yoast seo

[Annie Beau]

Ive installed the free version of yoast But when I create a post, it's baffling me tryng to work out what yoast is picking up, Firstly, its saying SEO isnt available - is that because i am using the free basic version?

And 'readability'.. - sentences are too long or have too much 'passive voice'. The slug for the page title contains 'stop' words....

Wossitmean then??

 

[Jon]

Ive installed the free version of yoast But when I create a post, it's baffling me tryng to work out what yoast is picking up, Firstly, its saying SEO isnt available - is that because i am using the free basic version?

And 'readability'.. - sentences are too long or have too much 'passive voice'. The slug for the page title contains 'stop' words....

Wossitmean then??

I've only ever used the free version, I don't know anyone that pays for it to be fair!

The aim with Yoast is to get as many green lights as possible so I would suggest you write your content as normal, once you hit 'Save' it will traffic light it all for you and you can then make any alternations it's asking you to do!

 

[marriedmeeples]

I think you have to set a keyword for it to evaluate.

Stop words are words like "the" which don't add much value to your url when people search for your post. So if your post title is "The 10 best hotels in London", you could have your url be "10-best-london-hotels". Well something along those lines.

Readability I take with a pinch of salt as it highlights things like multiple sentences starting with the same word. I change what I want to as long as it doesn't affect the way I write

 

[David Says...]

You need to set a 'focus keyword' for Yoast to generate an SEO report. That might be why 'SEO is not available'.

'Readability' looks at how you can make your posts easier to read. Short sentences are generally easier to read than long, but you also need content to flow well.

Yoast usually links to explanations. It's only guidance. So take Yoast's advice, but don't get too hung up on getting all-green lights.

You'll write better if you understand the underlying advice.

Read Yoast's guidance on passive vs active voice, or search online. Writing in the active voice is usually easier to read. Take these, for example - which do you find easier to read?

Passive Voice
The blog post was written by Annie. It was written in the passive voice and it was given a red mark by the Yoast plugin.

Active Voice
Annie wrote the blog post. She wrote in the active voice and Yoast gave it a green mark.

Passive-voice writing is 'clunkier' and takes more effort to read. Active-voice writing is more concise and flows better.

Practice makes it easier to write well. Let Yoast 'nudge' you into writing better.

 

[Jon]

I go through periods where I will literally dedicate 2 full days to getting all my lights green in the content I host...

It can feel like a battle you can't win sometimes!!

 

[Annie Beau]

Thanks, think Ive got the hang of it now