include 50,000 API units that renew with each billing cycle. The SEO Classic Business and Semrush One Advanced plans require an additional purchase of API unit packs, and any Trends API plan encompasses MCP for traffic and market data.
The connection is designed for read-only access: while it can retrieve Semrush data, no modifications or deletions are permitted, even for project data, which is limited to read-only functions. It’s important to remember that AI-generated responses may lack completeness or precision, so users should verify them prior to acting upon them.
Pricing: The Starter plan (SEO + AI Search) is priced at $165.17 monthly when billed annually, as opposed to $199 if paid monthly.
3. SE Ranking MCP
SE Ranking’s MCP server is hosted and managed by the vendor at https://api.seranking.com/mcp, with over 160 tools available for keyword research, backlink analysis, domain analytics, website audits, AI search visibility, SERP analysis, and project management. The product page mentions AI search visibility across various AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and AI Mode.
Authentication can be achieved via OAuth 2.1 with dynamic client registration or by manually inputting an API key, which is also applicable for headless setups and sub-accounts within shared workspaces (the standard login button won’t connect tools). A limited API key can provide read-only access.
MCP access is incorporated in all SE Ranking subscriptions. Data API requests consume API credits, while Project API requests are deducted from the subscription’s project limits; a 14-day free trial includes 100,000 API credits along with MCP access.
Pricing: Included in every subscription, or pay as you go, starting from $50.00 for 250,000 credits that do not expire.
4. Serpstat MCP
Serpstat offers two variants of the same service: the hosted HTTP version authorizes once with OAuth and operates seamlessly across web, desktop, and mobile platforms with all tools always active. The local version is a smaller de.js server: the API token remains on your device, allowing you to select which tool groups to activate. Documentation for both versions outlines approximately sixty tools, encompassing keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink reviews, rank tracking, and site audits.
Notably, the documentation provides examples in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Ukrainian, German, and Japanese. Additionally, the local server is not restricted to read-only access: it supports project tools such as project creation and deletion as well as audit settings updates, all applicable to the Serpstat account.
API access and integration with ChatGPT or Claude through MCP starts at the Team plan, where each query utilizes API credits based on the called method, although the local server’s readme indicates some calls might be free. A free 7-day trial grants access to the entire platform.
Pricing: Requires the Team plan or higher, with a free 7-day trial.
5. DataForSEO MCP
DataForSEO operates as a pay-per-use raw data service. Its MCP server provides access to the company’s APIs, including the SERP API for live results from Google, Bing, and Yahoo, Keyword Data, Backlinks, DataForSEO Labs, On-Page Analytics, Business Data, and Domain Insights. Users can run it either through the hosted option at https://mcp.dataforseo.com/v3/mcp or locally via npx or Docker.
The current v3 server has been intentionally kept minimalistic: rather than supplying a tool for every report, the AI is provided with three documentation tools (docs_index, docs_list_sections, docs_search) alongside a single authenticated api_request tool, enabling model access to endpoint documentation prior to making requests. Authentication employs OAuth 2.0 over HTTP; standard input/output and command line interface require API login credentials and operate as the HTTP contingency plan.
Billing operates on a pay-as-you-go basis: you will only be charged for the specific services you utilize, with funds remaining on your account until consumed. New users are offered $1 in free testing credit.
Pricing: Pay as you go or subscription model; minimum charge is $50.
6. mcp-gsc
Is there a designated Search Console MCP server? Not directly listed in Google’s official compilation; the google/mcp repository includes a Google Analytics server and references for Search Console. Google’s complete list of supported MCP products doesn’t feature a Search Console server either. The community-developed mcp-gsc is a no-cost, MIT-licensed Search Console service derived from developer AminForou’s GitHub repository, which has amassed 1,848 stars and was last updated on September 15, 2026. Always review the repository before installation as it is community-driven.
It functions locally (requiring Python 3.11 or later, usually via uvx) and enables sign-in through a personal Google account via an OAuth browser method or via a service account for automation. It includes tools for search analytics encompassing clicks, impressions, click-through rates, and positions, alongside performance summaries, period comparisons, URL inspections (covering batches of 10 URLs), indexing verification, and sitemap management.
In addition to accessing Search Console data, mcp-gsc can also manipulate it: submitting or removing sitemaps and managing properties. The add_site, delete_site, and delete_sitemap functions are disabled by default.
Pricing: Free under the MIT license; your own Google Cloud project credentials are required.
7. Google Analytics MCP
Google maintains its own Google Analytics MCP server, which is also found in Google’s MCP directory. This server operates as a local, open-source initiative (Apache 2.0, Python 3.10 or newer, set up via pipx) and is explicitly labelled as Experimental in its documentation.
Its functionality covers summaries of accounts and properties, essential reports, funnel analytics via the Data API, real-time updates, and customised dimension and metric searches. The credentials employ Application Default Credentials with a read-only scope for analytics, and the server can solely handle read requests: as stated in Google’s developer guide, it cannot alter your Analytics setup or configurations.
Pricing: Open source under Apache 2.0; designated as experimental.
