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):

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:

[
  "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

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:

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:

   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:

   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:

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

3. If successful, run full analyzer:

   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! 🚀