Word segmentation, also known as syllable splitting or word-breaking in English-speaking countries, is an essential step for optimizing content pages for languages like German. In this article, learn what word segmentation is, why it’s important, and how to set it up in WordPress.
What is Word Segmentation?
Word segmentation is the process of automatically separating words in texts into individual syllables for the German language, enhancing readability and reducing reading times for your pages while supporting optimal search engine indexing.
Why is Word Segmentation Important?
With approximately 43 million literate Germans out of a total population of 63 million, according to the Federal Statistical Office, about 70% of the German population has a lower literacy competency (ALPF-2) and requires more time to read texts. By employing word segmentation, you can improve the readability of content pages for all users. Furthermore, it benefits search engines like Google by enabling them to better index and render your pages.
How to Set Up Word Segmentation in WordPress:
- Install the plugin "WP Easy SEO" (WordPress SEO).
- Navigate to "Settings > WP Easy SEO".
- Activate the option "Search Engine Visibility > On for Search Engines Only".
- Locate and activate the options: "WordPress SEO > Advanced Settings > Force search engine to ignore stopwords, force stemming and use the Meta Keywords tag > Yes" and "WordPress SEO > Advanced Settings > WordBreak > Automatic".
- Save and update your pages.