In July 2025, I switched my five clients’ websites from Yoast SEO to Rank Math, and they are quite HAPPY now. Why?
It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you in short with key points where you can find out the reason behind it, and you can migrate from Yoast to Rank Math after reading this blog.
TL; DR:
- You will learn the Yoast to Rank Math migration process without losing a single setting.
- Why I migrated my client’s website
- My client’s opinion
- Should you migrate or not? If so, then when?
I decided to tell my 5 random clients to switch their website’s current SEO management partner, like Yoast SEO, to Rank Math SEO.
And I have got five respective clients who allow me to migrate WordPress SEO partner from Yoast to Rank Math.
This blog is my real experience: why I switched, how I did it, what changed, and most importantly, why my clients are happy now.
What I Got Triggered the Switch on My Client’s Website?
Yoast is a dominating SEO plugin, you have to agree; it’s working a million-dollar website smoothly, but when it comes to budget-friendly website owners, it’s a headache for them.
- One client noticed that Yoast SEO Premium costs more than their entire hosting plan.
- Others complained about:
- Locked features behind a paywall
- Slow performance
- Limited keyword and schema options
My Client’s I switched to Rank Math:
- A and S Tech (https://aandstech.com.au) – Australia
- Maulada Abarar SND BHD (https://maulanaabrar.com) – Malaysia
- Sakib Corp Ltd (https://sakibcorp.com) – United Kingdom
- Himel Digital (https://himeldigital.com) – United Kingdom
- Portelli Brothers (https://portellibrothers.com.au/) – Australia
I had already tested Rank Math on smaller projects (using it since 2021). The results were promising: faster load times, better SEO control, and more built-in features.
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What Wasn’t Working with Yoast SEO?
Before switching, I started noticing patterns in client complaints. These weren’t random or exaggerated; they were real frustrations I kept hearing again and again.
Client Frustrations I Kept Hearing:
- “Why can’t I add more than one keyword unless I pay more?”
- “Why is my site getting slower after adding this plugin?”
- “Why does it feel like I’m using five tools just to manage SEO?”
These are the common scenarios of Yoast users. If you are one of them, you may know about Yoast SEO.
Well, but I have moved since 2021 and continue with Rank Math till now.
What Stood Out to Me:
Too Many Features Locked Behind a Paywall
Basic things like:
- Multiple focus keywords
- Full schema support
- Redirect manager
- Internal linking suggestions
All of these were only available with the Premium version. When you’re managing several sites, that adds up fast.
Most of my clients are low-budget, and if they can save 100 bucks from their budget, it is a huge boost for their next campaign. And, these are the realities.
Performance & Bloat
Yoast had grown bulky over time. It slowed down some client sites, especially ones with lots of content or WooCommerce. Even the dashboard started to feel clunky.
Not only that, but also, most of my clients got stuck with the feature setting and conflict with other plugins. (Common scenario of Yoast)
Schema Limitations
For clients needing a detailed schema (like e-commerce or healthcare), Yoast’s built-in options weren’t flexible enough. We had to use extra plugins or custom code just to get things right.
The Decision to Try Rank Math For Them
You may know, I have been using Rank Math since 2021, and almost every website I use Rank Math as my on-page optimization master for WordPress websites.
I used it on my own agency site, Clicko, and shared that journey in a blog titled “I Optimized My SEO Agency @Clicko with Rank Math.” The results were clear: better control, faster load times, and way more built-in tools without stacking plugins. That success made me curious about using it at scale.
Why I Chose Rank Math
This wasn’t about just switching for the sake of change. My clients had real needs that Yoast couldn’t meet without extra add-ons or custom work. I told the story in my other blog about Rank Math: An SEO Professional’ Point of ReView | Is It Worth It?
Here’s what stood out to me in Rank Math: features that directly solved client pain points.
- Multiple Keyword Optimization, finally, no need to pay extra just to target more than one keyword.
- Advanced Schema Support, especially useful for my e-commerce and healthcare clients.
- Faster Performance, lighter code, and cleaner integration led to speed gains across the board.
- Built-In Tools, no need for third-party plugins for redirects, image SEO, or 404 monitoring.
- WooCommerce SEO, I covered this in detail in my blog “Free Rank Math SEO + WooCommerce: The Perfect Combo for 10X Sales.”
Also, I had already compared Rank Math to Yoast and All in One SEO in my post, “Yoast and All in One SEO vs Rank Math | Who is the Winner in 2025?”, and Rank Math won based on real feature depth and value.
Hope you are clear till now that the switching reason of my client’s site, and now let’s see the migration process.
Yoast to Rank Math SEO Migration Process
Super simple, and will feel like magic on your website. Here, I only share a single website’s Yoast SEO to Rank Math migration.
Hopefully, you will understand the whole process for any WordPress website.
Pre-Migration Preparation
Create a Complete Website Backup
Before beginning the migration process, you should create a comprehensive backup of your entire website.
