Two weeks ago, we launched Yoast SEO 8.0. In it, we shipped the first part of our integration with Gutenberg: the sidebar. That release was the foundation on which we are building the next parts of our integration with the new WordPress editor. In Yoast SEO 8.1, we introduce part 2: a Gutenberg-proof snippet preview. Also, a much better experience in the content analysis thanks to webworkers!
Gutenberg, meet the Yoast SEO snippet preview
Yoast SEO 8.0, unfortunately, had to make do without a snippet preview inside Gutenberg. There were still some kinks to iron out before we could add that snippet preview to our WordPress plugin. The code for that new modal — the pop-up screen — had to be written from the ground up, exclusively for Gutenberg. That code has now been added to Gutenberg’s core so every WordPress developer can make use of the modal inside the new editor. How awesome is that!
Here’s what snippet preview pop-up inside Gutenberg looks like:
You see that it looks just like the regular Yoast SEO snippet preview. It has all the features you know and love, like the true-to-life rendering of your snippet on both mobile as well as desktop screens, SEO title field editor with snippet variables, slug editor and meta descriptions, also with snippet variables. To open the snippet preview, you simply click on the Snippet Preview button in the Yoast SEO Gutenberg sidebar.
Another cool thing now available in Gutenberg is the Primary Category picker. This has been a staple for many years in Yoast SEO. It lets you make and set the primary category for a post. This will be automatically selected whenever you make a new post. We will port more features over to Gutenberg shortly.
What’s next
We, of course, have big plans for Gutenberg. There’s still a lot to be done and not everything we’re dreaming up is possible right now. Step by step, we’re turning Yoast SEO and Gutenberg into a dream combination. We’re not just porting over existing features to the new Gutenberg, but actively exploring what we can do and what we need to do that. In some cases that means we have to develop the support inside Gutenberg’s core ourselves, this way loads of developers can benefit from the results as well.
Speeding up the content analysis with webworkers
Speed = user experience. To keep Yoast SEO performing great, we added a dedicated webworker to our content analysis. Webworkers let you run a script in the background without affecting the performance of the page. Because it runs independently of the user interface, it can focus on one task and does that brilliantly. Webworkers are very powerful and help us to keep Yoast SEO stable, responsive and fast even when analyzing pages with thousands of words of content. Try it!
The update is available now
Yoast SEO 8.1 has a lot of improvements behind the scenes that should drastically improve how the plugin functions. We are dedicated to giving you the best possible user experience, while also improving our current features and laying the groundwork for new ones. And not to forget that new WordPress editor, right? Update and let us know what you think!
Edwin is an experienced strategic content specialist. Before joining Yoast, he worked for a top-tier web design magazine, where he developed a keen understanding of how to create great content.
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22 Responses to Yoast SEO 8.1: Gutenberg part 2, introducing the snippet preview
Jordan JD • 6 years ago
Sir the new version of Yoast is good but still, I’m troubled to understand their features. I did not understand to XML and Snippet features and what about words limit. Can you please explain to me about that.
Shaun Dench • 6 years ago
Gutenberg refused to work. Kept getting errors when trying to edit posts or pages, whether there where created with classic or Gutenberg. Disabled Yoast and now it works!
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
Gutenberg 3.7 broke our implementation. We’re releasing a hotfix as soon as possible.
Ned Donovan • 6 years ago
Since updating Yoast Pro to 8.1, Gutenberg is breaking. It specifically appears to happen when you open the Categories dropdown in the sidebar. I’m assuming it has something to do with the Primary Category selection? If I don’t open the categories sidebar then I can make a post, but if I do open it, then the post falls to “the editor has encountered an error” and this is true until I clear my cache again and start over.
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
Gutenberg 3.7 broke our implementation. We’re releasing a hotfix as soon as possible.
Yasser 3ssam • 6 years ago
Thank you all for your effort. By the way, why the real-time analysis doesn’t count dynamic variables correctly? As example; If I’m using %%tag%% as a focus keywords?
Please advise … Thanks.
Suresh Dubey • 6 years ago
I love Gutenberg editor. This is more flexible.
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
It sure is, Suresh!
Divi • 6 years ago
Divi theme not support gutteberg… All user of divi must change seo plugin?
Hi Yoast Team,
I am keeping an eye open for what you are doing Gutenberg-wise and it all looks good. But I am in the camp of not using Gutenberg for quite some time,
What I really like is the sidebar approach you have for Gutenberg. Can this be made an option for the ‘normal’ version of Yoast? Frankly I think this will speed up working on content so much for a lot of people.
Looking forward to hearing back from you guys!
Kind regards,
Patrick Dankers
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
Hi Patrick. The sidebar is Gutenberg only since the code for that is not available inside the classic editor. I don’t think the core team will port the sidebar API to the classic editor.
