rationalwp

Rational SEO provides 100% of the technical SEO requirements for modern sites with 0% of the database bloat, UI clutter, or performance drag.
<h4>Philosophy</h4>
Rational SEO rigorously rejects features that do not directly influence search engines or social crawlers:
<ul>
<li>No Content Scoring – No traffic lights, readability checks, or keyword density counters</li>
<li>No Dashboard – No “SEO Overview” widget or React-powered admin home</li>
<li>No Analytics – No ranking tracking or Google Search Console API integrations</li>
<li>No Frontend Assets – Zero CSS or JS files loaded on the frontend</li>
<li>No 404 Logging – Never writes 404 hits to the database</li>
</ul>
<h4>Features</h4>
Meta Tags
<ul>
<li>Custom title tags with configurable separator</li>
<li>Meta descriptions (manual or auto-generated from excerpt/content)</li>
<li>Robots meta (index/noindex control)</li>
<li>Canonical URLs</li>
<li>Google and Bing verification meta tags</li>
</ul>
Social Media
<ul>
<li>Open Graph tags (og:title, og:description, og:image, og:url, og:type, og:locale, og:site_name)</li>
<li>Twitter Cards (summary or summary_large_image)</li>
<li>Per-post social image override</li>
</ul>
Structured Data
<ul>
<li>JSON-LD schema output using @graph format</li>
<li>Organization or Person schema (configurable)</li>
<li>WebSite schema with publisher linking</li>
<li>WebPage schema</li>
<li>Article schema on posts/pages with author, dates, and images</li>
</ul>
XML Sitemaps
<ul>
<li>Sitemap index at /sitemap.xml</li>
<li>Per-post-type sitemaps with pagination</li>
<li>Transient caching with stale-while-revalidate</li>
<li>Content freshness filtering (exclude old content)</li>
<li>Post type exclusions</li>
</ul>
Editor Integration
<ul>
<li>Meta box on all public post types</li>
<li>Custom SEO title and description fields</li>
<li>Focus keyword field with real-time presence indicators (title, description, first paragraph, URL slug)</li>
<li>Noindex toggle per post</li>
<li>Canonical URL override</li>
<li>Social image override</li>
<li>Taxonomy term SEO fields (title, description, noindex, canonical)</li>
</ul>
Post Type Archives
<ul>
<li>Custom SEO title and description for each post type archive</li>
<li>Configure via Settings > Rational SEO > Archives tab</li>
</ul>
AI Assistant (optional)
<ul>
<li>AI-powered focus keyword suggestions</li>
<li>AI-generated SEO titles and meta descriptions</li>
<li>One-click “Suggest All” for keyword, title, and description together</li>
<li>Uses OpenAI GPT-4o-mini (requires your own API key)</li>
<li>Data sent only when you click — never in the background</li>
</ul>
<h3>External Services</h3>
This plugin connects to the following external services:
<h4>RationalWP Plugin Directory</h4>
This plugin fetches a list of available RationalWP plugins from <a href="https://rationalwp.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">rationalwp.com</a> to display in the WordPress admin menu. Only the menu file version number is sent as a cache-busting query parameter. No user data is transmitted. The response is cached locally for 24 hours.
<ul>
<li>Service URL: <a href="https://rationalwp.com/plugins.json" rel="nofollow ugc">https://rationalwp.com/plugins.json</a></li>
<li>Terms of Service: <a href="https://rationalwp.com/terms/" rel="nofollow ugc">https://rationalwp.com/terms/</a></li>
<li>Privacy Policy: <a href="https://rationalwp.com/privacy/" rel="nofollow ugc">https://rationalwp.com/privacy/</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>OpenAI API (optional)</h4>
This plugin provides optional AI-powered SEO suggestions using the <a href="https://openai.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">OpenAI API</a>. When a site administrator configures an OpenAI API key in Settings > Rational SEO > General, users can click “Suggest” or “Generate” buttons in the post editor to receive AI-generated focus keywords, SEO titles, and meta descriptions.
Data is only sent when a user explicitly clicks an AI suggestion button. The data sent includes the post title and up to 2000 characters of post content (stripped of HTML), along with the user’s own API key for authentication. No data is sent automatically or in the background.
<ul>
<li>Service URL: <a href="https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions" rel="nofollow ugc">https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions</a></li>
<li>Terms of Use: <a href="https://openai.com/policies/terms-of-use/" rel="nofollow ugc">https://openai.com/policies/terms-of-use/</a></li>
<li>Privacy Policy: <a href="https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy/" rel="nofollow ugc">https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy/</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Hooks for developers</h3>
RationalSEO exposes a complete set of filters and actions so themes and plugins can customize or extend output without forking the plugin. All hooks were introduced in version 1.0.6.
<h4>Short-circuit filters</h4>
Return non-null to short-circuit default resolution; return null to fall through to internal logic.
These filters let you override the data that RationalSEO resolves internally. Return a non-null value to bypass the built-in logic entirely, or return null to let RationalSEO proceed as normal.