My suggestion is to use the Updraft Backup plugin for your WordPress website; it’s free, easy, and secure to take backups and restore your website.
Ensure Yoast SEO Remains Active
Keep the Yoast SEO plugin active throughout the initial migration process. And you should not deactivate or uninstall Yoast until after you’ve successfully imported all data and verified the migration’s completeness to Rank Math.
Remember, you can’t use two SEO plugins simultaneously, but for the migration process, you have to keep the previous plugin (Yoast/All In One) active until the migration is completed.
Now, here is the process;
Install Rank Math Plugin
- Navigate to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard
- Search for “Rank Math SEO”
- Install and activate the plugin
- If you have Rank Math Pro, upload and install
I have a full Rank Math SEO install and setup process here. You can see the process, and I have to clarify the most important thing here.
Follow the next steps;
Connect Your Rank Math Account
After activation, you’ll be prompted to connect your Rank Math account. It’s free and you don’t need to pay a single buck.
- Create a new free account to access all features
- Connect to an existing Rank Math account
- Skip this step and connect later
Here are two methods that allow you to migrate from any SEO plugin to Rank Math SEO without any extra jargon.
Let’s have a look;
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Method 1: Using the Rank Math Setup Wizard (Recommended)
The Setup Wizard of Rank Math is the most comprehensive method for migration and launches automatically when you first install this plugin.
Step 1: Access the Setup Wizard
If the wizard doesn’t start automatically, navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard → Rank Math SEO → Dashboard → Setup Wizard
Step 2: Choose Advanced Mode (Most Important Part)
Select “Advanced” mode to access all migration options and features
Step 3: Import Yoast Data
In the Import SEO Settings section, you’ll see all available data from Yoast that can be imported:
- SEO titles and meta descriptions
- Focus keywords and keyphrases
- Social media settings
- XML sitemap configurations
- Redirections (if using Yoast Premium)
- Local SEO, News SEO, and Video SEO data
- Advanced settings and configurations
Ensure all relevant checkboxes are selected and click “Start Import.”
Step 4: Complete the Wizard
Follow through the remaining setup steps to configure:
- Website information and settings
- Google Analytics and Search Console connections
- Sitemap preferences
- Schema markup settings
- Other SEO optimization preferences
Wait for a while, and BOOM! It’s been successfully migrated, and you are good to go with the Rank Math SEO plugin.
Step 5: Handle Plugin Conflicts
The wizard will detect Yoast SEO and other conflicting plugins. You can safely deactivate Yoast from within the wizard, as the data will be imported in the next step
Here, I explained the easiest method to migrate from Yoast SEO to Rank Math, but here is another process for you.
Method 2: Using the Import & Export Feature
If you missed the Setup Wizard or need to import data later, no worries, you have another amazing method to Import & Export from Yoast to Rank Math.
Rank Math also has an amazing article for the Import and Export feature.
Step 1: Access Import & Export
Navigate to WordPress Dashboard → Rank Math SEO → Status & Tools → Import & Export
Note: If you don’t see the Import & Export tab, ensure you’ve switched to Advanced Mode in Rank Math.
Step 2: Select Yoast SEO
Scroll down to the “Other Plugins” section and click on the “Yoast SEO” tab
Step 3: Choose Import Options
Select the data you want to import:
- Post metadata (titles, descriptions, keywords)
- Settings and configurations
- Redirections
- Schema markup
- Other advanced features
Step 4: Execute Import
Click “Import” and confirm when prompted. The process may take several minutes, depending on your site’s size.
Now, it’s done with the second method.
Before and After Yoast to Rank Math Migration
In my case, here is the Yoast SEO version;
And here is the Rank Math SEO version after migration;
Verify Data Import Success
Alright, I hope you have successfully migrated your Yoast SEO to the Rank Math SEO plugin, and now you need to check it.
Remember, after migration, you need a thorough check-up of your imported data:
Depending on your website pages, you should check;
- Review Individual Posts and Pages: Open several posts and pages to verify that:
- SEO titles are correctly imported
- Meta descriptions are preserved
- Focus keywords are maintained
- Social media previews are intact
- Check Settings Transfer: Always verify that your Yoast settings have been properly transferred:
- Global SEO settings
- Social media configurations
- XML sitemap settings
- Breadcrumb configurations
- Test Advanced Features: If you used Yoast Premium features, confirm:
- Redirections are working correctly
- Local SEO data is preserved
- News and Video SEO settings are maintained
Hurray! You have done it.
Now, it’s time to enjoy Rank Math for the next time, and you will get impressed (I’m sure) with its features and affordability.
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Post-Migration Activities
Remove Yoast Data After Successful Migration
Once you’ve verified that all data has been successfully migrated and your site is functioning properly, clean up the old Yoast data:
- Navigate to Rank Math SEO → Status & Tools → Import & Export
- Scroll to the “Other Plugins” section
- Under the Yoast tab, click “Clean”
- Confirm the action when prompted
This removes all Yoast database entries, reducing database bloat and improving performance. You should do it to save your database space.