8. Screaming Frog SEO Spider MCP
The server/”>Screaming Frog SEO Spider MCP alters the standard configuration: the desktop application (version 24 or newer, functioning in database storage mode, which is the default setting) becomes the MCP server. It operates in two modes: STDIO, where the client launches the Spider headlessly, and Streamable HTTP, which keeps the app open for monitoring its actions.
This application allows for crawl management (including list, load, start, pause, and resume commands), the generation of reports and bulk exports, and inspection of individual URLs, including content, links, and stored screenshots. The tools for specific advanced actions are deactivated by default; both documented Claude Desktop integrations require enabling the de.js runtime, which permits the AI to execute de.js scripts and install packages, with the file tools saving data in an allowed local directory.
For a complimentary client connection, the guide suggests using LM Studio with local models. The defined scope includes crawl data, local files, and de.js scripts; action descriptions in the guide note modifications to websites.
Pricing: A paid licence is mandatory; it is not functional in the free version: $279 per licence annually for one to four licences, as outlined on the pricing page (which also features alternative currencies).
9. Easy MCP AI: The WordPress Choice
The final entry takes a different approach. Easy MCP AI is a complimentary plugin that transforms your WordPress site into an MCP server with hosted relay capabilities. The AI client (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and other compatible clients) connects directly to your site via OAuth 2.1 or an API key, retrieves data, and can modify it based on the enabled tools. For optimising WordPress SEO, it combines functionalities of your SEO plugin with connections to external data services. Easy MCP AI is developed by Themeisle, the company responsible for this blog.
Tool groups for Yoast SEO, Rank Math, SEOPress, Slim SEO, and The SEO Framework can be activated under Easy MCP AI → Tools → Abilities, placing SEO fields directly within the AI’s control (along with category and tag SEO fields for Yoast). The Yoast group enables five tools: three for reading, and two for writing.
The External Data tab integrates six providers in a unified connection, all of which are detailed within this article (including Semrush, SE Ranking, DataForSEO, Ahrefs for Domain Ratings only, Google Analytics 4, and Search Console). Each service is initially marked as disconnected until you configure it. These sets are defined, with 15 tools available for SE Ranking compared to the 160+ tools on its independent server. Each operates on your existing accounts with these providers: paid accounts for Semrush, SE Ranking, or DataForSEO, your personal Google service account, or a free Ahrefs API v3 key limited to Domain Rating data. The GA4 and Search Console integration is detailed in the WordPress MCP analytics guide.
How does this work in practice? In a test environment (WordPress 7.1.2, Yoast SEO 28.6, Easy MCP AI 2.0.1, with Claude Code 2.1.289 using a full-access token on October 5, 2026), the prompt “Which of my published posts lack a meta description in Yoast SEO? Review them all and list the ones without” resulted in a list of four out of five posts, which were identified using Yoast’s SEO data functionality. Next, the Yoast SEO group was enabled and a fresh session commenced (a previously connected client may not detect newly enabled tools until it reconnects), and a follow-up request sought a description for each post, based on their individual content and within 155 characters. The AI successfully created four meta descriptions with wp_yoast_update_post_seo, leaving the post that already had one unchanged, subsequently retrieving the posts again.
A database verification thereafter confirmed the four saved descriptions at 122, 127, 138, and 138 characters; for instance, the cold brew post’s new description was documented as “Easy cold brew: steep 100 g of coarse ground coffee in 1 litre of cold water for 14 hours in the fridge, filter, then dilute 1:1 to serve.” The page head for the espresso post featured its newly assigned description in both the meta description and og:description tags, reiterating much of each post’s content in the brief summaries.

With Change history enabled (the default in new installations), every write action is logged in the Change history, providing before/after comparisons, while the Audit log records each MCP tool invocation. Starting from version 2.1.0, the AI can also recover changes from the Change history using wp_history_apply (enabled by default; users can preview changes with a dry run first), though this restoration feature does not infringe upon what the AI generates, cannot reconstruct deleted media files or WooCommerce elements, and the wp-admin interface still provides a restore button. Familiarity with the safety filters is beneficial before authorising any write permissions: options include read-only, full access or custom settings per token, with a Force draft on creation toggle (defaulted to off), and, introduced in version 2.0.1, a feature requiring Easy MCP AI to seek your approval for destructive actions such as deletions.
Setting up follows three simple steps as outlined in the Dashboard’s connection card (Select a client, Connect this site, Confirm functionality), and the WordPress.org listing indicates more than 10,000 active installations. The WordPress AI assistants guide details the process to connect with Claude or ChatGPT, whilst the WordPress MCP server plugins overview compares the alternatives.
Pricing: Free; any charges from Semrush, SE Ranking, or DataForSEO are billed through your accounts with those providers.
Safety Precautions Before Connecting
Regardless of the server you choose, three inherent risks must be acknowledged:
- API unit and credit consumption. Vendor suites measure usage with specific units: billable Ahrefs calls start from 50 units (with per-key limits available), Semrush distributes plan units between MCP and API, DataForSEO bills per request, and chargeable SE Ranking and Serpstat calls utilize credits. It’s advisable to request small, targeted data pulls (like the top 20 keywords, or a single domain) rather than broad queries, and apply limits where offered by the vendor.
