Using ACF Fields for Squirrly: A Beginner’s Guide to SEO Customization

Introduction: Leveling Up Your WordPress SEO

Squirrly SEO is a powerful WordPress plugin. It is designed to boost your search engine rankings. It offers many features. These include keyword research, content optimization, and SEO feedback. Squirrly’s default options are useful. But, they may not capture all content details. This is where Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is very helpful. ACF allows you to create extra fields. These are for posts, pages, and other areas. They let you add specific data. Combining ACF with Squirrly unlocks advanced SEO customization. You can perfectly tailor SEO to your content. This article provides a detailed guide. You will learn to use ACF fields with Squirrly SEO. It empowers you to have better control. This will increase your website’s visibility. This allows you to go beyond basic search engine optimization.

Why You Need ACF Fields for Optimal Squirrly SEO

Squirrly SEO usually focuses on the main content area. It uses this for its SEO content analysis. ACF fields let you optimize specific pieces of data. These data points are separate from the primary content. Consider product specifications, author details, or event dates. Such details are hard to fit in the main body. Squirrly is then fed much more relevant details. This creates more accurate keyword suggestions. Also, it delivers more precise SEO recommendations. You get more search engine rankings.

Customization for Unique Content

If you use custom post types, ACF is invaluable. These could include products, portfolios, or team members. ACF fields allow you to provide more information to Squirrly. This enables better optimization for custom page types. You create focused SEO around your unique needs. This level of customization is essential for bloggers and marketers.

Automating SEO Tasks and Reducing Manual Entry

ACF fields allow you to automatically generate SEO meta data. Meta titles, descriptions, and social media tags can all be automated. This removes tedious manual entries. Set up your system once. Then, apply it to all similar content pieces. This feature saves time and makes your workflow easier. You also have consistent SEO feedback. This automation is great for larger websites.

The Power of Squirrly’s Focus Pages

Squirrly offers a tool named “Focus Pages”. It allows you to concentrate SEO efforts. You can pick specific pages you want to rank higher. ACF fields let you provide precise details. This helps Squirrly to optimize these Focus Pages. This gives you better search engine rankings.

Prerequisites: Setting Up Your Environment

Before you start, ensure you have a few things set up.

• WordPress Website: You’ll need a fully functional WordPress website.

• Squirrly SEO Plugin: This plugin needs to be installed and active. You need its features for SEO analysis.

• Advanced Custom Fields Plugin: This plugin must be installed and activated. You will be using it to make custom fields. It comes in a free version, which is enough for most uses.

Creating and Populating ACF Fields for SEO

Step 1: Creating Your ACF Field Group

• Accessing Custom Fields: In your WordPress admin panel, go to Custom Fields > Add New. This will lead you to the ACF field group creation area.

• Naming Your Field Group: Name your field group descriptively. This will help you organize fields. Good examples include, “Product SEO”, “Blog Post Metadata”, or “Event Details”.

• Location Rules: Select where these fields should appear. Specify location rules. Choose specific post types like “Product” or “Post”. You can also select specific pages. You can also base the location on category or tag as well.

• Adding Fields: Add different fields. For each, select the correct field type. Select ‘Text’ for single line input. Select ‘Text Area’ for larger text areas. Below are core fields you need for SEO.

  • seo_title (Text): The SEO title for the page. It appears in search results.

  • seo_description (Text Area): The meta description for the page. This snippet is found below the title in search results.

  • og_title (Text): The Open Graph title. It is used when sharing on social media.

  • og_description (Text Area): The Open Graph description. It appears when shared on social media platforms.

  • focus_keyword (Text): The primary keyword you are aiming for in the SEO strategy.

  • alt_image (Text): The alternative text for the featured images you use. This is for better SEO content.

• Labels, Names, and Instructions: Give each field clear labels and names. This helps you know which data to add. Instructions can help content creators. They provide guidance on the use of every field.

Step 2: Populating the ACF Fields

After you set up your fields, you need to add information.

• Navigating to Your Content: Go to your chosen post, page, or custom post type. Open the content in edit mode.

• Locating ACF Fields: You will now find your new ACF fields. They will be located under the main content area.

• Entering SEO Data: Start filling the fields with relevant information. Add the SEO title, meta description, focus keyword, and social media details. You do this directly within the custom fields. Use high-quality content while adding the data.

Connecting ACF Fields to Squirrly SEO

Step 3: Using ACF Dynamic Variables in Squirrly

Squirrly SEO allows use of dynamic variables to pull data. These variables grab information directly from ACF fields.

• Accessing the Squirrly SEO Panel: Find the Squirrly SEO metabox. This is usually below your content editor.

• Inserting Dynamic Variables: Use [acf field=”field_name”] to pull data. Replace field_name with the name of your ACF field.

