Yoast SEO doesn’t add meta keywords; use SEO title, meta description, and the focus keyphrase to guide content.
If you opened WordPress hoping to paste a string of tags into a “meta keywords” box, here’s the straight answer: that tag is retired and you don’t need it. Modern search engines ignore it, and the plugin removed the field years ago. The path that works today is simple—ship a page that solves the query, set a clear title, write a helpful description, and use the focus keyphrase for on-page checks.
Add Keyword Meta Tags In Yoast SEO — What Works Now
The plugin centers your workflow on the parts that search engines read and users see. Use the panel to set the items below and move on with publishing.
| Feature | Where You Set It | What It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Title | Yoast box → “SEO title” | Snippet headline and query match |
| Meta Description | Yoast box → “Meta description” | Snippet text when used |
| Focus Keyphrase | Yoast box → “Focus keyphrase” | On-page checks; no keywords tag |
| Slug | Permalink field under the title | Readable URL that matches intent |
| Schema Type | Yoast → Schema tab | Rich result eligibility |
| Social Preview | Yoast → Social tab | How links look on social sites |
Why The Old Keywords Tag Went Away
The keywords meta tag turned into a spam magnet. Search engines stopped using it in ranking, and the plugin removed its field to match that reality. The focus keyphrase you enter in the panel is only a content aid; it does not output a keywords meta tag. If you see a “keywords” box in a theme or a dated plugin, skip it.
Quick Start: Ship A Page Without Meta Keywords
1) Craft A Clear SEO Title
Open the post or page and jump to the Yoast panel. In the SEO title field, write a line that names the topic and promises a payoff. Keep it readable on a phone. Use the meter as a guardrail, not a mandate. Match the search intent and the content on the page.
2) Write A Helpful Meta Description
Summarize the answer in one or two short lines. Add the target term once if it fits. Avoid fluff or duplicate boilerplate. A strong description can appear in the snippet and lift click-through, even though search engines may sometimes rewrite it.
3) Set A Focus Keyphrase For Checks
Enter your target term in the focus keyphrase field. Use the feedback to tidy headings, the intro, links, and image alt text. Treat colored bullets as cues. When the page serves the reader, publish even if one cue stays orange.
4) Shape The URL And Intro
Edit the slug to a short, readable phrase. In the first paragraph, answer the query and name the topic. People scan; a direct intro helps them trust the page and helps snippets pull the right text.
5) Add One Or Two Internal Links
Link to a close next step with a natural anchor. A pair of strong links beats a long list. This helps discovery and keeps readers moving through your site.
Trust The Sources
Two quick anchors for your records: Google’s note that the keywords meta tag isn’t used in ranking, and Yoast’s explanation of why the field was removed. See Google’s keywords meta tag post and Yoast’s meta keywords page. Link them in your team docs and move your process to titles, descriptions, and content quality.
Yoast Walkthrough Inside WordPress
Open The Editor
Go to Posts → Add New, or edit a draft. Make sure the Yoast panel is visible under the content area. Click the Yoast icon if it’s collapsed.
Set The SEO Title
Click the SEO title field. Keep the core term near the front, not stuffed. Consider a simple format that holds up on mobile:
- Pattern A: Topic term + benefit
- Pattern B: Topic term + number + outcome
- Pattern C: Topic term + brand (short) at the end
Skip brackets and long separators. Short wins.
Write The Meta Description
Draft two short sentences that set expectations. Reflect the exact value on the page. Avoid repeating the title verbatim. Keep it human. If your theme shows a date near the title area, make sure the copy pairs well with that visual.
Enter A Focus Keyphrase
Type the term you want to rank for. Skim the checks and fix easy gaps: a thin intro, a missing subhead, no internal link, or a weak description. Don’t chase a perfect score; chase a clear page.
Pick The Schema Type
Open the Schema tab and choose the type that actually fits: Article, HowTo, FAQ, Recipe, Product, or a custom setting from your site’s defaults. Pick only a type that matches what’s on the page.