Patrick Dankers • 6 years ago
HI Edwin,
Ah that is a shame to hear really. I would have liked that interface for the classic experience as it can speed up workflows. But at least thanks for getting back to me on this.
I wonder if other people would be interested in this.
Kind regards,
Patrick Dankers
Tushar Dey • 6 years ago
Really nice article. I know the Yoast SEO is the best seo tool in the market, But Yoast SEO blog is also the best in the market.
Thanks for your articles.
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
Thanks, Tushar!
Marcus L. Tibesar • 6 years ago
Thanks Yoastees!
We started an SEO project last month, and after completing our keyword research, began optimizing our client’s new website using 8.0. While we are optimizing the Pages we are converting them to Blocks as well. Thanks for all the hard work and getting Yoast Premium Gutengood!
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
That’s great to hear, Marcus. Keep up the good work.
Peter • 6 years ago
Hi, nice to see these cool features!
graciousstore • 6 years ago
“Step by step, we’re turning Yoast SEO and Gutenberg into a dream combination”, we hope this combination will improve not only UX but also improve our SEO efforts
^ Post author
Edwin Toonen • 6 years ago
And we’re working hard on making that come true :)
Tim • 6 years ago
Does the web worker work for the classic editor as well?
You see that it looks just like the regular Yoast SEO snippet preview. It has all the features you know and love, like the true-to-life rendering of your snippet on both mobile as well as desktop screens, SEO title field editor with snippet variables, slug editor and meta descriptions, also with snippet variables. To open the snippet preview, you simply click on the Snippet Preview button in the Yoast SEO Gutenberg sidebar.
Another cool thing now available in Gutenberg is the Primary Category picker. This has been a staple for many years in Yoast SEO. It lets you make and set the primary category for a post. This will be automatically selected whenever you make a new post. We will port more features over to Gutenberg shortly.
Sir the new version of Yoast is good but still, I’m troubled to understand their features. I did not understand to XML and Snippet features and what about words limit. Can you please explain to me about that.
Gutenberg refused to work. Kept getting errors when trying to edit posts or pages, whether there where created with classic or Gutenberg. Disabled Yoast and now it works!
Gutenberg 3.7 broke our implementation. We’re releasing a hotfix as soon as possible.
Since updating Yoast Pro to 8.1, Gutenberg is breaking. It specifically appears to happen when you open the Categories dropdown in the sidebar. I’m assuming it has something to do with the Primary Category selection? If I don’t open the categories sidebar then I can make a post, but if I do open it, then the post falls to “the editor has encountered an error” and this is true until I clear my cache again and start over.
Gutenberg 3.7 broke our implementation. We’re releasing a hotfix as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your effort. By the way, why the real-time analysis doesn’t count dynamic variables correctly? As example; If I’m using %%tag%% as a focus keywords?
Please advise … Thanks.
I love Gutenberg editor. This is more flexible.
It sure is, Suresh!
Divi theme not support gutteberg… All user of divi must change seo plugin?
Divi is working on Gutenberg support and announced initial support not too long ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaN3GJTeW44
Hi Yoast Team,
I am keeping an eye open for what you are doing Gutenberg-wise and it all looks good. But I am in the camp of not using Gutenberg for quite some time,
What I really like is the sidebar approach you have for Gutenberg. Can this be made an option for the ‘normal’ version of Yoast? Frankly I think this will speed up working on content so much for a lot of people.
Looking forward to hearing back from you guys!
Kind regards,
Patrick Dankers
Hi Patrick. The sidebar is Gutenberg only since the code for that is not available inside the classic editor. I don’t think the core team will port the sidebar API to the classic editor.
HI Edwin,
Ah that is a shame to hear really. I would have liked that interface for the classic experience as it can speed up workflows. But at least thanks for getting back to me on this.
I wonder if other people would be interested in this.
Kind regards,
Patrick Dankers
Really nice article. I know the Yoast SEO is the best seo tool in the market, But Yoast SEO blog is also the best in the market.
Thanks for your articles.
Thanks, Tushar!
Thanks Yoastees!
We started an SEO project last month, and after completing our keyword research, began optimizing our client’s new website using 8.0. While we are optimizing the Pages we are converting them to Blocks as well. Thanks for all the hard work and getting Yoast Premium Gutengood!
That’s great to hear, Marcus. Keep up the good work.
Hi, nice to see these cool features!
“Step by step, we’re turning Yoast SEO and Gutenberg into a dream combination”, we hope this combination will improve not only UX but also improve our SEO efforts
And we’re working hard on making that come true :)
Does the web worker work for the classic editor as well?
Absolutely, Tim.