What Did My Clients Say After the Migration?
After migrating these 5 websites from Yoast to Rank Math, I asked each client for direct, honest feedback.
1. A and S Tech (Australia – IT Business)
“Our site feels faster and lighter now. With Rank Math’s built-in features, we’ve removed extra plugins, which means fewer updates and less hassle. The dashboard is much easier for our team to manage compared to Yoast.”
2. Maulana Abrar SND BHD (Malaysia – Construction)
“We needed better local SEO to reach more leads in our region. Rank Math made optimizing our Google Business profile and location-based keywords so much easier, and we didn’t need to pay for additional premium tools.”
3. Sakib Corp Ltd (United Kingdom – Social Media Marketing Agency)
“As an agency, we need flexibility. Rank Math’s multi-keyword optimization and content analysis save us time when publishing blogs or campaign pages. Plus, the analytics integration is a huge step up from Yoast.”
4. Himel Digital (United Kingdom – Web Design & Development Agency)
“We care a lot about speed and performance for our clients. Yoast felt heavy, but with Rank Math, page load times improved noticeably. We also love the advanced schema features; it’s a must for our service pages.”
5. Portelli Brothers (Australia – Computer Repair Company)
“We didn’t want to keep paying for basic SEO features. Rank Math gave us the same (and better) features for free, with a simpler interface. Our local search rankings are already improving.”
Common Feedback Across All Clients
- Speed: All five clients noticed faster load times after removing Yoast.
- Ease of Use: Rank Math’s dashboard felt cleaner and less cluttered.
- Cost Savings: They no longer need extra premium plugins for features like redirects or multiple keywords.
- Better Control: Advanced schema and local SEO tools gave them more visibility in search results.
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When You Shouldn’t Switch?
While Rank Math has been a better fit for my clients, I’ll be honest, it’s not for everyone. There are cases where sticking with Yoast (or your current setup) might make more sense.
When Yoast Might Be Better
- You’re heavily invested in Yoast Premium features like its content readability tools or News/Video SEO add-ons.
- Your SEO strategy is simple and basic — for example, a single-page site or small blog with no advanced schema or local SEO needs.
- You prefer a “set and forget” approach where minimal adjustments are required.
Situational Examples Where I’d Avoid Switching
- Legacy builds or custom themes: Older WordPress sites with fragile code may break during migration.
- Complex plugin dependencies: If your workflow depends on Yoast-specific add-ons or third-party integrations that Rank Math doesn’t yet support.
- Enterprise sites with deep Yoast customization: Large setups may require extra planning to migrate without ranking risks.
Budget & Timing Considerations
- If you recently paid for Yoast Premium, switching might not make financial sense until your license cycle ends.
- Major site redesign or hosting changes — it’s better to plan migration alongside other big updates to avoid confusion.
Not every tool is built for every team. If Yoast is meeting all your needs, there’s no urgent reason to move. But if you feel limited, paying too much, or juggling multiple plugins for simple tasks, then exploring Rank Math could be worth it.
Now, Should You Actually Switch to Rank Math?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Yes, switching from Yoast to Rank Math can be worth it, but only if your current SEO setup feels limited, overpriced, or outdated.
When to Consider Switching
- You’re paying for Yoast Premium but barely using its “extra” features.
- Your site is slowing down due to plugin bloat or outdated setups.
- You need advanced features like multiple keywords, detailed schema, or local SEO, without paying extra.
- You want a cleaner dashboard that combines analytics, keyword tracking, and content AI in one place.
Rank Math’s Value Stack
- Free features that Yoast locks behind Premium, like redirects, multiple keywords, and 404 monitoring.
- Better performance with lightweight, optimized code.
- All-in-one toolkit for local SEO, WooCommerce SEO, and schema.
- Cost savings for multi-site agencies or freelancers.
Action Items for Agencies or Freelancers
- Test on a single site first to understand settings and migration flow.
- Run a full backup before migrating (both database and files).
- Use Rank Math’s import tool to bring over all Yoast data safely.
- Monitor rankings and site performance for at least 30-60 days post-migration.
- Document the benefits (speed, traffic, ranking improvements) to show clients the ROI.
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely.
Switching 5 client sites from Yoast to Rank Math not only improved site performance and SEO results but also simplified my workflow and saved money. The clients are happier, and I have fewer headaches managing SEO across multiple websites.
Conclusion
Switching from Yoast to Rank Math wasn’t just a plugin change; it was a mindset shift. My 5 clients now enjoy faster websites, better SEO features, and zero unnecessary costs. The transition was smoother than expected, and the results spoke for themselves.
If you’re managing multiple sites or feel like your current SEO tool is holding you back, it’s worth testing Rank Math on one site first.
Start small, measure the difference, and let the results decide for you.
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