Guidance Request: Migrating from Yoast SEO to Rank Math with WPML Compatibility

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client is planning to migrate their WordPress site from Yoast SEO to Rank Math and wants to ensure full compatibility with WPML to avoid disruptions to their multilingual content. They are using WooCommerce Multilingual for product translations and have enabled Compatibility Mode in Rank Math for WPML. The client asked several questions regarding the deactivation of WPML plugins during migration, backing up specific database tables or settings, re-synchronizing translations post-migration, potential conflicts between Rank Math and WPML, and any WPML-specific precautions to take.
Solution:
1. There is no need to deactivate WPML plugins during the migration as SEO data are saved on each translated page and there should be no conflicts.
2. Once migrated to Rank Math, the SEO data should remain on the translated pages, and no adjustments to the database are necessary.
3. The client should confirm with Rank Math if the SEO metadata remains the same post-migration. If it does, no re-synchronization of translations is needed.
4. For potential conflicts between Rank Math and WPML’s multilingual SEO features, the client can check the known issues at https://wpml.org/plugin/rank-math-seo/
5. It is recommended to back up everything before proceeding with the migration to ensure multilingual SEO data remains intact.

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Tagged: Compatibility

This topic contains 1 reply, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Kor 2 weeks, 1 day ago.

Assisted by: Kor.

Author	Posts
February 18, 2025 at 11:18 am #16718371
khalidA-55	Background of the issue: I am planning to migrate my WordPress site from Yoast SEO to Rank Math and want to ensure full compatibility with WPML to avoid disruptions to my multilingual content. My site uses WooCommerce Multilingual for product translations, and I’ve enabled Compatibility Mode in Rank Math for WPML. I am following the migration process outlined in hidden link. Symptoms: No specific issue or error message mentioned. Questions: Should I temporarily deactivate WPML plugins during the migration to avoid conflicts? Are there specific database tables or settings tied to WPML/Yoast integration that I should back up or preserve manually? Do I need to re-synchronize translations post-migration, especially for product variations and SEO metadata? Are there known conflicts between Rank Math and WPML’s multilingual SEO features that require adjustments? Any WPML-specific precautions I should take before/during migration? Steps to ensure multilingual SEO data remains intact?
February 19, 2025 at 2:18 am #16721547
Kor Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Singapore (GMT+08:00)	Thanks for contacting us. I will try to answer your questions accordingly by points. 1. Should I temporarily deactivate WPML plugins during the migration to avoid conflicts? SEO data are saved on each translated page and I don't think there are any conflicts to keep the WPML plugin activated. 2. Are there specific database tables or settings tied to WPML/Yoast integration that I should back up or preserve manually? Once you've migrated to Rank Math, the SEO data should remain on the translated pages. No need to make any adjustments to the database. 3. Do I need to re-synchronize translations post-migration, especially for product variations and SEO metadata? If the SEO metadata is the same as Yoast, it should be fine. Could you confirm this with Rank Math? 4. Are there known conflicts between Rank Math and WPML’s multilingual SEO features that require adjustments? You can check out the known issues here for Rank Math compatibility with WPML https://wpml.org/plugin/rank-math-seo/ 5. Any WPML-specific precautions I should take before/during migration? Steps to ensure multilingual SEO data remains intact? Not that I've known, but please backup everything before you proceed.