seo/guides/RANK_MATH_REST_API_SETUP.md

# Rank Math REST API Configuration - Complete Guide

## The Problem

Rank Math meta fields (`rank_math_description`, `rank_math_title`, etc.) are not exposed in the WordPress REST API by default. Our SEO analyzer needs these fields to be available.

## Solution: Enable REST API in Rank Math

### Step 1: Go to Rank Math Settings

In WordPress Admin:
```
Rank Math → Settings → Advanced
```

### Step 2: Find REST API Section

Look for one of these options:
- **"REST API"** - Enable
- **"Expose in REST API"** - Check/Enable
- **"API"** - Look for REST API toggle
- **"Integrations"** - REST API section

### Step 3: Enable All Rank Math Fields

Make sure these are exposed:
- ✓ SEO Title (`rank_math_title`)
- ✓ SEO Description (`rank_math_description`)
- ✓ Focus Keyword (`rank_math_focus_keyword`)
- ✓ Canonical URL (`rank_math_canonical_url`)

### Step 4: Save Changes

Click **Save** and wait for confirmation.

---

## Verify It Works

### Test 1: Use curl

Run this command (replace credentials and domain):

```bash
curl -u "your_username:your_app_password" \
  "https://www.mistergeek.net/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?per_page=1&status=publish" \
  | jq '.[] | .meta | keys'
```

**You should see:**
```json
[
  "rank_math_description",
  "rank_math_title",
  "rank_math_focus_keyword",
  ...other fields...
]
```

If you see Rank Math fields: ✓ **SUCCESS!**

If you don't see them: ⚠️ **Rank Math REST API not enabled yet**

### Test 2: Run Diagnostic Again

```bash
python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --diagnose https://www.mistergeek.net
```

**Look for:**
```
Available meta fields:
  • rank_math_description: Your SEO description...
  • rank_math_title: Your SEO title...
  • rank_math_focus_keyword: your keyword
```

---

## If REST API Still Not Working

### Check 1: Rank Math Version

Make sure you have **latest Rank Math version**:
```
WordPress Admin → Plugins → Rank Math SEO
Check version number, update if available
```

### Check 2: WordPress Version Compatibility

Rank Math REST API support requires:
- ✓ WordPress 5.0+
- ✓ Rank Math 1.0.50+

If older: **Update both WordPress and Rank Math**

### Check 3: User Permissions

Your WordPress user must have:
- ✓ **Administrator** or **Editor** role
- ✓ `edit_posts` capability
- ✓ `read_posts` capability

Try with **Administrator** account if unsure.

### Check 4: Security Plugin Blocking

Some security plugins block REST API:
- Wordfence
- Sucuri
- iThemes Security
- All in One WP Security

**Try temporarily disabling** to test:
```
WordPress Admin → Plugins → Deactivate [Security Plugin]
Run diagnostic
Re-enable plugin
```

If diagnostic works after disabling: **The security plugin is blocking REST API**

**Fix:** Whitelist your IP in security plugin settings, or contact plugin support.

### Check 5: Server Configuration

Some hosting limits REST API:
- GoDaddy (sometimes)
- Bluehost (sometimes)
- Cheap shared hosting

**Test with curl:**
```bash
curl "https://www.mistergeek.net/wp-json/"
```

Should return API info. If 403/404: **Contact hosting provider**

---

## Alternative: Use Rank Math API Manager Plugin

If the above doesn't work, you can use the **Rank Math API Manager** plugin:

1. **Install plugin:**
   - GitHub: https://github.com/devora-as/rank-math-api-manager
   - Or search "Rank Math API Manager" in WordPress plugin directory

2. **Activate plugin:**
   ```
   WordPress Admin → Plugins → Activate Rank Math API Manager
   ```

3. **Configure:**
   - Plugin provides custom REST API endpoints
   - Our script can be updated to use these endpoints

4. **Contact us** if you want to integrate this approach

---

## Complete Checklist

Before running analyzer:

- [ ] Installed Rank Math SEO (latest version)
- [ ] WordPress 5.0+
- [ ] Rank Math 1.0.50+
- [ ] Admin/Editor user account
- [ ] Rank Math REST API enabled in settings
- [ ] Verified with diagnostic command
- [ ] Verified with curl command
- [ ] No security plugin blocking REST API
- [ ] Hosting supports REST API

## Quick Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---------|-------|-----|
| No `rank_math_*` fields in diagnostic | REST API not enabled | Enable in Rank Math Settings → Advanced |
| 401 Unauthorized error | Wrong credentials | Verify username and app password |
| 403 Forbidden | User lacks permissions | Use Administrator account |
| 404 error | REST API blocked | Check security plugin or hosting |
| Empty meta fields | Rank Math not setting meta | Check if posts have Rank Math data in admin |

---

## Step-by-Step Setup (Visual Guide)

### Step 1: Login to WordPress Admin
```
https://www.mistergeek.net/wp-admin/
```

### Step 2: Go to Rank Math Settings
```
Left menu → Rank Math → Settings
```

### Step 3: Find Advanced Tab
```
Tabs: Dashboard | Wizards | Analytics | Content AI | Settings | Tools
Click: Settings
Sub-tabs: General | Advanced | Integrations
Click: Advanced
```

### Step 4: Find REST API Section
```
Look for: "REST API" heading or toggle
Sub-options: "Expose in REST API" checkboxes
```

### Step 5: Enable Checkboxes
```
✓ Expose SEO Title in REST API
✓ Expose SEO Description in REST API
✓ Expose Focus Keyword in REST API
✓ Expose Canonical URL in REST API
```

### Step 6: Save
```
Click: Save button at bottom
Wait for: "Settings saved" message
```

### Step 7: Test
```
Terminal: python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --diagnose https://www.mistergeek.net
Look for: rank_math_description in output
```

---

## If You Find Different Settings

Rank Math UI changes between versions. If the above steps don't match your screen:

**Search in Rank Math:**
```
1. Open Rank Math → Settings
2. Use browser Find (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F)
3. Search for: "REST" or "API"
4. Follow the UI from there
```

---

## After Enabling REST API

1. **Run diagnostic:**
   ```bash
   python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --diagnose https://www.mistergeek.net
   ```

2. **Should see:**
   ```
   Available meta fields:
     • rank_math_description: Your description here...
     • rank_math_title: Your title...
     • rank_math_focus_keyword: keyword
   ```

3. **Then run analyzer:**
   ```bash
   python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --include-drafts --top-n 50
   ```

4. **Meta descriptions will now be detected!**

---

## Next Steps

1. **Go to Rank Math settings** and enable REST API
2. **Run diagnostic** to verify:
   ```bash
   python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --diagnose https://www.mistergeek.net
   ```
3. **If successful**, run full analyzer:
   ```bash
   python scripts/multi_site_seo_analyzer.py --include-drafts --top-n 50
   ```
4. **Share the diagnostic output** if you're still having issues

Let me know when you've enabled REST API in Rank Math! 🚀