ByTheWeb is available as two separate WordPress plugins: ByTheWeb AI and ByTheWeb GEO.
You can install either plugin on its own, or use both together for the complete ByTheWeb workflow.
- ByTheWeb AI adds AI Audit, FAQ tools, Media Optimization, and other AI-assisted workflows.
- ByTheWeb GEO adds SEO and Generative Engine Optimization tools, including GEO and SEO analysis, AI Summary and Short Answer fields, Schema, XML Sitemap, robots.txt AI controls, llms.txt, indexing controls, Entity & Business information, and more.
Both plugins are installed and activated like any standard WordPress plugin.
Install ByTheWeb AI from WordPress
The easiest way to install ByTheWeb AI is directly from your WordPress dashboard.
- Log in to your WordPress admin area.
- Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Search for ByTheWeb AI.
- Find the official ByTheWeb AI plugin.
- Click Install Now.
- When installation is complete, click Activate.
You can also view the plugin directly on WordPress.org:
After activation, a new ByTheWeb AI menu will appear in your WordPress dashboard.
You can immediately access the plugin and use its built-in free features. Connecting a ByTheWeb account or API Key is not required simply to install or activate the plugin.
Install ByTheWeb GEO from WordPress
To install ByTheWeb GEO:
- Log in to your WordPress admin area.
- Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Search for ByTheWeb GEO.
- Find the official ByTheWeb GEO plugin.
- Click Install Now.
- When installation is complete, click Activate.
You can also view the plugin directly on WordPress.org:
After activation, a new ByTheWeb GEO menu will appear in your WordPress dashboard.
The main GEO, SEO, Schema, Sitemap, robots.txt, Breadcrumb, and LLM file tools work locally inside WordPress and do not require a ByTheWeb Cloud connection.
Installing from a ZIP File
If you downloaded either plugin as a ZIP file, you can install it manually through WordPress.
- Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Click Upload Plugin.
- Select the plugin ZIP file from your computer.
- Click Install Now.
- When WordPress finishes installing the plugin, click Activate Plugin.
Do not unzip the file before uploading it through the WordPress Plugin installer.
If you are installing the plugin manually through FTP or your hosting file manager, upload the plugin folder to:
/wp-content/plugins/
Then go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in WordPress and activate it.
Can I Install Both Plugins?
Yes.
ByTheWeb AI and ByTheWeb GEO are separate plugins, but they are designed to work together.
Using both gives you access to the broader ByTheWeb workflow:
- ByTheWeb GEO manages your site’s GEO, SEO, Schema, indexing, entity, LLM and discovery-related settings.
- ByTheWeb AI provides AI Audit, AI-assisted FAQ generation, and Media Optimization tools.
- ByTheWeb GEO can use the connected ByTheWeb AI service for supported AI-assisted actions.
- ByTheWeb GEO can offer AI-assisted actions when ByTheWeb AI is installed and connected to the ByTheWeb Cloud service.
You do not need to deactivate one plugin in order to use the other.
What Happens After Activating ByTheWeb AI?
After activating ByTheWeb AI, open ByTheWeb AI from the WordPress admin menu.
Starting with ByTheWeb AI 1.9.5, new installations include a Getting Started setup that guides you through the initial connection. After a normal first activation, the setup opens automatically. It includes optional Usage Tracking, API Key connection and verification, and recommended next steps. You can close the setup at any time and continue using the plugin’s available local features without connecting an API Key.
You can start by exploring:
- AI Audit to check how supported AI engines understand your website.
- Media Opt. to review and manage image metadata.
- FAQ Schema tools available when editing supported content.
- Settings to configure the plugin.
- API Connection & Credits when you want to connect the AI-powered cloud features.
Several local features can be used without creating an account.
A connected API Key is required for cloud AI actions such as:
- AI FAQ generation
- AI-assisted image metadata generation
Some AI Audit engines are also available without an API connection, while connecting your account unlocks all supported engines.
For instructions on connecting your account, see:
What Happens After Activating ByTheWeb GEO?
After activating ByTheWeb GEO, open ByTheWeb GEO from the WordPress admin menu.
Starting with ByTheWeb GEO 1.3.2, new installations include a Getting Started setup that guides you through the initial GEO configuration. After a normal first activation, the setup opens automatically and helps you review your website details, GEO and Schema foundation, SEO and discovery settings, and recommended next steps. You can review or change these settings later and reopen the setup from the GEO Dashboard using Setup & Preferences.
The Site-wide Dashboard gives you an overview of your site’s GEO and SEO status and provides access to the plugin’s configuration areas.
A good first setup is to review:
- GEO Settings
- SEO Settings
- Entity & Schema
- XML Sitemap
- LLM Files
- Robots.txt / AI Policy settings
You can also open an individual supported post, page, or taxonomy to manage its available GEO and SEO information.
ByTheWeb GEO does not require a ByTheWeb account for its core local functionality.
AI generation inside ByTheWeb GEO is optional and requires the ByTheWeb AI integration and a connected API Key.
Using ByTheWeb with Yoast SEO or Rank Math
You can use ByTheWeb plugins alongside Yoast SEO or Rank Math SEO.
ByTheWeb GEO detects supported SEO plugins and avoids taking over overlapping SEO output that is already managed by them.
For example, when Yoast SEO or Rank Math is active, the supported external SEO plugin remains responsible for overlapping traditional SEO elements such as titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, robots directives, and its core Schema output.
ByTheWeb GEO continues to provide its GEO-specific functionality and supported Schema enrichment.
You do not need to uninstall Yoast SEO or Rank Math before installing ByTheWeb.
WordPress Multisite
Both plugins can be installed on WordPress installations where plugin management is controlled by a Network Administrator.
If you do not have permission to install plugins, ask your WordPress or Network Administrator to install and activate the required ByTheWeb plugin for the site.
Access to individual ByTheWeb features after installation also depends on the WordPress capabilities assigned to each user.
For more information, see:
User Access Control & Permissions
Do I Need an Account to Activate the Plugins?
No.
Installing and activating ByTheWeb AI or ByTheWeb GEO does not require a ByTheWeb account.
A ByTheWeb Cloud account and API Key are used only when you want to connect the supported cloud and AI-powered functionality.
This separation lets you use the local tools without consuming AI credits.
To understand which features are free and which actions use AI credits, see:
Having Trouble Installing or Activating?
If the plugin does not install or activate successfully:
- Confirm that your WordPress installation meets the current plugin requirements.
- Make sure your WordPress user has permission to install and activate plugins.
- Check that you uploaded the complete plugin ZIP file.
- If WordPress reports that the plugin folder already exists, check whether an older copy is already installed.
- If you are using WordPress Multisite, confirm that plugin installation is permitted by the Network Administrator.
For the current server and WordPress requirements, see:
If the issue continues, contact: