> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devs.surferseo.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Set up Surfer for Google Docs > Install the Chrome extension that brings Surfer's guidelines into Google Docs, and sign in. You need a Chromium browser and a Surfer account, signed in to the app in that browser. The extension has no sign-in form of its own. The guidelines panel the extension adds belongs to a [Content Editor](/integrations/guidelines-panel), the document Surfer builds around your target keywords, holding the guidelines and the Content Score. The Content Score, from 0 to 100, grades the text against the guidelines. ## Availability Google Docs needs a plan that includes the Google Docs integration. The Google Docs integration is included in the Standard, Pro, Peace of Mind, and Enterprise plans and in the trial; some older plans include it too. The check happens in the panel, for the organization selected there. In a Google Doc with no linked Content Editor, a plan without the integration shows `Google Docs integration is not available on your plan` in place of the dashboard. [Plans](/integrations/guidelines-panel#plans) on the guidelines panel page covers the panel's own rules. ## Which extension does what Surfer ships two Chrome extensions. This page sets up Surfer for Google Docs. Keyword Surfer is a separate extension built around keyword research. | Capability | Surfer for Google Docs | Keyword Surfer | | - | - | - | | Guidelines in Google Docs | Yes | No | | Keyword data on Google results | No | Yes | ## Before you start You need a supported browser and a Surfer account. * Chrome 102 or newer, or another Chromium browser that installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store. * A Surfer account, signed in to the app in the same browser profile as your documents. With the extension installed, the panel signs in through it, so the browser's cookie settings do not matter. [Sign in and cookies](/integrations/guidelines-panel#sign-in-and-cookies) covers the panel without an extension. ## Install the extension Install Surfer for Google Docs from the Chrome Web Store. Its toolbar icon becomes active only on pages the extension works on, such as a Google Doc. **1. Open the listing** Open [Surfer for Google Docs](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/surfer-for-google-docs-an/faapilcgnafanfcdhlkjijhoimmlhmjn) on the Chrome Web Store. **2. Add it to Chrome** Select **Add to Chrome**. **3. Confirm** Select **Add extension** in Chrome's confirmation dialog. **4. Pin the icon (optional)** In Chrome's toolbar, select **Extensions → Pin** next to Surfer for Google Docs. The popup is then one click away. ![The extension's popup on a Google Doc, with the Surfer logo, the OPEN SIDE PANEL button, and the Show Surfer button in Google Docs toggle turned on.](https://mintcdn.com/surfer-1a8fda11/D0uwSVjRJuHX-fIs/images/integrations/google-docs/setup-popup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=D0uwSVjRJuHX-fIs\&q=85\&s=2e3d20a1b3497c31b7f3bf11425fcb76) ## Sign in Sign in to Surfer in the browser profile you use for your documents. The extension signs the panel in. 1. Open [app.surferseo.com](https://app.surferseo.com) in the same browser profile as your documents. 2. Sign in. On an unlinked document, `Connect Content Editor to this document` in place of your Content Editors means the panel is signed out. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) below covers the causes. [The connect screen](/integrations/guidelines-panel#the-connect-screen) explains that screen's controls. ## Verify it is working In Chrome with the side panel, a **Surfer** button in the Google Doc's title bar confirms that the extension is running. Other Chromium browsers use the extension's popup. In Chrome with the side panel: 1. Open a Google Doc you can edit. 2. Select **Surfer** in the title bar, at the left of Google's own buttons. The panel opens in Chrome's side panel. In a Chromium browser without the side panel, the title bar gets no button: 1. Open a Google Doc you can edit. 2. Select the extension's icon in the toolbar. 3. Select **LOAD SURFER**. The panel opens inside the page. **Auto load Surfer** in that popup opens the in-page panel by itself on a doc that already has a Content Editor. [In-page panel](/integrations/google-docs/google-docs#in-page-panel) covers that mode. On a linked document the panel shows the Content Score and the guidelines. On an unlinked one it shows the dashboard with your Content Editors. What to do next is on [Google Docs](/integrations/google-docs/google-docs). ## What the panel offers in Google Docs The panel guides and scores. Editing the text, AI articles, and share links stay in the app. | Feature | Google Docs | In the Surfer app | | - | - | - | | Guidelines and Content Score | Yes | Yes | | Research & Outline | Yes | Yes | | Create a Content Editor | Yes | Yes | | Editing the text | No | Yes | | AI article | No | Yes | | Share links | No | Yes | | Export guidelines | On plans that include data export | On plans that include data export | | Sync to the app (your text kept in Surfer) | No | Yes | The [guidelines panel page](/integrations/guidelines-panel) covers what the panel shows in detail and what stays in the app. ## Troubleshooting These fixes cover the page you are on, the extension's version or state, the browser profile, the plan, and the delay before the panel re-reads your text. > **The Surfer button does not appear in Google Docs** > > The button needs three things: > > * The document is open for editing, at an address under `docs.google.com/document/d/` with `/edit` after the document id. Anything may follow `/edit`. > > * The browser is Chrome with the side panel. > > * **Show Surfer button in Google Docs** is on in the extension's popup. > > 1. Check the address of the document. > 2. Select the extension's icon in the toolbar. > 3. Turn on **Show Surfer button in Google Docs**. > 4. Check under `chrome://extensions` that Surfer for Google Docs is turned on. > > In a browser without Chrome's side panel, no button is added. Open the panel with **LOAD SURFER**, as under [Verify it is working](#verify-it-is-working). > **The panel asks you to update the extension** > > The connect screen with `Update your Chrome extension` beneath its heading means two things at once. The extension is older than 1.2.1, and the browser allows neither third-party cookies nor storage access for Surfer. [The connect screen](/integrations/guidelines-panel#the-connect-screen) covers its other branches. > > 1. Select **Go to Extensions**. The Chrome Web Store listing opens. > 2. Restart Chrome, which updates extensions on its own. > 3. If the panel still asks, remove the extension with **Manage extensions → Remove**. > 4. Install it again from the listing. > 5. Select **Refresh page** in the panel. > **The panel asks you to sign in although you are signed in** > > The panel signs in through the extension, so the extension has to be installed and turned on in the profile and window you write in. > > 1. Check under `chrome://extensions` that Surfer for Google Docs is turned on. > 2. Sign in to app.surferseo.com in the same window and profile as the document. > 3. Select **Refresh page** in the panel. > > With Surfer for Google Docs installed, **Grant access** or **Add to Chrome** in place of **Log in to Surfer** means the panel does not see the extension. Repeat step 1, then reload the document. > > Incognito windows and cookies are on the guidelines panel page under [Troubleshooting](/integrations/guidelines-panel#troubleshooting). > **The panel says the integration is not available on your plan** > > The message quoted under [Availability](#availability) means the organization selected in the panel is on a plan without the Google Docs integration. > > * If you own that organization, an upgrade button appears. > * If someone else owns it, ask the owner. > * If you belong to more than one organization, the organization switcher at the top of the panel lets you pick another. > **The score does not change** > > The panel reads your text again about a second after you stop typing. > > 1. Wait a moment after typing. > 2. Check that the text is in the scored area. [What the score sees](/integrations/google-docs/google-docs#what-the-score-sees) lists what the score leaves out. > 3. If the score still does not follow, reload the page. The panel reads the text again. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.