Preview Social
Open the Social tab. Set a short social title and description. Add an image with a clear subject and little text. This step doesn’t change search ranking, but it helps how your links look when shared.
Template Tips: Titles And Descriptions At Scale
On large sites, use Yoast’s template fields to keep titles and descriptions tidy. In Yoast → Settings → Content types, you can use variables like %%title%%, %%excerpt%%, %%sitename%%, or %%category%%. Start with a simple base, then hand-edit top pages when you need a custom pitch.
- Posts:
%%title%% — %%sitename%%with a hand-written description on the most visited posts. - Pages: Short title with brand at the end only when space allows.
- Products: Title + model or size. Keep the key spec in the description where it helps clicks.
Skip The FAQ Block When It’s Just Padding
Many pages toss in a big FAQ section to hit a length goal. That pattern adds weight without helping the reader. If your page already answers the task, skip canned questions and keep the content tight.
Troubleshooting Snippets
My Description Doesn’t Show
Search engines sometimes rewrite descriptions based on the query. This happens more when the draft is generic or duplicated across many pages. Write a better description and place the best copy near the top of the article so it’s easy to pull.
My Title Looks Different
Long or stuffed titles get trimmed or tweaked. Shorten the line, drop repeated terms, and keep the brand short at the end or omit it when space is tight.
The Focus Keyphrase Score Stays Orange
That’s fine. A page that answers the task beats a perfect score. Publish, watch performance, and refine with new data.
Where People Still See A “Keywords” Field
Some themes or legacy plugins still show a box labeled “keywords.” Filling that field changes nothing in modern search. It can even leak your target terms to rivals reading page source. Keep your workflow inside the Yoast panel and your content.
Titles And Descriptions That Pull Clicks
Write For The Searcher
Look at the query behind the visit. If the intent is how-to, promise a result and a step count. If the intent is comparison, promise a clear pick and a reason why. A title that mirrors intent gets more clicks and matches the page better.
Keep Language Plain
Short words beat buzzwords. Numbers help skim-readers. If you can cut a word, cut it.
Match The Page
A title is a contract. If the article doesn’t deliver what the title promises, users bounce. Keep the promise and your metrics improve.
Internal Links That Matter
Link out from the body to the next best step. Use a short, descriptive anchor. One or two solid links are enough on most pages. Avoid chains of tags or a wall of related links that strain readers.
Media Hygiene
Add images that help the reader complete the task. Compress them. Write alt text that describes what’s in the image, not what you hope to rank for. Keep file names clean and short.
Indexing And Schema Checks
Use the Yoast schema settings that fit the page type. Keep only one main type per page. Make sure the page is indexable unless you have a clear reason not to. Avoid blocking crawlers from main content paths. A clean technical base supports the work you do in titles and copy.
Replace Old Habits With This Checklist
Drop the meta keywords routine and run this list during editing. It keeps your page tidy and aligned with how search works today.
| Task | Where To Do It | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Answer First | Opening paragraph | State the result in one line |
| Title Tune-up | Yoast → SEO title | Match intent; keep it short |
| Snippet Copy | Yoast → Meta description | Two crisp sentences max |
| Keyphrase Checks | Yoast → Focus keyphrase | Use cues; skip stuffing |
| Clean URL | Slug under the title | Short, readable words |
| Internal Links | Body copy | One or two strong anchors |
| Schema Match | Yoast → Schema | Pick a type that fits |
| Image Alt Text | Media modal | Describe the image plainly |
| Publish | Editor | Ship when it helps readers |
Notes On Bing And Other Engines
Bing and Google both care about clear titles, helpful copy, links that make sense, and pages that load fast. The retired keywords tag doesn’t move results. Keep your content tight, your snippets readable, and your site clean. If you run a regional site for engines like Baidu or Yandex, check their current docs before adding any legacy tags by hand.
Final Takeaway
Skip the keywords meta tag. Put your effort into the SEO title, meta description, tidy headings, a direct intro, and helpful internal links. Use the focus keyphrase as a checklist. Publish, measure, and refine. That’s the practical way to handle this topic with the plugin today.