<ul>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_image_data</code> — Return a (partial) image data array; missing keys are filled with safe defaults. Signature: <code>($pre, $context)</code>.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_meta_description</code> — Return a string to override the meta description. An empty string <code>''</code> means “explicitly no description” and suppresses the tag. Signature: <code>($pre, $context)</code>.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_post_seo_meta</code> — Return an array of post SEO meta to override the database lookup. Signature: <code>($pre, $post_id)</code>.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_term_seo_meta</code> — Return an array of term SEO meta to override the database lookup. Signature: <code>($pre, $term_id)</code>.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Per-value filters</h4>
These filters run on the resolved value just before it is output. All use the signature <code>($value, $context)</code>.
<ul>
<li><code>rationalseo_document_title</code> — string. The <code><title></code> tag value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_canonical_url</code> — string. The <code>rel=canonical</code> URL before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_robots</code> — array. The robots directives array (joined with <code>,</code> for output).</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_locale</code> — string. <code>og:locale</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_type</code> — string. <code>og:type</code> value (e.g. <code>website</code> / <code>article</code>) before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_title</code> — string. <code>og:title</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_description</code> — string. <code>og:description</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_url</code> — string. <code>og:url</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_og_site_name</code> — string. <code>og:site_name</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_twitter_card_type</code> — string. <code>twitter:card</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_twitter_title</code> — string. <code>twitter:title</code> value before output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_twitter_description</code> — string. <code>twitter:description</code> value before output.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Skip filters</h4>
Return a truthy value to suppress an entire output block. Signature: <code>($skip, $context)</code>.
<ul>
<li><code>rationalseo_skip_meta_description</code> — Skip the meta description tag entirely.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_skip_canonical</code> — Skip the canonical link tag entirely.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_skip_open_graph</code> — Skip all Open Graph tags entirely.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_skip_twitter_cards</code> — Skip all Twitter Card tags entirely.</li>
</ul>
Example — disable Open Graph on the entire site:
<pre><code>add_filter( 'rationalseo_skip_open_graph', '__return_true' );
</code></pre>
<h4>Action injection points</h4>
These actions fire immediately before and after each social meta block is emitted. They fire only when the block is not skipped via the corresponding skip filter. Signature: <code>do_action( '...', $context )</code>.
<ul>
<li><code>rationalseo_before_open_graph</code> — Fires before the Open Graph tags are output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_after_open_graph</code> — Fires after the Open Graph tags are output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_before_twitter_cards</code> — Fires before the Twitter Card tags are output.</li>
<li><code>rationalseo_after_twitter_cards</code> — Fires after the Twitter Card tags are output.</li>
</ul>
Example — append a custom og:* tag after the standard Open Graph block:
<pre><code>add_action( 'rationalseo_after_open_graph', function( $ctx ) {
 // Append extra og:* tags here.
 echo "<meta property=\"og:custom\" content=\"value\" />\n";
} );
</code></pre>
<h4>The $context array</h4>
All per-value filters, skip filters, and action hooks receive a <code>$context</code> array as their last argument. It is built by the internal <code>build_context()</code> method and always contains the following keys:
<ul>
<li><code>mode</code> — string. One of: <code>front_page</code>, <code>home</code>, <code>singular</code>, <code>archive_term</code>, <code>archive_post_type</code>, <code>archive_author</code>, <code>archive_date</code>, <code>search</code>, <code>404</code>, <code>fallback</code>.</li>
<li><code>queried_object</code> — mixed. Result of <code>get_queried_object()</code> at resolution time. May be <code>WP_Post</code>, <code>WP_Term</code>, <code>WP_Post_Type</code>, <code>WP_User</code>, or <code>null</code>.</li>
<li><code>post_id</code> — int. Queried post ID when on a singular view; <code>0</code> otherwise.</li>
<li><code>term_id</code> — int. Queried term ID when on a taxonomy archive; <code>0</code> otherwise.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Worked example</h4>
Override <code>og:type</code> to <code>event</code> for a custom post type, leaving all other post types unchanged:
<pre><code>add_filter( 'rationalseo_og_type', function( $type, $context ) {
 if ( 'singular' === $context['mode'] && 'tribe_events' === get_post_type( $context['post_id'] ) ) {
 return 'event';
 }
 return $type;
}, 10, 2 );
</code></pre>
(<code>tribe_events</code> is illustrative — works for any CPT slug.)

