Switching SEO Plugins: What to Watch Out For

Hey Love bug 🐞

Ok, so today we are diving deep into a really popular question which is: should you switch your SEO plugin, and is there anything you need to watch out for before making the big move.

So, friend, let’s talk about it.

The reason I wanted to cover this is because in my last blog post, I shared my own Broken Link Horror Story.

Long story short: Google Search Console showed me a bunch of 404 errors and some 403 redirects — basically, pages that were blocked from loading properly.

That post is entertaining, yes—but more importantly, it’s packed with insights if you’re managing your own blog or business website.

Haven’t checked it out yet? You can check it out here 👉🏾 My Broken Link Horror Story 😱 (And How I Fixed It)

But for now, let’s get to the question: can and should you switch your SEO plugin?

The quick answer: Yes you can.

However — and this is a big however — there are some things you want to keep in mind.

And that’s what this post is about: giving you the perspective on switching SEO plugins so you know how to prepare, what to expect, and how to handle any backend adjustments without losing your traffic.

Let’s dive in.

First Things First: Backup Before Switching SEO Plugins

A good plugin for this is UpdraftPlus (there are others out there too, both free and paid).

It’ll give you peace of mind and a safety net so you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

✨ Love this post so far? Go ahead and pin it to your Blogging Pinterest board so you can come back anytime when you’re ready for switching SEO plugins.

Key Things to Know When Switching SEO Plugins

Alright, here’s some other things you want to keep in mind before making the switch.

1. Export Your SEO Data From Yoast or Rank Math

I recommend exporting your blog titles, meta descriptions and focus keywords prior to making the switch.

Most SEO plugins will let you copy this data exactly as you have it, but some may not — and sometimes glitches just happen with tech.

So, to be on the safe side, especially if you’ve got a small to mid-sized blog, I recommend exporting all of that data into an Excel or CSV file first.

2. Check for Import Tools in WordPress SEO Plugins

SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math actually have built-in export and import tools.

Why not use them? As much as you can lean on these features, it’ll save you a ton of copy-paste frustration.

3. Redirects Need Extra Attention When You Switch

Redirects are critically important.

This is what was happening in my horror story blog. If your old plugin managed redirects, you need to make sure those safely transfer before you delete the plugin that’s currently handling them.

There are tons of redirect plugins out there, but one solid one you can look into is literally called Redirection. It’s free, simple, and powerful.

Pro tip: keep a separate Excel sheet with a list of your exact redirect URLs. That way, if something breaks, you have them organized and ready to plug back in.

If you want to see what happens when you don’t prepare for this, go check out my Broken Link Horror Story — I share the mess firsthand.

📌 Know another blogger who’s thinking about switching SEO plugins? Share this post to your Pinterest boards — it could save them from a ton of redirect headaches.

4. Monitor Google Search Console After Switching SEO Plugins

Me, personally? I love Google Search Console.

It’s one of those tools that’s super easy to glance at and instantly see if something’s off.

After switching, keep an eye out for:

• sudden 404 error messages
• coverage errors
• major dips in traffic or click-through rates

Sometimes it means something went wrong.

Other times, it’s just a transitional phase (Google re-crawling your site, adjusting to new metadata, etc.).

5. Don’t Switch SEO Plugins Just Because of Hype

This one’s big.

Plugins are just tools. If what you’re currently using is working, your site is mobile-friendly, and you’re getting results, then there’s really no reason to jump ship just because a new tool is trending.

Skip the hype, switch for strategy.

Alright, Love bug — that brings us to the conclusion of this post on switching SEO plugins.

Now you know it’s absolutely possible to make the switch, and even better, you know what to watch for and how to prepare before and after you change things up.

In the meantime this is the perfect moment to elevate your SEO strategy and keep the momentum flowing.

If you’re ready, here’s a powerful SEO blog post to dive into next — along with a few other favorites I know you’ll love 🥂

How to Fix SEO Issues: 3 Sneaky Errors That Could Be Blocking Your Traffic

Google Search Console: The Secret to Growing Your Blog Fast!

SEO Tips to Boost Your Brand and Business Visibility (UPDATED)

Alright love bug, until next time!
Your favorite foodie and blogger, Keesh.

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