Free SEO plugin that you can use for sites you design with WordPress: Rank Math SEO. In this content, I will review the popular, easy-to-use and really successful WordPress SEO plugin and explain its settings.
The name of this Wordpress Plugin is Rank Math SEO. It is the best plugin that can be used as an alternative to Yoast and All in SEO Pack. As someone who recently switched to Rank Math from the All in One SEO Pack plugin, I definitely recommend using it.
What is Rank Math?
Rank Math is a new generation SEO plugin that you can use in WordPress. It seems that SEO experts generally use Yoast SEO. However, your mind will change after you get to know Rank Math.
When you read the article, you will understand how to configure Rank Math, an impressive SEO plugin, to write SEO-friendly content and rank higher in search engines this year.
Why Do You Need Rank Math SEO Plugin?
WordPress stands out as the foremost choice among open-source Content Management Systems (CMS) globally. Using this CMS, you need to optimize your content according to SEO rules. Thus, you can move the content to the first page in search engines.
It is very difficult to develop our sites and make them successful organically without using an SEO plugin in WordPress. Even webmasters find it tedious to make coding updates on their blogs or websites to perform all SEO activities by looking at their source code. That’s why many SEO plugins have been developed and added to WP.
Rank Math SEO plugin empowers you to elevate your content’s search engine optimization, surpassing competitors effortlessly. Widely regarded as the premier WordPress SEO plugin of the year, it enhances your website’s visibility and performance online.
It simplifies your SEO activities and allows you to control them from a single place, without having to edit the code for SEO purposes on your blog.
The purpose of WP SEO plugins is to simplify your activities. Rank Math helps you optimize your content for better search visibility for advanced SEO activities by adding “Schema MicroData” and “404 Error Tracking”.
Including built-in content optimization, keyword management features, redirect manager, and more, Rank Math offers advanced features for website optimization.
Features of Rank Math SEO Plugin
Every blogger and webmaster wants to perform, control and manage all their SEO activities from one place. It is clear that this saves more time and gives better results. Rank Math SEO plugin excels in both on-page and technical SEO optimization, making it a standout choice for enhancing your website’s search engine performance.
Here are the features that make Rank Math great. After reading these features, you will no doubt add Rank Math to your WP site;
- Optimization to increase site speed.
- Simple, modular interface design.
- Simple, user-friendly interface.
- Useful content SEO analysis.
- Advanced SEO settings.
- Easy rich snippet creation.
- Creating an XML sitemap.
- 404 views.
- Redirection.
- Social media sharing feature.
- Easy Shema setting.
- Robots.txt and .htaccess editor.
How to Install and Set Up the Rank Math SEO Plugin
Rank Math is a free plugin available in the WordPress plugin repository.
Installation steps:
Step 1: Log into your WordPress account.
Step 2: Navigate to the Plugins section, select “Add New,” and search for “Rank Math” in the search bar.
Step 3: Install and Activate the Plugin
After installing and activating it, you are asked to authenticate with the Rank Math official server as seen on the screen below.
Doing this will help you receive regular updates and support. After this stage, the Rank Math plugin now appears in the left column.
How to Set Up Rank Math for the First Time?
After installing and activating the Rank Math SEO plugin, you need to give permission from MyThemeShop’s official site.
To do this, click on Rank Math in the left-hand column and go to the account login to officially activate the plugin.
If you don’t have an account on the Rank Math official website, you can sign up for free. Once you’re authenticated, it runs a compatibility check for the plugin and you’ll see the Setup Wizard button. Click on that button and follow below how to set up Rank Math for the first time in 6 steps:
- Importing Previous Settings
Rank Math has the ability to import your current SEO settings from your existing SEO plugin. It will scan, detect and allow your previously made SEO settings to be imported.
If you’re using the Yoast SEO plugin, choose and click on the “Start SEO Import” option. Your settings will be transferred from Yoast SEO to Rank Math in a very short time.
Once the process is complete, click the “Continue” button.
- Entering Site Information
Enter your site’s blog type, logo upload, default social sharing image details. After filling in the details, save and click Continue.
