To add keywords in Yoast SEO, enter your focus keyphrase in the Focus keyphrase field in the meta box or sidebar.
Yoast SEO centers on a simple workflow: tell the plugin which phrase a page should target, then use its checks to tighten the page around that phrase. In Yoast, that target is the focus keyphrase. Set it once per page, follow the red, orange, and green bullets, and publish a page that’s easy to grasp.
What The Focus Keyphrase Does
When you add a focus keyphrase, Yoast SEO scans your title, slug, meta description, headings, body copy, images, and links. It flags gaps like missing terms in headings, thin use in the opening, or no mention in the meta description. The checks don’t change rankings on their own; they nudge you to line up the page with the search intent you chose.
The free version sets one focus term per page. Premium adds related keyphrases and synonyms, so you can target a main term plus close variants and entities without repeating the same wording everywhere.
Where You’ll Find The Field
You can set the focus keyphrase in two spots inside the editor. In the block editor, open the right-hand panel and pick the Yoast tab. In the classic view—or if you like under-content tools—scroll to the Yoast meta box below the editor. Both areas write to the same analysis, so use the spot you prefer. Yoast’s sidebar article shows the exact panel and bullets if you want a visual tour: Yoast SEO sidebar.
Quick Reference: Editor Locations
| Context | Where It Lives | Clicks Or Path |
|---|---|---|
| Block Editor (Gutenberg) | Right sidebar → Yoast SEO | Open Yoast tab → “Focus keyphrase” |
| Under-Content Area | Yoast meta box | Scroll below editor → “Focus keyphrase” |
| Meta Box Hidden | Preferences / Screen Options | Enable Yoast panel; or Yoast → Settings → Content types |
Adding A Focus Keyphrase With Yoast SEO: Step-By-Step
1) Open The Post Or Page
From the dashboard, go to Posts or Pages and open the item you want to optimize. If you work from list view, keep the slug handy; you’ll tune that in a moment.
2) Enter The Phrase
In the Yoast panel, click the field labeled “Focus keyphrase.” Type the main term your page should rank for. Use natural language. Pick the exact search wording you want to win, not a vague topic tag. Short, clear, and specific wins.
3) Review The Bullets
Right under the field, Yoast shows checks. Look for items that affect clarity: mention in the introduction, presence in subheads, consistency across copy, and link anchor use. Fix what helps readers. Don’t chase a wall of green at the cost of flow.
4) Tune Title, Slug, And Meta Description
Open the SEO preview panel. Add a human-readable title with the term near the front, craft a clean slug, and write a meta description that includes the term once and sells the page’s value. Keep the snippet bars green by trimming length.
5) Check Readability
Switch to the Readability tab for pacing. Short paragraphs, plain words, active voice, and scannable subheads help both visitors and crawlers. If the copy feels tight when read aloud, you’re close.
6) Use Related Terms (Premium)
On Premium sites, click “Add related keyphrase.” Enter a close variant or entity that pairs well with your main term. You’ll see a second set of bullets. Keep these variants natural; add them where they fit, not everywhere.
Choosing A Phrase That Fits The Page
A good focus keyphrase does three things. It matches a query you can serve, it mirrors the language your audience uses, and it reflects what sits on the page today. Don’t wedge a head term into a short note. Pick the phrase your page already backs and strengthen around it.
How Long Should It Be?
One to five words is common. Longer phrases can work when they echo a real query, but keep them readable. Avoid stuffing. Skip long tag strings that say little. Think of the headline someone would type when ready for your content.
Should You Reuse A Phrase?
Choose one page per focus term. Duplicating targets across many URLs makes your site compete with itself. If two pages need the same term, merge, redirect, or split the topics so each page goes after a different phrase.
Best Practices That Boost The Checks
Put The Term Early
Work the phrase into the opening paragraph in a way that reads smooth. That opening sets context and aligns with a Yoast check that looks for an early mention. Yoast’s own primer on the topic explains why the field exists and how the checks read your text: focus keyphrase guide.
Use Subheads To Reinforce
Add the wording to one or two H2/H3 headings where it makes sense. Don’t force it into every header. Write headings that predict the paragraph beneath them.
