Use SEO Sauna with ChatGPT

Connect SEO Sauna to ChatGPT on the web or in the desktop app as a custom MCP connection, and check that it works.

The custom connection in this guide works on ChatGPT Free and paid plans. You do not need to upgrade. On Business, Enterprise, and Edu, workspace permissions can limit access.

Connect SEO Sauna before asking ChatGPT for SEO research. ChatGPT cannot add the connection by itself. If you paste the setup prompt into a regular chat, it will list the steps below for you.

SEO Sauna billing is separate from your ChatGPT subscription.

ChatGPT on the web

Sign in to chatgpt.com.
If your version shows it, open Settings → Security and login and enable Developer mode. Some versions show the custom connection flow directly in Plugins.
Open Plugins, select +, then Create MCP App. In the older interface, go to Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode, then Create or Add custom app.
Enter:

Field Value

Name SEO Sauna

Server URL https://app.seosauna.com/mcp

Authentication OAuth

Type the full URL, including https://.
Review the custom connection notice and create the connection. Sign in to SEO Sauna in the window that opens and approve access. Back in ChatGPT, if the new app needs installing, open it under Personal and select Install or +.
Start a new chat. Open the + / tools menu and select SEO Sauna. If the menu shows Developer mode, choose it and enable SEO Sauna there. If your composer supports mentions, you can also type @ and select SEO Sauna.
Send the connection check.

Field	Value
Name	`SEO Sauna`
Server URL	`https://app.seosauna.com/mcp`
Authentication	`OAuth`

You do not need an API key for this flow. OAuth handles sign-in. A custom connection gives ChatGPT the SEO Sauna tools, not the Agent Skills. You can still ask for keyword research, audits, or competitor research in plain language.

See OpenAI's connection guide for the current interface.

ChatGPT desktop

Codex in the desktop app: start a new Codex chat and paste the setup prompt from Agent setup. Codex can configure its own connection and guide you through sign-in. To do it by hand, follow the Codex desktop steps.
Regular ChatGPT chats in the desktop app: follow the web steps above.

Codex and ChatGPT web use separate connections. Run the connection check in the chat where you want to use SEO Sauna.

Check that SEO Sauna is connected

In a new chat with SEO Sauna selected, send:

Use SEO Sauna to check my connection and list my projects. Do not run SEO research or create anything.

ChatGPT should call SEO Sauna and return your connection status and project list. An empty project list also means the connection works. These reads use no credits.

If ChatGPT says it cannot access SEO Sauna, or only explains how to connect, setup is not finished. Check that SEO Sauna is installed, signed in, and selected in this chat, then start a new chat.

Once it works, try:

Use SEO Sauna to help me choose one SEO task for my website. Ask about my goal before starting paid research.

Troubleshooting

What you see	What to do
No Developer mode or Create MCP App option	Check Settings → Security and login and Settings → Plugins → Developer mode. On a workspace plan, ask your admin whether custom connections are allowed.
"Error fetching OAuth configuration: Unsafe URL"	Enter the URL in full as `https://app.seosauna.com/mcp`, with no spaces. A URL without `https://` is rejected.
You cannot find SEO Sauna in a directory	SEO Sauna has no directory listing. Add it as a custom connection with the steps above.
ChatGPT asks for a client ID or secret	Keep OAuth selected and wait for discovery. If offered, choose Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) under advanced OAuth settings. You do not need to supply your own client ID or secret.
The sign-in window never appears	Allow the sign-in window to open, then retry authentication from the connection's details.
Sign-in succeeds but tools are unavailable	Finish installing the app if prompted, start a new chat, and select SEO Sauna from the tools menu.
ChatGPT gives general advice instead of calling SEO Sauna	Select SEO Sauna and resend the connection check.
Codex works, but chatgpt.com cannot find SEO Sauna	Connect ChatGPT web separately. It does not read your Codex configuration.
You have no projects	That still confirms the connection. Create a project in SEO Sauna when you are ready.

Still failing? Email support@seosauna.com with your ChatGPT plan, web or desktop, the step that failed, and the error message. Do not include passwords, API keys, or sign-in codes.

Update the connection

When SEO Sauna adds or changes tools, open the connection's details under Plugins, select Refresh to reload the tools, and start a new chat. If sign-in has expired, authenticate again.

For Codex, see Update your skills.