How does the import process for SEO data work?

This article does not apply to AIOSEO v4.0 and later because the import process has been significantly improved.

The Importer / Exporter module in All in One SEO v3.x can be used to import SEO meta data for content into a new site.  However, we are frequently asked how this works.

This article will address how the import process works:

What meta data can be imported?

The importer will import the following meta data and settings for posts, pages and custom post types:

How is data imported?

Meta data and settings are imported by matching the post type (Post, Page, etc), the post title and the post date (the date the post was published).  If the importer does not find an exact match for all three, then the data will not be imported.

For example:

If you have exported the data from site A for a post called Hello world that was published on January 1st, 2019 and you are importing this to site B, then the import will only succeed if there is a post called Hello world that was published on January 1st, 2019 on site B.

If that post does not exist then you will see an error message that states Warning: This following post could not be found: "Hello world".