Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Connections automatically integrates the core WordPress Sitemaps feature; it also integrates with both the Yoast SEO and Rank Math sitemaps.

It is highly recommended that you only use the [connections] on the directory home page because search bots may classify any additional content added to the page as duplicate content and not list the directory pages in the search results index page. Additionally, the WordPress Sitemaps integration is only automatically generated for the page set as the Directory Homepage. Other pages where [connections] it is used will not be included in the sitemaps.

Sitemaps support is enabled automatically if you are using either Yoast SEO or Rank Math sitemaps. But, some conditions must be met. They are as follows:

• The web host must support the native WordPress sitemap feature, which requires the SimpleXML PHP extension.
• The “Search engine visibility” option must be disabled on the WordPress Reading Settings admin page. This option is disabled by default.
• The Directory Homepage must be set on the Connections Settings admin page under the General tab. The [connections] shortcode must exist on the chosen page.
• The “Login Required” option must be disabled on the Connections Settings admin page under the General tab. This option is disabled by default.
• The “Name” permalink option must be enabled on the Connections Settings admin page under the Advanced tab. This option is enabled by default.

There are several settings available that are enabled by default and are recommended to be left enabled. Additional information about these SEO settings can be found on the Settings documentation page.

Helpful information to know to optimize your directory Entries for SEO.

• The Biography field should be used to the fullest. Adding unique quality content will give you the best opportunity for the Entry page to rank higher in the SERP.
• By default, the Excerpt field is used for the page meta description; the text snippet is shown below the link in the SERP.
  • The text should be limited to about 155 characters.
  • If no text is entered in the Excerpt field, the Biography field’s text will be truncated and used. If no content exists in the Biography field, the Entry Title and Department fields are used if the Entry is an Individual, and if the Entry is an Organization, the address will be used. If set, the preferred address will be used. The first entered address will be used if no preferred address has been set.
  • NOTE: The search provider may choose to display content it decides is more related based on the user’s search query.
• Only the [connections] shortcode should exist on the page where you embed the directory. Any content added before or after the shortcode will also display on the directory Entry detail/profile page. This could generate duplicate content errors that cause the page to rank lower in the SERP.
  • NOTE: If you wish to include content before/after the shortcode, use the
    [cn-content] shortcode to dynamically insert the content on the page.
• The [connections] shortcode can be used on multiple pages on your site, but care should be taken to ensure directory Entries are not duplicated across multiple pages. Doing so could potentially cause duplicate content errors and cause the page to rank lower in the SERP.

How can I remove the static page name from the dynamic page title?

To remove the static page name when displaying the current directory category or current directory entry.

Install the Code Snippets plugin. Copy-paste the following code into a new snippet, and then save and activate the new code snippet.

add_filter(
	'cn_page_title',
	static function( $title, $pieces, $separator, $original, $id ) {
		
		if ( isset( $pieces['term-category-name'] ) && ! empty( $pieces['term-category-name'] ) ) {

			$title = $pieces['term-category-name'];
		}
		
		if ( isset( $pieces['cn-entry-slug'] ) && ! empty( $pieces['cn-entry-slug'] ) ) {

			$title = $pieces['cn-entry-slug'];
		}

		return $title;
	},
	10,
	5
);