Personal blog or personal portfolio options in general blog setup; For the business site, you can choose one of the options such as small business, web store or other business website.
- Connecting to Search Console
Link your Google Search Console account here by clicking on the “Get authorization code” link.
Enter your Google Search Console login information. Click the Allow button and grant access to your account.
In this process, Google will give you an authentication code. Copy the code and insert it into the Search Console settings. Then click the Allow button.
Select your blog from the account, click save and continue.
- Sitemaps
Sitemaps are the search engine’s indexing files and help you discover blog content to be indexed correctly.
It would be ideal for you to choose which files to include in this file, such as posts, pages, images, videos, audio, products, categories, and tags.
Simply select the options you wish to include in your website’s sitemap. Then click the save, continue button to move on to the next step.
- Optimization
Here you optimize your site according to SEO rules. It provides good SEO values and saves you time. You will see sections for no-follow image links, no-follow external links, referral status, and search engine verification. From these, choose the ones you think are necessary for SEO.
- Finishing the Installation
In the last step of Rank Math SEO plugin installation, click on the allow button. Once your site is ready, scroll down and click on the “return to dashboard” button.
Now your Rank Math plugin is ready.
Rank Math Settings and Basic Options
1-) Control Panel
After installation and activation, the plugin will redirect you to the control panel. This control panel has the following options.
- About: This tab guides you.
- Modules: You can see 404 tracking, redirects, rich snippets, role manager, search console, SEO analysis and enable/disable sitemap options. You can enable whatever you want according to site requirements.
- Help: This is the information center. You can get technical support here.
- System Information: This tab contains WordPress environment, server environment, client environment, theme information and installed plugin details.
- Setup Wizard: This is the tab where you can configure the plugin in 6 steps.
- Import / Export: You can import your plugin settings from one site to another.
2-) Analytics
Rank Math Analytics feature has limited features in the free version. You have access to all features available in the Pro version.
First, you must connect your site’s Search Console and Google Analytics accounts by performing authentication. After a few steps, your Rank Math Analytics panel will be up to date.
There are 4 tabs in the Rank Math Analytics menu. These are the basic dashboard, site analysis, SEO performance and keywords tabs.
- Core Dashboard: This includes your overall optimization score, search impressions, keywords, search clicks, CTR, keyword position data. You can view the details through the open report link. This data is synchronized through your Google Search Console and Analytics accounts.
- Site Analysis: Explains the SEO status of your current content on a score basis. Separates optimized and non-optimized content. It allows you to see content that is not optimized for improvements.
- SEO Performance: Provides impressions from search engines, total keywords, search clicks, click-through rate, and average position of your content. So you can see your blog performance.
- Keywords: You can see the rankings of your keywords in search engines.
In Rank Math pro versions, you can use many advanced features, including Adsense integration.
3-) General Settings
You can access it here from Rank Math > General Settings. The tabs will appear right in front of you.
- Links: It is the top tab. You can change the link settings of your blog/website.
- Page Pointer Path: There is only the Activate button here.
- Images: For visual SEO settings. There are 2 settings. These are the Add Missing Alt Texts and Add Missing Image Titles features.
- Webmaster Settings: This is where you confirm ownership of your website. You can verify your site by entering the verification code for various third-party webmaster tools such as Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster, Pinterest Verification ID, Norton Secure Web verification ID.
- txt editing: If you are an amateur blogger, do not touch this part because it requires high-level knowledge. It is an arrangement that directs the crawling and indexing of your site in search engines.
- .htaccess editing: A configuration file that helps search engines and users navigate your site. This usually consists of ready-made codes, so it is better to leave the default setting.
- 404 Monitor: Every website has 404 errors. You can fix 404 errors in this tab.
Redirects: It is a built-in redirect manager that helps you get rid of 404 errors.
4-) Titles and Meta
In this section, you manage configurations such as general meta settings, social media details, home page details, author details, various pages, media setup according to Google guidelines and categories, tag details.
You should structure this page carefully. We recommend that you carefully add titles and meta descriptions using relevant keywords based on your blog type and niche.