RationalSEO

Technical SEO essentials with zero bloat. No dashboards, analytics, content scoring, or frontend assets.

Pluginjoy

Clarity SEO is the lightweight SEO plugin built for the AI search era. Get all the meta tags, Schema.org markup, XML sitemap, and 301 redirect tools you need to rank in Google — plus the AI-readiness features that prepare your site for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. All under 100KB, with zero frontend overhead.
A clean alternative to other heavyweight SEO plugins: same professional features, none of the bloat or upsells inside your free plugin. No frontend JavaScript, no CSS injected, no external API calls on visitor requests. Your pages stay fast, your editor stays clean, and your search rankings keep climbing.
Trusted by site owners who want a serious SEO toolkit without the slowdown.
<h4>🚀 Why Clarity SEO?</h4>
<ul>
<li>Lightweight — under 100KB, zero frontend JS/CSS, faster Core Web Vitals</li>
<li>AI-ready — built for the AI search era (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity)</li>
<li>Complete free toolkit — meta tags, schema, sitemap, redirects, audit, GSC, image SEO, readability</li>
<li>Honest pricing — feature-rich free version, optional Pro for AI superpowers</li>
<li>Easy migration — one-click import of meta titles, descriptions, and focus keywords from your existing SEO plugin</li>
<li>WooCommerce ready — SEO metabox on products, Product schema, sitemap inclusion</li>
</ul>
<h4>🎯 Core Features</h4>
Per-Page Meta Tags & Open Graph 
Automatically generates meta title, description, keywords, and Open Graph tags from your content. Override any field manually in the Gutenberg sidebar metabox. Full Twitter Card support included.
Schema.org JSON-LD Markup 
Rich structured data for WebPage, Article, BlogPosting, FAQPage, VideoObject, LocalBusiness, Product, and custom types. Supports multiple schema types per page. Organization schema with logo, contact, and social profiles.
Dynamic XML Sitemap 
Automatically generated <code>/sitemap.xml</code> with proper priorities, change frequencies, image tags, video support, and Google News tags for blog posts. Includes all public post types and taxonomy terms. Noindexed pages are automatically excluded.
Document Title Integration 
Clarity SEO integrates with WordPress <code>document_title_parts</code> to set your custom meta title as the actual browser tab title — no separate title tag plugin needed.
Readability Analysis 
Real-time Flesch-Kincaid readability score in the editor. Aim for 60+ for optimal readability. Get actionable tips to improve your content.
Focus Keywords & Density 
Set focus keywords per post and get real-time keyword density analysis. Optimal range indicator helps you avoid over- or under-optimization. Internal linking suggestions based on your focus keywords.
SEO Score 
Visual 0-100 SEO score per post based on meta title, description, keywords, density, and readability. See at a glance which posts need attention. Color-coded SEO score column visible directly in your Posts and Pages list.
Google SERP Preview 
See exactly how your page will appear in Google search results — right inside the editor. The preview updates live as you type your meta title and description.
<h4>🔧 Advanced Tools</h4>
301 Redirect Manager 
Create redirects with simple URL matching or regex patterns. Easily redirect old URLs to new ones. Built-in validation for regex patterns. Full management UI with add/delete in the Settings page.
404 Monitor 
Automatic logging of 404 errors with hit count, timestamps, referrer tracking, and user agent data. Uses a dedicated database table for zero performance impact on your options table. Expanded bot/scanner filtering to reduce noise. Export to CSV, paginated interface, and automatic cleanup of old logs.
Image SEO 
Auto-generate alt text and titles from filenames on upload. Bulk find-and-replace tool for existing image alt text (processes up to 500 images per batch).
Local Business SEO 
Add business address, geo coordinates, and contact information for LocalBusiness schema. Perfect for brick-and-mortar businesses.
Google Search Console Integration 
Connect via OAuth2 access token to fetch top-performing pages and URL inspection status. Cached API calls to respect quotas.
Keyword Position Tracking 
Track keyword rankings over time via GSC Search Analytics API. Weekly email reports with position, impressions, and click data. History automatically trimmed to 90 entries per keyword.
SEO Audit Checklist 
