What is an Intelligence Token?

Quick answer: An Intelligence Token is a unique code (like SIG-2025-11-A1B2C) included in every Surmado report (AI Visibility, Site Audit, Strategy). It provides access to your report’s structured JSON data via API. Never expires, free with every report, enables automation (Zapier, n8n), tracking improvements over time, and integrations (Google Sheets, Notion). Format: SIG- (AI Visibility), SCAN- (Site Audit), or SOLUTIONS- (Strategy) followed by date and unique ID.

Reading time: 6 minutes

In this guide:

• Intelligence Tokens are unique API access codes (format: SIG-2025-11-XXXXX for AI Visibility, SCAN-2025-11-XXXXX for Site Audit, SOLUTIONS-2025-11-XXXXX for Strategy) included free with every report, providing permanent JSON data access via https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/{TOKEN} with no authentication required
• JSON data enables automation workflows through Zapier/Make/n8n where email triggers extract tokens, HTTP GET fetches structured metrics (presence_rate: 0.42, authority_score: 78), and automatic Google Sheets/Notion/Airtable updates track progress without manual data entry
• Track improvements over time by comparing historical tokens using quarterly AI Visibility runs (Q1: 28%, Q2: 34%, Q3: 42%, Q4: 48%) with Python/JavaScript scripts to measure ROI and validate that optimization strategies are working
• Tokens never expire and require zero ongoing fees where 2025 tokens still work in 2030 for 5-year trend analysis, with Surmado storing report data and maintaining API access indefinitely as part of one-time report fee ($50)
• Use tokens with Strategy for context-aware recommendations by pasting AI Visibility/Site Audit tokens into Strategy form so AI reads your quantitative metrics automatically (28% Presence Rate, 68% Ghost Influence) and provides tailored strategic guidance instead of generic advice

Every report includes one. No extra cost. Permanent access.

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Intelligence Token Format

Product-Specific Prefixes

AI Visibility tokens: SIG-2025-11-XXXXX

• Prefix: SIG-
• Date: 2025-11 (year-month)
• Unique ID: 5-character alphanumeric

Site Audit tokens: SCAN-2025-11-XXXXX

• Prefix: SCAN-
• Date: 2025-11
• Unique ID: 5-character alphanumeric

Strategy tokens: SOLUTIONS-2025-11-XXXXX

• Prefix: SOLUTIONS-
• Date: 2025-11
• Unique ID: 5-character alphanumeric

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Example Tokens

Real token (from actual AI Visibility report): SIG-2025-10-JZQQ7

Components:

• Product: AI Visibility (SIG)
• Date: October 2025 (2025-10)
• Unique ID: JZQQ7

Where to find: Email subject line, PDF report header, report summary section

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What Intelligence Tokens Unlock

1. JSON Data Access

Every token provides API access to structured report data:

AI Visibility token JSON includes:

• Presence Rate (numeric: 0.42 = 42%)
• Authority Score (numeric: 78/100)
• Ghost Influence (numeric: 0.28 = 28%)
• Category Share (numeric: 0.046 = 4.6%)
• Competitive landscape (array of competitors with rates)
• Platform variance (per-AI-system breakdown)
• Timestamps, business details

Site Audit token JSON includes:

• Overall score (numeric: 68/100)
• Category scores (Technical SEO, Performance, Accessibility, Security)
• Issues list (array: type, severity, page, recommendation)
• Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP per page/browser)
• Pages tested count
• Timestamps

Strategy token JSON includes:

• Strategic recommendations (array: priority, action, rationale)
• Model perspectives (CFO, COO, Market Realist, etc.)
• Risk assessment (HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW)
• Scenario analysis (if comparing options)
• Timestamps, question analyzed

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2. Automation (Zapier, n8n, Make)

Use Intelligence Tokens to automate workflows:

Example Zapier workflow:

1. Trigger: New email from hi@surmado.com (AI Visibility report delivered)
2. Extract token: Parse email for SIG-2025-11-XXXXX pattern
3. HTTP GET: https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/{token}
4. Parse JSON: Extract Presence Rate, Authority Score
5. Add row: Google Sheets (tracking sheet)

Result: Automatic quarterly tracking (every AI Visibility report → auto-added to spreadsheet).

