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    Configure SEO TDK and Schema in WordPress with Rank Math (2025): Site‑wide templates, page‑level overrides, and rich results validation

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    Tony Yan
    ·November 5, 2025
    ·7 min read
    Illustrated
    Image Source: statics.mylandingpages.co

    This hands-on guide helps you set up consistent SEO titles and meta descriptions (TDK) and core schema types in WordPress using Rank Math, then validate your pages for rich results. You’ll configure site-wide templates, apply page-level overrides, enable Organization, Article, and Breadcrumbs schema, add FAQ and Product schema where relevant, and verify everything with Google’s tools.

    • Time: 60–90 minutes
    • Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
    • Prerequisites: WordPress admin access, Rank Math installed and activated, a basic understanding of posts/pages/products
    • Tools you’ll use: Rank Math plugin, Google Rich Results Test, Schema Markup Validator, Google Search Console
    • Expectation setting: Google may rewrite titles/descriptions. FAQ and HowTo rich results have been restricted/removed, so even valid markup may not display as special results (details below).

    Step 1: Prepare Rank Math and prevent conflicts

    1. In WordPress, go to Rank Math > Dashboard.
    2. Ensure the Schema (Structured Data) module is toggled ON.
    3. If your theme or another plugin outputs titles/meta or schema, disable those features to avoid duplicates. Many themes include “SEO” options—turn off title/meta output so Rank Math is your single source.
    4. Optional: If you use WooCommerce, confirm the WooCommerce module is ON so Product fields map correctly.

    Checkpoint: After this setup, your site should have one set of title/meta tags per page and a single source of JSON-LD structured data (Rank Math). If you later see duplicate metas or conflicting schema, return here and consolidate.

    Pro tip: Google recommends JSON-LD for structured data because it’s easier to maintain without changing HTML; Rank Math outputs JSON-LD by default. See Google’s guidance in the Intro to structured data (Google, 2025).

    Step 2: Configure site‑wide TDK templates (Titles & Meta)

    You’ll create consistent templates for posts, pages, archives, and products so every new piece of content starts with strong, unique metadata.

    1. Go to Rank Math > Titles & Meta.
    2. Configure each tab (Posts, Pages, Categories, Tags, Products, Archives):
      • Title template: Use dynamic variables such as %title%, %sitename%, and %sep%.
      • Description template: Use %excerpt% or relevant variables (category, term description) and keep it concise.
      • Robots meta: Decide index/noindex for low‑value archives (e.g., tag archives if thin).

    Recommended writing ranges

    • Title: aim for about 50–60 characters.
    • Meta description: aim for about 150–160 characters.

    Google sometimes rewrites snippets based on query intent, so treat these ranges as best practices rather than guarantees.

    Examples you can start with

    • Posts title: %title% %sep% %sitename%
    • Posts description: %excerpt%
    • Pages title: %title% %sep% %sitename%
    • Category title: %term% Articles %sep% %sitename%

    Reference: See Rank Math’s complete variables list for all supported tokens, including taxonomies and WooCommerce-specific variables.

