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 like XML sitemaps, meta descriptions and keyword optimization. For many users, that’s more than enough. But what about multiple focus keywords, internal linking suggestions, or a redirect manager?
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, how much Yoast Premium costs and 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 one of the most widely used SEO plugins for WordPress. It helps website owners improve visibility in search engines without needing to know code. Whether you’re new to WordPress SEO or an experienced user, Yoast SEO simplifies every step of the on-page SEO process.
From meta descriptions to structured data, it offers the 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, support documentation and a reliable update schedule make Yoast SEO a dependable tool. These are just a few reasons it’s the go-to SEO plugin for millions aiming to improve visibility in search engines.
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.
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 in.
That’s what makes Yoast so 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 very different levels of support. If you’re comparing Yoast Premium vs Free, it helps to see exactly what each version includes.
Here’s how Yoast SEO Free vs Premium compares with each other.
Detailed feature comparison: Yoast Premium vs Free version
Choosing between the Yoast SEO Free vs Premium version 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:
| Feature | Yoast SEO Free | Yoast SEO Premium |
| Focus keyword | One per page | Multiple focus keywords |
| Keyword optimization | ✅ Basic guidance | ✅ Plus keyword variations |
| SEO analysis | ✅ Yes | ✅ Plus content insights tool |
| Internal linking suggestions | ❌ Not included | ✅ Suggests relevant internal links |
| Redirect manager | ❌ Not included | ✅ Easily manage 301 redirects |
| Social media previews | ❌ Not included | ✅ Live social media platform previews |
| Content readability analysis | ✅ Yes | ✅ With advanced tips |
| Orphaned content tracking | ❌ No | ✅ Included |
| Export focus keywords | ❌ No | ✅ Focus keyword export supported |
| Support and updates | ✅ Basic support | ✅ 1-year updates and premium support |
| Integration with Google tools | ✅ Google Search Console & XML sitemap | ✅ Plus News SEO, Video SEO and local SEO |
| AI functionality | ❌ Not available | ✅ Includes AI-powered SEO features |
| Automatic plugin updates | ❌ Manual updates only | ✅ Enabled with premium subscription |
| Third-party integrations | ❌ Limited | ✅ Supports integrations with selected external tools |
The above comparison of Yoast SEO Free vs Premium makes it clear that Yoast Premium offers a range of advanced SEO tools that go beyond the basics.
It’s especially helpful if you manage larger sites or publish content frequently. You’ll also get more control over internal links, redirects and content optimization.
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?
Yoast SEO Free covers the essentials along with a few extra features. You get one focus keyword, a basic SEO analysis and readability checks as you write. Being a best free WordPress seo plugin, it supports meta descriptions, SEO titles and XML sitemap generation, all important for your site’s search engine visibility.
You can also connect to Google Search Console and generate structured data to help improve how your content appears in search results. If you’re just starting out or running a small WordPress site, Yoast SEO Free plugin gives you what you need to begin.
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 keywords, get automatic internal linking suggestions and use the built-in redirect manager to fix broken links.
Premium also adds social media integration, so you can see how posts will look when shared. You’ll unlock advanced features like the content insights tool, orphaned content tracking and support for WooCommerce SEO, News SEO, Local SEO and Video SEO.
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.
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 tools that help you optimize faster, smarter and at scale. The Yoast SEO premium features are especially helpful for larger sites, teams or anyone who wants to take their SEO efforts beyond the basics.
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 keywords per page.
This helps you rank for keyword variations, related phrases and long-tail terms, all in a single post, as well as 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. It even suggests redirects when you delete a page or post.
This keeps your site structure clean and protects your SEO from broken or missing pages.
3. Internal linking suggestions
Yoast Premium improves your site structure with smart internal linking suggestions. As you write, it recommends relevant pages and posts to link to.
This 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 and social previews
With Yoast SEO Premium, you get access to 24/7 customer support from a knowledgeable team that understands SEO and WordPress.
You’ll also unlock social media previews for Facebook and Twitter, allowing you to see how your posts will appear before publishing. This ensures better social media integration and can improve how your content performs on different platforms.
It’s a small detail but 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 premium version of Yoast SEO. But for certain users, the upgrade can save time, streamline content workflows and boost SEO performance. Here are a few situations where Yoast SEO Premium worth the investment.
1. Frequent content creators
If you publish new content regularly, the premium plugin can significantly streamline your SEO workflow.
Features like multiple focus keywords, internal linking suggestions and the redirect manager help you manage content at scale. You won’t have to rely on extra plugins or manual fixes.
This makes it a great choice for blogs, editorial sites or businesses with active content calendars.
2. SEO beginners needing support
For those new to SEO, the Premium version offers more than features—it provides confidence.
You get access to 24/7 customer support along with helpful tips and guidance built into every part of the plugin. If you ever feel stuck, help is just one click away.
It’s an excellent choice if you want to improve your rankings without spending hours learning technical SEO.
3. Sites needing better content guidance
If your site has a lot of pages or you’re not sure how well your content is performing, Yoast Premium can help.
The content insights tool shows how well your writing aligns with your focus keyword, ultimately affecting your search results. The plugin also tracks orphaned content and missed internal links, helping you improve your overall site structure.
You’ll spend less time guessing and more time improving content that can actually rank.
If you’re still on the fence about upgrading, you’re likely wondering the most important question—will Yoast Premium improve your rankings?
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 foundational tools you need to optimize content for search engines.
It helps with meta titles, meta descriptions, focus keyword optimization, readability analysis and XML sitemaps. They are all important for on-page SEO.
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 advanced Yoast add-ons 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 to support better performance, 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 on Bluehost is simple. You can install the plugin directly from your WordPress dashboard with just one click, no manual configuration needed.
Our platform is fully compatible with both the free and premium versions of Yoast, including bundled add-ons like Yoast Video SEO, News SEO and WooCommerce SEO, which are often packaged as premium upsell combinations.
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.
FAQs
Yoast SEO Premium is a yearly subscription, not a one-time purchase. Your license includes updates, new features and access to Premium support for one year. You can renew annually to keep all premium features active.
No, the free version of Yoast SEO provides basic on-page SEO guidance. It includes SEO analysis, readability checks and focus keyword optimization. Premium adds more advanced features like multiple keywords, content insights and internal linking suggestions.
No, SEO plugin can guarantee higher rankings. Yoast SEO Premium offers tools that help you optimize more effectively. But your performance in search engine results also depends on content quality, competition and technical factors like site speed.
No. You cannot use both versions at the same time. Yoast SEO Premium replaces the free plugin and includes all its features, plus additional premium functionality like a redirect manager, social previews and support for multiple focus keywords.
