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Connect Claude to Semrush

Connect Claude to Semrush through ApexGenius. Read domain, keyword, backlink and traffic reports from your Semrush account; each report spends API units.

Connect SemrushSee the setup

7 days free · No card required

How to connect Semrush to Claude

Before you start

  • A Semrush plan with API access. SEO data needs Semrush One Starter or Pro+, or SEO Classic Pro or Guru. SEO Classic Business and Semrush One Advanced need an API units package. Traffic and market data need a Trends API plan.
  • A Semrush API key from your Semrush profile under API Keys.

1. Connect Semrush to ApexGenius

  1. Copy an API key in Semrush. In Semrush, click your profile icon at the top right, then choose API Keys in the My profile sidebar. Copy an existing key, or choose + Create API key for a new v4 key. A new key is shown in full only once, so copy it right away.
    The full Semrush API keys page before sign-in, with a red box around Log in.
    The API keys page asks you to log in first. After you sign in, copy a key from My profile, API Keys.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  2. Open Semrush in Connections. Sign in to ApexGenius, open Connections, choose Semrush, and select Connect.
  3. Enter the API key. Paste the key. ApexGenius supplies the mcp.semrush.com address, checks the key with Semrush's MCP, and stores it encrypted.
  4. Check the connection. Open Tools, then ask your AI the question below. Compare the answer with Semrush and check Tool Activity.
Connect Semrush →

2. Add ApexGenius to Claude

Use this server address when adding the connection:

https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
  1. Open Claude Settings, then Connectors, then Add custom connector.
  2. Enter ApexGenius and the MCP URL above. Choose Connect.
  3. Approve it in your browser, then turn it on in chat or Cowork.
  4. When ApexGenius asks what this AI client may use, choose Read only for the first test, or Custom to limit it to the tools you need.
  5. Start a new conversation and select ApexGenius from the available tools before asking for live data.
Official Claude setup instructions ↗

Watch the connection

7-second loop · Silent, with captions

Read the steps Follow along at your own pace

1. Open Connectors

Claude Desktop Connectors settings with the Add menu at the top and an ApexGenius example in the connector table.
Open Settings, then Connectors. Choose Add at the top; an existing installation appears in the table like this example.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)

2. Add ApexGenius

Claude Desktop Add custom connector form filled with the ApexGenius name and remote MCP server URL.
Choose Add custom connector, enter the two live values above, and choose Continue. No client id or secret belongs in this form.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)

3. Review permissions

Claude Desktop ApexGenius connector details showing the remote server URL and Tool permissions heading.
After approval, open ApexGenius from Connectors to review its URL and tool permissions. This capture is an existing configured example.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)

3. Verify one safe read

Show a Semrush domain overview for my website in the US database. Run only that one report.

Show a Semrush domain overview for my website in the US database. Run only that one report.

Compare the numbers with Domain Overview in Semrush. Every report spends Semrush API units, including this one. Check your balance under My Profile > Subscription info > Summary.

Additional reference: the Semrush setup guide.

Start free

What it looks like in Claude Cowork

An illustrative read-only request and response. Your results come from the account and dates you choose.

How the route works
Claude
Claude CoworkApexGenius MCP route
Show a Semrush domain overview for my website in the US database. Run only that one report.
ApexGenius
Working with ApexGenius1 tool search · 3 reads
RequestDomain overview
Account scopeAuthorized connections checked
apex_search_toolsSemrush domain reports · Find the Semrush report routeComplete
apex_call_read_tooldomain_overview · Find domain overview reportsComplete
apex_call_read_toolget_report_schema · Read the report parametersComplete
apex_call_read_toolexecute_report · Run the one reportComplete
Claude

Illustrative example: the overview returns the domain’s organic and paid search summary for the US database. One report ran and spent Semrush API units. Nothing was changed.

Read-only route
Claude Cowork

What you can ask once it is connected

“Show a Semrush domain overview for my website in the US database. Run only that one report.”

“Which domains compete with my website in organic search? Keep it to the top ten.”

“Find related keywords for "project management software" with search volume. Limit it to 20 rows.”

“List my Semrush projects and summarize the latest Position Tracking results for one of them.”

You choose what Claude is allowed to touch

Choose the saved accounts and tools this Claude connection may use. Its authorization carries that scope, and each app connection’s tool and resource restrictions still apply.

  • Full accessEvery enabled tool on the connections you choose.
  • Read onlyLooks things up, changes nothing.
  • CustomPick apps and tools one by one.
  • · Semrush's MCP is read-only. It reads reports and project data. It cannot create projects, change settings or edit anything in Semrush, so there is nothing to undo.
  • · Every report spends API units from your Semrush plan, the same as a direct API request. Semrush charges no extra fee for MCP. Ask for fewer rows to spend fewer units.
  • · The key covers your Semrush account. One saved connection holds one key; connect again for a second account.
  • · Disconnecting stops ApexGenius access. It does not restore units a report already spent. Manage or revoke the key itself in Semrush under API Keys.

The Semrush operations Claude can run

14 operations: 14 Read and 0 Write. Available tools depend on your connection and permissions. Review any action that changes or removes data. Claude discovers these operations through the ApexGenius gateway.

  • domain_overviewReadList the domain overview reports you can run for a domain.
  • traffic_overviewReadList the website traffic reports you can run.
  • competitors_researchReadList the competitor reports you can run for a domain.
  • organic_researchReadList the organic search reports you can run for a domain.
  • keyword_researchReadList the keyword research reports you can run.
  • paid_search_researchReadList the paid search reports you can run.
  • shopping_researchReadList the shopping research reports you can run.
  • backlinks_researchReadList the backlink reports you can run.
  • audience_researchReadList the audience reports you can run.
  • projectsReadList the reports you can run on your Semrush projects.
  • position_trackingReadList the Position Tracking reports you can run.
  • site_auditReadList the Site Audit reports you can run.
  • get_report_schemaReadRead the parameters one report takes before you run it.
  • execute_reportReadRun one report and return its data. Spends Semrush API units.

Questions people ask first

Which Semrush plans work?

SEO data needs Semrush One Starter, Semrush One Pro+, SEO Classic Pro or SEO Classic Guru. Those plans include 50,000 API units that refresh on your renewal date. SEO Classic Business and Semrush One Advanced work with an API units package. Traffic and market data need a Trends API plan, Basic or Premium.

Does it use my Semrush API units?

Yes. Each report uses the same API units as a direct Semrush API request, and Semrush charges no extra MCP fee. Check your balance in Semrush under My Profile > Subscription info > Summary.

Where do I find my Semrush API key?

In Semrush, click your profile icon at the top right and choose API Keys in the My profile sidebar. Copy a key, or choose + Create API key for a new v4 key. A new key is shown in full only once.

Can my AI change anything in Semrush?

No. Semrush's MCP only reads. It can read your projects but cannot create projects, change settings or edit data, so there is nothing to undo.

Why an API key instead of signing in to Semrush?

ApexGenius connects with the API key method Semrush documents for AI agents. The key is sent only to mcp.semrush.com and stored encrypted. You manage the key itself in Semrush under API Keys.

Connect Semrush to Claude today

Start free

7 days free. No card required. Disconnect any time.