6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins
Today’s post was contributed in part by Mr. I from Blogging With Success.
The best thing about WordPress is that it’s open source and can be extended with the help of plugins, which are made by creative third party developers.
In this post, we have listed 6 best SEO plugins that make managing meta information, links and almost everything related to SEO very easy. Out of the box, WordPress is already very user friendly and easy to work with. By tweaking it with these SEO plugins, your blog will communicate better with the search engines and rank for relevant terms that you are writing about.
1. HeadSpace: HeadSpace is all in one meta data manager for WordPress that gives you complete control over your blog’s metadata. It lets you set title, description and keywords for individual posts and pages.
It is a bit difficult to manage than other plugins but is very feature rich.
Tip: Make sure you use special tags. Special tags allow you to have a specific metadata structure. Use those in Global Settings to manage site-wide meta data.
In above screenshot, I have defined the page title, description and tag structure for whole blog. If I do not define Description or Tags manually for HeradSpace, the data will be copied from excerpt and tags I assigned for the post.
2. SEO Smart Links: Internal linking is good for SEO. But hunting for posts that relate to the used keywords is a time consuming task. This plugins saves your time and automatically links keywords and phrases to corresponding posts, pages and categories.
You can set maximum number of links, custom keywords to link and keywords to be ignored. You can also specify if the links will open in new window and will have nofollow attribute or not.
Tip: Make sure you limit the maximum number of links. Lots of links will make you appear a spammer. A value of 3 is pretty good.
3. SEO Blogroll: Similar to default WordPress blogroll but lets you define how links will open (in new window or same window) and the nofollow attribute.
4. Broken Link Checker: Broken links are not good for SEO as well as visitors. This plugin automatically checks your posts for broken links and notifies you on dashboard. You can either change the link or unlink it from the interface itself. It also lets you define how the broken links are highlighted in posts. By default, they are striked out.
Tip: If you find a broken link, make sure to fix it or unlink as striked out text is not that eye pleasing. You can also set the text formatting to change the strike out to something else. Default value for checking all the links in posts is 572 hours. Do not change it as new posts are checked as soon as they are published. Setting this value to something low will put more load on your database.
5. NoIndex/NoFollow Links: This plugin lets you set noindex/nofollow attribute for category, archive and tag links. This avoids duplicate content penalties by search engines.
6. Google XML SiteMap Generator: This plugin auto generates the sitemap every time you publish a new post and also notifies major search engines of the update.
It also gives options to set content to be excluded (archive and category pages etc.)
Tip: Make sure you add the sitemap url to robots.txt Before doind this, check if there is a robots.txt file already in WordPress directory. If it exists, delete it as WordPress creates a virtual file for this purpose and a similar named file will cause problems.
That’s it.
Which SEO plugins do you use for your blog? Please share in the comments below!
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72 Responses to “6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins”
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SEO Plugins for WordPress – http://is.gd/ka6G
Mathew Splitter Reply:
February 28th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Nice list! I didn’t know some of them. Any tip about automatic linking among related posts using wordpress mu?
RT @cleomorgause: seo plugins for wp: http://tinyurl.com/dxlucw
seo plugins for wp: http://tinyurl.com/dxlucw
@SEOAly some of these sound like they might http://tinyurl.com/dxlucw
RT @cameronolivier: RT @briancray: 6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins http://is.gd/ka6G
RT @briancray: 6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins http://is.gd/ka6G
RT @graphicidentity RT @briancray: 6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins http://is.gd/ka6G
RT @briancray: 6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins http://is.gd/ka6G
6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins http://is.gd/ka6G
What are your FAVORITE WordPress Plugins for SEO? Please comment here : http://tinyurl.com/dxlucw
http://dailyseotip.com/wordpress-seo-plugins/81/ 6 Useful WordPress SEO Plugins
Be careful with SEO Smart Links. If you have a post with too much content, the plugin will timeout and render the post useless, throwing a PHP error.
Jonathan Dingman’s last incredible blog post..The Father of Gmail
Loren Baker Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Thanks Jonathan, being a master WordPresser, anything else you recommend?
Jonathan Dingman Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Yeah definitely, I’ve said time and time again when I talk about WordPress, but if your site gets any decent amount of traffic, you must use WordPress Super Cache.
This plugin is amazing. It gives me the flexibility to keep server costs down and still have a high performing website.
Jonathan Dingman’s last incredible blog post..Google Thinks Vimeo is YouTube
Jonathan Dingman Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 3:20 am
Oh and, we just launched a new plugin today.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/public-post-preview/
If it’s up your alley, definitely take a look.
Jonathan Dingman’s last incredible blog post..Google Thinks Vimeo is YouTube
Loren Baker Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Thanks Dingy, that’s a nice link you have on that WordPress.org page
Haven’t tried a lot of these because I mainly just stick to what’s worked for me. I’ll test ‘em out though. thanks.
