Rank Math Review PROS & CONS (2023) – Rank Math Free vs Pro Comparison

Finding the best free WordPress SEO plugin for your website is an important part. Small business owners, massive conglomerations, bloggers and those who make their living with their websites know how important it is to boost business rankings and bring attention to your site if there is money to be made.

If it is your desire that Google, Bing, and other popular search engines bring potential business to you, then having a WordPress SEO plugin is essential to meeting your goals.

In a nutshell, WordPress alone, while very functional and beneficial, does not provide search engine optimization services.

For this very reason, WordPress.org offers plugins to assist with SEO. The trick, however, is knowing which plugin is right for you and your specific needs.

Does it matter? Are there differences that are significant enough between various SEO plugins?

There are many SEO plugins for WordPress that have many features and are well made, but most of those plugins have missing features that give a feeling of incompleteness. So if you are looking to find a dependable, free, productive plugin to improve your SEO, Rank Math is a great choice

Rank Math will not only increase the traffic to your site through its search engine optimization’s high-level performance, but it is also a tool that is available free of charge. Rank Math also provides users with an abundance of options that will allow them to create the best SEO for their own needs.

In this Rank Math review, I will go through all the features of pro and free version, plugin pros and cons and compare the plugin with other SEO plugins.

 

Rank Math Free vs Pro

Rank Math was created by the experienced development team at MyThemeShop. The plugin is fairly new but has grown in popularity quickly since its release. There is the free version and paid version of Rank Math.

Free version features:

• Meta descriptions and titles – You can either use templates or manually change SEO titles and descriptions for each post/page.
• Social media descriptions – Manage how your content and images will be displayed on Facebook, Twitter, and other popular social media.
• Focus keyword analysis – Optimize content for multiple focus keywords.
• XML sitemap – Rank Math lets you create your own customized XML sitemap. You don’t have to use the WordPress default sitemap if it doesn’t meet your needs.
• Structured data/schema – Schema can be controlled for different content parts. You can also set a sitewide schema.
• Search console – Sitemaps can be submitted automatically after you connect the site with Google Search Console.
• Knowledge graph and local SEO – You can enhance your site so that it appears more prominently in search results for local businesses.
• Image SEO – Improve image optimization by adding alt and title tags to your images automatically.
• Internal link suggestions – Rank Math will make suggestions about other content that your website can link to when you’re using the editor function.
• Breadcrumbs – Add breadcrumbs to the site.
• Link counter – You can see post/page internal and external links.
• Redirects – 301 and 302 redirects can be set and managed.
• 404 monitor – Keep tabs on any 404 error issues.
• Google Analytics – You can see traffic information from your WordPress dashboard after the Google Analytics tracking code has been added.
• Basic WooCommerce SEO – Adding product and shop titles and descriptions are some of the primary WooCommerce SEO optimization tasks that can be performed.

Premium version features:

• Keyword rank tracking – You can see your keywords search engine rankings over the last twelve consecutive months. You’ll have more insight into your keywords’ performance.
• Google Trends integration
• Local search engine optimization can be conducted for multiple locations.
• A Google News SEO sitemap can be created.
• You can create a Google Video SEO sitemap.
• Social media images can be watermarked automatically.
• There are over twenty predetermined kinds of schema that can be used.
• View Google Adsense earnings history information.
• There are more advanced WooCommerce search engine optimization functions available.

If you want to see a full comparison of Rank Math’s free and paid version features, you can visit the Rank Math pricing page.

Rank Math’s modular approach is one reason why so many people use the plugin. You can enable or disable different features whenever you wish.

 

Rank Math Review

You get to decide which of Rank Math’s modular features you want to use. Some of the choices include advanced image SEO options, support for Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), 404 error monitoring, etc.

 

 

Rank Math is speed optimized because of its modular structure. In addition to its speed, the ability to control various options and the many setting choices are what make Rank Math a very appealing option for many site owners.

If you can’t decide which choices to use, you may want to try the various options first. New configuration choices are available for each module that you activate. Rank Math explains its features, which makes setting configuration simple.

 

 

You can start at the main Rank Math menu and go into the General Settings tab to see more setting options. It’s rather easy to configure Rank Math. The more modules that you activate means that you’re going to have to deal with the corresponding additional settings.

 

Features Overview

Rank Math SEO can easily be compared to a multi-tool or Swiss army knife when it comes to its use with your WordPress site. When it comes to having total control over your SEO needs, you will find everything you need to help you succeed right here.

By combining the power and features of a variety of WordPress plugins that are already in use, Rank Math SEO results in being the lightweight, all-in-one plugin that is as easy to manage as it is free.

Rank Math makes managing your particular variety of taxonomies easier than it has ever been before. Take care of all the SEO for the products you offer, as well as your pages and posts.