5-) Sitemap Settings
The site map is an important file. It sends a signal to search engines when you update your website. It helps you index your content. In this section, you can add authors and content types to the site map. Which one you choose depends on your SEO policy.
If you have no idea about this, set the settings to ON by Default and do not make any changes.
6-) 404 Monitors
Because of the Rank Math plugin, dealing with 404 errors is no longer a major concern. This plugin monitors 404 errors and notifies you. You have the option to redirect the page generating the 404 error to other pages. This way, you will avoid a bad SEO feature.
7-) Redirects
In this section, you set temporary and permanent redirects. With the 404 monitor, you can redirect error pages on your site to other pages. You can also send users to a special page instead of pages that give errors.
This method is very useful if you do not want your users to go to a broken link. This way, you can prevent your visitors from having a bad experience.
😎 SEO Analysis
You can perform SEO analysis of your site with a single click on WP via this plugin. On-page optimization is one of the criteria that search engines value. It especially affects the ranking of one of your contents. Other factors such as caching and URL structure are also important. Editing them no longer requires hours. This feature in Rank Math saves you valuable time. It is advantageous to scan your site within seconds and provide complete information about its SEO.
If you want to start this analysis, you can click “Start Site Analysis” via Rank Math > SEO Analysis.
After this analysis, you can improve your site’s SEO by following the guidelines.
9-) Import and Export
You can import your previously backed up settings. Additionally, if you want to use your Rank Math settings on a site other than your current site, you can export this time. This section includes import settings, export settings, importer and backup-related operations.
- In the export settings, you can find out what settings you need to make on the panel. You can find general settings, titles, meta and site settings.
- In the import settings, you can import the plugin settings page from your desktop.
- In the importer plugin, you can import your exported SEO settings with a simple click.
How to optimize SEO using Rank Math SEO plugin?
The content SEO in Rank Math is quite similar to Yoast Content SEO. If you have used Yoast SEO before, you can easily use the Rank Math plugin.
The SEO analysis tool in the Rank Math plugin consists of 4 parts:
Ⅰ. General
As you can see, four different settings are made in this section.
*Focus Keyword
- It has an important place in content analysis. To optimize the content, simply add focus keywords.
- You can include multiple keywords, but no more than 3.
- If you are going to use more than one keyword, use each keyword in your content. Don’t forget to select all your keywords before you start optimizing.
- Here is a preview of the snippet that will appear in the search engine.
* SEO Title
- You should write the title in this section with eye-catching expressions.
- When you type the title here, it will appear on the SERP.
* Permalink Settings
- Permalink settings: (the URL of the content.)
- Your focus keyword must be included in permanent links.
- A short URL will be more beneficial for SEO.
* Meta Description
- What you add here appears on the SERP page.
- It should not exceed 160 characters.
- Prepare the description by adding your focus keyword and other related keywords.
After optimizing, you will see the results in terms of Basic SEO, Additions, Title Readability and Content
Readability as you can see in the image above.
Ⅱ. Advanced SEO Settings
You can make advanced SEO settings here. You can index and de-index, add Canonical URL, add site map, and set up custom redirection.
Ⅲ. Rich Snippets
Here you can create rich snippets without any confusion with Shema and MicroData.
Ⅳ. Social
You can set title, description, featured image for Facebook and Twitter.
Pros and Cons of Rank Math SEO Plugin
| PROS | CONS |
| It’s free and offers comprehensive SEO features. | It may seem complicated at first for some users because it offers so many features. |
| User-friendly interface and easy to use. | |
| Advanced content analysis and keyword optimization features. | There may be some limitations in providing full integration with other popular SEO plugins like Yoast. |
| Rich snippet and schema markup support. | |
| Integrated 404 error management and redirect options. | Incompatibilities that may be encountered after updates. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rank Math Plugin
If you’re looking to enhance your WordPress website’s SEO, the Rank Math plugin offers a comprehensive solution packed with features to boost your search engine rankings. Whether you’re new to SEO or an experienced professional, this plugin provides tools and insights that can help you optimize your content effectively. In this FAQ guide, I address common questions about Rank Math, from its installation and configuration to its advanced features and troubleshooting tips. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin:
General Questions
What is Rank Math SEO?
