Migrating from other SEO plugins is easier with Rank Math, and we ensure that your data gets migrated carefully so that you don’t lose anything in this process and don’t have to set up all meta tags for your posts once again from scratch.
In this knowledgebase article, we’ll discuss how you can import the data from Yoast SEO into Rank Math SEO.
Table of Contents
Note: We recommend backing up your site before you begin the migration process.
1 Using Rank Math Setup Wizard
You can import data from the Yoast SEO plugin to the Rank Math SEO plugin right away with our Setup Wizard by following the exact steps shown below.
1.1 Open Rank Math Setup Wizard
Rank Math Setup Wizard gets initiated automatically when you install Rank Math for the first time. If it doesn’t start on its own, you can always start it from WordPress Dashboard → Rank Math SEO → Dashboard → Setup Wizard.
The Rank Math Setup Wizard will look like this:
1.2 Deactivate Yoast SEO Plugin
As you scroll down, you can find Rank Math checking for any compatibility issues on your website. When you click More, you can find any conflicting SEO plugins installed on your website.
If the Yoast SEO plugin is installed on your website, you can safely deactivate it here, and we would import the data from the Yoast SEO to Rank Math SEO plugin in the next step of the Setup Wizard. If you’ve deactivated the plugin, you can click Start Wizard to proceed to the next step.
1.3 Import Data from Yoast SEO
In the next step, you can find the input data available from the Yoast plugin to be imported to Rank Math.
Click the Start Import button and wait until the process gets completed. You can also choose to recalculate SEO scores along with. However, please note, this method will only update the SEO score of posts set as N/A.
When the import is complete, you can see the status 100% completed in the progress bar. For further steps to configure all SEO settings available in the Rank Math Setup Wizard, you can refer to our detailed tutorial.
Note: If the Setup Wizard returns an error, you should import your Yoast settings using the Import & Export feature mentioned below in Section 2. However, uncheck the Calculate SEO Scores option. After importing your settings, refer to this knowledgebase article to recalculate your SEO scores.
2 Using Rank Math Import & Export
If you’ve skipped or missed out importing data from the Yoast SEO plugin during the Setup Wizard, no issues — you can always import them with the Rank Math Import & Export feature.
2.1 Open Import & Export
To access the Import & Export feature of Rank Math, navigate to Rank Math SEO → Status & Tools as shown below:
From the Status & Tools page, click on Import & Export tab.
2.2 Choose Data to Import
Scroll down a bit, and you’ll find the Other Plugins section, which is designed for importing your SEO settings & data from other plugins before switching to Rank Math SEO. Under the Yoast SEO tab here, choose all the data that you want to import to Rank Math.
2.3 Import Data
Click the Import button. Once you click on Import, a small message will be displayed on the screen that asks for your confirmation to import the settings. Click on OK.
Rank Math will then start to import within seconds, and all your data will be successfully imported to Rank Math SEO.
3 Importing FAQ and HowTo Schema Blocks with Yoast Block Converter
If you’ve used Yoast Blocks inside your content, then you can make use of the Yoast Block Converter option with Rank Math to convert the Yoast FAQ and HowTo Blocks to Rank Math’s Blocks for further use.
3.1 Open Database Tools
In order to do so, head over to WordPress Dashboard → Rank Math SEO → Status & Tools → Database Tools. If the Database Tools tab is unavailable on your website, then ensure that you’ve switched to the Advanced Mode in Rank Math.
3.2 Use Yoast Block Converter
From the list of tools available here, look for Yoast Block Converter. Click on the Convert Blocks button.
You’ll see a confirmation prompt with a warning that the action is irreversible. Click OK, and when Rank Math converts all the Yoast Blocks to Rank Math Blocks, you’ll see a success notice. You can read through our detailed guides on how to use the FAQ and HowTo Blocks with Rank Math.
4 Importing FAQ and HowTo Schema Blocks from Yoast Manually
The Yoast Block Converter option we discussed earlier lets you import all the FAQ and HowTo Schema Blocks from Yoast in one go, and we recommend you to use the same. But, in special cases where you want to review each Yoast Block and change them manually to Rank Math Blocks, you can follow this method.
However, this method requires both Yoast SEO and Rank Math to be installed and activated on your website. To convert the individual FAQ Block/HowTo Block, head over to the post or page with the Block and highlight the Block. You should see some buttons appear on top of the Block, which is a sign that the Block is highlighted.
Hover over the first button from the list that lets you transform the existing block. Click the button, and you should see options to change the Yoast Block to Rank Math Block.
Click the FAQ By Rank Math Block (or HowTo By Rank Math if it is a HowTo Block), and instantly, the Block will be converted to Rank Math’s Block, as shown below.
Please remember that this option is included for special cases only, and we highly discourage you from using two SEO plugins simultaneously. We recommend using the other methods that we’ve discussed to convert your Yoast blocks to Rank Math blocks.
And, that’s it! We believe that the process of importing blocks and settings from the Yoast SEO plugin to Rank Math is much simpler than what any other plugin offers today. And if you still have any questions on importing data from other SEO plugins, feel free to reach our support team directly from here, and we’re always here to help.