You can also control noindex/nofollow/noarchive meta tags of all taxonomies in general and individual posts or pages in particular. This plugin does it all and holds it all together consistently, eliminating any confusion when it comes to your SEO tasks in the past.

Rank Math SEO and Google Search work in full cooperation with each other as well. This results in users receiving any vital information you may need to run things smoothly.

 

 

A convenient and all-inclusive administrator dashboard gives users a perfect place from which to take charge and keep things going at a more-than-productive rate.

Optimized keyword suggestions for higher rankings, the ability to discover errors on your site that Google notices, and being able to keep an eye on site traffic statistics allow users options they never had before.

Other benefits include recommendations for internal link building, a built-in 404 monitor, automated image SEO, redirections, sitemaps, rich snippets, XML, and local SEO, to name a few.

When you begin the installation, you will be asked about your site’s specific settings. The plugin will then recommend the perfect site settings for getting the optimal performance you need.

Next, the Wizard will guide you a step at a time in setting up your webmaster profiles, search engine optimization for your site, your social profiles, and other essential settings.

 

 

Rank Math even makes getting started a breeze. If you’ve been using another SEO plugin and want to make the switch to Rank Math, there’s an import tool that you can use.  If you have data on All-in-One SEO Pack or Yoast SEO, one simple click will retrieve it for you and integrate it in Rank Math.

 

 

This feature eliminates the need to re-optimize Rank Math SEO in the future, streamlining your task even more.

 

Few Specific Features

Here are some of the features you will find in Rank Math SEO plugin:

–Set-up Wizard

When the Rank Math plugin is installed, it will begin self-configuration automatically. The Wizard will give you a step-by-step tour of its features and help you set up and adjust site settings, profiles, and more.

 

–One-Click Setting Migration

Transfer settings from the plugins you’ve been using straight to Rank Math SEO without any re-optimization hassles with just a click.

 

–User Interface Made Easy

The user interface provides highlighted points from posts while showing you the actual post at the same time, allowing you to perfect your search engine optimization in an instant.

 

 

Also, users have access to Advanced Snippet Previews, which will show how posts will appear on social media, allow the preview of Rich Snippets, and show SERP appearance results.

 

–Google Webmaster Integration

This feature allows users to access information obtained from the Google Search console directly from the administrative dashboard.

The ease of access eliminates the potential wasting of time that can take place by ‘going back and forth.’ Keywords that have been ranked for are also right there for easy viewing, along with any index issues and sitemap status.

 

–Google Trends and Keyword Comparison Feature

Because of Rank Math’s integration with Google, the Google Trends tool can consistently monitor trends in regard to keyword searches, and a built-in graph will allow for easy statistic comparison. Varying keyword suggestions are made visible and easy to check.

 

 

–Built-in 404 Monitor

This monitor makes it a breeze to track down 404 links and makes link redirection simple for the user, requiring only a few clicks to accomplish.

 

–Image SEO Optimization

In SEO, it is crucial for your images to be optimized properly. If your images have any title tags or ALT tags, they will be automatically included to give you the finest optimized images possible.

 

 

–XML Sitemap

Use Rank Math SEO to generate automatic XML sitemaps that are search engine compatible, simple to customize, and very user-friendly.

News Sitemap allows users to make a Google-compatible news sitemap and submit it. Video Sitemap allows for the same actions but with video.

 

–Rich Snippet Support

Proper use of metadata is essential to a search engine’s understanding of your posts. Rank Math SEO supports all aspects of-of your SEO needs in a ‘rich snippet.’

 

–Local SEO Optimization

This convenient feature makes Rank Math SEO an excellent solution for smaller local businesses. The proper use of keywords will make your business stand out and give it good rankings.

 

–Link Builder

The use of internal links is a must-have if you want satisfying site rankings. But setting them up and creating isn’t easy.

Rank Math SEO takes all of the work out of your hands as much as possible. Just enter the chosen keywords to be included in the link, and Rank Math will do the rest. Even future keyword searches will be converted to links automatically.

 

–Advanced Redirection Manager

Take control of hundreds of redirects at a time in only a few clicks. Rank Math allows you to not only set up, but easily manage a high number of redirects.

 

 

Redirects of your choice can be set as 301 or 302 redirects, as needed or desired.

 

–Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs make websites easier to visually navigate and work to increase the traffic that comes from search engines. The breadcrumbs do this by communicating your content hierarchy to the search engine. Rank Math SEO gives you the power to custom-create your breadcrumb symbolism.

 

–Easily Redirect Attachments

Redirect attachments to custom posts, parent posts, or even to pages.

 

–Search Engine Verification

Verify your website with social networks and search engines from your WordPress admin.

 

–Bulk Title and Description Editor

It is vital for effective SEO to include keywords in the article title. Easily update the titles of your posts and at other points throughout your articles by bulk editing. No more going through articles and changing one at a time.