Full Zapier guide

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3. Tracking Over Time

Intelligence Tokens enable historical comparisons:

Example:

• Q1 2025: SIG-2025-02-A1B2C → Presence Rate 28%
• Q2 2025: SIG-2025-05-D3E4F → Presence Rate 34%
• Q3 2025: SIG-2025-08-G5H6J → Presence Rate 42%
• Q4 2025: SIG-2025-11-K7L8M → Presence Rate 48%

Comparison script (Python):

import requests

tokens = ["SIG-2025-02-A1B2C", "SIG-2025-05-D3E4F", "SIG-2025-08-G5H6J", "SIG-2025-11-K7L8M"]
presence_rates = []

for token in tokens:
    response = requests.get(f"https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/{token}")
    data = response.json()
    presence_rates.append(data["metrics"]["presence_rate"] * 100)

print(f"Progress: {presence_rates[0]}% → {presence_rates[-1]}% (+{presence_rates[-1] - presence_rates[0]}%)")

Output: Progress: 28% → 48% (+20%)

Full tracking guide

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4. Integrations (Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable)

Intelligence Tokens work with any tool that can make HTTP requests:

Google Sheets (via Apps Script):

function fetchSignalData(token) {
  const url = `https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/${token}`;
  const response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url);
  const data = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());
  return data.metrics.presence_rate * 100;
}

Notion (via API):

• Store token in Notion database
• Use Notion API + Intelligence Token API to populate metrics
• Auto-update dashboard

Airtable (via Automations):

• Trigger: New row (with token)
• Script: Fetch JSON from Intelligence Token API
• Update: Populate metrics fields

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5. Strategy Upgrade Path

AI Visibility/Site Audit tokens can be used with Strategy:

Workflow:

1. Run AI Visibility → receive SIG-2025-11-A1B2C
2. Review report → find issues (low Presence Rate, high Ghost Influence)
3. Run Strategy → paste SIG-2025-11-A1B2C in Strategy form
4. Strategy reads AI Visibility data via Intelligence Token
5. Provides context-aware recommendations

Example:

• AI Visibility shows: 28% Presence Rate, 68% Ghost Influence
• Strategy knows: “You have visibility problem + attribution gap”
• Strategy recommends: “Fix Ghost Influence first (higher ROI than general visibility efforts)”

Intelligence Token = automatic context (you don’t manually re-type all metrics)

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Intelligence Token API

Endpoint

Base URL: https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/

Full URL: https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/{TOKEN}

Example: https://api.surmado.com/intelligence/SIG-2025-10-JZQQ7

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Authentication

No authentication required for Intelligence Token API.

Why: Token itself is the secret (long enough to be unguessable, included in private email delivery).

Security: Don’t share tokens publicly (they provide access to your report data).

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Response Format

JSON structure (AI Visibility example):

{
  "product": "signal",
  "token": "SIG-2025-10-JZQQ7",
  "created_at": "2025-10-29T14:23:11Z",
  "business": {
    "name": "Phoenix Cool Air",
    "industry": "HVAC",
    "location": "Phoenix, AZ"
  },
  "metrics": {
    "presence_rate": 0.42,
    "authority_score": 78,
    "ghost_influence": 0.28,
    "category_share": 0.046
  },
  "competitors": [
    {"name": "Competitor A", "presence_rate": 0.54},
    {"name": "Competitor B", "presence_rate": 0.38}
  ],
  "platform_variance": {
    "chatgpt": {"presence_rate": 0.52},
    "claude": {"presence_rate": 0.38},
    "gemini": {"presence_rate": 0.41}
  }
}

All numeric (no percentages) for easy computation.

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Rate Limits

Current limits: None (unlimited requests per token)

Future (when API is public):

• 100 requests/minute per token
• 10,000 requests/day per token

For now: Use freely, no limits.

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Intelligence Token vs PDF Report

Different Use Cases

PDF report:

• Human-readable
• Formatted for presentation
• Includes charts, explanations, recommendations
• Use for: Understanding results, sharing with team, archiving

Intelligence Token (JSON):

• Machine-readable
• Structured data
• No formatting or prose
• Use for: Automation, tracking, integration, analysis

Both included: Every report has PDF + Intelligence Token (use whichever fits your need)

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Example Comparison

PDF shows: “Your Presence Rate is 42%, which means AI platforms mention you in 42% of relevant buyer queries. This is moderate visibility. Your top 3 competitors have 54%, 38%, and 32% Presence Rates.”

