The well-known WordPress SEO plugin Rank Math has integrated the IndexNow rapid indexing protocol, according to a Microsoft Bing announcement. To benefit from immediate indexing, a publisher doesn’t even need to have a Bing Webmaster Tools account or an API key. With the help of the Rank Math SEO plugin and these step-by-step instructions, getting started with IndexNow is simple.
Rank Math WordPress SEO Plugin
Over a million people have active installations of the well-known SEO plugin Rank Math. Popularity is attributed to its ease of use as well as the plugin’s extensive array of capabilities that are provided without charge, such as local SEO structured data and local search SEO optimizations, for which other SEO plugins charge extra.
Rank Math User Interface
Because all of the capabilities are arranged into a user interface (UI) that uses modules that can be toggled on or off based on your needs, Rank Math is simple to use.
Leave the module off if you don’t need the local SEO optimization feature.
Turn on the module if you want Rank Math to create site maps for your website.
When a module is turned on (to access a function), a “settings” button appears, which when clicked opens a different screen where the settings can be changed.
Screenshot of Rank Math Modules UI
Screenshot of Rank Math Modules UI
The module user interface (UI) method for using IndexNow makes it easy to set up. You only need to turn the feature on then click on the settings button to proceed to the final step to finalize getting IndexNow working for your website.
It’s a great user interface that simplifies something that is ordinarily very difficult.
Convenience of the IndexNow Module
The IndexNow feature is presented as a new module that only has to be enabled before being set up using a few simple options.
Normally, a publisher would have to register on the Bing Webmaster Tools website in order to create an account and then obtain an API in order to take part in the IndexNow instant indexing program.
If you make use of the Rank Math SEO plugin, that is no longer the case.
You only need to activate the IndexNow module in Rank Math. Without having to fiddle with a Bing Webmaster Tools account, Rank Math manages getting an IndexNow API key.
How to Set Up IndexNow Using Rank Math
Step 1: Navigate to the Rank Math Dashboard
To get started, first select Rank Math from the left hand WordPress menu then select Dashboard: Rank Math > Dashboard.
Step 2: Select the IndexNow Module
The next screen shows you all of the available modules:
After selecting the IndexNow Module you will see the off/on toggle switch turn blue and a “Settings” button appear in the bottom left of the module.
Screenshot of IndexNow Module
Step 3: Configure the IndexNow Settings
After you click the settings button, another page will open and this will be the last page you have to deal with.
Configuration of the IndexNow module is easy. But the interface is not as clear as it could be, which is surprising considering how easy the rest of Rank Match is to configure.
In order to access the hidden IndexNow settings you have to click the little “gear” icon that is labeled “settings” which is located on the left side.
Screenshot of Settings Button
Once you have clicked the Settings button, you can now begin selecting which kinds of content you want to alert Bing to crawl and index.
The choices are:
- Posts
- Media
- Pages
- Plus an option to select MailPoet Pages (if you have MailPoet installed)
For most publishers, all you’ll have to select is posts, media and pages. That’s pretty much it.
Screenshot of Rank Math IndexNow Settings
