How to Make the Switch from Yoast SEO to Rank Math

Making the switch from Yoast SEO to Rank Math might seem like a daunting task, but with the right steps, it can be a smooth transition. Here’s a detailed tutorial to help you make the switch seamlessly.

Preparing for the Switch

1. Ensure you have both the Yoast SEO and Rank Math plugins installed on your WordPress site.
2. Create/connect a Rank Math account during plugin installation. This is essential as some features and settings are accessible only to registered users.
3. Once registered, you can access the Setup Wizard. It’s worth noting that while the Setup Wizard might attempt to automatically import your data from Yoast, it doesn’t always succeed.

Note: Be prepared to import your data manually if needed.

Importing SEO Settings Manually

1. Navigate to the "Rank Math" > "Status & Tools" > "Import & Export" option.
2. Under the "Other Plugins" section, select "Yoast SEO" from the dropdown.
3. Click on the “Start Import” button.

Rank Math will now begin importing your SEO settings from Yoast. This process might take a few minutes, especially if you have a large number of posts or pages. If the automatic import fails, you might need to repeat this process.

Checking the Imported Data

1. Check if the SEO titles, descriptions, and focus keywords have been imported correctly (via your pages or post).
2. Ensure that your redirections, if any, have been imported. Navigate to "Rank Math" > "Redirections" to verify.

Fix Missing SEO Scores

After importing your data from Yoast SEO to Rank Math, you might notice that some of your posts or pages are missing SEO scores. This is a common issue that can be easily resolved.

1. Navigate to Access Status & Tools
   Go to the "Rank Math" > "Status & Tools" > "Database Tools".
2. Recalculate SEO Scores
   Run the following options to recalculate your SEO scores:
   • Flush SEO Analyzer Data
   • Purge Analytics Cache
   • Update SEO Scores

Remember, the SEO scores are just indicators of how well-optimized your content is according to the plugin’s standards. It’s always a good idea to manually review and optimize your content further if needed.

Cleaning Up Old Yoast Data

1. Once you’re confident that all data from Yoast SEO has been successfully imported, navigate to the bottom of the "Rank Math" > "Status & Tools Page".
2. Under "Other Plugins" and click on "Clean".
3. Confirm the action. This will remove all traces of Yoast SEO data from your database.

Note: It’s essential to ensure that all data has been imported correctly before cleaning up. Once you clean the Yoast SEO data, there’s no way to revert it.

Remove Redundant Plugin(s)

1. Navigate to the “Plugins” section on your WordPress dashboard.
2. Deactivate and delete any redundant plugins related to Yoast, such as “Advanced Custom Fields Analysis for Yoast” and “Yoast SEO Redirections” as they are no longer necessary.

Switch from Yoast SEO to Rank Math – Conclusion

Switching from Yoast SEO to Rank Math can be straightforward with the right steps. By following this guide, you’ll ensure that your SEO settings are transferred correctly, and you can continue optimizing your website with Rank Math’s advanced features.