Understanding and Resolving Yoast SEO's Keyphrase in Subheadings Warning

If you use the Yoast SEO plugin, you've likely encountered the 'Keyphrase in subheading' analysis. This check encourages you to include your focus keyphrase in H2 and H3 subheadings to improve content structure and SEO. However, many users report that this warning persists even after they have clearly added the keyphrase to their headings. This article explains why this happens and outlines the most effective solutions based on common community experiences.

Why the "Use More Keyphrases in H2 and H3" Warning Persists

Based on analysis of user reports, the warning does not disappear for several key reasons:

• Exact Match Requirement: The analysis primarily looks for an exact match of your entire focus keyphrase. For example, if your keyphrase is "scanpst.exe," the plugin may not count a heading containing just "scanpst" as a valid instance.
• Synonyms Not Counted (By Default): Threads indicate that synonyms of your keyphrase are generally not counted toward this specific assessment. The warning explicitly asks for the keyphrase "or synonyms," but user testing shows that synonym recognition can be inconsistent and may not function for all languages.
• Language Discrepancy: A common issue arises when the site's content is in a language other than English. The plugin's recommendations and analysis are primarily designed for English, which can cause mismatches and false warnings for non-English keyphrases.
• Heading Structure: The plugin may expect the keyphrase to be placed in specific, contextually relevant subheadings throughout the article's body, not just in introductory or concluding sections.

How to Resolve the Warning

If you are certain you have added your keyphrase to subheadings but the warning remains, try these troubleshooting steps.

1. Use the Exact Focus Keyphrase

Ensure you are using the complete focus keyphrase exactly as it is written in the Yoast SEO meta box. Avoid using abbreviations or variations that drop parts of the phrase (like removing ".exe" from "scanpst.exe").

2. Add the Keyphrase to More H2 Headings

The analysis might require the keyphrase to appear in multiple H2 headings, not just one. Follow the best practice of including it in H2s that structure the main body of your content.

3. Focus on Body Content Headings

Headings for sections like "Introduction," "FAQs," or "Conclusion" may not be weighted as heavily as headings that break down the core topic. Try adding your keyphrase to H2s that are more substantive and central to your article's primary subject.

4. Understand the Green Light "Pitfall"

As referenced in one thread, the Yoast SEO team itself has noted that not every analysis bullet needs to be green for a post to be well-optimized for SEO. This particular warning can sometimes be overly strict. If your headings are logically structured and relevant to the content, it may be safe to ignore this specific warning if it persists after your best efforts.

When the Warning Might Be a Bug

If you have confirmed that your H2 and H3 headings contain the exact focus keyphrase in multiple, relevant locations and the warning still will not clear, it could indicate a rare plugin conflict or bug. In such cases, standard troubleshooting steps like checking for plugin conflicts or updating Yoast SEO to the latest version are recommended.

By understanding how the analysis works and methodically applying these solutions, you can effectively address the persistent subheading warning in Yoast SEO.