Part of our online blogging series, we promised to show you how we configured Yoast WordPress SEO plugin on our sites online. In our last post, we said this plugin is vital to your SEO strategy and success.
If you want to rank better on search engine result pages, you might want to install and enable this WordPress plugin. This brief tutorial is going to show you how we use and configure WordPress SEO so you can apply the same settings to your blog.
We’ve tested this plugin for over three years now and know what works and what doesn’t. We’ve also made mistakes with it that almost got us in trouble with Google. Now, we’re going to show you how to apply these settings so you don’t get into trouble with Google or other search engines.
To get started with configuring WordPress SEO, go to the admin backed or WordPress and select SEO from the left sidebar. Here’s how our Dashboard page looks like. Our sites is already verified so no need to add values for Google Webmaster Tools, Bing Webmaster Tools, or Alexa. Ours keeps the default settings.
On the Titles & Metas –> General page, our page looks like this.
The above settings have helps us with search engines. You should try it as well. The option to Force rewrite titles may break your site be so be cautious when enabling it.
On the Titles & Metas –> Home page, here’s how ours looks. These settings work for you and they should work for you as well.
On the Post Types, here’s how ours looks like. What we did on the Post Types page is we enabled (check the box) for noindex, follow for Media. We didn’t want to index our images, they don’t help much when it comes to SEO so we disabled it.
On the Taxonomies page, we enabled (check the box for) noindex, follow for Meta Tags and Format sections. Tags also don’t create much value for your pages. They may cause more harm than good.
On the Social page, enable Facebook open graph and enter your Facebook Fan Page url in the box. Do the same for Twitter and Google Plus.
Here’s how our XML Sitemaps page looks like. We exclude Media, Tags, and Format.
On the Permalinks page, here’s how ours looks. This too, has worked for us.
That’s all. The above settings have worked for us and we’re happy with them. All the settings above may or may not work for you site so test, test, and test.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I configure Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin for better search engine rankings?
To configure Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin, go to the admin backend of your Wordpress site, select SEO from the left sidebar, and follow the settings recommended in this article.
What are the default settings for Google Webmaster Tools, Bing Webmaster Tools, and Alexa in Yoast plugin?
The default settings for Google Webmaster Tools, Bing Webmaster Tools, and Alexa in Yoast plugin are already verified, so there's no need to add values. It's recommended to keep these settings as they are.
Should I enable the 'Force rewrite titles' option in Yoast SEO plugin?
Exercise caution when enabling the 'Force rewrite titles' option in Yoast SEO plugin, as it may break your site. It's advisable to test this setting thoroughly before implementing it on your website.
What settings should I consider for the Titles & Metas - Home page in Yoast SEO plugin?
For the Titles & Metas - Home page settings in Yoast SEO plugin, follow the recommended configuration provided in this article. These settings are designed to improve your site's visibility on search engines.
How can I prevent indexing of images on my Wordpress site using Yoast SEO plugin?
To prevent indexing of images on your Wordpress site, enable the 'noindex, follow' option for Media in the Post Types settings of Yoast SEO plugin. This helps in focusing search engine crawlers on your main content.
What mistakes should I avoid when configuring Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin?
When configuring Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin, avoid mistakes that could potentially lead to penalties from search engines. Follow best practices and guidelines to ensure your site's SEO strategy remains effective.
How long has the testing been done on the Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin mentioned in the article?
The testing on the Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin mentioned in the article has been conducted for over three years. This extensive testing period has provided valuable insights into what works effectively for SEO optimization.
What are the benefits of using Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin for search engine optimization?
Using Yoast Wordpress SEO plugin can significantly enhance your site's search engine rankings and visibility. It provides valuable tools and features to optimize your content for better organic search results.