Rank Math vs Yoast SEO Plugin

Rank Math vs Yoast SEO Plugin

In addition to promoting code-less website development, WordPress is considered to be more SEO-friendly than other content management systems (CMS). Each new version of WordPress comes with new features and updates to boost Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Also, it allows users to implement SEO strategies by choosing from thousands of SEO plugins. The usage statistics posted on several websites depict that Yoast SEO, All in One SEO Plugin, and Rank Math are more popular than other SEO plugins for WordPress.

Yoast SEO plugin helps WordPress Website owners increase their website’s search engine ranking by focusing on two important aspects – creating high-quality content and optimizing the website according to search engine guidelines. Along with providing content analysis features, Yoast SEO helps users know how the content will appear on search engine pages. It has an established and loyal user base with more than 5 million active installations.

Although Rank Math is the new kid in the block, it has been rapidly increasing in popularity in the already crowded space of WordPress SEO plugins. Here is a quick guide on how to choose the best WordPress SEO plugin. As a popular alternative to Yoast SEO, Rank Math helps bloggers and webmasters increase the search engine ranking of their web pages by using built-in models, running detailed SEO analysis, and tracking keyword ranking. At present, Rank Math is available as a free WordPress SEO plugin.

I also love the fact that Rank Math has a full-fledged SEO analyzer for your website, which gives out the result in a couple of seconds. Out of curiosity, I went to the SEO analyzer tool and put my URL, and voila: it quickly gave me an actionable report to work on. Isn’t it super cool?

According to Trends.BuiltWith.com, Yoast SEO is currently being used by more live websites than other WordPress SEO plugins, including Rank Math. However, bloggers and webmasters must remember that each of these SEO plugins has its pros and cons. Also, the popularity of an SEO plugin does not make it effective in boosting the search engine ranking of any website. That is why; smarter users always compare Rank Math and Yoast to choose and use the right SEO plugin for WordPress.

How to Choose the Right WordPress SEO Plugin: Rank Math vs. Yoast

1. Installation and Configuration

The users can install and configure both Yoast SEO and Rank Math using the installation wizard. The installation wizard provided by Rank Math enables users to configure the WordPress plugin in five steps. Rank Math accelerates the process by automating certain aspects. The users also have to install and configure Rank Math using a variety of accounts, including Google and Facebook. It also provides users the option to import all settings from major competitors like Yoast SEO. Therefore, existing Yoast users do not have to work on configuration again if switching to Rank Math.

On the other hand, the installation wizard provided by Yoast SEO makes the users configure the plugin in eight steps. The users can easily set up Yoast SEO by watching the installation video guide provided by Yoast.

Verdict: So, for the parameter of installation and configuration ease, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, both plugins provide good support to users.

2. User Interface

The Yoast Plugin’s user interface makes it easier for users to implement SEO strategies by organizing various options under relevant categories. But Rank Math comes with a clean dashboard that enables users to implement SEO strategies simply by enabling or disabling a specific option. Moreover, the users can read information about each option before enabling or disabling it. Beginners often find Rank Math’s dashboard visually appealing and easier to use than Yoast’s user interface. 

Verdict: For cleanliness of the user interface, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math gets more votes from the users.

3. Keyword Optimization

As mentioned earlier, the Yoast SEO free version helps users optimize a single keyword or key phrase. The users need to upgrade to Yoast SEO Premium to optimize multiple keywords and keyphrases. However, Yoast SEO simplifies keyword optimization by providing useful options like setting focus keywords, populating relevant keywords, setting the permalink, and writing titles and meta descriptions. The users can further assess the content’s search engine friendliness by analyzing the SEO score. 

Rank Math allows bloggers to optimize a maximum of five keywords. It also provides keyword suggestions simply by typing the focus keywords. Rank Math helps users create titles and meta descriptions, and set up permalinks, along with previewing the content on search engines. It helps users to optimize the content by assigning the content score. 

