How-to Use Yoast SEO Plugin in 2024

Final tutorial for Yoast SEO WordPress plugin by RankYa. Because in 2024, unless you adhere to these insights shared here, you are simply wasting your valuable time in terms of getting results for your business website.

Video Tutorial for How-to Setup and Use Yoast SEO in 2024?

Resources for Yoast SEO Plugin

Download sample Yoast SEO Plugin WordPress functions for Yoast SEO.

How-to Disable Yoast SEO Plugin Schema Markup

First: backup your current functions.php file. Then, simply add this WordPress codes to your theme functions when you want to disable Schema code Yoast plugin generates function rankya_yoast_edits() { include_once( ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/plugin.php' ); if ( is_plugin_active( 'wordpress-seo/wp-seo.php' ) || is_plugin_active( 'wordpress-seo-premium/wp-seo-premium.php' ) ) { function remove_json_ld_output( $data ) { $data = array(); return $data; } add_filter('wpseo_json_ld_output', 'remove_json_ld_output', 10, 1); } } add_action( 'init', 'rankya_yoast_edits' );

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Yoast Do in WordPress?

Yoast is a WordPress Search Engine Optimization plugin allowing website owners (including eCommerce stores built on WooCommerce) to edit SEO Title and customize Meta Description. Also it has XML Sitemap functionality built in. These 3 factors are most important for Google search engine.

Do I Need Yoast for WordPress?

NO. There are many SEO plugins for WordPress. In fact, if you're using Yoast incorrectly, this can cause issues for Google search engine. In 2024 Yoast Plugin has added various new features which may be considered as against Google guidelines for Creating Content for people (for example, using AI to generate title or meta description).

Is Yoast a Good SEO Tool in 2024?

NO. Although plugin developers claim that using Yoast will improve websites ranking in search engine results page, nothing could be further from truth. Almost 99% of the new features this plugin includes in 2024 are worthless in terms of SEO for 2024.

What is the Use of Yoast SEO?

It has 3 main benefits.

Ability to customize web page Title
Ability to customize web page Meta Description
Has built in XML Sitemap which is helpful for Google to better understand website structure

Note: if you are using WooCommerce, this plugin also works with Product pages to customize Title & Meta Description.

Free Version of Yoast vs Premium Version?

Free version offers what a WordPress site needs in terms of search engine optimization.

Paid version includes access to premium features (for example: AI title & description generator, or Internal linking suggestions etc.). Paid version also offers Premium support.

However, 2024 Google guidelines clearly states to focus on creating helpful, reliable and people first content. Why is this important? Because using AI tools or counting links clearly suggests a website is creating content for search engines, as opposed to creating content for people.

Do WordPress Plugins Slow Down Website?

Most WordPress (WP) plugins do not slow down a website built on WordPress CMS. Because WordPress Content Management System is fast loading when it comes to plugin. However, using plugins extensively will slow down a website. Poorly coded WordPress plugins may slow down a website too. To improve web page load times, consider full website optimization which includes optimizing website theme coding and loading of plugins using defer or asynch loading of plugin scripts and CSS files.

How Many WordPress Plugins Are Too Many?

It is important to realize just because there are thousands of free or paid WordPress plugins available for WordPress website owners does not mean you should use them. Use plugins only when it improves user-experience and assist website conversions. RankYa recommends Wordfence security plugin, broken link checker, Redirection plugins to maintain a website.

Is Yoast SEO a Junk Plugin in 2024?

YES. Yoast SEO plugin is now considered a JUNK plugin confusing the WordPress community about core SEO principles as well as sways away from essential Google guidelines in 2024, for example:

Focus on people-first content
Avoid creating search engine-first content