    Important: Don’t use meta keywords

    Verification

    • Open a sample post and view source. Confirm there is a single tag and one meta name="description". If you find duplicates, disable theme or other plugin SEO features.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Step 3: Apply page‑level overrides (Gutenberg or Classic)</h2> <p>Sometimes you want a custom SEO title or description for a specific page.</p> <p>Gutenberg (Block Editor)</p> <ul> <li>Edit a post or page.</li> <li>Open the Settings sidebar (gear icon). Find the Rank Math section.</li> <li>Fill in SEO Title and Meta Description. Use the Snippet Preview to check desktop vs. mobile truncation.</li> <li>Add a Focus Keyword if you want Rank Math’s on‑page guidance.</li> </ul> <p>Classic Editor</p> <ul> <li>Edit the post or page, then scroll to the Rank Math meta box.</li> <li>Fill in SEO Title and Meta Description, and add a Focus Keyword.</li> </ul> <p>Note: Focus Keywords are for Rank Math’s analysis; they are not the old “meta keywords” tag (which Google ignores). If you use Pro, Rank Math supports multiple focus keywords. See <a href="https://rankmath.com/kb/how-to-add-multiple-keywords/" rel="nofollow">how to add multiple keywords (Rank Math KB)</a>.</p> <p>Verification</p> <ul> <li>Update the page and check the Snippet Preview. Confirm your override appears. After publishing, search for the page or use a SERP preview tool if available; remember Google may still rewrite.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Step 4: Enable core schema (Organization, Breadcrumbs, Article/WebPage)</h2> <p>Organization schema (site‑wide)</p> <ul> <li>Rank Math > Titles & Meta > Global Meta (or Local SEO/Knowledge Graph settings depending on your Rank Math version).</li> <li>Enter your Organization name and upload a square, high‑quality logo with a stable URL.</li> <li>Save changes.</li> </ul> <p>Breadcrumbs schema and visual breadcrumbs</p> <ul> <li>Rank Math > General Settings > Breadcrumbs: Toggle ON.</li> <li>Choose display options (separator, show Home, show categories, etc.).</li> <li>Implement breadcrumbs on your site using one of the following: <ul> <li>Shortcode: <code>[rank_math_breadcrumb]</code></li> <li>Gutenberg block: insert the Rank Math Breadcrumbs block.</li> <li>PHP function in your theme template:</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <pre><code class="language-php">if ( function_exists( 'rank_math_the_breadcrumbs' ) ) { rank_math_the_breadcrumbs(); } </code></pre> <p>Posts and Pages default schema</p> <ul> <li>Rank Math > Titles & Meta > Posts: set Schema Type to “Article.”</li> <li>Rank Math > Titles & Meta > Pages: set Schema Type to “WebPage” (or a more specific type if applicable).</li> <li>For custom post types, set appropriate defaults.</li> </ul> <p>Automation with Schema Templates</p> <ul> <li>Rank Math > Schema Templates > Add New Schema.</li> <li>Choose a type (e.g., Article or Product), prefill fields, and assign to specific post types. This ensures consistent schema across content.</li> </ul> <p>Reminder: JSON‑LD is Google’s preferred format; Rank Math uses JSON‑LD by default, aligning with the <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/intro-structured-data" rel="nofollow">Intro to structured data (Google, 2025)</a>.</p> <p>Verification</p> <ul> <li>Test a sample URL in the <a href="https://search.google.com/test/rich-results" rel="nofollow">Google Rich Results Test</a> to confirm BreadcrumbList, Article, and Organization data are detected and eligible.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Step 5: Add page‑specific schema types (FAQ and Product)</h2> <p>FAQ schema (per post/page)</p> <ul> <li>Edit the content and open Rank Math’s Schema tab.</li> <li>Click Schema Generator and select FAQ.</li> <li>Add Question + Answer pairs (2–3 or more). Make sure the visible content matches your schema entries.</li> </ul> <p>Expectation setting for FAQ rich results</p> <ul> <li>On August 8, 2023, Google reduced visibility of FAQ rich results to certain authoritative sites, and subsequent updates further limited or removed HowTo rich results. Even valid FAQ markup may not show as rich results. See the <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2023/08/howto-faq-changes" rel="nofollow">Changes to HowTo & FAQ rich results (Google, 2023)</a> announcement.</li> </ul> <p>Product schema (WooCommerce)</p> <ul> <li>Edit a product and open the Schema tab.</li> <li>Choose Product schema. Most fields map from WooCommerce: name (title), SKU, price, currency, availability, aggregate rating, review count.</li> <li>Ensure values match your visible product data and keep price/availability updated.</li> </ul> <p>Verification</p> <ul> <li>Test the URL in the <a href="https://search.google.com/test/rich-results" rel="nofollow">Google Rich Results Test</a>. Check eligibility and fix any errors/warnings.</li> <li>Validate JSON‑LD syntax with the <a href="https://validator.schema.org/" rel="nofollow">Schema Markup Validator</a>.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Practical Example: Draft better titles/descriptions, then paste into Rank Math</h2> <p>Use AI to quickly draft CTR‑friendly titles and descriptions, then fine‑tune them before pasting into Rank Math.