Yoast VS All in One: What is the Best SEO Plugin for WordPress?
I've been seeing a lot of people asking whether they should use Yoast SEO plugin or All in One SEO plugin. Some are asking whether they should switch over.
So, in this post, I'm going to give you my thoughts and some guidance for those who are still sitting on the fence.
Let's start by talking about Yoast first...
The most common problem and trouble people are facing with Yoast is that it offers a list of guidelines for SEO and readibility. It also gives you a score and tell you whether the content you just wrote is good for SEO and whether it's reader-friendly.
In this way, it seems like a pretty good plugin. But many people are over-concerned about their SEO score for every post they write. So they start to find the guidelines very restricting and irritating.
For example, there are guidelines like your keyword should be at the front of the headline, which many people find it impossible sometimes. There are times where putting your keyword at the front of the headline just looks weird.
Also, it ranks you regarding your keyword density, whether your KW appears in first paragraph, etc.
Take a look at these screenshots from one of my post:
Below is the guidelines regarding readibility:
These are very clear guidelines for you to follow. But because many people tend to be too concerned about the score Yoast provides, they get annoyed.
Let me tell you, these are called "guidelines" for a reason. They are not "rules". They are just there for you to take reference and have some guidance.
Guidelines are DEAD. Your readers are ALIVE. Write for your readers and not for the guidelines. If you write valuable content for your readers, Google will figure it out from there.
It doesn't mean that you are not doing SEO properly if you don't have a good SEO score from Yoast. Instead, you are not doing SEO properly if you don't focus on delivering great content to your readers.
This is the part where most people have trouble with Yoast. Other than this, Yoast have really great SEO functions.
What about All in One SEO?
AIO SEO is the default SEO plugin WA members have when they first build their websites in SiteRubix. I think Kyle and Carson use this for a reason. There are no complicated guidelines like Yoast which may confuse and overwhelm beginners.
AIO is also a great and popular plugin for many of the WordPress users. I'm sure most, if not all members here have experience with AIO. So I don't think there's much explanation needed as Kyle has walked through it with you in the courses.
So, What is the Best SEO Plugin for WordPress?
To be honest, these 2 are the best SEO "plugins" for WordPress. They both do a great job in SEO settings. Both have their pros and cons. If you are using any one of these, you are doing good.
I don't see the need for you to be concerned about which plugin to use or switching plugins. Stick with the one you are using now and concentrate on creating awesome content.
If you are using Yoast, remember don't be restricted and over-concerned by the "guidelines". You will and SHOULD NOT be scoring very good every time because your contents are different.
What's your thoughts on this? Let's discuss in the comments below :)
And if you see people asking the question or having trouble with this, please kindly share this post with the person. Thanks!
Recent Comments
81
Thanks for clearing things up about Jerry.
I installed Yoast in a Test subdomain just to see how it work.
then copy and pasted my post to see what would happen. It was cool, but I see what you mean about it being more confusing.
I have many sites so I'll try it one one just to get the hang of it.
Thanks for your help,
Greg
jerry - thanks for the post
i think AIO is put forward for its simplicity.
with all you are learning at the start you don't need the overload that is yoast.
i agree that it has a lot more feature but.....
what i use is a plugin called expand seo, this one is relatively simple but appears to work. it allow a lot more freedom for seo.
i will try yoast on one of my sites and am aware of the strict rules it imposes. as you say, at the end of the day write for your visitors. entertain and inform them, review items both good and bad, earn their trust and they may pay you back by clicking through on your site.
phil
Yup, you got my point! No matter which plugin or tool you use, your content is the most important.
But I would like to correct the word you use. For Yoast, those are "guidelines" and not "rules" so there's nothing to be restricting. It's just a bit misleading that make people think they are restricted.
sorry - point taken
seo is just guidelines if you want to get ranked, we are taught here to also make our own traffic by marketing on social media.
seo also changes constantly, what worked last year is not guaranteed to work today
Thanks Jerry for this exposition. I am happy with AIO SEO. and happy with it. You constantly read from WAers about Yoast that puts me off.
They are both good but I had to change back from Yoast to SEO All.in One as my site wasn't getting any hits. Site Support informed me that the Yoast plugin doesn't pick up the GA tracking and that's why it didn't show up any hits. I am only putting this up to let you know not to say don't use Yoast.
I see. But I've been able to use GA tracking with Yoast. You just need to download another plugin called Google Analytics by Monster Insights.
Both are very good but I had to take Yoast off and go back to SEO as I wasn't getting any hits on my site. I contacted Site Support and they said they don't support Yoast. Xx
You got that right Jerry. Readers are ALIVE lol!
Excellent advice and I agree with all you said.
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Nice to read your thoughts but for me Yoast is king!!!
I use Yoast as well!
Great to hear