How To Add Multiple Focus Keyphrases In Yoast SEO?

In Yoast Premium, a post can use one main keyphrase plus up to four related keyphrases through the SEO analysis.

Got a page that ranks for one phrase but misses close variants? Yoast’s premium workflow lets you pair a primary term with extra phrases that match real searches. The result: tighter on-page signals without awkward repetition. This guide shows the exact steps, smart ways to pick those extras, and fixes for common snags.

What Multiple Keyphrases Mean In Yoast

Yoast’s free plugin gives you one target phrase per page. The premium upgrade adds fields for extra phrases. These sit under the SEO analysis panel in the editor. You’ll still write for a single primary term, but the analyzer also checks the page against your added phrases, their synonyms, and natural word forms. That balance keeps the copy readable while still sending clear topical signals.

Feature And Access Overview

Before you start, confirm which features you have on the site. Use this quick reference to see what’s available in each tier.

Feature	Yoast Free	Yoast Premium
Primary Focus Keyphrase	1 per page	1 per page
Extra Keyphrases	Not available	Add up to 4 related phrases
Synonyms Recognition	No	Yes (built into analysis)
Word Forms Recognition	No	Yes
Semrush Suggestions	Limited	Integrated suggestions + add flow
Duplicate Keyphrase Checks	Basic	Expanded checks

Adding Multiple Focus Phrases In Yoast: Step-By-Step

Here’s the exact flow inside the WordPress editor using the premium analyzer. You’ll add a main phrase first, then stack related phrases that fit user intent.

Open The Editor: Edit the post or page you want to optimize.
Set The Main Phrase: In the Yoast SEO panel, fill the Focus keyphrase field with your primary target.
Reveal Extra Fields: In the same panel, find the section for adding a related keyphrase.
Add A Related Phrase: Click to add, then enter a close variant that a searcher would use for the same page.
Repeat With Care: Add up to four. Keep them tight to the topic and mapped to the same search intent.
Enter Synonyms: For each phrase, add natural synonyms in the provided field to broaden recognition without stuffing.
Re-scan The Page: Let the analyzer update. Aim for green or strong orange across your phrases without forcing wording.

Picking Extra Phrases That Pull Their Weight

Extra phrases shouldn’t be random variants. They should mirror how searchers word the same need. Build a shortlist from your research, then score each candidate on three factors: intent match, search demand, and fit with the page’s scope. If a variant implies a different need or would ask for new sections the page can’t cover, save it for a separate article to avoid cannibalization.

When To Add An Extra Phrase

The variant answers the very same task with slightly different wording.
It shares the same landing-page experience and doesn’t require a new angle.
Search modifiers signal the same stage of the journey (how-to, setup, rules).

When To Start A New Page Instead

The variant asks for comparisons, pricing, or a tool that the current page doesn’t provide.
User intent shifts (tutorial vs. policy reference vs. product page).
Coverage would bloat the article or push it off topic.

Use The Semrush Button For Suggestions

In the editor, you’ll see a button that fetches related phrases from Semrush. Sign in once, then pull suggestions while you write. Pick the terms that match the task, then click to insert them into the related keyphrase fields. This saves time and aligns the copy with real queries. If a suggestion skews off intent, skip it. Quality beats quantity for these fields.

Mapping Each Phrase To Page Elements

Place the primary term in the SEO title, meta description, first paragraph, and at least one subheading. Then weave extra phrases naturally into subheads, captions, and body copy where they fit. Avoid repeating the same string every few lines; rely on synonyms and word forms to keep the tone smooth. The analyzer recognizes those variants in premium, so you don’t need to bend sentences out of shape.

Simple Placement Plan

Title Tag: Primary term.
Meta Description: Primary term once, a related variant once.
Intro Paragraph: Primary term once.
H2/H3s: Mix of variants where they make sense.
Body: Natural mentions, synonyms, and word forms.
Image Alt Text: Descriptive wording; use variants only when true to the image.

Write For Readers, Not For Bullets

Yoast’s lights guide structure, but readers decide if the page earns links and shares. Aim for clarity, plain language, short paragraphs, and direct steps. Let your research and examples carry the page. If a bullet turns red, fix what helps readers first. A perfect score means little if the copy feels stiff or repetitive.

