How to Choose Between Yoast Premium vs Free for SEO

Key highlights

• Understand the core differences between Yoast Premium vs Free features. 
• Learn when it makes sense to upgrade to the premium version based on your content and SEO goals. 
• Explore tools like multiple focus keywords, internal linking suggestions and the redirect manager.
• Discover how Bluehost enhances Yoast performance with optimized WordPress hosting and built-in SEO features.
• Find out why even the free version of Yoast SEO can help you rank well with the right content strategy.

Get Yoast SEO Premium Now – Only $118.80/year

If you’re using Yoast SEO on your WordPress site, you’ve probably wondered whether the premium version is really worth it. 

The free plugin offers essential features including custom meta descriptions and keyword optimization for a one focused keyphrase. But what about multiple focus keyphrases, intelligent internal linking suggestions, a Redirect Manager or AI-powered SEO enhancements? Those are included with Yoast SEO Premium. 

That’s where the real question comes in: Yoast Premium vs free, which version fits your SEO needs?

In this guide, we’ll compare the Yoast SEO free and Premium versions, explain what each includes and how much Yoast Premium costs. We’ll also discover whether its added features are worth the upgrade. 

But first, let’s clarify what Yoast SEO actually is.

What is Yoast SEO and why is it popular?

Yoast SEO is the most widely used SEO plugin for WordPress. It helps website owners improve visibility in search engine results without needing to know code. Whether you’re new to WordPress SEO or an experienced user, Yoast SEO streamlines the on-page SEO process while offering powerful customization options for advanced users. 

From meta descriptions to structured data, it offers essential SEO analysis tools to keep your content optimized and ready to rank. 

Trusted by millions of WordPress users

The Yoast SEO plugin powers over 13 million active installations, making it one of the most widely used tools on WordPress sites today.

It is popular across industries and trusted by bloggers, small business owners, eCommerce and large agencies alike. 

What makes it so widely trusted is its seamless integration into the WordPress dashboard. From the moment you install it, the interface is easy to navigate and the suggestions are clear and actionable. 

Whether you’re optimizing your first post or auditing site-wide technical SEO, Yoast SEO provides a scalable solution for users at every skill level. 

Continuous development, a reliable update schedule and open-source nature make Yoast SEO a dependable tool that stays aligned with evolving search engine guidelines. These are the few reasons why Yoast SEO is a go-to plugin for millions aiming to improve their online visibility. 

On-page SEO support integrated with WordPress editor 

At its core, Yoast SEO focuses on strengthening the elements that impact search engine results the most, including your content quality, structure and keyword density. The plugin guides you through improving on-page SEO as you write. 

Each post or page gets real-time feedback on your focus keyword, keyword density, internal linking and readability. You’ll also receive visual cues to improve meta descriptions, SEO titles and even image alt text, all from within your editor. 

Further, Yoast’s analysis uses a red-yellow-green system to help you quickly identify what needs attention. You don’t need to open a second tool or browser tab. Everything from SEO copywriting suggestions to site structure checks is built into your workflow.  

This streamlined approach makes Yoast SEO incredibly effective. It allows you to optimize content fast, even if you’re new to SEO. 

Now that you have a basic understanding of Yoast SEO, let’s compare the features of the free and Premium versions. 

Also read: Yoast SEO vs All in One SEO

What’s the difference between Yoast Free and Premium?

Both versions of Yoast SEO help improve your site’s visibility, but they offer different levels of support. If you’re comparing Yoast Premium vs free, it helps to see what each version includes and how they align with your SEO goals.

The Yoast SEO free version covers basic on-page SEO tasks. On the other hand, Yoast SEO Premium offers a broader feature set. It’s designed for marketers, business owners and content teams. These tools help streamline SEO workflows and keep up with evolving best practices. 

Detailed feature comparison: Yoast Premium vs Free version 

Choosing between the Yoast SEO free vs Premium versions can be tough if you’re not sure what each one includes. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their features to help you decide which version fits your WordPress SEO goals: 

Features	Yoast SEO free	Yoast SEO Premium
Focus keyphrases	1 keyphrase per page/post	Up to 5 keyphrases per page/post
Internal linking suggestions	Not included	Suggests related internal links as you write
Redirect Manager	Not included	Set up redirects when URLs change; includes CSV import/export and REGEX support
Social previews	Not included	Preview how your post looks on social media platforms like Facebook and X
Content workouts	Not included	Includes orphaned content and cornerstone content workout
AI generated SEO title & Meta description	10 Sparks	Unlimited access
AI Optimization (Content improvement suggestions)	Not included	Included
Bot Blocker	Not included	Block GPTBot, CCBot and Google-Extended via Crawl Optimization Settings
Premium support	Not included	24/7 premium support (~10s avg. response during business hours; SLA 30s)
SEO add-ons	Available separately	Includes News SEO, Local SEO and Video SEO add-ons (as of July 1, 2025)

The comparison of Yoast SEO free vs Premium highlights that Yoast Premium offers a range of advanced, yet easy-to-use SEO tools designed for users of all skills levels. It’s especially beneficial for those managing larger sites or publishing content frequently.  

