Running a WordPress site means keeping search traffic in mind.
Small missteps—empty meta tags, duplicate pages, or a sluggish theme—can hide your content from readers.
Use this guide to spot each common issue and fix it. You’ll help your pages load fast, read clearly, and rank higher.
1. Fix Missing or Duplicate Meta Tags
Why it matters
Title tags and meta descriptions tell search engines and visitors what a page offers.
When they’re missing or copied across many pages, click-through rates fall.
Spot the issue
- Empty meta descriptions
- Same title on several pages
- Old “meta keywords” still in the code
Example
<meta name="description" content="">
<title></title>
<meta name="description" content="Learn how to fix common WordPress SEO issues so your site ranks higher.">
<title>Top WordPress SEO Errors and How to Fix Them</title>
How to fix it
Write a clear, unique title and description for every key page with the Yoast SEO plugin.
2. Stop Duplicate Content From Stealing Traffic
Why it matters
When two URLs show the same copy, search engines split page authority and may rank neither page well.
Common causes
- Both
http://andhttps://in use - Versions with and without “www” active
- Copy-pasted text on several pages
How to fix it
Add a canonical tag that points to the main version of the page:
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page/">Then pick one preferred URL format inside Settings › General.
3. Straighten Your Site Structure
Why it matters
A clear structure helps visitors move around and lets crawlers find every page fast.
Watch for
- Long, deep folder paths (
example.com/category/sub/product/item) - Pages with no internal links pointing to them
- Links that send readers to 404 pages
How to fix it
- Keep important pages two-to-three clicks from the front page
- Add a simple menu and breadcrumb navigation
- Link related posts together—try our technical SEO guide for ideas
4. Remove Broken Links
Why it matters
Dead links frustrate visitors and can drain the crawl budget.
How to fix it
Run Broken Link Checker, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to list 404 URLs.
Change the link or add a 301 redirect.
5. Speed Up Slow Pages
Why it matters
Fast pages hold users’ attention and send good performance signals to search engines.
Typical culprits
- Large, uncompressed images
- Too many heavy plugins
- Cheap hosting on crowded servers
How to fix it
- Run Google PageSpeed Insights
- Compress pictures with TinyPNG or ShortPixel
- Add a caching plugin such as WP Rocket
6. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
Why it matters
Google now judges most pages by their phone view first.
Small text or crowded buttons will cost rankings.
How to fix it
- Pick a responsive theme
- Run the Google Mobile-Friendly Test
- Space out links and buttons for tap targets
7. Use Headings The Right Way
Why it matters
Headings create a clear outline for both readers and crawlers.
Common mistakes
- More than one H1 on the same page
- Headings used only for styling instead of structure
How to fix it
Keep one H1 that sums up the page, then nest H2, H3, and so on in order.
8. Add Helpful Alt Text To Images
Why it matters
Alt text explains images to search engines and improves accessibility.
How to fix it
Describe each picture in plain language, and add a target keyword if it fits naturally.
9. Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Why it matters
Loading the same word again and again hurts readability and may trigger a penalty.
How to fix it
Write for people first. Sprinkle synonyms and related terms instead of repeating one phrase.
10. Add Helpful Internal Links
Why it matters
Internal links guide readers to more content and pass link value around the site.
How to fix it
From each post, link to one or two related guides—such as our free SEO audit tool—using clear anchor text.
11. Publish Helpful, Full Content
Why it matters
Thin or off-topic pages rarely rank.
How to fix it
- Answer the main search question completely
- Run copy through Grammarly or Hemingway for clarity
- Remove duplicate or filler paragraphs
12. Add Schema Markup
Why it matters
Schema helps crawlers read your data and can show rich results such as stars, prices, and FAQs.
How to fix it
Add JSON-LD snippets with Schema Pro or Yoast SEO.
13. Create Clean URLs
Why it matters
Short, descriptive slugs improve readability and click-through rates.
How to fix it
In Settings › Permalinks, pick “Post name,” then edit future slugs to match the topic.
14. Fix Indexing Problems
Why it matters
Pages that stay out of the index can’t earn traffic.
How to fix it
- Open Google Search Console › Coverage for errors
- Send an XML sitemap
- Check
robots.txtand meta robots tags for blocks
15. Keep NAP Details Consistent
Why it matters
Local search relies on matching Name, Address, and Phone data across the web.
How to fix it
Use the same format everywhere and scan listings with Moz Local.
16. Switch To HTTPS
Why it matters
Browsers flag non-secure pages, and Google prefers secure sites.
How to fix it
- Add an SSL certificate (many hosts include one free)
- Update internal links to
https:// - Activate the Really Simple SSL plugin
17. Build A Healthy Backlink Profile
Why it matters
High-quality links remain one of the strongest ranking factors.
How to fix it
- Remove harmful links with the Google Disavow Tool
- Publish research or how-to guides worth citing
- Pitch guest articles on relevant sites
18. Check Your robots.txt File
Why it matters
A single line can block crawlers from an entire site.
Example
# Wrong
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
# Right
User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Allow: /
19. Use 301 Redirects Correctly
Why it matters
Sending visitors to the right place keeps link equity intact.
How to fix it
Redirect 301 /old-page /new-pageAvoid long redirect chains or loops.
20. Add Social Sharing Features
Why it matters
Easy sharing builds brand reach and can bring fresh links.
How to fix it
- Add sharing buttons
- Include Open Graph tags for neat previews
- Post new articles to your social accounts
21. Update Plugins and Themes
Why it matters
Old code can slow the site and open security holes.
How to fix it
Run updates often and remove plugins you no longer need.
22. Improve User Experience
Why it matters
Visitors who bounce fast send negative signals.
Clean design and fast load times keep them engaged.
How to fix it
- Simplify layouts
- Speed up pages (see tip 5)
- Test on phones, tablets, and desktops
23. Point Canonical Tags Correctly
Why it matters
A wrong canonical tag can hide the real page behind a duplicate.
How to fix it
Check that each tag points to the main live URL—tools like Screaming Frog flag mistakes.
24. Track Data With Analytics
Why it matters
Without data you’re guessing which changes work.
How to fix it
Install Google Analytics and connect Search Console to watch traffic, queries, and clicks.
25. Prepare Content For Voice Search
Why it matters
Smart speakers and phone assistants rely on natural language.
How to fix it
Write in conversational phrases and add short FAQ blocks that answer common questions.
26. Submit A Clean XML Sitemap
How to fix it
Create the file with Yoast SEO, then send it in Search Console.
Leave out thin or duplicate pages.
27. Run Regular SEO Checks
Why it matters
New errors pop up as you add pages or plugins.
How to fix it
Crawl the site each month with SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog and fix fresh issues quickly.
Key Takeaways
You’ve just walked through 27 WordPress mistakes that can hide great content.
Tackle them one by one—starting with meta tags, speed, and mobile layout—to lift search traffic and create a smoother visit for every reader.
Need a hand? Our team at AI SEO Services offers in-depth audits and practical fixes powered by machine learning.
How can I check my WordPress site for broken links fast?
Install Broken Link Checker or run a crawl with Screaming Frog. Both tools list bad links so you can change them or add redirects.
Do I really need only one H1 tag per page?
Yes. One clear H1 tells search engines the main topic. Use H2 and H3 for sub-sections.
Why does site speed affect search ranking?
Search engines reward fast pages because visitors stay longer. Big images, heavy plugins, and slow hosting often cause delays.
What is a 301 redirect?
It permanently sends visitors and crawlers from an old URL to a new one while passing most link value.
How often should I run an SEO audit on WordPress?
A monthly check suits most sites. Busy shops may want weekly reports to catch new issues early.
