In WordPress, the functionality of an SEO plugin is not simply about keyword optimization. It handles a vast array of tasks including keyword optimization, metadata management, XML sitemap generation, internal linking structure, novel media integration, content analysis, robots.txt configuration, website loading speed optimization, and even SSL configuration. Having such a broad scope of tasks can be both a boon and a bane.
Recently, I switched to the paid version of an SEO plugin and wanted to share my insights.
Is it really good like this with SEO plugins?
Representative SEO programs include Yoast SEO, All in One SEO Pack, and Rank Math. They’re all good plugins. However, most people who are using them for the first time are likely to be discouraged by the complexity of their user interfaces. Especially those who don’t know how to code will find it even more daunting. After installing these plugins, they might have experienced not knowing how to use the functions and ended up trying other plugins.
After struggling to understand the free version to use it properly, I found out that the paid version is required to use multiple keywords. So, I upgraded. I fell into the trap. The trap of complexity.
Even if you have only one keyword, the SEO plugin sends numerous warning messages in real-time, such as ‘Include the keyword once every few words’ or ‘Move the SEO Title with the keyword to the front’. Following them blindly can make your head spin. But what if you have multiple keywords? You have to check each keyword separately. Instead of writing, you end up spending all your time managing SEO. It’s paying money to suffer. How can you write a good article like this?
Is it really necessary to be so complicated? When we install an SEO plugin, the first reason is undoubtedly keyword optimization. However, keyword optimization may not require such a complicated UI when you look closely.
The Meta Tags related to keyword optimization that the SEO plugin is responsible for are as follows. Of course, there are also subsidiary tags starting with og: …, but the following tags are essential.
Meta Tags
Originally, WordPress was not created for web page creation but as a content management application for efficient content management. However, it is often used as a web page creation application, so some WordPress instances also support some of the following meta tags. However, there is no function for perfect customization, and important meta tags may be missed. This is one of the main reasons why people install SEO plugins.
<head>
<!-- Document Title -->
<title>Page Title</title>
<!-- Character Encoding -->
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<!-- Page Description -->
<meta name="description" content="A brief description of the page">
<!-- Keyword Settings -->
<meta name="keywords" content="HTML, CSS, JavaScript">
<!-- Author Information -->
<meta name="author" content="Author Name">
<!-- Viewport Setting: For mobile-responsive web pages -->
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<!-- Search Engine Robot Control -->
<meta name="robots" content="index, follow">
<!-- Favicon Setting -->
<link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
<!-- External CSS File Connection -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
<!-- External JavaScript File Connection -->
<script src="scripts.js"></script>
</head>robots.txt
Additionally, SEO plugins also allow you to customize the robots.txt file. This is also a meta tag. In simple terms, it’s a text file where you record instructions for robots on which folders they should or shouldn’t operate in. You place this file in the web root folder, and robots follow these guidelines for crawling. Of course, if the robot is a good one. Here’s an example of a robots.txt file:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /private/
Allow: /public/
Sitemap: http://www.example.com/sitemap.xmlWhile managing these meta tags, SEO plugins continuously send real-time warnings to help you write content according to those guidelines. Of course, there are also functions like image optimization and CDN in the background, but fundamentally, the reason we install SEO plugins is not for those. The fundamental reason is keyword optimization. There are many independent free specialized plugins available for managing other functionalities.
As long as you know a few simple guidelines like ‘meta description should be around 150 characters’, you can perform keyword optimization tasks with just lightweight free plugins that allow you to simply input meta tags. You can even use multiple keywords with such plugins.
Is keyword optimization really necessary?
Optimizing keywords might lead one to believe that their article will be prominently displayed, thus focusing heavily on that aspect. While this notion holds some truth, it’s also incorrect. In the past, search engines relied on meta tags found in HTML to gauge the direction of the content. However, that’s a tale from the era of dial-up. It’s a story from the Stone Age. Even today, while meta tags provide some direction to crawling bots, modern crawlers don’t blindly trust meta tags. They prioritize other crucial elements such as the quality of user experience, the originality of content, and various other factors, relegating meta tags to a mere reference.
Simply inserting keywords into the title won’t propel your article to the top. While optimizing keywords is beneficial, the quality of the content and enhancing user experience have become more crucial in this era. Switching to a paid version just for multiple keywords, as I did, could be a naive move. If you prioritize keyword optimization over the quality of your content, you might end up in the worst scenario—spending money, experiencing headaches, and gaining nothing.
If there are individuals considering switching to a paid SEO plugin due to multiple keywords, I hope my experience serves as a reference. Of course, there might be value in using a paid SEO plugin for other reasons. However, I am skeptical about the move solely for multiple keywords.