The latest WordPress update, version 6.5, brings a significant innovation to the world of SEO: native support for the lastmod element in the sitemap.
This new feature promises to optimize search engine crawling efficiency, potentially improving website visibility . But what exactly is lastmod, and why is this update so important? Let's take a look.
What is the lastmod element?
The lastmod element in sitemaps indicates the date of the last significant modification of a web page. This information is crucial for search engine crawlers such as Google and Bing, as it allows them to prioritize and schedule the indexing of pages based on their most recent updates.
Gary Illyes , Google analyst, highlighted on his network:
“The lastmod element in sitemaps is a signal that can help crawlers determine how often to crawl your pages.”
Benefits of Upgrading to WordPress 6.5
With version 6.5, WordPress automatically includes the lastmod forex data element in sitemaps, eliminating the need for manual configuration by the user.
Fabrice Canel from the Bing team described, in response to Gary's post , seeing this update as a “game changer”, reinforcing that the integration of lastmod is a significant step towards improving crawl efficiency and ensuring that the latest content is found quickly by search engines.
This breakthrough was made possible by the collaborative effort of the WordPress developer community, led by Pascal Birchler. Illyes praised this collaboration.
Why upgrade to WordPress 6.5?
For businesses using WordPress , upgrading to version 6.5 is highly recommended. In addition to ensuring compatibility with the latest SEO practices, the update provides a more efficient and user-friendly platform. However, it is important to ensure that there are no conflicts with plugins before performing the update.
website creation or optimization
Illyes emphasizes that significant changes, referred to by the lastmod element, are those that really matter to users and, consequently, to the performance of the site. This means that simply updating a page without any real modifications should not be flagged, as it can confuse crawlers.
Integration with other SEO tools
In addition to lastmod support, it is recommended to adopt other SEO tools to maximize crawling efficiency and content visibility. One such tool is IndexNow, which allows real-time indexing.
Canel suggests a combined setup of IndexNow for real-time updates and sitemaps with lastmod for comprehensive, up-to-date coverage.
Implementing these practices not only improves online visibility, but also ensures that the latest content is quickly found by search engines. This is essential in a digital environment where fresh content is a determining factor in ranking in search results.
Final considerations
The WordPress 6.5 update represents a significant milestone for businesses looking to optimize their digital presence. With native support for the lastmod element in sitemaps, the platform aligns with SEO best practices, giving you a competitive edge in the online world.