Utah SEO Pro’s last incredible blog post..301 Redirects with Social Media – SMX West Presentation
Well, thanx for sharing. How about All in One SEO packs? Is it usefull?
Loren Baker Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
All in One SEO Pack is extremely useful and one of my favorites.
Mr. I Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
All in one SEO pack is useful but HeadSpace takes care of its functions and has many more features.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Poll: Do You Use Traffic Exchanges?
I use the following for our WordPress Blogs:
All in One SEO Pack
Dofollow
ShareThis
Twitter Tools
Subscribe To Comments (more for repeat traffic)
Math Comment Spam Protection (more for usability)
David Wallace’s last incredible blog post..Productivity Tips for Busy Search Marketers
Loren Baker Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Thanks David, as you see, we’re using CommentLuv here as it gives a great link back to bloggers. We also use DoFollow
Jonathan Dingman Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 3:27 am
I also have to agree with David, Subscribe to Comments is a huge one I use. I really think every blog should have this option.
No one is going to subscribe to the comments of a post anymore. Email is far superior for this function.
Jonathan Dingman’s last incredible blog post..Google Thinks Vimeo is YouTube
Thanks for the info. I find the following ones useful:
All in One SEO
Google XML SiteMaps
AddThis Social Bookmarking Widget
Google Analyticator
My favourite though is Bad Behavior – I was getting hundreds of spambot comment submissions before adding this plugin.
Mr. I Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Bad Behavior? Its excelent plugin. I am doing a case study right now with it on my blog and results are ery good.
It eliminated almost 95% of spam!
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Poll: Do You Use Traffic Exchanges?
I’ve recently fallen in love with “Redirection”. Makes it very simple to create your redirects, and it will even log all of your 404 errors so you know if you need to create new 301s.
Jack Leblond’s last incredible blog post..Move Your Website and Not Lose Your PageRank (or your mind)
Mr. I Reply:
February 19th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I am in love with it too. My blog was previously on Blogspot. When we moved, the links to posts changed. We could have lost all our traffic but Redirection saved us.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Poll: Do You Use Traffic Exchanges?
Plugins I always use are:
All-in-one SEO Pack
Google XML Sitemaps
RSS Footer
SEO Smartlinks
Sociable
usability consultant Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 3:19 am
We prefer the onlywire button over sociable as it allows multiple bookmarking in one action.
usability consultant’s last incredible blog post..Website usability evaluation package
..thankx..!!
Shark Mench’s last incredible blog post..Coffee Table Readings on Assamese – I
Excelent list, Loren! I have never heard of SEO Blogroll, which seems very useful, and, sure, I use all-in-one SEO pack. It fixes many SEO issues.
Btw, can anyone say if SEO Smart Link plugin links randomly or if you can set which keyword links to which post?
Extra, I use wp-contact-form, which helps comunicating with readers too, by email.
Frank Marcel’s last incredible blog post..Canonical Tag – Acabe com o Conteúdo Duplicado
Mr. I Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Yes, it links randomly to older posts. However, you can define custom keywords and links for these.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Poll: Do You Use Traffic Exchanges?
Frank Marcel Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I see. It’s better to kind of fix posts to receive links, so you help the ranking of specific posts with a few keywords.
(your profile pic is one of a naruto char? cool!)
Frank Marcel’s last incredible blog post..Captologia e Credibilidade na Web
Mr. I Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I do not know a single word about Naruto! When I was hunting for avatar, I encountered this one and liked the it.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Treasured Blog Posts Buried in the Archives
Solid list, Loren. I like and generally use All in One SEO but it looks like I’ll need to try HeadSpace soon. I’d also add NoFollow Case by Case to your list and toss in one of the social sharing plugins as well.
Thanks Loren! I think I’m going to take a closer look at the HeadSpace Plugin.
My blog is currently small and new, hence not too many plugins at this point. However, I do use Google XML Sitemaps, All In One SEO Pack and Robots Meta.
Eric Itkowitz’s last incredible blog post..Google Shadow System
I’m excited to try out SEO Smart Links. I’m a self-proclaimed title=”Hi, I’m Alysson and I Am Addicted to WordPress Plugins”>WordPress Plugin Junkie, yet I hadn’t seen that one before! Good stuff – thanks for sharing!
Alysson’s last incredible blog post..Search Engine Optimization Jacksonville – Hometown Scams
Alysson Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Yeah…sorry about the formatting on that link there. I should have doubled checked it, eh? My fault.
Alysson’s last incredible blog post..Search Engine Optimization Jacksonville – Hometown Scams
Mr. I Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Thanks! Glad you found list useful.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Poll: Do You Use Traffic Exchanges?
Good post. I prefer WordPress DB Manager. Helps you take a backup your entire database.
Mercy Livi’s last incredible blog post..Google India SearchMasters 2009 Registration Opens
I already use broken link checker and XML sitemap generator. Instead of headspace I use. Platinum SEO Pack plugin.