Verdict: For Keywords, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher as it allows users to optimize for five keywords as compared to only one in the free version of the Yoast SEO plugin.

XML Sitemap Generation

While indexing a website, the search engines refer to the XML sitemap to understand its URLs. Hence, XML sitemap generation and integration have become key steps in search engine optimization. Both Yoast SEO and Rank Math generate the website’s sitemap automatically. They further keep the XML sitemap up-to-date. But each of the WordPress SEO plugins generates an XML sitemap URL in a specific way. However, the users have the option to create custom sitemaps like image sitemaps, video sitemaps, and news sitemaps according to the nature of the content. 

Verdict: For XML sitemap generation, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, probably, both tools are similar.

Search Console Integration

Webmasters cannot monitor the SEO campaigns without focusing on search console integration. Both Rank Math and Yoast SEO come with features to simplify search console integration.

But Rank Math allows users to perform search console integration as part of the setup process. The users can access the search console data directly on the WordPress dashboard after completing the setup process. While using Yoast SEO, the users lack the option to integrate and access the search console records using an interface. 

Verdict: When it comes to the factor “Search Console Integration”, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math scores higher.

Internal and External Link Management

Yoast SEO Premium suggests internal links to content writers and bloggers as they write the content. However, it does not come with any features to simplify external link management. While working with Yoast SEO, the bloggers have to assign properties like “dofollow” and “nofollow” manually. Also, the new version of Yoast allows users to let search engines know whether the link is a sponsored link or an advert by marking it as sponsored.

On the other hand, Rank Math comes with features to streamline both internal and external link management. While using Rank Math, webmasters can use the SEO Tweaks feature to nofollow external links, nofollow image link files, and open external links in a new tab/window simply by enabling the relevant options. For most users, who would want to apply nofollow tags for most external links, it becomes very easy.

Verdict: For Link Management, in the Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math becomes the clear winner.

Rich Snippets and Schema

Rich snippets help content publishers make the search results visually appealing and relevant by adding additional information. Yoast SEO makes it convenient for content publishers to generate rich snippets by building a fully structured data graph for every web page or blog post. On the other hand, Rank Math does not facilitate rich snippet generation through the implementation of schema markups. It implements 14 types of schema to simplify rich snippet generation.

Verdict: Both Rank Math and Yoast enable you to generate rich snippets for each web page or blog post without using any third-party tool. But Rank Math simplifies the process by implementing a variety of Schema.

Error and Redirect Management 

Webmasters cannot increase their websites’ search engine ranking without identifying all “pages not found (404)” errors related to links. Both Rank Math and Yoast help users identify and fix link errors without putting in extra time and effort. However, the Yoast SEO free version does not come with the redirect tool required for redirecting broken links to temporary URLs. The users have to purchase Yoast SEO Premium to manage broken links and fix link errors. Most Yoast SEO free version users have to install another WordPress plugin for redirection management.

Rank Math allows users to identify and fix all link errors simply through integration.

Verdict: For this factor, in the Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher as it allows users to optimize for 5 keywords as compared to only 1 in the free version of Yoast SEO.

WooCommerce Integration 

Many enterprises these days use WooCommerce to convert their WordPress websites into eCommerce portals and web stores. Both Rank Math and Yoast SEO are compatible with WooCommerce. The users can easily fetch metadata about products and services by integrating them with WooCommerce. However, the users need to upgrade to Yoast SEO Premium to work with WooCommerce more efficiently. Rank Math allows users to work with WooCommerce efficiently without many subscriptions.

Verdict: For this feature, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher as it allows WooCommerce website integration at no cost.

Technical Support

Unlike Yoast SEO Free, Yoast SEO Premium allows users to get 24/7 technical support. The users can avail of technical support regularly by renewing their subscriptions. However, they must resolve technical issues by referring to an online guide while using Yoast SEO Free.

On the other hand, Rank Math helps users resolve technical issues by referring to well-written documentation and availing technical support without renewing subscriptions. 