30-point automated health check covering HTTPS, permalinks, sitemap, robots.txt, meta tags, schema, alt tags, readability, content length, internal links, and more. Actionable fix links for every issue.
Breadcrumbs 
Schema-enhanced breadcrumbs via <code>[clarity_seo_breadcrumbs]</code> shortcode. Supports page hierarchy, post categories, archives, and search results.
Setup Wizard 
Quick onboarding wizard to configure your organization name, logo, social profiles, contact info, and global defaults in one step.
Noindex / Nofollow 
Per-post control to exclude specific pages from search engine indexing. Noindexed pages are automatically excluded from the XML sitemap.
Import from Yoast / Rank Math 
Import meta titles, descriptions, and focus keywords from Yoast SEO or Rank Math. Processes in batches of 100 for safe handling of large sites. Existing Clarity SEO data is never overwritten.
Bulk Meta Generation 
One-click tool on the Dashboard to auto-generate missing meta titles and descriptions for all published content. Titles use your post title + site name pattern; descriptions are extracted from excerpts or content.
Schema Toggles 
Enable or disable individual schema types (Organization, FAQ, Video, Multiple) directly from the Settings page.
<h4>🚀 Performance First</h4>
<ul>
<li>Custom database table for 404 logs — no wp_options bloat</li>
<li>Transient caching for GSC API calls</li>
<li>Keyword history auto-trimmed to prevent unbounded option growth</li>
<li>Minimal footprint: zero frontend JS/CSS, no external API calls</li>
<li>No external API calls on frontend (everything is self-contained)</li>
<li>Admin scripts only load on relevant pages</li>
</ul>
<h4>⭐ Clarity SEO Pro — Premium AI Included</h4>
Want to take your SEO further? <a href="https://pluginjoy.com/product/clarity-seo/" rel="nofollow ugc">Clarity SEO Pro</a> unlocks the AI-first features that keep your site competitive in the AI search era. No API keys needed — premium AI is included.
<h4>✨ Click and it works</h4>
<ul>
<li>No OpenAI / Claude account needed. Pro subscription includes monthly AI credits. Click “Generate” — done.</li>
<li>Powered by Claude Sonnet 4.6 (top-tier AI quality, not a budget model). Same engine the pros use.</li>
<li>Need more? Buy 100, 500, or 2000 extra credits any time. Credits never expire.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Pro features</h4>
<ul>
<li>AI Meta Suggestions — AI-written meta titles and descriptions, optimised for click-through. 1 credit per generation (3 titles + 3 descriptions).</li>
<li>AI Visibility Tracker — see how your site appears in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for your target queries, with weekly reports. 1 credit per query check.</li>
<li>Advanced Schema Pack — Recipe, HowTo, Event, Course, Job, Software schema types.</li>
<li>Multi-language SEO — hreflang automation and AI translation hints.</li>
<li>WooCommerce SEO Pro — dynamic variables and variant-aware product schema.</li>
<li>Bulk operations — AI-assisted bulk meta editing and bulk schema apply.</li>
<li>Priority support — direct dev access, 24-hour response.</li>
</ul>
<h4>💎 Pro pricing — credits per month included</h4>
<ul>
<li>Solo (1 site): €4.95/mo or €49/yr — 50 AI credits/mo</li>
<li>Pro (5 sites): €9.95/mo or €99/yr — 200 AI credits/mo</li>
<li>Agency (20 sites): €24.95/mo or €249/yr — 1000 AI credits/mo</li>
<li>Lifetime tiers also available — pay once, use forever</li>
</ul>
Top-up packs: 100 credits €4.95 · 500 credits €19.95 · 2000 credits €69.95.
30-day money-back guarantee. <a href="https://pluginjoy.com/product/clarity-seo/" rel="nofollow ugc">See full pricing →</a>
<h4>🤝 Companion product: SiteBirds</h4>
Looking for an AI chatbot, lead capture, and bookings layer on top of your WordPress site? Try our companion product <a href="https://sitebirds.com" rel="nofollow ugc">SiteBirds</a> — a separate website growth layer that complements Clarity SEO without replacing it.
<h4>🤝 Compatibility</h4>
<ul>
<li>WordPress 5.8+ through 6.9</li>
<li>WooCommerce: metabox on products, schema support, sitemap inclusion</li>
<li>Gutenberg: full block editor integration with sidebar metabox</li>
<li>Classic Editor: works with the standard meta box interface</li>
<li>Extend with filters: <code>clarity_seo_metabox_post_types</code> to add custom post types</li>
</ul>

Clarity SEO

Lightweight SEO plugin — meta tags, Schema.org markup, XML sitemap, redirects, GSC integration, and AI search visibility. Under 100KB.

RationalSEO vs Clarity SEO