Thanks for the list. Very much useful for bloggers. The following plug-in is useful for including breadcrumb navigation in your blog
Bala Abirami Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Here is the link
http://mtekk.weblogs.us/code/breadcrumb-navxt/
Bala Abirami’s last incredible blog post..SEO for Web 2.0
I started using Headspace recently but have uninstalled it and gone back to the All in One SEO pack which I think is much better for the SEO elements. I do miss the link to the Yahoo tags that Headspce gives though.
Clare Swindlehurst’s last incredible blog post..Affordable Advertising Agencies
Excellent list. I haven’t tried any of these plugins but have been on the lookout for ways to improve the SEO efforts of our blog using plugin tools. I will be passing these on to my co-workers so we can begin forming our strategy. Thanks for sharing!
Crystal’s last incredible blog post..Social Media
Mr. I Reply:
February 20th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Do tell us about you efforts later!
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Treasured Blog Posts Buried in the Archives
Fabulous list – thanks! Question: Do I need to install a Do Follow plugin if I want that functionality? I thought if I didn’t install Do Not Follow code, it would automatically follow.
Thanks!
Stephanie Trahd’s last incredible blog post..Your Customers’ Rights
Mr. I Reply:
February 21st, 2009 at 11:04 am
Yes, you need to install Do Follow plugin. WordPress makes comments NoFollow by default. That is why you did not need that previously.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..How a Post Series Helps You
To these six usefull plugins, I would add 3 more plugins:
and
seobag Reply:
February 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Canonical URL’s http://yoast.com/wordpress/canonical/
Landing sites http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/landing-sites/
MaxBlogPress Ping Optimizer http://www.maxblogpress.com/plugins/mpo/
I use SEO Title Tag – unique title for each page.
Mr. I Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:20 am
Try HeadSpace. It does this+unique description+unique keywords+unique css+uniquee javascript for every page and post.
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..How a Post Series Helps You
All in one SEO is another great one, and dofollow of course (installed it: http://www.icantinternet.org/2009/01/we-dofollow/ )
The XML Sitemap plugin is not an option, it’s a must in fact
And SEO Smartlinks is great for internal linking, which is very important too: http://www.icantinternet.org/2008/12/optimizing-internal-linking/
You also should try out wpSEO at http://wpseo.org it’s free for personal use but very efficient with lots of options.
Not a Niche’s last incredible blog post..A Really Touching Short Movie Of A Very Talented Guy
Great and useful list. Thanks for sharing these plug-ins.
I recommend you Platinum Seo Pack. With this plugin you have the all in seo pack features plus some interesting enhaces about nofollow a noindex to avoid content duplication.
Private Niche Empire’s last incredible blog post..Private Niche Empire : Our Private Niche Empire Review
I liked Broken Link Checker. I have just installed it because Google Analitics told me I had a lot of broken links and I am reading everywhere 401 errors are very bad for SEo.
Anybody ever found a nofollow author links? Not the comment author, but post author? Thanks.
Frank Marcel’s last incredible blog post..Google SEO. Sim, o Google usa SEO!
WordPress blogs are the best. There are so many features available in the form of plugin that it really work for anyone. I really like the seo plugin for wordpress.
Blog Management’s last incredible blog post..My SEO efforts are bringing my rank down, why?
I will have to have a look at these plugins to see if they will be good for my blog I’m about to start. I would like it to perform well and some of these look good. Thanks for the list and information.
I used the permalinks plugin to move my posts to the root. That worked 100% and all posts moved automatically. Then I installed the redirection plugin you suggested and followed the instructions. Maybe I’m missing something, but if my post is already in the new location, how will adding a custom redirect field to it have any benefit?Wordpress seem to have moved all my posts to the root automatically, which is great, but now my incoming links don’t work & I’m not sure how the redirection plugin can fix it…
Mr. I Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Which redirection plugin? I did not suggest any!
Mr. I’s last incredible blog post..Blogging With Success and UPrinting Giveaway: 1000 Business Cards to Be Won
nice info, but, i thing bstat plugin is also good for SEO,
http://bloggebo.com
all one seo pack is the great ever…
WordPress is the king of Blogging. All blogging can be possible with WordPress and its plugin. WordPress also effective and useful for SEO, You can get many plugin for SEO also. This plugin is also useful for me. Thanks for sharing.
Well i really like Smart SEO links and No Follow / No Index word press plugin. Thanks for sharing these plugins with details
I’ve implemented
tks
All in one SEO pack is my favourite, I use it every time I set up a wordpress website. It has everything that you need.
iI m following it
Wow, I honestly didn’t even know that you could publish the app so that it was universal. This is a fantastic guide! I’m going to cue up your blog so that I can read more later. I have a page that you might like that I set up for total beginners such as myself..
Well done, must have taken alot of time up.