Verdict: For the technical support factor, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math scores much higher as it allows users to optimize for 5 keywords as compared to only 1 in Yoast SEO free version.

Performance and Speed

The size of a plugin directly impacts the loading speed of the WordPress website. Many webmasters opt for lightweight plugins to improve their website’s user experience and search engine visibility.

Personally, I have been using the Yoast SEO plugin[free and paid] for the majority of my work and never felt the need to look for better options. However, many WordPress website owners claim that Rank Math is really lightweight and fast. Here is a comparison provided by the team at Rank Math.

Verdict: For Keywords, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher: as it allows users to optimize for 5 keywords as compared to only 1 in the Yoast SEO free version.

Update Frequency

Yoast SEO is a mature WordPress plugin, while Rank Math is a new SEO plugin for WordPress. The developers update Yoast SEO every two weeks to meet the latest search engine guidelines and algorithm changes. However, the users need to subscribe to avail of the updates and upgrades for Yoast SEO Premium. At the same time, Rank Math is being updated more frequently than Yoast. In addition to combating search engine algorithm changes, the updated version comes with several enhancements and bug fixes.

Verdict: For this factor, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher: as it allows users to optimize for 5 keywords as compared to only 1 in the Yoast SEO free version.

Pricing

The bloggers have the option to choose from two different versions of Yoast – Yoast SEO Free and Yoast SEO Premium. The users can avail of a slew of advances and additional features by opting for Yoast SEO Premium. For instance, Yoast SEO Premium, unlike Yoast SEO Free, enables users to optimize multiple keywords, keyphrases, and synonyms. Unlike Yoast, Rank Math is available only as a free WordPress plugin. The users can avail of all features of Rank Math without buying a premium version.

For Pricing, in Rank Math vs Yoast comparison, Rank Math definitely scores much higher: as it allows users all features including option to optimize for 5 keywords for SEO for free as compared to only 1 in Yoast SEO free version.

Readability

Major search engines still do consider content readability as a metric while ranking web pages. However, content writers cannot keep website visitors without boosting content readability. Yoast SEO helps writers analyze and improve content readability by facilitating real-time content analysis.

Unlike the Yoast plugin, Rank Math does not provide a built-in content analysis tool. Hence, users have to use third-party tools to check and boost content readability.

Verdict: You can analyze and improve content readability without using any external tool while using Yoast. However, you need to use online readability analysis tools like Grammarly while working with Rank Math.

Transparency

In addition to being a mature WordPress plugin, Yoast SEO has gained the trust of users through transparency. However, developers and supporters of Rank Math are not passionate about transparency. Recently, WordPress removed over 200 fake positive reviews on Rank Math. So the users must not trust the positive reviews on Rank Math as the key criteria to prefer Rank Math to Yoast SEO or switch from Yoast SEO to Rank Math.

Also, Yoast SEO has a GitHub page where you can find the source code. However, Rank Math has not taken any such steps.

Verdict: When it comes to Transparency, in Rank Math vs. Yoast comparison, Yoast SEO scores higher. It has never resorted to any negative ways to garner positive reviews.

Conclusion

If you are already using the premium version of Yoast, I think there is no need to switch, if cost is not a factor. However, website owners using the free version of the Yoast SEO tool can definitely make the switch to Rank Math.

At present, Yoast SEO is much more popular than Rank Math. However, many bloggers and webmasters switch from Yoast SEO to Rank Math to get better results in search engine optimization. The major reason behind this is Rank Math continues to be free and feature-loaded. The users must keep in mind the pros and cons of the two popular SEO plugins for WordPress while comparing Rank Math vs. Yoast. Also, they check the reviews and ratings posted by other users to decide how to choose from Yoast SEO and Rank Math. Apart from choosing the right SEO plugin, WordPress website owners should also focus on improving WordPress performance and implementing SEO tips and tricks for better results.