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← Make money with AI · Mission 2 of 37

See any business's Google traffic, keywords and rivals for about 7 cents

Run your own copy of OpenSEO, an open-source Semrush. Set it up once (about 30 minutes), then audit any local business's keywords, traffic, backlinks and AI visibility in 10 minutes, for around 7 cents a business instead of a monthly subscription.

45 minIntermediateTools: Cents per lookup ($1 free credit)Step 1 free
Tested 7 Oct 2026 · OpenSEO 0.1.11, Node 26, Windows 11
OpenSEO running on your own machine
A full read-out on any businessthe keywords they rank for, what those clicks are worth, who links to them
Seven audit angles most SEO pitches miss, from the rival in the map pack to who AI recommends
  • The exact numbers you need for the next lesson: turning an audit into a pitch
Before you start
  • Git and Node.js installed: Install any free tool from GitHub sets up both
  • A DataForSEO account (Step 1). New accounts get $1 free, enough for a few audits
  • About 1GB of disk space
01/07Get your data key0 done
STEP 01 of 07~5 min

Get your data key

OpenSEO is free, but the search data comes from DataForSEO. You pay them per lookup, no subscription.

  1. Create an account at DataForSEO ↗. They'll ask you to verify your account before the API works. Do it now, or you'll hit an error later.

  2. Then open API Access in the dashboard and click Send by email. You'll get your login, your API password and a long Base64 version of both. The Base64 one is what OpenSEO wants.

    CarefulThat Base64 string is a password. Never paste it into a chat, a screenshot, or a public repo. It only goes in one file on your own machine (Step 4).
    TipNew accounts get $1 of free credit, and a full look at one business (overview, keywords, backlinks) costs around 7 cents. The minimum top-up after that is $50, so only add money once you know you'll use it.
✓
CheckpointYou have an email from DataForSEO with a long Base64 credential in it, and your account shows as verified.
If it breaksLater, searches fail with 'verify your account' / 403
Later, searches fail with 'verify your account' / 403
DataForSEO blocks API calls until the account is verified. Finish verification in their dashboard, then try the search again. Nothing in OpenSEO needs changing.
Still stuck? Ask the community
Next mission · Make money with AITurn the audit into a pitch deck in 5 minutes
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