---
ref: tool:notra/start-geo-scan
name: Start an AI visibility scan
company: company:notra
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:track-ai-visibility, category:geo, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://docs.usenotra.com/api-reference/geo/trigger-a-geo-scan
updated: 2026-09-28
---

# Start an AI visibility scan

Runs a project's tracked prompts across AI answer engines and records where the brand and its competitors are mentioned.

Note: Uses billed AI credits and can take minutes; confirm before starting. Get the project id from `list_projects` (`notra geo projects list`) first, then read the results from the scan or the visibility overview.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "notra": { "url": "https://mcp.usenotra.com/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `create_geo_scan`.

Server URL: https://mcp.usenotra.com/mcp

### CLI (official)

Install the command and sign in with it, then confirm it runs.

```sh
npm i -g notra
notra --version
```

Run `notra geo scans start`.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.usenotra.com
- Endpoint: `POST /v1/projects/{projectId}/geo/scans`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $NOTRA_API_KEY`
- Docs: https://docs.usenotra.com/api/authentication

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.