Intelligence Token JSON shows:

{
  "presence_rate": 0.42,
  "competitors": [
    {"name": "Competitor A", "presence_rate": 0.54},
    {"name": "Competitor B", "presence_rate": 0.38},
    {"name": "Competitor C", "presence_rate": 0.32}
  ]
}

PDF = narrative. JSON = data.

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Intelligence Token Permanence

Never Expires

Intelligence Tokens are permanent:

• Access data years later
• No expiration date
• No recurring fees for access

Example:

• 2025: Run AI Visibility, get SIG-2025-11-A1B2C
• 2030: Token still works (access historical data)

Use case: Track 5-year trends (compare 2025 baseline → 2030 current state)

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Data Retention

Surmado stores Intelligence Token data indefinitely:

• Report data archived
• JSON API access maintained
• PDF downloadable from archive

No “pay to keep access” (one-time report fee = permanent access)

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Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Quarterly Tracking Dashboard

Setup:

• Google Sheets with tracking columns: Date, Token, Presence Rate, Authority Score
• Zapier automation: New AI Visibility email → extract token → populate sheet
• Charts showing trends over time

Benefit: Visual progress tracking (see 28% → 48% improvement graphed)

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Use Case 2: Competitive Monitoring

Setup:

• Run AI Visibility on yourself + 3 competitors quarterly
• Store 4 tokens per quarter (yourself + 3 competitors)
• Compare JSON data: Who’s gaining/losing ground?

Benefit: Early warning when competitor improves faster than you

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Use Case 3: Agency Client Reporting

Setup:

• Run AI Visibility for 20 clients monthly
• Use Intelligence Tokens to populate client dashboard (Notion/Airtable)
• Show each client: Current metrics, trend vs last month, rank vs competitors

Benefit: Automated client reporting (no manual data entry)

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Use Case 4: Strategy Context

Setup:

• Run AI Visibility → identify low Presence Rate
• Run Strategy → paste AI Visibility token for context
• Get recommendations tailored to specific gaps

Benefit: Strategy knows your exact situation (better recommendations)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my Intelligence Token?

Locations:

1. Email subject line: “Your AI Visibility Report (SIG-2025-11-A1B2C)”
2. PDF report header: “Intelligence Token: SIG-2025-11-A1B2C”
3. Report summary section (in PDF)

If lost: Check original email from hi@surmado.com (search inbox for product name + month)

Can I regenerate a lost token?

No. Each report has one unique token (can’t be regenerated).

If lost: Email hi@surmado.com with report details (business name, approximate date) → support can look up token

Prevention: Save tokens in tracking sheet immediately upon receiving report

Can I share my Intelligence Token?

You can, but consider privacy:

Safe sharing:

• Internal team (marketing, leadership)
• Agency/consultant (if working with you)
• Strategy (for context-aware recommendations)

Risky sharing:

• Public forums (anyone can access your report data)
• Competitors (see your metrics)

Best practice: Treat Intelligence Tokens like passwords (share selectively)

Does the API cost money?

No. Intelligence Token API is free.

Included in report price:

• AI Visibility/Pro: $50 includes Intelligence Token + API access
• Site Audit/Pro: $50 includes Intelligence Token + API access
• Strategy: $50 includes Intelligence Token + API access

No additional fees for API usage, JSON downloads, or automation.

Can I use Intelligence Tokens in custom software?

Yes. Intelligence Token API is designed for custom integrations.

Example use cases:

• Internal dashboard (pull latest metrics daily)
• CRM integration (show AI visibility score in customer records)
• Alerting system (notify if Presence Rate drops)

API is RESTful: Standard HTTP GET requests, JSON responses (works with any programming language)

Will Intelligence Tokens work after API launches?

Yes. Intelligence Tokens created pre-launch will work with production API.

Forward compatibility: Tokens issued today = same format as production API tokens

No migration needed: Existing tokens automatically work when API launches

How long does Intelligence Token data take to populate?

Immediately after report completes.

Timeline:

1. Report generation: 15-30 minutes (AI Visibility/Site Audit) or 15-20 minutes (Strategy)
2. Intelligence Token available: Instant (in email when report delivered)
3. API data populated: Instant (same time as report completion)

No delay between receiving token and API access.

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Want to use your Intelligence Tokens? Every AI Visibility, Site Audit, and Strategy report ($50 each) includes an Intelligence Token. Work with Scout to view your tokens, or check the API reference for integration details.

→ Related: How Do Intelligence Tokens Work? | Intelligence Token JSON Reference | API Reference