Overdue reasons
When a task misses its due date, SEO Ops asks why. A short reason keeps the team and the client informed, and never blocks work.
Why record a reason
An overdue task is not a failure to report. It is a question to answer: waiting on a client, blocked by a developer, estimate was wrong. A one-line reason turns an unexplained red date into something a colleague or a client can understand without asking.
How it works
- A task passes its due date.
- The task page shows an Overdue reason card, and task lists show No reason given until you add one.
- Add the reason and save. That is all: it is a reminder, never a block, so you can still edit, complete or reschedule the task.
The daily overdue notification also asks for a reason, so the person who owns the task is nudged once a day, not just when they open the app.
A reason belongs to one due date
A reason explains the due date that was missed. If you move the deadline and the task is missed again, SEO Ops asks again, because the old explanation no longer applies.
What the client sees
On a task you have shared with the client, the reason appears on the portal’s Progress page as Running late: followed by your words. Internal tasks never show to clients. Write reasons as you would say them to the client, and keep anything internal in an internal comment instead. See Setting up the client portal.
Writing a good reason
- Say what is blocking it and who can unblock it. “Waiting for CMS access from the client” is better than “delayed”.
- Say when you expect to finish. Then move the due date so the next reminder is real.
- Keep it short. It shows in lists and on the portal.
Where overdue work shows up
The dashboard counts overdue tasks and lists them under My work. A client with too many overdue tasks is flagged on the dashboard; you set the threshold under Settings › General › Client health thresholds.
Common questions
Can I turn overdue reasons off?
The card is guidance, not a gate, so it never stops you working. You can leave the reason empty.
Do notifications go by email?
Email for notifications is off by default. Choose which events also send an email under Settings › Notifications.