When you’re building a site from scratch, every optimization decision matters. Recently, I faced the choice of whether to install a WordPress Table of Contents plugin or rely on existing theme and SEO tools. In this post, I’ll explain why I added a WordPress Table of Contents plugin, what I hoped to accomplish, and how I configured it to boost both SEO and user experience.
What a WordPress Table of Contents Plugin Does
- 1. What a WordPress Table of Contents Plugin Does
- 2. Why I Didn’t Just Use Rank Math or My Theme
- 3. Why I Chose LuckyWP Table of Contents
- 4. Why “After the First Heading”?
- 5. SEO Benefits of a WordPress Table of Contents Plugin
- 6. How I Configured LuckyWP for SEO
- 7. What I’m Trying to Accomplish
- 8. Alternatives and Resources
- 9. Final Thoughts
- 10. Related Topics
A WordPress Table of Contents plugin automatically generates a clickable list of headings within a blog post. If your article is long, readers can quickly scan the TOC and jump straight to the section they care about.
For example, instead of scrolling through 1,200 words, someone can instantly navigate to “Settings” or “Appearance.” That’s helpful for readers — and it’s also helpful for Google.
Google often uses TOC-generated anchors as “jump links” in search results. When a search snippet displays links like “Skip to: Benefits | Setup | Best Plugins”, it’s usually because a TOC plugin created anchor tags in the content. This can increase click-through rates and make your post stand out.
Why I Didn’t Just Use Rank Math or My Theme
I already use Rank Math for SEO and GeneratePress as my WordPress theme. Both technically support TOCs. Rank Math even offers a block you can drop into posts.
But here’s the issue:
- Rank Math’s TOC block is manual. You’d need to edit each post individually. That doesn’t work if you want to apply a TOC across dozens of posts retroactively.
- Theme-based TOCs are usually barebones. They don’t include schema markup, advanced styling, or SEO-friendly options.
I needed something retroactive, SEO-ready, and customizable.
Why I Chose LuckyWP Table of Contents
After comparing options like Easy Table of Contents and SimpleTOC, I went with LuckyWP Table of Contents. Here’s why:
- SEO-friendly markup that Google can crawl for jump links.
- Auto-insert across all posts — instantly retroactive.
- Flexible placement (I set mine to appear after the first heading).
- Collapsible design for mobile readers.
- Customizable numbering and depth for clean structure.
- Lightweight and compatible with Rank Math, WP Rocket, and GeneratePress.
In short, LuckyWP checked every box I needed.
Why “After the First Heading”?
The placement of a TOC might seem minor, but it makes a big difference.
- Top of post content felt too pushy — readers hit a wall of links before context.
- Bottom of post defeats the purpose.
- Before first heading interrupts the flow right after the intro.
- After first heading is the sweet spot: readers see my intro, then the first section, and then a natural navigation panel.
This keeps users engaged while still giving Google structured anchors near the top of the page.
SEO Benefits of a WordPress Table of Contents Plugin
Adding a WordPress Table of Contents plugin isn’t just about convenience. It brings direct SEO benefits:
- Jump Links in Search Results → More visibility, higher click-through rates.
- Better On-Page Experience → Lower bounce rates, higher dwell time.
- Internal Linking Signals → Each TOC link is an internal anchor within the same page, which helps Google parse structure.
- Semantic HTML → When you use UL/LI or OL/LI markup, Google understands your headings as a hierarchy.
These are small signals, but they add up.
How I Configured LuckyWP for SEO
Here are the key LuckyWP settings I chose:
- Minimal Headings: 3 (only posts with at least 3 headings show a TOC).
- Depth: H2 + H3.
- Hierarchical View: Enabled.
- Numeration: Decimal (nested).
- Smooth Scroll: Enabled.
- Position: After first heading.
- Hash Format: Lowercase, dashes.
- SEO: No “nofollow” — I want internal links crawlable.
I also selected UL/LI list markup for clean, semantic output.
What I’m Trying to Accomplish
The TOC decision wasn’t just about one plugin. It was about creating a site that’s reader-friendly, retroactively optimized, and search engine ready.
- For SEO: I want structured snippets, better click-through rates, and stronger content signals.
- For Readers: I want them to stay engaged and navigate my posts easily.
- For Myself: I want retroactive coverage without editing every post.
This small change aligns with my bigger goal: to make every blog post on my site a professional, optimized resource that earns trust with both humans and search engines.
Alternatives and Resources
If you’re not sure LuckyWP is right for you, here are other options worth exploring:
- Easy Table of Contents — simple, older, widely used.
- SimpleTOC — Gutenberg-only, very lightweight.
But if you care about SEO + retroactive benefit, LuckyWP is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
Installing a WordPress Table of Contents plugin might seem like a small step, but it’s the kind of detail that separates average blogs from optimized, reader-first websites.
It improves navigation, strengthens SEO, and works retroactively — which means my old posts immediately became more user-friendly and search-ready without me lifting a finger.
If you’re serious about SEO, this is one of the easiest wins you can implement today.