Write Link Anchors With Purpose
When you link to or from the page, use anchors that hint at the target phrase. Keep anchors short. Avoid repeating the same anchor across many links.
Images And Alt Text
Name image files with plain words and fill the alt text with a short description that matches the scene. If a picture truly centers on the topic, use the term once in alt text. If not, describe the image without the term.
What About “Meta Keywords”?
Old tutorials may mention a keywords meta tag. Yoast removed that box years ago because major search engines ignore it and misuse can hurt a site. Spend time on the focus keyphrase and on-page work instead. Yoast explains the stance here: meta keywords tag.
Troubleshooting When The Field Seems Missing
If you can’t see the field, it’s usually a display toggle. In the block editor, open the top-right menu, pick Preferences, and enable the Yoast panel. You can also expand the Yoast section in the sidebar or move the panel under the content area. In classic screens, enable the meta box via Screen Options. If the whole thing is gone across the site, check Yoast → Settings and turn the content-type panels back on.
Quick Fix Table
| Issue | Likely Fix | Where To Click |
|---|---|---|
| Yoast panel hidden | Turn on panel in Preferences | Editor → three-dot menu → Preferences |
| Meta box collapsed | Expand Yoast section | Under editor → Yoast → expand arrow |
| No features available | Enable features in Settings | Dashboard → Yoast SEO → Settings |
Premium Extras That Help Target Variants
Premium lets you add related keyphrases and mark synonyms. That unlocks extra checks and helps you avoid repetitive wording. Use entities, branded terms, and close language that readers expect to see near your main term. Yoast’s page on related phrases shows the exact control and what the second set of bullets looks like: related keyphrases.
Smart Ways To Pick Variants
Scan search results, People Also Ask boxes, and site search logs. Pull phrases that map to subtopics on the page. If a phrase needs a full section to answer well, add that section and use the variant in the subhead. If two variants clash, split them across different pages instead of crowding both into one.
On-Page Edits That Move The Needle
Title Tag
Lead with the term where it reads clean. Keep titles under the pixel bar Yoast shows. Skip bracket soup. Promise a clear payoff.
Slug
Short, lowercase, hyphenated. Include the main wording once. Skip stop-word purges that break readability or create odd phrasing.
Meta Description
Write one tight sentence that mentions the term once, adds a benefit, and ends with a nudge to click. Keep the length bar green.
Body Copy
Use the phrase a handful of times where it belongs. Mix in synonyms and related terms. Answer the query fully. Trim fluff. Break long blocks into 2–4 sentence paragraphs.
Content Planning So Each Page Has A Clear Target
Create a simple map: one row per URL, with columns for target term, search intent, and stage of the funnel. This prevents overlap and helps you pick new ideas that fill gaps instead of crowding a cluster you already own. Revisit the map when you publish a new page or retire an old one. Assign internal links from related pages so readers can move through the topic with ease.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Chasing Green Bullets At All Costs
The checks are guides, not rules. If a fix makes a sentence stiff, skip it. Read the page out loud. If it flows, you’re in good shape.
Targeting A Term The Page Can’t Win
If the page is a short update, don’t point it at a head term with heavy competition. Pick a longer phrase that matches the depth you deliver. Save the broad term for a pillar page with sections, tables, and internal links to related posts.
Repeating The Term In Every Heading
Two or three well-placed mentions in headings are plenty. Use the rest of your subheads to build a logical outline that answers related questions and supports the main idea.
Short Setup Walkthrough (One Page, Start To Finish)
- Open the page in the editor.
- Set the focus keyphrase in the Yoast panel.
- Add the phrase to the title, intro, one subhead, and the meta description.
- Trim the slug and place the phrase once.
- Scan the bullets; fix items that help clarity and depth.
- Add one or two internal links that guide readers to deeper material.
- Hit update and recheck the snippet preview.
FAQ-Free Closing Tips
Keep each page centered on one clear term. Put that term where readers expect it: title, intro, a subhead, body, and snippet. Use variants sparingly, write for humans first, and let the checks nudge you toward a cleaner draft. If something feels off, fix the page for the reader and the lights will follow.