Semrush remote MCP connector

  • Updated

The Semrush remote Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector in Optimizely Opal brings search engine optimization (SEO) and market intelligence from Semrush into Opal. Opal retrieves Semrush data so you can research keywords, analyze competitors, and monitor rankings without leaving your workflow.

The Semrush remote MCP connector is in beta.

The connector gives Opal access to Semrush SEO, Trends, and Projects data. Use it to run domain overviews, organic and paid search research, keyword and backlinks research, competitor and audience analysis, traffic overviews, and position tracking. Access to your projects is read-only.

The Semrush remote MCP is managed by Semrush. For details, see Semrush MCP server in the Semrush documentation.

First, an Opal administrator must connect the Semrush remote MCP to Opal. After connecting the MCP server, individual Opal users and agent builders can log in to Semrush to access their information from Opal. Administrators only need to connect the Semrush remote MCP once.

Connect the Semrush remote MCP to Opal

The first person to connect a third-party service to Opal should be an administrator of that service. Administrator access installs the complete set of tools, so Opal adds every available tool. If a non-administrator connects the service first, Opal installs only the tools that account can access.

Opal administrators connect and grant access to Semrush from Opal. After granting access, administrators select which tools to enable in Opal and optionally customize their display names.

Add Semrush connection

As an Opal administrator, complete the following steps:

  1. Go to Connectors in Opal.
  2. (Optional) Enter Semrush in the search bar to filter the connectors list.

  3. Click Connect on the Semrush tile. 

  4. Log in to your Semrush account. 

  5. Configure the connector.

  6. Click Approve.

A confirmation message displays and you can close the pop-up window.

Configure Opal tools

After adding the Semrush connection, Opal prompts you to select which tools to enable and optionally customize their display names.

As an Opal administrator, complete the following steps:

  1. Deselect any tools you do not want to add to Opal.
  2. (Optional) Update any tool's display name.

  3. Click Finish. 

The Semrush tile displays Connect on the Connectors tab for Opal users to authenticate with their personal accounts.

To update the available tools or names, see Update tools.

Authenticate with Semrush

Each Opal user and agent builder logs in to Semrush individually to access their Semrush data from Opal. User-level authentication ensures you access only the data your Semrush account is authorized to view.

Before you begin, confirm that an Opal administrator has connected the Semrush remote MCP to Opal. Until an administrator connects it, the Semrush tile displays Contact admin instead of Connect and you cannot select it.

To authenticate, complete the following steps in Opal:

  1. Go to Connectors.
  2. (Optional) Enter Semrush in the search bar to filter the connectors list.
  3. Click Connect on the Semrush tile. 
  4. Log in to Semrush.

After you connect to Semrush, the Semrush connector tools your administrator added become available in Opal Chat, agents, and workflows.

Semrush connector tools

The Semrush connector tools are available in Opal after an administrator connects the Semrush remote MCP to Opal and you log in to Semrush. The available tools depend on which tools your administrator enabled. For a full list of available tools and actions, see Semrush MCP server in the Semrush documentation.

Update tools

To rename, add, or remove tools, an Opal administrator must delete the Semrush tools registry and re-add it. To do so, complete the following steps:

  1. Follow the steps in Delete a tool registry.
  2. Add Semrush connection.
  3. Configure Opal tools.

If you use Opti ID, administrators can turn off generative AI in the Opti ID Admin Center. See Turn generative AI off across Optimizely applications.