Feature Dependencies & Integration Map
This page documents verified dependencies between AlmaSEO features and their required integrations. Use this when planning which features to enable for a site — it tells you exactly what needs to be connected before a feature will work.
!!! info "How to Read This Page" Hard dependency = the feature cannot function without it. Optional = the feature works without it but gains extra capability when available. Enhancement = adds supplementary data but the core feature is unaffected.
Integration Requirements by Feature
OpenAI API (48 features)
The AI backbone powering content generation, analysis, and recommendations. Nearly every content-producing feature requires an active OpenAI API connection.
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Content Creation (all article types) | Hard | Powers all AI content generation |
| Content Authority Engine | Hard | Humanization, E-E-A-T, structural depth |
| AI Content Recommendations | Hard | GPT-4o-mini generates strategy |
| First Impression (UX Analysis) | Hard | GPT-4o Vision scores 6 UX categories |
| GEO/AI Search Optimizer | Hard | AI evaluates entity clarity and citation-worthiness |
| Alma AI Chat | Hard | GPT-4o-mini with tool calling |
| Content Automation pipeline | Hard | Generates articles for scheduled topics |
| SEO Recovery 911 | Hard | AI analysis of GSC data patterns |
WordPress API (24 features)
Required for any feature that reads from or publishes to a WordPress site. The AlmaSEO WordPress Connector Plugin must be installed and connected.
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Publish to WordPress | Hard | Cannot publish without connection |
| WordPress Content Pull | Hard | Reads existing posts/pages for inventory |
| Content Automation pipeline | Hard | Publishes generated articles |
| WordPress Settings | Hard | Connection status + diagnostics |
| SEO Metadata (Yoast/AIOSEO/RankMath) | Hard | Writes meta via REST API |
| Structured Data WordPress Injection | Hard | Injects schema via API |
| WordPress Categories | Hard | Syncs category taxonomy |
| Content Hub (Published/Drafts/Scheduled) | Hard | Reads post status from WP |
Google Search Console (7 features)
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Recovery 911 | Hard | Cannot run without GSC — primary data source |
| AI Content Recommendations | Hard | GSC queries feed the recommendation engine |
| Search Console Indexing | Hard | Submits URLs for indexing |
| Content Gap Analysis | Hard | Identifies keyword opportunities from GSC data |
| Analytics (Search Performance) | Hard | GSC impressions, clicks, CTR, position |
| Intelligence Data Sources | Optional | Enriches recommendations when available |
| Content Hierarchy Warnings | Optional | Uses GSC data to detect cannibalization |
Google Business Profile (6 features)
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NAP Shield | Hard | GBP data is ground truth for NAP consistency |
| GBP Search Queries → AI Recommendations | Hard | Feeds local search queries into content strategy |
| Reviews → Content Mining | Hard | Mines review themes for blog topics |
| GBP Testimonials in Articles | Hard | Embeds real 5-star reviews in generated content |
| Business Profile dashboard | Hard | Displays metrics, reviews, photo stats |
| SEO Recovery 911 | Enhancement | Adds GBP data if available, works without it |
Google Analytics / GA4 (3 features)
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics & Insights | Hard | GA4 traffic, engagement, conversion data |
| Alma AI Chat (analytics queries) | Optional | Can answer GA4 questions when connected |
| Overview dashboard | Optional | Shows traffic trends when available |
SendGrid (9 features)
| Feature | Dependency Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Publication Report Email | Hard | Sends post-publish notification |
| Client Work Report Email | Hard | Sends activity summary to clients |
| Post-Ready Email Notifications | Hard | Alerts when automation completes a post |
| Mailchimp Article Blast | Hard | Distributes content via email |
Feature-to-Feature Dependencies
These are cases where one AlmaSEO feature requires another AlmaSEO feature to function.
Verified Hard Dependencies
Content Automation ──────→ Content Creation (article generation engine)
──────→ WordPress API (publish target)
──────→ OpenAI API (AI generation)
GEO/AI Search Optimizer ─→ Schema Generator (evaluates structured data)
─→ Structured Data system (schema detection + scoring)
AI Content Recommendations → Intelligence Data Sources (feeds the engine)
Search Console Indexing ──→ Google Search Console (API requirement)
Structured Data Dashboard → WordPress Connector Plugin (injection target)
Verified Optional Dependencies
First Impression ·········→ Schema Generator (only in GEO mode, not core UX)
·········→ SEO Recovery data (reads if exists, works without)
Content Authority Engine ··→ GBP Reviews (includes testimonials when available)
AI Recommendations ········→ GBP Search Queries (enriches when connected)
········→ Google Search Console (enriches when connected)
Previously Claimed but Incorrect
These were listed as dependencies but verified against the codebase as not required:
| Claimed | Actual | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First Impression → SEO Recovery 911 | Not a dependency | FI only reads cached SEO Recovery data if it happens to exist — no import, no API call, no failure if absent |
| SEO Recovery → GBP | Not a dependency | GBP data optionally enriches the report but SEO Recovery runs entirely on GSC data |
| SEO Recovery → Google Ads | Not a dependency | Google Ads data is optional enrichment shown in a separate section; core audit is GSC-only |
What Do I Need to Enable Feature X?
Quick reference for common setup questions.
"I want to use Content Automation"
- OpenAI API key configured
- WordPress site connected via Connector Plugin
- At least one topic saved in Content Planning
- Automation enabled in Settings sub-tab
"I want AI Content Recommendations"
- OpenAI API key configured
- At least one Intelligence Data Source connected (WordPress content, GSC, or GBP)
- More sources = better recommendations
"I want First Impression reports"
- OpenAI API key configured
- A valid site URL
- (Optional) For GEO mode: Schema Generator runs automatically as part of the analysis
"I want SEO Recovery 911"
- OpenAI API key configured
- Google Search Console connected and verified
- (Optional) GBP connected for NAP consistency section
"I want NAP Shield"
- Google Business Profile connected
- Business Information filled in (name, address, phone)
- Locations configured (for multi-location businesses)
"I want Structured Data on my WordPress site"
- WordPress Connector Plugin installed
- Agency tier (for Dashboard + Injection features)
- Pro tier sufficient for Schema Generator and detection/scoring
Integration Coverage Summary
| Integration | Features Using It | Required Setup |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI API | 48 | API key in platform settings |
| None (standalone) | 45 | No external connection needed |
| WordPress API | 24 | Connector Plugin installed + connected |
| Google APIs (GSC + GA4 + GBP + Ads) | 23 | OAuth connection per service |
| SendGrid | 9 | API key in platform settings |
Total features: 134 (some use multiple integrations)