Does using Yoast variables for meta content overwrite any pages that already have custom meta content?

[rootandbranch]

The question is about the Yoast plugin for WP sites. Let's say I have a site with 200 pages and custom meta descriptions / title tags already in place for the top 30 pages. If I use the Yoast variable tool to complete meta content for the remaining pages (and make my Moz issue tracker look happier), will that only affect the pages without custom meta descriptions or will it overwrite even the pages with the custom meta content that I want?

In this situation, I do want to keep the meta content that is already in place on select pages.

Thanks!

Zack

[TucsonAZWebDesign]

I had to make several hundred pages for a video tube at one point. And what I did to expedite the process is use the clone post/page plugin. Then I created a clone with 3 things.

The first thing was the templating for the meta description and title for each video**(naturally I did that with Yoast)**. The second thing I did was create a short code with php to place the page title in several areas using simply [template]. Then for the final automation aspect, I appeased the alt tag necessity with a js script to dynamically add alt tags with the page title on all images.

I don't know what the outcome of the said feature your describing is, however the way you would accomplish your desired end result is by adding a bunch of generic meta title/descriptions with the bulk editor feature of yoast. Naturally skup over the 30 pages, you'll simply need to make a template one time then copy it to clipboard and paste paste paste like a madman! Wont even 5 minutes with 200 pages.

[Nigel_Carr]

Hi Zack

If you add default variables for post Meta title and description this will effectively add Meta for all those posts and pages where you didn't. If you added any custom Meta then that will stay the same.

I had a client who had 467 products in his Woo store without Meta descriptions - a little magic and boom! they all had one. Those that were custom written stayed the same.

Simple process with a simple yes/no answer!

I hope that helps!

Regards Nigel.

[rootandbranch]

This is great. Thank you Nigel. This answers my question perfectly. The client I'm thinking of also has a Woo store and has a very similar situation.

Bonus question  Do you have a favorite variable you use for meta descriptions for ECommerce pages and non EComm pages?

[rootandbranch]

Thank you Sean. This didn't exactly answer my question (Nigel did below!), but this is still great information and useful context.

Much appreciated.

[Nigel_Carr]

Hi Zack

With Yoast and Woo the shortcodes are difficult to find as they are specific to Woo. The product description one I used for my client was:

Shop %%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% part of the %%currentyear%% %%ct_product_cat%% collection, with free delivery on all items at Sitename!

This would give for example:

Shop 'Yello Widget', part of the '2018' 'widget category' collection with free delivery on all items at 'sitename'

Then title:

%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% %%ct_product_cat%% Sitename

For the non Ecomm pages I would actually write them myself as there would only be a few but if I was pushed:

%%page%% %%sep%% Sitename

The problem here is that it might be too short.

I hope that helps

Regards Nigel

[rootandbranch]

Amazing. Thanks so much, Nigel. Very helpful!