In this post, let’s check the various features of the best four WordPress SEO plugins that can be beneficial for beginners.
1. Yoast SEO
Yoast is the most popular plugin for WordPress. It is very user friendly plugin that helps us to set up titles, meta descriptions, and social sharing information for each post we make. It is really worth note its xml site map generation function which is quite easier and work automatically so that we just need to provide the site map url to Google Webmaster and everything will run fine in the back stage. In addition, it also give options to add some basic Schema to various elements. Users are able to make custom friendly meta titles while making the post even though by default Yoast plugin will generate the titles on its own. All these basic functions can be achieved using the free version of the SEO plugin.
If we have a plan to make a pro-version, we will be getting many features like:
- Local SEO
- Internal link recommendations
- Video SEO
Although I use Yoast SEO plugin with some WordPress sites, I am not gonna work with its readability recommendations. I believe these recommendations are all for beginners and so when we gain enough experience on SEO over the years many times by trial and error methods, we will write our post based on our instincts and experience.
In general, Yoast is a very useful SEO plugin for beginners to get a quick start and for experts, it is still helpful while some of it’s auto suggestions or warnings can be taken as signals for SEO cross-check.
2. Rank Math
It is one of the fastest growing SEO plugin incorporating almost all the current functions which Yoast is already having plus additional features to get better Schema implementation.
It will be interesting to hear that ‘Rank Math’ plugin which offers the features of ‘Yoast’ and ‘All in One SEO Pack’ is a completely free a SEO plugin although a pro-version can be expected for release very soon as per the confirmation from their team.
Using the Rank Math, we will be able to configure the titles and meta descriptions for all the posts as well as the following Rich Snippet types:
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- Product Rich Snippets
- Article Rich Snippets
- Review Rich Snippets
- Course Rich Snippets
- Event Rich Snippets
- Job Posting Rich Snippets
- Local Business Rich Snippets
- Service Rich Snippets
- Software/App Rich Snippets
If you have ever thought of migrating from ‘Yoast’ to ‘Rank math’ and worried of the subsequent incompatibility issues then believe me your concerns are not falling on a scary track. They have already got a ‘1-click migration wizard’ that’s built right into the plugin and it will take care of your SEO plugin migration smoothly. All you have to do is just start installing the plugin.
3. All in One SEO Pack
It is surprising to note that the current active installs of ‘All in One SEO Pack’ is higher than that of ‘Yoast’ though it is know as the second most popular plugin after ‘Yoast’. This is a very slim and light SEO plugin with a bloat-free interface. After installing the plugin it does not make all its features as default like many other SEO plugins do. We will get options to enable the features which we really care about. A premium version of it will bring advanced support, SEO options for taxonomies and video SEO modules. ‘All in One SEO Pack’ is a recommended SEO plugin for beginners as well as expert users.
This plugin has got many features including bu not limited to:
- XML Sitemap support
- Canonical URL support
- WooCommerce integration – Free
- Easy Google Analytics integration
- Support for custom post types
- Automatic or manual meta information
4. The SEO Framework
The SEO Framework is an SEO plugin which is not as popular as Yoast or rank math but it’s gradually growing with more good reviews. We will have a list of options to choose immediately after installing the SEO plugin. The SEO Framework provides free support for WooCommerce, bbPress and other custom post types.
We will be able to quickly configure after installing the plugin:
- Meta titles and descriptions
- Basic schema information
- Settings for search engine robots
- Social meta information
- How your sitemap functions
My Recommendations to use the Best SEO plugin
If you are a completely new beginner ‘Rank Math’ would be the best SEO plugin for you as it’s completely free to use till date and packed with powerful functions that other top paid plugins offer. If you would like to get lots of SEO recommendations and plan to use a popular plugin then better go for ‘Yoast’. If you would like to get support with a paid SEO plugin, you can think of ‘All in One SEO’ pack. If you need to get very flexible way configuring the SEO options with a user friendly and growing SEO plugin, don’t forget to check the features of ‘The SEO Framework’.
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