WordPress 6.5 Updates Sitemaps Files with Accurate Lastmod Dates

Real-time indexing: IndexNow allows for immediate updates to search engines when content changes.
Daily catchup mode: Sitemaps with lastmod help search engines keep up with less frequent, but still significant, content changes.

May 21, 2024 at 7:02:26 PM

TL;DR WordPress 6.5 supports the 'lastmod' element in sitemaps, enhancing search engine crawl efficiency. This element shows when a URL was last modified, aiding search engines in crawl scheduling. Google and Bing endorse this update, encouraging users to upgrade. Currently, 21% of WordPress installations use version 6.5. Non-WordPress users can seek developer assistance for accurate lastmod dates in sitemap files.

WordPress 6.5 Updates Sitemaps Files with Accurate Lastmod Dates

WordPress version 6.5 now includes the lastmod element in sitemaps files. This element helps search engines identify new or updated content, improving crawl efficiency and reducing server load.

Lastmod represents the last modification date of a URL. Search engines use this date when processing sitemap files for crawling. Bing has stated it relies heavily on the lastmod date for crawling.

Gary Illyes from Google highlighted this feature on LinkedIn, noting that the lastmod element helps crawlers determine how often to crawl pages. He praised Pascal Birchler and the WordPress developer community for integrating this feature into WordPress 6.5. He urged users to upgrade their WordPress installations to benefit from this feature.

Fabrice Canel from Bing also applauded the integration of the lastmod signal within sitemaps in WordPress 6.5. He emphasized that this feature provides valuable data insight for millions of websites, allowing them to optimize crawling activities and ensure content freshness in search engines. He also recommended adopting IndexNow for real-time indexing.

Currently, about 21% of WordPress installations are using version 6.5. Users are encouraged to check their WordPress version to improve crawl efficiency. For non-WordPress users, they can consult their developers on how to get accurate lastmod dates in their sitemap files.