  • Example: If you name the field “seo_title”, then use [acf field=”seo_title”]. Use this in Squirrly SEO meta title field.

  • Example: Use [acf field=”seo_description”] in the Squirrly meta description area.

  • Example: To target your main focus keyword, use [acf field=”focus_keyword”] in the keyword field in Squirrly.

• Applying to Social Media: Connect og_title and og_description in the social media tab in Squirrly. This ensures consistency in meta information. This will provide better SEO content.

Step 4: Testing the Integration

To ensure everything is set up correctly, you need to test.

• Checking the Source Code: After adding changes, view your page’s source code. Search for meta tags such as meta name=”description” or og:title. Make sure their values are the ones you entered in your ACF fields.

• Using Squirrly SEO Tools: Squirrly has on-page analysis tools. Use them to check your meta data. Make sure it is coming from your ACF fields. It will also indicate if you need to make any more changes.

• Google Search Console: Monitor your website using the Google Search Console tool. This helps ensure changes are reflected correctly in search.

Advanced Tips and Best Practices

• Clear Naming Conventions: Use names for your ACF fields that are self-explanatory. It will reduce confusion.

• Thorough Planning: Map your fields before creating them. Know exactly what info you need.

• Using Fallback Variables: Use fallbacks in dynamic shortcodes. Use the post title as a fallback [acf field=”seo_title” default=”[post_title]”]. This ensures the SEO field is always populated.

• Image Optimization: Do not forget to add alt text to images. Use the alt_image ACF field.

• Monitoring Performance: Continuously check your SEO using Squirrly and Google Search Console. Be flexible with your ACF fields and SEO practices.

• Content Marketing Analytics: Analyze your content marketing. Combine these insights with Squirrly’s data. Improve your SEO content strategy.

• New Keyword Ideas: Use Squirrly’s keyword tools. It will give you better results. This will also get you fresh ideas based on your niche.

• Blogging Assistant: Make sure that you use Squirrly’s blog assistant. It will help you improve content and make sure your blog is properly optimized.

• WordPress SEO Plugin Make sure to use the best wordpress seo plugin like Squirrly SEO for better results.

Table 1: ACF Fields and Squirrly SEO Usage

Integrating with Various WordPress Builders

Squirrly SEO provides support for several page builders.

• Classic Editor: Squirrly works with the classic WordPress editor. Use Live Assistant for real time feedback.

• Gutenberg: Use Squirrly in the Gutenberg block editor.

• Elementor, Oxygen, Divi, Thrive Architect, and Bricks: These page builders also have SEO support. Squirrly works seamlessly with these.

• WP Bakery, Beaver, Brizy: All these builders are also supported.
  Squirrly gives detailed page audits. You can get reports regardless of what builder you used. This helps improve your overall website’s SEO.

Squirrly SEO Tools and Features

• SEO Audits: Squirrly allows you to monitor your entire website’s online visibility using SEO Audits. Check your blogging efforts and social media metrics. Also, check your site’s authority and linking structure.

• Performance Tracking: Measure SEO performance using Squirrly’s built-in analytics. Track your ranking progress. Find top-ranking pages. Get insights on where traffic comes from.

• Keyword Research: Use advanced tools for finding the best keywords. Also do competition analysis. Use Al for generating similar keywords. Use tools for over 140 different languages.

• Content Optimization: Use Squirrly for personalized optimization. It checks keyword usage, meta tags and content length. The SEO Live Assistant will give you real-time SEO feedback as you type.

• SERP Management: Have control of how your pages appear in SERPs. Also check social media previews.

Table 2: Squirrly SEO Key Features

Conclusion

ACF and Squirrly SEO combine to give you deep control over SEO. Optimize your content by providing more information to search engines. This increases your rankings and visibility. This detailed guide gives you a strong start. Explore the many features in both plugins. Remember to start simple and test as you go. With proper effort, you will achieve better SEO results. Squirrly with ACF will give you a very effective strategy.

Answers to FAQs

How do you rank nationally for SEO?

National SEO ranking requires broad strategy. It focuses on high-quality content, backlinks, technical SEO. It also requires mobile-friendliness, site speed and keyword research. Consistent efforts are vital.

How can I check my SEO ranking?

Use tools like Google Search Console, Squirrly SEO, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to check your SEO ranking. They track keyword positions and website visibility.

How to increase SEO ranking?

Enhance content quality, optimize on-page and technical SEO. Build backlinks, make your website mobile friendly, fast and conduct keyword research.

What is automated SEO?

Automated SEO uses software to automate SEO tasks. This can include keyword research and site optimization. It will make SEO management more efficient.

What is the hourly rate for SEO in USA?

SEO hourly rates in the USA typically ranges from $75 to $200, influenced by location and experience level of the service provider.