 

–Third-Party Plugins Support

Users of Easy Digital Download plugins or WooCommerce will be glad to know that Rank Math is entirely compatible to make their experience as simple as possible.

 

 

–Focus Keywords

Users are given the ability to choose up to five ‘focus keywords’ in free version and unlimited in pro.

 

–LSI keyword Suggestions

When you’re using Rank Math, the plugin will automatically recommend LSI keywords that are based on your focus keyword. This can help to enhance search engine optimization.

 

–Website SEO Analysis

Perform in-depth SEO Analysis of your website. See if your pages are optimized and get actionable data if they aren’t. Get a detailed report on your website. See what you have done correctly and where your pages are lacking.

 

 

Easily find SEO related issues on your website and get actionable data to fix them before they become a problem.

 

–Social Media Integration

Rank Math’s Meta Tab has a convenient Social Tab that can be used to optimize sharing on social media. Social previews are currently available for both Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

As you share content on those websites, you can take advantage of the Open Graph function to add post images, descriptions, and titles as necessary.

 

–Track Keyword Positions

Google Search Console can be integrated with Rank Math. You see all that you need to know right from your WordPress dashboard.

 

 

You can learn more about:

• Keywords that rank your site on search engines.
• The clicks that each of those keywords receives.
• The average click-through rate (CTR) for your keywords.
• The position ranks for your site using the keywords that are entered into search engines.

This makes it easier to monitor targeted keywords.

 

Content Readability Analysis

The Rank Math user interface is very intuitive and user-friendly. You can determine what features are available after taking a brief glance at everything that’s put in front of you on your screen.

Search engine optimization information will be shown in two different spots on the editor as you’re working in Rank Math to edit or create posts. The editor sidebar will display all relevant data if you’re using the Gutenberg block editor. The search engine analytic portion will appear on the bottom of the screen when Classic editor is used.

 

 

The right-hand sidebar in the General tab will display content readability analysis and SEO user interface after a particular page or post has been opened. The plugin will offer suggestions and review content as it’s being added. The use of videos, images, table of contents, and paragraph lengths are some of the attributes that are considered during the readability analysis.

Once a targeted keyword has been entered, the plugin will review the content for search engine optimization. The free version allows you to add up to five different keywords. More keywords can be added with the Rank Math pro.

The plugin will use those keywords to suggest content improvements to enhance SEO. Title content, basic and advanced SEO elements are taken into consideration during SEO analysis.

You’ll be able to see a checklist before each suggestion. That list will also show whether or not the recommended changes based on the suggestions have been made.

There will be a number displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. That number represents the overall optimization level. Scores can range from zero to one hundred. Implementing more recommended changes can help to increase score.

Search engine optimization tips that appear on the page are divided into the following four categories:

1. Basic SEO – Content length is examined. The focus keyword will also be examined to see if it appears in the site content, at the beginning of a post, in URL, in the meta description, and in the title.
2. Additional – Posts will be reviewed to see if the keyword was already used in another post/page. This feature will also determine if the particular keyword is used in alt text and subheadings. Internal and external links (including any associated nofollow attributes), URL length, and keyword density will also be checked.
3. Title Readability – This function looks at aspects such as having a number in your title and focus keyword if power words are present and overall sentiment.
4. Content Readability –  It will check if you are using a table of contents, images, and other visual elements.

Rank Math looks at user-friendliness and readability in addition to the standard search engine optimization. It is very helpful, even though it lacks the kind of readability portion that Yoast SEO offers.

Keyword optimization will be ranked as red, yellow, or green. Primary keywords are marked with star. You can see the optimization levels of other keywords by clicking on the one that you want to view. Question mark icons provide helpful information if you need additional details or have other concerns.

Pillar Content and Link Suggestions are two other essential options. You can mark certain content as important by clicking on the “This post is Pillar Content” box.

You can manage how your content will be shown in social media and search engines besides just using the content analysis resource. An “Edit Snippet” button will be placed on top of the content analysis module for each post. A popup window will open, allowing you to edit and preview the post before it goes live.

The Google search snippet preview will appear on the top of the screen. If you want to see how the content will be displayed to people on different devices, you can always toggle between desktop and mobile view.

 

 

The meta description fields, permalink, and title will be underneath that preview. The variables that you assigned in the Titles and Meta settings will determine the default title. You can alter the meta description and title manually if you want.

Your Social tab for Twitter and Facebook will also be on top. There you can pick the icon overlay that will make your content appear as a playable GIF or a video. You can also add your own unique custom descriptions, titles and add images as you see fit.

An Advanced section is not available if you are in easy mode. This section can be used to assign a canonical URL if duplicate content exists. You can also adjust video or image preview and snippet length as well as configure noindex, nofollow, and other robots’ meta settings.

 

 

The schema section allows you to set your schema.org markup for the content.