Prevent Self-Competition Across Posts

Reusing the exact same primary term on two different pages muddies signals and can drag both down. Keep a simple tracker of target phrases per URL. If you uncover overlap, pick the stronger page, merge content where it fits, and redirect the weaker one. The plugin flags duplicate targets, which makes cleanup easier during routine edits.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Stuffing Variants: Forcing every string into every section.
Intent Drift: Mixing how-to steps with sales copy on the same page.
Weak Variants: Adding phrases that don’t move the needle or repeat the same words in a different order.
Skipping Synonyms: Missing natural wording your readers use.
Ignoring Word Forms: Singular/plural and verb forms help with natural flow.

Quality Signals That Move The Needle

Extra phrases help only when the page itself feels worth bookmarking. Add real steps, screenshots, and proof where you can. If you mention settings, show where they live in the UI. If you claim a fix, list the exact toggle or path. Clarity and evidence raise dwell time, reduce pogo-sticking, and improve behavioral signals over time.

Linking For Context And Trust

Link outward to a small set of official references inside the body. Choose specific rule pages or feature docs that match the section’s topic. Keep anchors short and descriptive. Open the links in a new tab so readers don’t lose their place. One or two well-chosen links beat a long list that distracts from the task.

Workflow: From Research To Publish

A repeatable workflow keeps content consistent across the site. Use this compact path when optimizing a new draft or refreshing an older post.

Research: Build a list of variants that share the same intent.
Choose: Pick one primary term and up to four extras.
Outline: Map sections to queries. Each section should answer a searcher’s next question.
Write: Lead with a direct answer, then teach with steps.
Place Phrases: Follow the simple placement plan above.
Scan: Run the analyzer. Fix real issues first.
Link: Add one or two authoritative references.
Ship: Publish, then audit in a few weeks for refinements.

Troubleshooting: Green Lights Without Awkward Copy

If the analyzer still shows warnings, use the checks below to adjust wording without turning the text robotic. Always fix clarity first, then tweak phrasing until the lights improve.

Issue	Where To Look	Fix
Low Density For A Related Phrase	Body and subheads	Add one natural mention in a relevant paragraph or H3.
Repeated Exact Strings	Intro and conclusion blocks	Swap one instance for a synonym or word form.
Two Pages Target The Same Term	Content tracker	Merge overlapping sections and redirect the weaker URL.
Suggestions Don’t Fit Intent	Semrush list	Reject off-topic variants; keep the page narrow and strong.
Image Alt Text Overuse	Media library	Use descriptive language; skip forced phrases in alt text.

Editing Tips That Keep Copy Natural

Read the draft aloud. If a sentence sounds stiff, trim the phrase and use a synonym. Break long lines, add concrete details, and swap vague claims for exact steps or UI labels. Searchers came to finish a task, not to decode jargon. If a bullet asks for a screenshot or code snippet, add it. If a paragraph repeats an idea, merge it and move on.

Example Layout For A Tutorial Page

Use this structure when your article teaches a process with multiple steps. It matches reader expectations and helps the analyzer pick up clear signals from headings and internal anchors.

H1: Direct promise of the task.
Snippet Line: One-sentence answer under the H1.
ATF Section: Short intro, then first table or quick checklist.
Core Steps: Numbered list with screenshots.
Reference Links: One or two official sources in the middle of the page.
Troubleshooting: Common snags table.
Final Nudge: Recap of next actions or a printable checklist.

Caring For Site Structure And Cannibalization

As your library grows, variants spread across posts can start to collide. Set a page as the definitive hub for a concept and use internal links to support it. Keep near-duplicates out of the index or consolidate them. When you publish a new tutorial that overlaps with an old one, decide which URL should win and redirect the other before rankings split.

Performance Checks After Publishing

Watch search terms in Search Console and analytics. If you see impressions for a variant you didn’t add yet, consider adding that phrase to the analyzer and folding a short section into the page. If clicks shift toward a different variant, adjust headings and anchor links to match reader interest. This light maintenance keeps the page aligned to how people search over time.

Your Action Plan

Pick a page that already ranks for one term. Add up to four extra phrases that share the same intent, plus synonyms that match natural wording. Place them in sensible spots, re-scan, link to one or two trusted references, and publish. Then check performance and tune. That’s all you need to turn one narrow target into a set of queries that still land on the same helpful page.

Want the official breakdown of these features? See the Yoast pages on related keyphrases and the step-by-step guide to the Semrush suggestions flow.