Rank Math is an SEO plugin designed for WordPress that includes good practices and helps you optimize content. It gives you control over the on-page SEO of your entire website.
Is Rank Math Free?
Yes. The Rank Math plugin is a free download with a wide range of features. If you want advanced features like keyword tracking, schema builder, and live support, you need to upgrade to the Premium version.
What steps should I follow to switch from Yoast to Rank Math?
Switching from Yoast SEO plugin to Rank Math SEO plugin is simple. You can import Yoast SEO settings. When you install and activate Rank Math, you can use the settings imported from Yoast SEO.
What is an SEO Plugin for WordPress?
The top SEO plugins for WordPress include Rank Math, Yoast SEO, SEOPress, All in One SEO, and SEO Squirrely. These plugins handle 90% of the technical SEO and on-page SEO tasks effectively.
Which free SEO plugin is the best for WordPress?
There are more than 10 free SEO plugins in the WordPress plugin directory. The most popular of these are Rank Math, All in One SEO Pack and Yoast SEO. SEO Specialists who use Rank Math state that Rank Math SEO is better than Yoast SEO plugin. As a Wordpress SEO Expert who has used the All in One SEO Pack plugin before, I must say that the Rank MATH SEO plugin is much better. Of course, for now.
How do I install Rank Math?
You can install Rank Math from the WordPress plugin repository. Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for “Rank Math,” and click “Install Now.” After installation, activate the plugin.
Features and Usage
What are the main features of Rank Math?
Some main features include:
- SEO analysis tool
- Keyword optimization
- XML sitemap generation
- Rich snippets support
- Integration with Google Search Console
- Local SEO optimization
- 404 error monitoring
How does Rank Math compare to Yoast SEO?
Both plugins offer comprehensive SEO tools, but Rank Math provides more features for free compared to Yoast SEO. Rank Math also supports more advanced features like schema markup, multiple keyword optimization, and an integrated 404 monitor.
Can Rank Math handle multiple keywords?
Yes, Rank Math allows you to optimize your content for multiple focus keywords, even in the free version.
Configuration and Settings
How do I configure Rank Math after installation?
Rank Math includes a setup wizard that guides you through the initial configuration. It helps you set up essential SEO settings, connect to Google Search Console, and configure your site’s schema markup.
How do I connect Rank Math to Google Search Console?
Go to Rank Math’s dashboard, navigate to General Settings > Google Search Console, and click on “Get Authorization Code.” Follow the instructions to connect your Google account and grant permissions.
What is the SEO analysis tool in Rank Math?
The SEO analysis tool reviews your website’s overall SEO health. It provides actionable recommendations to improve your site’s SEO, such as optimizing page titles, meta descriptions, and content readability.
Troubleshooting
Why is my sitemap not working in Rank Math?
Ensure that the sitemap feature is enabled in Rank Math’s settings. Check for any conflicting plugins and verify that your .htaccess file is properly configured. Clearing your site’s cache might also resolve the issue.
My 404 monitor is not working, what should I do?
Check if the 404 monitor is enabled in Rank Math’s settings. If it is, but you’re still having issues, there might be a conflict with another plugin. Try disabling other plugins to identify the conflict.
How can I get support for Rank Math?
Rank Math offers support through their official website. You can submit a ticket, access documentation, and participate in community forums.
Advanced Features
What is the Schema Markup feature in Rank Math?
Schema Markup in Rank Math helps you add structured data to your website. This enhances your search engine listings by providing additional information like reviews, ratings, and event details directly in search results.
Does Rank Math support local SEO?
Yes, Rank Math has built-in features for local SEO optimization. It helps you add local business information, including name, address, phone number (NAP), and opening hours.
Can I customize meta tags and titles with Rank Math?
Yes, Rank Math allows you to customize meta tags and titles for each post, page, and custom post type. You can set default templates and override them on a per-post basis.
In this article, I introduced you to the Rank Math SEO plugin. Now you can safely install the Rank Math SEO WordPress Plugin on your website and perform successful SEO work. Thank you for reading my article patiently and sharing it with your loved ones.🤓
