[WordPress SEO by Yoast] changing the 'title' in header

HOW MUCH BENEFIT?

How much benefit is there in changing the <title> section of the header.php file from the theme’s code to WP SEO’s code?

While reviewing the general settings for WP SEO, I noticed this:

“Be aware that for WordPress SEO to be able to modify your page titles, the title section of your header.php file should look like this:

<title><?php wp_title(”); ?></title>

“If you can’t modify or don’t know how to modify your template, check the box below. Be aware that changing your template will be faster.
[ ]Force rewrite titles “

First, without changing anything, I tried this ‘forced’ box both checked and unchecked with no apparent difference. [It occurs to me that I actually don’t know how to verify this function]

Elegant Themes has the title section of my header.php file looking like this: “<title><?php elegant_titles(); ?></title>”

I changed that title section to “<title><?php wp_title(”); ?></title>”, saved it, cleared my browser cache and still found no changes. [again, I don’t what to look for]

So, I put it back to “<title><?php elegant_titles(); ?></title>” (like it was), saved it, cleared the browser cache and was shaken/afraid when I saw all the site’s tabs were all now titled “Array.” Oh great. What’s that? I went back in and ticked the “[ ]Force rewrite titles” under WP SEO general settings and now the titles look OK again. Whew!

I have since then disabled all of the Elegant Theme’s SEO settings in order to allow the awesome plugin to do the heavy lifting.

Although I have a teeny site, I still like to learn how to do things the best way.

This situation begs a couple of questions for me.

(1) How much benefit is there in changing the <title> section of the header.php file from the theme’s code to WP SEO’s code?

(2) Should I make the changes to the title section instead of checking the ‘forced’ box? (or leave well enough alone?)

(3) How do I verify this function?

(4) What was that “Array” that appeared?

Thank you in advance,

doctorEQ

https://www.doctorEQ.com