In the digital world, having a strong SEO foundation is essential for any website, especially for WordPress sites. Yoast SEO is one of the most popular plugins that make SEO accessible, and the premium version, Yoast SEO Premium, offers a suite of advanced features that elevate SEO capabilities even further.
This guide will explore Yoast SEO Premium, its features, a detailed setup guide, and tips on using it to optimize your site.
What is Yoast SEO Premium?
Yoast SEO Premium is an advanced version of the Yoast SEO plugin, designed to help users optimize their websites for search engines like Google and Bing. While the free version offers great fundamental features, Yoast SEO Premium includes unique tools and insights that make it easier to optimize for multiple keywords, handle redirects, and enhance social sharing previews.
Key Features of Yoast SEO Premium
- Multiple Focus Keywords: Optimize posts for up to five focus keywords, expanding the reach and relevance of each article.
- Internal Linking Suggestions: Get automated suggestions for internal links based on content to improve site structure and user navigation.
- Redirect Manager: Efficiently manage redirects without needing an additional plugin—ideal for handling URL changes and broken links.
- Content Insights: Analyze primary words used within content to assess keyword focus.
- Social Media Previews: Customize previews for Facebook and Twitter, ensuring optimized social sharing.
- 24/7 Premium Support: Access Yoast’s dedicated support team.
- Ad-Free Experience: A cleaner interface without ads.
Yoast SEO Free vs. Premium
Feature | Yoast SEO Free | Yoast SEO Premium |
---|---|---|
Focus Keywords | 1 per page/post | Up to 5 per page/post |
Redirect Manager | Not included | Included |
Internal Linking | Manual | Automated suggestions |
Social Previews | Basic | Customizable previews |
Content Insights | No | Yes |
24/7 Support | No | Yes |
How to Install and Set Up Yoast SEO Premium
Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing, setting up, and using Yoast SEO Premium.
Step 1: Downloading and Installing the Plugin
- Purchase Yoast SEO Premium: Visit the Yoast SEO Premium purchase link page and buy this plugin. After purchase, download the plugin file.
- Upload to WordPress: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and upload the
.zip
file. - Activate the Plugin: Once uploaded, click Activate.
Step 2: Initial Setup Wizard
Yoast SEO Premium provides a setup wizard to help configure essential settings.
- Access the Wizard: Go to SEO > General > First-time configuration in your WordPress dashboard, and click Configuration Wizard.
- Follow the Steps: The wizard will guide you through basic settings like site type, visibility, and more.
Step 3: General Settings Configuration
Navigate to SEO > settings > Content types to find the following settings:
Homepage
- Navigate to SEO > Search Appearance > General in your WordPress dashboard.
- For the homepage settings, remove unnecessary elements like the page title, separator, and tagline, leaving only the Site Title in the SEO title field.
- The Meta Description can be left blank, allowing Google to generate it automatically, or you can customize it manually later if needed.
Posts
- Posts can be left with the default settings.
- By default, the SEO title will include the Post Title, followed by a Separator, and then the Site Title, which is sufficient for most setups.
- The Meta Description can also be left blank for Google to update dynamically, or you can set it manually when creating each post for better control.
Pages
- Pages can also use the default settings.
- By default, the SEO title will include the Page Title, followed by a Separator, and then the Site Title, providing a clean and professional look.
- As with posts, leave the Meta Description blank or customize it manually for specific pages as needed.
This approach gives you the flexibility to let Google update meta descriptions dynamically or fine-tune them manually for individual pages or posts.
Step 4: Advanced Settings for Advanced Users
If you are comfortable with SEO, dive into advanced features:
- Canonical URLs: Prevent duplicate content by specifying the preferred URL.
- Breadcrumbs: Enable breadcrumbs for better site navigation.
- RSS Feed Settings: Use RSS settings to discourage content scrapers from stealing your content.
Using Yoast SEO Premium for On-Page SEO Optimization
Here’s how Yoast SEO Premium can help you optimize on-page elements for better search rankings.
- Setting Multiple Focus Keywords: Under the Yoast SEO box on each post, add your primary keyword and up to four additional keywords.
- Optimizing Meta Titles and Descriptions: Use the plugin’s editor to craft compelling, keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions for improved click-through rates.
- Readability Analysis: Yoast assesses readability using criteria like sentence length and passive voice, providing suggestions for improvement.
Technical SEO Features in Yoast SEO Premium
- Redirect Manager: Access the Redirect Manager from SEO > Redirects to easily set up 301, 302, and other redirects.
- How to Add a Redirect: Enter the old and new URLs, then save.
- Types of Redirects: Use 301 for permanent changes, 302 for temporary, and 410 to indicate removed content.
- Schema Markup: The plugin automatically adds schema for rich snippets, helping search engines understand your content.
- Breadcrumbs: Add breadcrumbs to improve site structure for users and search engines.
Yoast SEO Premium’s Tools for Content Optimization
- Internal Linking Suggestions: As you create or edit content, Yoast provides real-time suggestions for related internal links.
- Cornerstone Content: Mark crucial pages as cornerstone content, ensuring they are prioritized in linking structures.
- Orphaned Content Filter: Find content that lacks internal links and connect it to relevant articles.
Using Yoast SEO Premium for Social Media Optimization
- Social Media Preview: Customize previews for Facebook and Twitter, choosing images, titles, and descriptions that appear when your content is shared.
- Twitter Card and Facebook Open Graph Settings: Enable these settings for enhanced engagement on social platforms.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting in Yoast SEO Premium
If you run into issues, here are a few solutions:
- Compatibility Issues: Yoast SEO Premium is compatible with most themes and plugins. For any conflicts, check for recent plugin updates.
- Slow Site Performance: Some features, like internal link suggestions, may affect performance on large sites; consider disabling them temporarily.
Pricing and Licensing
- Single-Site License: Yoast SEO Premium starts at $99 per year for a single site.
- Multiple-Site Licenses: Discounts are available for multi-site licenses, making it affordable for agencies.
- Renewal Cost: Renewals include continued access to support and updates.
Affordable Pricing for Yoast SEO Premium and More!
If you purchase from us, you can save significantly:
- Single Plugin: Get Yoast SEO Premium for only $4.49 per plugin.
- Membership Plan: Opt for our monthly membership at just $15, which allows you to download unlimited plugins and themes.
This is an excellent opportunity to access premium tools for your WordPress website at a fraction of the cost!
Is Yoast SEO Premium Worth It?
Yoast SEO Premium is ideal for users seeking a robust SEO solution beyond the basics. With features like multi-keyword optimization, redirects, and social previews, it adds great value, especially for sites focused on SEO performance.
Conclusion
Yoast SEO Premium offers comprehensive tools for SEO, making it a valuable asset for serious WordPress users. From improved keyword optimization to enhanced social sharing, it provides everything you need to manage on-page and technical SEO effectively.