Hi,
We’re sorry to hear that you’re having issues with the latest version of Yoast SEO for WordPress v15.7. We’ve introduced the SEO data optimization feature (which can be found under SEO > Tools) that combines several helpful features in the Yoast SEO plugin (text link counter, internal linking suggestions (premium), indexables). You are only expected to run this feature once, and then the data will be stored in the appropriate tables in your database.
Were you able to reset the data and re-run the SEO data optimization by using the Yoast Test Helper plugin?
If you continue to encounter any issues, could you perhaps provide us with specific information regarding the encoding or what it is with how the data is stored that is causing a problem for you, so we can work together to help resolve it.