Title: SEO Foundations
Author: Destiny Kanno
Published: 11 August 2026

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# SEO Foundations

   60 mins   Beginner   seo     Updated August 11, 2026

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In this hands-on activity, participants will use the WordPress Playground environment
to explore the built-in SEO capabilities of WordPress core and learn how to thoughtfully
extend them using the RankMath plugin. Without requiring advanced prerequisite knowledge,
attendees will gain hands-on experience modifying permalink structures, uploading
media with descriptive alt text, executing a plugin setup wizard, and writing optimized
snippet metadata directly within the block editor. Finally, the session wraps up
with a post-optimization check and a structured debrief where participants evaluate
plugin alternatives and plan a specific post-session workflow, such as submitting
their enhanced sitemap to Google Search Console.

## Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

 * **Locate Built-In Features**: Identify and verify the native SEO features included
   in WordPress core without the assistance of any plugins, such as the automatically
   generated XML sitemap located at /wp-sitemap.xml and the sitewide search engine
   visibility setting.
 * **Configure Permalink Structures**: Modify default URL structures to the “Post
   name” setting within the WordPress core options to produce clean, keyword-rich
   URLs for better search engine crawling.
 * **Evaluate Plugin Necessity**: Analyze individual site goals, content foundations,
   and specific technical gaps—such as custom meta descriptions, social sharing 
   previews, schema markup, and redirect management—to determine whether an SEO 
   plugin is actually required.
 * **Execute Setup Wizards**: Install and configure the RankMath plugin using its
   Easy Mode setup wizard to establish site-wide defaults, select appropriate schema.
   org types, and replace the core sitemap with an enhanced version at /sitemap_index.
   xml.
 * **Optimize Post Snippets**: Utilize the RankMath block editor panel to draft 
   a target-length meta title of up to 60 characters and a compelling meta description
   spanning 150 to 160 characters to maximize search engine click-through rates.
 * **Plan Search Console Submission**: Discover the precise enhanced sitemap URL
   generated by a plugin and outline the workflow steps required to submit it to
   Google Search Console for live domain tracking.

## What's included

### Facilitator Guide

Step-by-step instructions for running the session, including timing cues and discussion
prompts.

### Slide Deck

Presentation slides for the full workshop as a PDF, ready to present or print.

## Download this kit

This download includes a facilitator guide and presentation slide deck.

 [  Download kit ](https://learn.wordpress.org/files/2026/08/SEO-Foundations.zip)

 Free · No account required · 370 KB