Install RankFlect SEO
Download the free RankFlect SEO plugin, upload and activate it in WordPress, and learn what it switches on by default and how Pro fits in.
On this page
- Install the free plugin
- Install over FTP or SFTP instead
- What RankFlect SEO does when you activate it
- Install RankFlect SEO Pro
- Next steps
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
- Do I need to uninstall the free plugin before installing Pro?
- Is RankFlect SEO free to use on several sites?
- Does RankFlect SEO need an account to work?
RankFlect SEO is a WordPress plugin. You install it like any other plugin: upload the zip file, activate it, and a RankFlect SEO menu appears in the admin sidebar. This guide covers the free plugin. If you bought RankFlect SEO Pro or started a trial, you install the Pro plugin instead, and the steps are almost the same.
Check the system requirements first: WordPress 6.5 or newer and PHP 7.4 or newer.
Install the free plugin
- Download the free plugin from rankkitseo.site/download/free. You get a zip file. Don't unzip it.
- In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin and click Upload Plugin.
- Choose the zip file and click Install Now.
- Click Activate Plugin.
The plugin shows as RankFlect SEO in your plugins list, with Settings and Dashboard links under its name.
Install over FTP or SFTP instead
If your host blocks uploads in wp-admin, unzip the file on your computer and upload the plugin folder to wp-content/plugins/ on your server. Then go to Plugins in WordPress and click Activate under RankFlect SEO.
What RankFlect SEO does when you activate it
On activation RankFlect SEO creates its database tables and saves its default settings. It then starts working with these modules on:
- Titles and meta tags, schema, XML sitemaps and redirects (with automatic redirects when a slug changes).
- llms.txt and Markdown versions of pages.
- Image SEO, AI crawler tracking and the AI assistant (the AI assistant does nothing until you add your own key).
AI agent access, IndexNow, external link rules and the WordPress dashboard widget stay off until you turn them on. See Turn modules on and off for the full list.
Sharing data with Freemius, the licensing service RankFlect SEO uses, is optional. Nothing is sent unless you opt in, start a trial or buy.
Note Another SEO plugin still active? Running two SEO plugins prints duplicate titles and meta tags. Import your data first, then deactivate the old plugin. See Switch from another SEO plugin.
Install RankFlect SEO Pro
RankFlect SEO Pro is a separate plugin that contains everything in the free plugin plus the Pro features. You download it from your account at rankkitseo.site/account after you buy or start a trial.
You don't need to uninstall the free plugin first. When you activate RankFlect SEO Pro, the free plugin is deactivated automatically, and your settings and SEO data carry over. Full steps: Install RankFlect SEO Pro and activate your license.
Next steps
- Open RankFlect SEO → Dashboard and click Run your first audit.
- Coming from another SEO plugin? Use RankFlect SEO → Tools → Import from another SEO plugin.
- Optionally add an AI key in RankFlect SEO → Settings → AI provider.
The Quick start walks through all of this in about 10 minutes.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress refuses to activate the plugin and mentions PHP or WordPress versions. | Your server runs PHP older than 7.4 or WordPress older than 6.5. | Ask your host to upgrade PHP, or update WordPress. See System requirements. |
| "The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive" | Your host limits upload size. | Install over FTP or SFTP as described above, or ask your host to raise the limit. |
| No RankFlect SEO menu after activation. | Your user role doesn't have access. | Log in as an administrator. Administrators always see every RankFlect SEO page. |
FAQ
Do I need to uninstall the free plugin before installing Pro?
No. Activating RankFlect SEO Pro deactivates the free plugin for you. You can then delete the free plugin: RankFlect SEO does not remove its data when one edition is deleted while the other is still active.
Is RankFlect SEO free to use on several sites?
Yes. The free plugin works on any number of sites with no time or usage limit.
Does RankFlect SEO need an account to work?
No. The free plugin works without a RankFlect SEO account. You only need an account at rankkitseo.site to buy Pro, start a trial and download RankFlect SEO Pro.
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Related guides
System requirements
The WordPress and PHP versions RankFlect SEO needs, plus what specific features require, such as pretty permalinks, HTTPS, WP-Cron and WordPress 6.9.
Install RankFlect SEO Pro and activate your license
Download RankFlect SEO Pro from your rankkitseo.site account, install it in place of the free plugin and activate your license key to unlock Pro.
Quick start: RankFlect SEO in 10 minutes
Install RankFlect SEO, bring your SEO data across from another plugin, run your first audit, add your AI key and connect an AI agent.
Switch from Yoast SEO, Rank Math or another SEO plugin
Import titles, descriptions, keywords, robots, canonicals, social fields and redirects from Yoast SEO, Rank Math, AIOSEO and others into RankFlect SEO.
Still need help?
Email us with your WordPress and RankFlect SEO versions and what you tried. Pro customers get priority replies.