Create Your First Project
Learn how to set up and configure your first Forest SEO project, including language settings, content preferences, and integration configuration.
Projects are the organizational foundation of Forest SEO. Each project serves as a container for keywords, content, integrations, and settings—typically representing one website or content strategy.
Understanding Projects
A project organizes all resources related to a specific content initiative:
Project Structure
├── Keywords (target search terms)
├── Content (generated articles)
├── Integrations (publishing connections)
└── Settings (configuration options)Project Organization Strategies
| Scenario | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Single website, single language | One project |
| Single website, multiple languages | One project per language |
| Multiple websites | One project per website |
| Distinct content strategies | One project per strategy |
Info
For websites targeting multiple languages, create separate projects (e.g., "Company Blog - English", "Company Blog - Spanish"). This allows language-specific keyword research and content optimization.
Creating a Project
Step 1: Access Project Creation
- Log into your Forest SEO dashboard
- Click "Projects" in the top navigation
- Click "Create New Project"
Step 2: Configure Project Name
Choose a descriptive, identifiable name:
Effective naming conventions:
[Website Name] - [Language](e.g., "TechBlog - English")[Brand] - [Content Type](e.g., "Acme Corp - Product Guides")[Domain](e.g., "mybusiness.com")
Avoid:
- Generic names ("Project 1", "Test")
- Ambiguous abbreviations
- Names that don't scale with additional projects
Note
Project names can be changed later via Settings. However, establishing clear naming conventions from the start prevents confusion as your account grows.
Step 3: Configure Core Settings
After creation, configure these essential settings:
Language Configuration
Select the primary language for content generation:
| Language | Use Case |
|---|---|
| English | Global/US/UK audiences |
| Spanish | Spanish-speaking markets |
| German | DACH region |
| French | Francophone markets |
| 15+ additional languages | Regional targeting |
Content Tone
Define the voice for generated articles:
| Tone | Best For |
|---|---|
| Professional | B2B, finance, legal, healthcare |
| Casual | Lifestyle, entertainment, consumer blogs |
| Technical | Software documentation, engineering, how-to guides |
| Conversational | E-commerce, services, general consumer content |
Default Article Length
| Length | Word Count | Optimal Use |
|---|---|---|
| Short | 500-700 | FAQ content, quick answers, news briefs |
| Medium | 1,000-1,500 | Standard blog posts, guides |
| Long | 2,000+ | Pillar content, comprehensive guides, tutorials |
Project Dashboard Overview
The project dashboard provides real-time metrics and status:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Total imported target keywords |
| Published | Articles successfully published to integrations |
| In Progress | Content currently being generated |
| Credits | Available generation credits |
Recent Activity
The dashboard displays recent content with status indicators:
- Published — Live on connected platform
- Draft — Awaiting review or publishing
- In Progress — Currently generating
- Failed — Generation or publishing error (action required)
Project Settings Configuration
Access detailed settings via Settings in the project sidebar.
General Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Display name (editable) |
| Description | Internal notes for team reference |
| Default Language | Primary content language |
Content Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Tone | Voice applied to new content |
| Default Length | Word count target for new articles |
| Image Generation | Enable/disable AI image creation |
| Auto-Publish | Publish immediately or save as draft |
SEO Configuration
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Target Region | Geographic focus for search optimization |
| Internal Linking | Automatically link to other project content |
| External Linking | Include references to authority sources |
Tip
For new projects, enable Internal Linking and disable Auto-Publish. This builds content interconnection while allowing review before publication.
Project Workflow
After project creation, follow this standard workflow:
1. Import Keywords
Add target search terms for content generation.
2. Configure Integrations
Connect your publishing platform for automated distribution.
3. Generate Content
Create AI-powered articles based on your keywords.
4. Review and Publish
Quality check content and distribute to your platforms.
Best Practices
Recommended Approaches
| Practice | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Start with one project | Learn the platform before scaling |
| Use descriptive names | Easier management as account grows |
| Configure settings before generating | Consistent content from the start |
| Review content before publishing | Human oversight improves quality |
| Monitor dashboard metrics | Track performance and identify issues |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Impact |
|---|---|
| Creating too many projects initially | Difficult to manage, diluted focus |
| Using default settings without review | Suboptimal content for your use case |
| Ignoring failed generation notifications | Content gaps and wasted credits |
| Skipping integration testing | Publishing failures |
Project Management Actions
| Action | Location |
|---|---|
| Rename project | Settings → General |
| Update settings | Settings → [Category] |
| Delete project | Settings → Danger Zone |
| Export content | Content → Export |
| View analytics | Dashboard → Analytics |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a project?
Yes. Navigate to Settings → Danger Zone → Delete Project. This action is permanent and removes all associated keywords, content, and settings.
Warning
Project deletion cannot be undone. Export any needed content before proceeding.
Can I transfer content between projects?
Direct transfer is not supported. Export content from the source project and reimport to the destination project.
How many projects can I create?
Project limits depend on your subscription plan. Most plans support multiple projects. Check your plan details in Settings → Billing.
Can team members have different access per project?
Yes. Project-level permissions allow granular access control. Configure via Settings → Team → Permissions.
Next Steps
Your project is configured and ready for content production:
- Import keywords — Add 10-20 target search terms
- Connect integration — Set up publishing platform
- Generate content — Create your first articles
Next: Keywords Overview →