---
title: Content Optimization
description: "##### Audit Fails or Stalls Audit stuck at 'Running...' or times out **1. Server Timeout** **Error:** \"Maximum execution time exceeded\" **Solution:** Increase PHP timeout temporarily: ``` // Add to wp-config.php @ini_set( 'max_execution_time', 300 ); // 5 minutes ``` **2. Memory Limit** **Error:** \"Allowed…"
url: "https://pulserank.ai/docs/content-optimization/"
updated: "2026-01-09"
category: Troubleshooting
---

# Content Optimization

##### Audit Fails or Stalls

Audit stuck at 'Running...' or times out

**1. Server Timeout**

**Error:** "Maximum execution time exceeded"

**Solution:** Increase PHP timeout temporarily:

```
// Add to wp-config.php
@ini_set( 'max_execution_time', 300 ); // 5 minutes
```

**2. Memory Limit**

**Error:** "Allowed memory size exhausted"

```
// Add to wp-config.php
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M' );
```

Large sites with 10,000+ posts may need 512MB+.

**3. Large Post Count**

**Solution:** Be patient (10,000 posts = 5-10 minutes). Audit runs in batches of 10 posts.

**For Very Large Sites:** Temporarily exclude product post type, run audit multiple times (caches results), analyze individual posts via editor metabox instead.

**4. Database Locked**

**Error:** "Table is locked" or "Deadlock found"

**Cause:** Another process (backup, migration) using database. Wait for other operation to complete, try again in 10-15 minutes.

##### Audit Results Inaccurate

Post scored 100% but has obvious issues

**Possible Reasons:**

- **Content in Custom Fields:** PulseRank analyzes post_content and post_title. Custom field content not analyzed (yet).
- **Dynamic Content:** Page builders (Elementor, Beaver, etc.) store in meta. May not be fully analyzed.
- **Shortcodes Not Expanded:** Audit runs shortcodes but some may fail. Complex nested shortcodes may cause issues.

**Workaround:**

- Manually review high-scored posts
- Use editor metabox for real-time analysis

##### Can't Reanalyze Individual Post

Editor metabox not showing or not working

**Checklist:**

- **Feature Enabled:** PulseRank → Settings → Features. Ensure "Content Optimization" is enabled.
- **Post Type Supported:** Default: Posts, Pages, Products (WooCommerce). Custom types need filter hook.
- **JavaScript Error:** Open browser console in editor. Look for errors mentioning "pulserank".
- **Gutenberg Only:** Metabox only appears in block editor (Gutenberg). Classic editor: use "Run Audit" in dashboard instead.

**Force Refresh:**

```
// functions.php - Clear post meta and reanalyze
delete_post_meta( $post_id, 'pulserank_last_audit' );
```

##### Audit Recommendations Unclear

'Optimize URL structure' - what does this mean?

**Common Recommendations Explained:**

| Issue | Explanation | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Title too long | Over 60 chars, may be truncated in AI | Shorten to 50-60 characters |
| Missing meta description | No description meta tag | Add excerpt or use SEO plugin |
| No H1 heading | Post lacks main heading | Add H1 at top of content |
| URL not optimized | URL too long, has dates, or random chars | Edit permalink to short, descriptive slug |
| No FAQ pattern | No Q&A format detected | Add FAQ section with questions as H3 headings |
| Lacks statistics | No numbers/data points | Add stats, percentages, or research data |
| Content not fresh | Not updated recently | Add "Last Updated" date, refresh info |

**Priority Guide:**

- Critical (Red): Fix immediately, hurts AI discoverability
- Major (Orange): Important, improve ranking in AI results
- Minor (Yellow): Nice-to-have optimizations