Premium users get greater control over internal links, redirects and content optimization, all within an intuitive interface. Additionally, Yoast Premium includes access to the Yoast Academy, as well as advanced features like Local SEO, Video SEO and News SEO as well.

If you’re just getting started, the Yoast SEO free plugin still provides a strong foundation for improving your visibility in search engines. 

What’s included in the free version of Yoast SEO? 

The free version of Yoast SEO offers one focus keyphrase, a basic SEO analysis and readability checks as you write. It also supports automatic meta tag generation which is important for your site’s search engine visibility. 

For beginners and small WordPress site owners, these built-in tools provide a solid foundation, making Yoast SEO free a great starting point. 

What do you get with Yoast SEO Premium (beyond the basics)?

The Yoast SEO Premium version takes your SEO up a level. You can target multiple focus keyphrases, get internal linking suggestions and use the built-in Redirect Manager to manage broken or changed URLs easily. 

Premium also adds social media previews, so you can see how your content appears when shared on Facebook and X. You’ll unlock advanced tools like orphaned content tracking, AI-generated SEO suggestions and SEO workouts that help you fix content issues faster. 

In addition, Yoast SEO Premium includes the Local SEO, News SEO, Video SEO and WooCommerce SEO, tailored for local businesses, publishers, educators and online store owners, respectively.

If you’re serious about keyword optimization, link strategy and improving your site structure, these Premium features are designed to help your content perform better, without needing deep SEO expertise. 

Let’s look at the standout Premium features that make Yoast SEO Premium a more complete and powerful SEO toolkit.

Key features that come with Yoast Premium 

The Premium version of Yoast SEO offers more than just extra settings. It adds smart, time-saving tools. It helps you optimize faster, work smarter and manage SEO for large or growing sites. These features are especially helpful for larger sites, teams and anyone who wants to take their SEO efforts to the next level.

1. Multiple focus keywords

With the free version, you can only optimize content for one focus keyword at a time. In contrast, Yoast SEO Premium lets you optimize for up to five keyphrases per page. 

This helps you rank for keyword variations, related phrases and long-tail terms, all in a single post. It also helps you manage internal links pointing to related content. It’s ideal for content that targets multiple search intents or covers broad topics. 

This feature alone can significantly boost visibility in search engine results, especially for competitive content.  

2. Redirect manager 

One of the most useful Yoast SEO Premium features is the built-in redirect manager. It helps you easily fix broken links or redirect outdated URLs to the right pages. 

There’s no need to install an extra plugin. You can manage 301 redirects directly from your WordPress dashboard. Along with redirect suggestions when you delete a page or post.

It also supports bulk redirects via CSV and REGEX rules for large-scale content changes. This keeps your site structure clean and protects your SEO from broken or missing pages.

3. Internal linking suggestions 

Yoast Premium scans your content and recommends relevant internal links as you write. This strengthens your site structure, keeps users engaged and makes your pages easier for search engines to crawl. 

This further helps you build stronger internal links, improve user navigation and reduce orphaned content. It’s especially useful for larger websites with lots of content. 

You’ll spend less time searching for what to link and more time optimizing your content.

4. 24/7 support 

With Yoast SEO Premium, you get access to 24/7 premium customer support from a knowledgeable team that understands SEO and WordPress. They respond within an average of 10 seconds during business hours with a 30-second SLA, helping you resolve issues without delay. 

5. Social previews for Facebook & X 

Yoast premium also includes live previews for Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This feature lets you see exactly how your posts will appear on these platforms before publishing. This ensures better social media integration and can improve how your content performs on different platforms. 

It’s a small detail, but it can help your content look polished across every channel. 

Check your website SEO rank now!!!

Now that you know what Yoast Premium offers, the next step is deciding whether it’s the right fit for your goals.

When to upgrade to Yoast Premium? 

Not every website needs the advanced tools that Yoast SEO Premium offers. But for the right users, the upgrade can make a big difference. Whether you’re publishing content regularly, managing a team or trying to grow traffic, Premium is built to save time and improve performance. 

1. Frequent content creators

IIf you publish new content regularly, the Premium plugin can significantly streamline your SEO workflow. 

Features like multi-keyphrase optimization, internal linking suggestions and the Redirect Manager help you manage SEO tasks faster without relying on extra plugins or manual work. 

This makes it a great choice for blogs, editorial sites or businesses with active content calendars. 

2. Users who want expert support

New to SEO or need help along the way? Premium includes 24/7 access to Yoast’s support team, ready to assist with any questions or issues related to functionality, bugs, refunds and more. They respond within seconds during business hours, so you can get fast answers to technical or strategic questions without delays. 

For in-depth SEO guidance, Yoast also offers comprehensive courses some of which are free. You also get built-in guidance throughout your workflow; ideal for marketers and website owners who want peace of mind while publishing. 