- Credentials. OAuth consent screens and scoped keys are more secure than hard-coded master credentials. A restricted SE Ranking key can provide read-only access, mcp-gsc stores its Google login locally, and Easy MCP AI maintains token records as hashed values, each tied to a specific WordPress user. The MCP project’s security best practices outline general guidelines; treat any config file containing a key as confidential.
- Prompt injection. OWASP categorizes prompt injection as LLM01, the top entry in its LLM application risks: the text read by the AI could contain commands that alter its behaviour, including indirect injections hidden within external sources like websites or files. AI systems analysing your comments, product feedback, or crawled pages are handling untrusted inputs, thus necessitating the application of least privilege principles and requiring human verification for high-risk actions (as recommended by OWASP).
PRO TIP: Initiate every new connection in read-only mode. Monitor the vendor’s usage reports or the server’s logs to understand what the AI is actually invoking, and only extend permissions when absolutely needed for a specific task. For Servers capable of editing, ensure you’re familiar with the coverage of their safety mechanisms prior to the first write action. In Easy MCP AI, activating Force draft on creation safeguards the built-in tools for creating posts and pages (designated abilities), while the approval switch halts destructive actions like deletions. To prevent updates to SEO fields such as meta descriptions, enable the Ask before destructive actions option, incorporate the updated tool (for instance, wp_yoast_update_post_seo) into its Always ask for list, and connect using OAuth or an API key that isn’t marked as Unattended, since an Unattended key will not invoke pauses.
server“>Choosing the Right SEO MCP server
Align the server with your data needs and existing expenses:
- If you’re already paying for Ahrefs, Semrush, SE Ranking, or Serpstat. Begin with that provider’s server, ensuring your plan features MCP access: when it does, the data you’ve already paid for can be integrated directly into your inquiries.
- If you require raw SERP and keyword data without a suite subscription. DataForSEO offers a pay-as-you-go model with a minimum payment of $50.
- If you want to experience the service prior to committing financially. SE Ranking’s 14-day trial includes 100K API credits and MCP access, Serpstat provides a free 7-day trial, and DataForSEO grants new accounts $1 in testing credit.
- If you frequently utilise Search Console. mcp-gsc offers a practical route, particularly since Google’s own MCP compendium does not indicate a dedicated Search Console server. Be mindful to keep destructive tools disabled.
- If you would like GA4 insights in your chat. Consider using Google’s experimental server, or leverage Easy MCP AI’s GA4 functionalities if your site operates on WordPress.
- If you conduct crawls as part of your site auditing. Screaming Frog is a viable choice, granted the paid licence is justified according to your needs.
- If your site runs WordPress and you desire the AI to perform modifications, not just observe. Easy MCP AI allows for adjustments to meta descriptions, titles, and content edits, all while maintaining an audit history, and it is available for free on WordPress.org.
What SEO data would you prioritize sharing with an AI assistant, and which would you prefer to keep private? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
References
- [1] Ahrefs documentation: “What is Ahrefs MCP” (docs.ahrefs.com), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [2] Ahrefs Help Centre: “Getting Started with Ahrefs MCP”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [3] Ahrefs API documentation: “Limits and Consumption”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [4] Ahrefs Help Centre: “About API v3”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [5] Semrush developer documentation: “Semrush MCP” (developer.semrush.com), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [6] Semrush Knowledge Base: “MCP”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [7] Semrush: “Plans & Pricing”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [8] SE Ranking API documentation: “MCP server” (seranking.com), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [9] SE Ranking: “SEO MCP” product page, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [10] SE Ranking: “API Pricing”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [11] server“>Serpstat API documentation: “Serpstat MCP server”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [12] Serpstat: “Choose Your Serpstat Plan” pricing page, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [13] server-js”>serpstat-mcp-server-js README on GitHub, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [14] Serpstat: “Serpstat MCP” product page (serpstat.com), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [15] DataForSEO: “Model Context Protocol” product page (dataforseo.com), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [16] server-typescript”>DataForSEO MCP server README on GitHub, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [17] DataForSEO: “Pricing”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [18] DataForSEO Help Centre: “What is the Minimum Payment Amount?”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [19] google/mcp on GitHub: Google’s official MCP server list (github.com/google/mcp), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [20] Google Cloud documentation: “Supported Products for MCP Servers”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [21] mcp-gsc on GitHub, repository data and README (github.com/AminForou/mcp-gsc), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [22] google-analytics-mcp README on GitHub (github.com/googleanalytics/google-analytics-mcp), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [23] Google for Developers: “Trying the Google Analytics MCP server”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [24] Screaming Frog: “MCP server” guide (screamingfrog.co.uk), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [25] Screaming Frog: “SEO Spider Pricing”, reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [26] Easy MCP AI plugin page on WordPress.org (wordpress.org), reviewed October 5, 2026.
- [27] OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications: “LLM01:2025 Prompt Injection” (genai.owasp.org), reviewed October 5, 2026.
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