This is the reference page: every check TamRank runs, what each one is worth, and how they add up to the number on your page. If you only want to know how to raise a score, How your SEO score works is the shorter read. This page is for when you want to see the arithmetic.
In short
- Your page score is 30% meta and 70% content.
- The meta side is scored out of 50 points, then scaled to 100.
- The content side is six categories that together weigh 100.
- Each category scores as a proportion of its own checks, then contributes its weight.
The formula
One calculation, no hidden layers:
total = (meta score × 0.30) + (content score × 0.70)
Both halves are scored 0 to 100 in their own right first. The total lands in one of four bands: Excellent at 80 and above, Good from 60 to 79, Needs attention from 40 to 59, and Improve below 40.
The meta side, 30% of your score
Scored out of 50 raw points and then doubled to sit on a 0 to 100 scale.
Meta title, up to 15 points
- 10 points for a length between 30 and 60 characters. A title under 30 characters earns 3 instead, and one over 60 earns 5.
- 5 points if it contains your focus keyword.
Meta description, up to 15 points
- 10 points for a length between 120 and 160 characters. Under 120 earns 3, over 160 earns 5.
- 5 points if it contains your focus keyword.
Focus keyword, 10 points
- 10 points simply for having one set. This is the single cheapest point on the page.
URL slug, up to 10 points
- 5 points for having a slug.
- 5 points if the slug contains your focus keyword.
Notice what is not here: there is no penalty for a long URL, and no check on your canonical or your robots settings. Those matter for SEO, but they are not part of this score.
The content side, 70% of your score
Six categories. Their weights add up to 100:
- Headings and structure, weight 25
- Keyword usage, weight 25
- Links, weight 20
- Readability, weight 15
- Images, weight 10
- Content length, weight 5
Headings and structure, weight 25
- exactly one H1 (6)
- the H1 contains your keyword (5)
- the H1 is no longer than 70 characters (2)
- at least one H2 (2)
- a logical heading order, no skipped levels (3)
- no two headings with identical text (3)
- content under every heading (2)
- no single-word headings (2)
Keyword usage, weight 25
- keyword in the first 150 words (6)
- keyword appears at least twice (4)
- keyword density between 1 and 2 percent (5)
- keyword in at least one H2 (4)
- keyword variants used (6)
Links, weight 20
- at least one internal link (3)
- no broken links pointing at a 404 (1)
- no spam-like external links (1)
Readability, weight 15
- the intro gives a clear summary (3)
- the intro is at least 50 words (2)
- the intro is not generic filler (1)
- paragraphs stay under 150 words (3)
- average sentence length is comfortable (3)
- no duplicate paragraphs or sentences (1)
- no extremely long unbroken text blocks (1)
- no headings in all capitals (1)
Images, weight 10
- at least one image (3)
- all images have alt text (3)
- at least one alt text contains your keyword (2)
- no alt text is just a filename (1)
- images are under 300KB (4)
- a WebP version is available (3)
- images are not larger than they need to be (2)
- lazy loading is on (2)
Content length, weight 5
- at least 300 words (2)
- length suits the type of page (3)
Why the check points do not add up to the category weight
Look at Images and you will see the individual checks total 20, while the category weighs 10. Look at Links and the checks total 5, while the category weighs 20. That is not an error, and it is worth understanding because it changes where your effort pays.
Each category is scored as a proportion. TamRank adds up the points you passed within a category, divides by the points available in that category, and multiplies the result by the category weight. So passing half your image checks earns half of 10, and passing half your link checks earns half of 20.
The point numbers inside a category therefore set the pecking order within that category, nothing more. The category weight is the only thing that decides how much it moves your score. This is also why a single internal link is such a good trade: it is a large share of a category that carries 20.
Tip: the cheapest points on any page
Read the meta table again. A focus keyword is 10 points for typing a phrase. A meta title in range with the keyword in it is 15. A description in range with the keyword is 15. A slug is 10. That is the entire meta half of your score, and on most pages it is twenty minutes of work with no writing involved.
On the content side, the equivalent is one internal link. It is worth a large share of a category weighted 20, and it takes one sentence. Most pages that sit stuck in the Good band are missing exactly these things, not depth.
Troubleshooting
My checks all pass but I am not at 100. Check both halves. A perfect content score with an empty meta title and description caps you at 70.
A category shows checks I cannot satisfy. A category with no scorable checks on your page drops out of the calculation rather than counting as zero, so it cannot drag you down unfairly.
My score changed without me editing the page. Scores are stored when a page is analyzed. Re-running an audit after a plugin update can recalculate with current logic.
The keyword checks are all failing. They need a focus keyword to check against. Without one they cannot pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum content score?
100, when every category is fully satisfied.
Which single check is worth the most?
On the meta side, having a focus keyword set, at 10 points. On the content side, the internal-link check, because of the weight of the category it sits in.
Does a long URL cost me points?
No. There is no URL length check.
Is readability scored on a formula like Flesch?
Not as a named index. It is the specific checks listed above: intro quality, paragraph length, sentence length and text blocks.
Do I need every check to pass?
No, and chasing that is a poor use of an afternoon. Anything in the Good band is doing its job.
Related
- The short version: How your SEO score works
- The content checks explained: What TamRank’s content analysis checks
- Across your whole site: Running a site-wide audit
- Back to Documentation
