WordPress recently unveiled more details about the upcoming XML sitemap feature in WordPress 5.5, set to launch in August 2020. While there are many positive aspects to this new feature, some believe there is room for improvement.
WordPress Sitemap Offers Lots to Cheer About
First, the default address for the WordPress sitemap will be:
- wp-sitemap.xml
Secondly, the sitemap can accommodate a staggering number of web pages:
- "The sitemap index can hold a maximum of 50,000 sitemaps, and a single sitemap can hold a (filterable) maximum of 2,000 entries."
That’s potentially 100 million pages.
WordPress will be able to handle all public-facing web pages:
- "By default, sitemaps are created for all public and publicly queryable post types and taxonomies, as well as for author archives and of course the homepage of the site."
The robots.txt file generated by WordPress will automatically reference the WordPress generated XML sitemap, eliminating the need for manual addition.
SimpleXML PHP Extension Necessary
Web hosts must install the SimpleXML PHP extension, as the sitemap functionality will not work without it.
According to WordPress:
- "Rendering sitemaps on the frontend requires the SimpleXML PHP extension. If this extension is not available, an error message will be displayed instead of the sitemap. The HTTP status code 501 (“Not implemented”) will be sent accordingly."
Do Hosting Providers Support SimpleXML?
WordPress sought feedback from the hosting community to ensure the SimpleXML PHP extension integration. Major hosts such as GoDaddy and IONOS confirmed that this extension is already supported on their servers.
Customizing WordPress Site Maps
WordPress offers a way for third parties to extend the basic sitemap features. Filters can remove certain parts of the sitemap, such as disabling sitemap generation for tags or excluding specific posts. Plugins may emerge to simplify these customizations through a graphical user interface (GUI).
WordPress Sitemap Lacks Modern Sitemap Functionality
A notable limitation is that the WordPress 5.5 sitemap will not generate sitemaps for images, videos, or Google News. This omission might be critical for some users, as these features are considered essential by many.
Will the WordPress 5.5 XML Sitemap Be Useful?
The integration of a WordPress sitemap into the core is beneficial, mainly because it allows for third-party plugin innovation. This will also help publishers minimize the number of plugins they need, keeping their WordPress installations lean.
However, some argue that the WordPress 5.5 XML sitemap doesn’t fully meet the requirements of 2020, considering its limitations. Still, the feature is extensible, meaning third-party plugins can build on top of it to fill in the gaps.
Overall the News About WordPress 5.5 Sitemap is Positive
While the lack of an image sitemap could be a significant drawback for many publishers, it is mitigated by the possibility of third-party plugins adding this functionality. Therefore, the introduction of a sitemap into WordPress 5.5 is seen as a positive development.
Look forward to the release of WordPress 5.5 in August 2020.
Citation
Read the official announcement at WordPress regarding the new XML Sitemaps functionality in WordPress 5.5.