</p> <ul> <li>First, generate drafts with <a href="https://quickcreator.io" rel="nofollow">QuickCreator</a>. Disclosure: QuickCreator is our product.</li> <li>If you prefer a guided writer, see the <a href="https://quickcreator.io/ai-blog-writer" rel="nofollow">AI Blog Writer</a> to produce variations you can evaluate.</li> <li>Pick the strongest option and paste it into the Rank Math SEO Title and Meta Description fields for your post/page.</li> <li>Keep variables in mind: if you rely on templates, ensure your manual override still respects branding and readability.</li> </ul> <p>Why this helps</p> <ul> <li>It speeds up ideation while keeping your hands on the final phrasing and compliance.</li> </ul> <p>Verification</p> <ul> <li>Use Rank Math’s Snippet Preview to confirm mobile/desktop truncation looks clean. Publish and monitor CTR changes in Google Search Console.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Validation workflow: Confirm eligibility and catch errors</h2> <ol> <li>Test a representative URL for each content type: <ul> <li>Run the <a href="https://search.google.com/test/rich-results" rel="nofollow">Google Rich Results Test</a>. Confirm eligible types (Article, Breadcrumbs, Product). Review errors/warnings.</li> <li>Run the <a href="https://validator.schema.org/" rel="nofollow">Schema Markup Validator</a> to check JSON‑LD syntax and Schema.org compliance.</li> </ul> </li> <li>In Google Search Console, open Enhancements reports and fix any site‑wide issues that appear (e.g., Product structured data errors). Request indexing after fixes.</li> <li>Re‑test after theme or plugin changes; schema often breaks when templates change. A general primer on schema implementation and validation is available in <a href="https://wpengine.com/resources/schema-wordpress-optimize-seo/" rel="nofollow">WP Engine’s WordPress schema essentials (2024)</a>.</li> </ol> <p>Checklist</p> <ul> <li>Titles & Meta templates set for posts, pages, archives, and products.</li> <li>Organization logo present and valid.</li> <li>Breadcrumbs render visually and validate as BreadcrumbList.</li> <li>Post defaults use Article; pages use WebPage.</li> <li>FAQ/Product schema added only where relevant and accurate.</li> <li>All tested URLs show eligible rich results without critical errors.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Troubleshooting: If X happens, do Y</h2> <ul> <li> <p>Duplicate title/meta tags:</p> <ul> <li>Cause: Theme and Rank Math both output metas.</li> <li>Fix: Disable theme SEO/meta features; let Rank Math control titles/meta.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p>Conflicting or duplicate schema types:</p> <ul> <li>Cause: Theme schema + Rank Math schema + manual JSON‑LD.</li> <li>Fix: Choose one source (Rank Math). Disable other plugin schema modules; remove theme schema code via child theme if needed. Re‑validate.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p>Missing or invalid Organization logo:</p> <ul> <li>Fix: Upload a square logo in Rank Math Global Meta/Knowledge Graph settings; use a stable image URL, then re‑test.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p>FAQ/HowTo rich results not appearing:</p> <ul> <li>Cause: Google policy changes limiting/removing visibility even for valid markup.</li> <li>Fix: Keep markup for completeness, but adjust expectations; focus on Article, Product, and Breadcrumbs.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p>Low‑value archives getting indexed:</p> <ul> <li>Fix: In Titles & Meta > Archives, set tag/author archives to noindex if they don’t add value. Update sitemaps and monitor Search Console.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Reference for Rank Math UI pathways and best‑practice settings: the 2025 overview from <a href="https://onlinemediamasters.com/rank-math-settings/" rel="nofollow">Online Media Masters — Rank Math Settings</a>.</p> <hr /> <h2>Pro tips and maintenance</h2> <ul> <li>Standardize separators (– or |) to keep titles readable; place brand at the end for posts but at the beginning for critical pages.</li> <li>After any theme/plugin update, immediately re‑test schema and a few key pages in the Rich Results Test.</li> <li>Keep WooCommerce product data (price, availability, ratings) current; schema should mirror visible on‑page facts.</li> <li>Monitor Search Console for rewriting patterns and CTR changes; adjust templates and overrides quarterly.</li> <li>To audit pages faster, try the tooling roundup in our guide to <a href="https://quickcreator.io/seo/best-ai-seo-chrome-extensions-2025/" rel="nofollow">Best AI SEO Chrome Extensions (2025)</a>.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>What you should have now</h2> <ul> <li>Site‑wide, conflict‑free title/meta templates for each content type.</li> <li>Page‑level overrides where needed, previewed for mobile and desktop.</li> <li>Organization, Breadcrumbs, and Article/WebPage schema enabled and validated.</li> <li>FAQ/Product schema applied appropriately and accurately.</li> <li>Clean validation across Google Rich Results Test, Schema Markup Validator, and Search Console Enhancements.</li> </ul> <p>Keep this setup current: revisit templates and schema defaults every 6–12 months, especially when Google or plugin policies change. 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