3. Sites needing better content structure and content cleanup

Yoast Premium helps you clean up messy or outdated content with orphaned content tracking, internal linking suggestions and guided SEO workouts. These tools show you where content is underperforming or disconnected, then guide you through fixing it. 

This way, you can focus on changes that have the most impact. Whether you’re optimizing an old blog or scaling a product catalog, Premium gives you the structure and direction needed for effective SEO improvements. Over time, this ensures your content remains relevant, connected and ready to perform in search results. 

Ready to unlock powerful SEO tools? Get Bluehost Hosting + Yoast SEO Premium and optimize your content with confidence. 

Also read: How to Purchase Yoast SEO Plugin? 

SEO results: Will Yoast Premium help me rank higher?

Yoast SEO Premium plugin offers more functionality and support. But ranking higher in search engine results depends on more than just your plugin. 

Let’s break down what you can expect from both versions when it comes to actual performance.

Free version of Yoast can still help your site perform well 

The free Yoast SEO plugin gives you the core tools you need to optimize content for search engines. 

It supports SEO titles, meta descriptions and lets you target one focus keyphrase per page. The plugin includes basic SEO analysis and readability checks.  

If you’re publishing high-quality content and following best practices, you’re already on the right track. With a solid site structure, you can absolutely rank well using the free version of Yoast SEO. 

For many website owners, especially beginners or small sites, the free tools are more than enough to start improving visibility. 

Premium offers more tools, not guaranteed rankings 

Upgrading to Yoast SEO Premium gives you advanced tools like multiple keywords, internal linking suggestions and a redirect manager. 

These help you improve efficiency and consistency across larger or more complex sites. But they don’t guarantee you’ll rank higher. 

Search rankings also depend on content quality, backlinks, site speed, mobile usability and competition. No plugin can fully control these things. 

That said, the Yoast SEO Premium version does make it easier to optimize at scale and avoid common SEO errors. So, while it doesn’t promise better rankings, it certainly helps you work smarter toward that goal. 

While Yoast SEO sets the foundation for great SEO, pairing it with Bluehost, a reliable hosting provider can take your results even further.

How can Bluehost help you get more out of Yoast SEO?

Yoast SEO works best when supported by reliable, optimized hosting. At Bluehost, we provide everything you need to get the most out of both the free and Premium versions of Yoast.  

Our platform is fully compatible with Yoast Premium features like News SEO, Local SEO and Video SEO, so you can expand your optimization strategy as your site grows. From seamless plugin integration to built-in performance features, we help you build an SEO-friendly site that’s ready to rank.  

Also read: How to Use Yoast SEO WordPress Plugin 

1. WordPress hosting optimized for SEO tools

Our WordPress hosting is built to fully support SEO-focused plugins like Yoast SEO without any technical setup. Whether you’re using the free plugin or upgrading to Yoast SEO Premium, our infrastructure is optimized to help your site run smoothly and efficiently. 

Key benefits: 

• Pre-configured for WordPress and Yoast SEO plugin compatibility 
• Seamless performance across Yoast SEO Free and Premium features
• Built-in staging, backups and automatic updates
• Optimized infrastructure for fast load times and high uptime
• Scalable plans to grow with your site and content needs 

2. Built-in performance and security features

Search engines prioritize fast, secure websites and so do we. Bluehost includes essential technical SEO features with every plan. These features support better performance. They also improve security and increase trust with both visitors and search engines. 

Key benefits: 

• Free SSL certificate for secure, encrypted browsing
• Cloudflare CDN to improve global content load times 
• Built-in caching tools to speed up your site 
• Automatic malware scanning and firewall protection
• Supports technical SEO improvements without extra plugins 

Also read: How to Get Free SSL Certificate in 2025?

3. Plugin compatibility and one-click install 

Getting started with Yoast SEO Premium is easy with Bluehost. You can install the plugin directly visiting Marketplace in your Bluehost dashboard in one click at discounted rate. We ensure full compatibility with both free and Premium versions. 

Key benefits: 

• One-click Yoast SEO installation with no manual steps
• Compatible with premium features and Yoast SEO add-ons
• Seamless integration with WooCommerce SEO, Local SEO, Video SEO and News SEO modules
• Hosting environment optimized to prevent plugin conflicts
• Access to the Bluehost Marketplace for more SEO-focused tools

Final thoughts

The free and premium versions of Yoast SEO offer valuable tools to improve your site’s visibility in search engine results. If you’re just starting out, the free plugin provides enough functionality to help you learn the basics and optimize content confidently. 

Yoast SEO Premium is the perfect choice for websites that need more advanced SEO tools and content optimization features. If you’re managing a growing site, it offers tools that save time and improve structure.  It’s also ideal if you publish content frequently and need support with ongoing optimization.  

Features like multiple focus keywords, internal linking suggestions and the redirect manager make it worth the upgrade. Whichever Yoast SEO version you choose, pairing it with reliable, SEO-optimized hosting makes all the difference. At Bluehost, we offer the speed, security and plugin compatibility you need to get the most from your WordPress SEO tools, right from the start. 

Host Smarter. Optimize Faster. Start with Bluehost.

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