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 minutes2. 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