If you’ve ever installed a basic SEO plugin and thought,
“Okay, it wants me to add a keyword and call it a day” —
You’re not alone.
That was me a few years ago. But now, after using Rank Math PRO on my own site, I’ve realized just how much deeper real SEO tools go.
This post is about what Rank Math actually looks at behind the scenes — and how it helps uncover gaps even experienced users miss.
It’s Not Just About Keywords
Sure, Rank Math helps you set a focus keyword, but that’s just the beginning. Think of that keyword as a flashlight — it helps guide your writing, but it doesn’t guarantee SEO success.
What actually affects your rankings is the total structure of your post and how well it communicates with both readers and search engines.
Here’s what Rank Math helps check for:
1. Title Tags and Headings
Are you using clear, readable H1s, H2s, H3s to organize your post? Do your headings reflect what the post is about? Is your keyword present in a natural way — not just stuffed in?
Rank Math scans this instantly and gives you a score, plus easy tips if you’ve missed something.
2. Content Structure and Readability
You might think your post is clear… but Rank Math can tell if:
Sentences are too long Paragraphs get hard to follow You haven’t used enough headings or transitions
I’ve had posts score well with Yoast or by manual checks — then realize I missed flow or scannability until Rank Math flagged it.
3. Image SEO
Most plugins ignore this. Rank Math checks:
If you’ve added alt text If your images have descriptive filenames Whether they’re optimized for load speed
It even gently reminds you to include images at all if your post feels too text-heavy.
4. Meta Descriptions and Social Previews
Want your blog post to look good when shared on LinkedIn, Facebook, or X? Want to write a summary Google might actually use?
Rank Math gives you fields and a live preview so you can tweak before publishing.
5. Link Quality and Count
Good SEO needs:
Internal links (to other posts or pages on your site) External links (to reputable sources) Clean, working links (no 404s or dead ends)
Rank Math reminds you if you’ve forgotten any — and will even help you set redirects if something breaks later.
Why This Matters
A post can feel “done” — and still be missing half the things Google cares about.
Rank Math helps me catch those before I hit publish.
It’s not about chasing a perfect score. It’s about being intentional with how content is built, structured, and shared.
Want to See It in Action?
Here’s how I personally use Rank Math:
Why I Use Rank Math PRO for My Own Site »
Or if you want to try it yourself:
Check out Rank Math PRO here (affiliate link – no extra cost to you)
Coming Up Tomorrow…
I’ll tackle one of the most common assumptions I hear:
“Isn’t WordPress already good at SEO?”
Spoiler alert: it’s decent — but it needs help.