# Surfer SEO setup for PopMCP

Nothing has to be typed into PopMCP. You click Sign in with Surfer, sign in, choose your organization and select Authorize. There is no developer app or callback URL to set up. Under More options you can use a Surfer API key instead of signing in, which adds Audit, SERP Analyzer, AI Detector and Humanizer. Surfer support issues that key to your organization's owner.

- Auth: OAuth authorization
- Setup time: 1 min
- API base URL: https://mcp.surferseo.com/mcp
- Credentials screen: https://app.surferseo.com
- Provider docs: https://devs.surferseo.com/mcp/authentication

## Approval required before this works

Signing in needs a Surfer plan that includes MCP: Surfer lists Pro, Peace of Mind, Enterprise and AI Search Analytics. The optional API key needs Peace of Mind, Enterprise or the API add-on.

- Typical wait: Instant for signing in once the plan includes MCP, with no application and no review. An API key waits on Surfer support, who issue it by hand.
- Cost: Prices are on Surfer's pricing page. Creating a Content Editor, an AI article on Enterprise and some older plans, Auto-Optimize, Audit, SERP Analyzer and Humanizer draw on the plan's own credits and allowances.
- Blocked until approved: Without MCP on the plan, the organization is disabled on Surfer's consent page and nothing connects. Without API access, a key answers 401 or 403. Audit, SERP Analyzer and AI Tracker must also be on the plan, or those tools alone are refused.
- Works meanwhile: Check the MCP tab in Surfer to see whether your plan includes MCP, and MCP & API, then API, for the API key.

## Before you begin

- A Surfer account in an organization whose plan includes MCP. Surfer lists Pro, Peace of Mind, Enterprise and AI Search Analytics; the MCP tab in Surfer shows whether yours does
- Pop-up blockers must allow the Surfer sign-in window to open
- Only if the AI should change anything: an owner or admin in PopMCP to allow write actions
- Only for an API key: Peace of Mind, Enterprise or the API add-on, and the organization owner's login

## Get your credentials

### 1. Start the connection from PopMCP

Open the Surfer SEO connector in PopMCP and click Sign in with Surfer. There are no fields to fill in: no API key, no developer app and nothing to register.

### 2. Choose your organization and authorize

If you are not signed in to Surfer in this browser, Surfer shows its normal login page first. Then its consent page says PopMCP is requesting access to your Surfer account. Check the account under Signed in as, choose the Organization this connection works in, and select Authorize. An organization whose plan does not include MCP is shown disabled. One connection works in one organization.

### 3. Back in PopMCP

You return to PopMCP, connected. New connections are read-only: your AI can read Content Editors, guidelines and scores, and nothing spends a credit. An owner or admin in PopMCP can allow write actions when you want it to create and rewrite.

### 4. Or connect with an API key

Optional, instead of signing in, for Audit, SERP Analyzer, AI Detector and Humanizer. Sign in to Surfer as the organization's owner, open MCP & API, then API, and select Contact Support on the Get your API key card. Send the form that opens. When support sends the key, open More options in PopMCP and paste it. To have both ways, add a second connection.

Screen: https://devs.surferseo.com/api/authentication

## Fields PopMCP asks for

- How you connect (connectionType): Click Sign in, sign in to Surfer, choose your organization and select Authorize. There is nothing to copy or paste.
- API key (instead of signing in) (apiKey): Adds Audit, SERP Analyzer, AI Detector and Humanizer. Surfer support issues the key to your organization's owner: in Surfer open MCP & API, then API, and select Contact Support. Stored encrypted and used only on our servers.

## Scopes requested

- openid
- offline_access

## Verify

The Surfer SEO card in PopMCP shows Connected with the number of tools available. Asking the AI for the connection profile (`surfer_connection_profile`) lists them and says which change data.

## Troubleshooting

### The sign-in window never opens

Cause: A pop-up blocker is stopping the Surfer sign-in window.

Fix: Allow pop-ups for PopMCP in your browser and click Sign in with Surfer again.

### Surfer says MCP is not available for your organizations, or your organization is disabled on the consent page

Cause: The organization's plan does not include MCP.

Fix: Check the MCP tab in Surfer. Someone with billing access can change the plan under Your subscription.

### The consent page says the authorization request expired

Cause: A pending sign-in stays valid only for a short time.

Fix: Go back to PopMCP and click Sign in with Surfer again.

### A workspace is missing, or the AI gets not found

Cause: A signed-in connection reaches only the workspaces you are a member of.

Fix: Ask an organization owner or admin to add you to the workspace in Surfer.

### Your API key is not accepted

Cause: The key was mistyped, or support has reset it, which replaces it at once everywhere.

Fix: Paste the current key again. Support can resend it from the Contact Support button.

### PopMCP says API access is not on for this organization

Cause: The key is real, but the plan does not include the API.

Fix: API access comes with Peace of Mind, Enterprise or the API add-on. Connecting by signing in needs no key.

### The AI says a credit or allowance is used up

Cause: The plan's Content Editor credits or Auto-Optimize allowance have run out.

Fix: Check the Usage page in Surfer. It resets with the plan, or someone with billing access can change it.

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Source: https://www.docs.popmcp.com/docs/integrations/surfer-seo/