WordPress 6.5 introduces native support for the lastmod element in sitemaps, enhancing search engine crawl efficiency and potentially improving website visibility. The lastmod metadata tag indicates the last significant modification date of a webpage, helping search engines prioritize and schedule crawls. This feature allows websites to improve SEO efforts without additional manual configuration.
The update is a result of the collaborative efforts of the WordPress developer community, particularly Pascal Birchler. Google's Gary Illyes, a member of the Search Relations team, praised the community's efforts and recommended website owners to upgrade to WordPress 6.5 to take advantage of the lastmod support. However, it's advised to ensure no plugin conflicts before upgrading.
The lastmod element is significant as it signifies the most recent modification date of a webpage, allowing search engines to focus on the most current content, potentially improving a site’s visibility in search results. With WordPress 6.5, this metadata is automatically included in sitemaps, ensuring compatibility with the latest SEO practices and tools.
