Including meta keywords using the Yoast SEO plugin is a vital aspect of enhancing your website for search engines. These meta keywords assist search engines in grasping the content of your web pages and enhancing their appearance in search results. In this piece, I will direct you on how to add meta keywords in the Yoast SEO plugin, and also share my personal thoughts and remarks throughout the process.
Step 1: Install and Activate Yoast SEO Plugin
To get started, you need to have the Yoast SEO plugin installed and activated on your WordPress website. If you haven’t done so already, you can easily install it from the WordPress plugin repository. Once activated, you’ll see a new Yoast SEO menu on the left-hand side of your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: Access the Yoast SEO Meta Box
After installing and activating the Yoast SEO plugin, go to the post or page editor where you want to add meta keywords. Scroll down to the Yoast SEO meta box below the content editor.
It’s important to note that Yoast SEO plugin no longer uses meta keywords as a ranking factor. However, it still allows you to add them if you believe they are relevant for your website’s SEO strategy.
Step 3: Add Meta Keywords
In the Yoast SEO meta box, click on the “Edit snippet” button to expand the options. You will see a field labeled “Focus keyphrase”. This is where you can add your meta keywords.
Add your meta keywords in the “Focus keyphrase” field, separated by commas. It’s important to choose relevant keywords that accurately describe the content of your web page. Avoid keyword stuffing or using irrelevant keywords, as this can have a negative impact on your website’s SEO.
Step 4: Optimize Your Content
While adding meta keywords is one aspect of SEO, it’s important to remember that search engines primarily rely on the actual content of your web pages to understand their relevance. In addition to adding meta keywords, make sure to optimize your content by incorporating these keywords naturally throughout your page.
Write high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your readers. Use the meta keywords as a guide to optimize your content, but don’t overdo it. Remember, the ultimate goal is to create content that is helpful and informative, not just optimized for search engines.
Conclusion
Adding meta keywords in Yoast SEO plugin can be a valuable addition to your overall SEO strategy. While their impact on search engine rankings may have diminished over time, they can still be used as a way to provide additional information to search engines about the content of your web pages.
Remember to choose relevant keywords and avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your readers. By following these guidelines, you can optimize your website for search engines and improve its visibility in search results.