With the launch of WordPress 6.5, millions of websites worldwide gain access to a new feature for sitemaps: the lastmod date. This element plays a crucial role in how search engines like Google and Bing determine when and how often they visit pages. The result is more efficient crawling and faster updates of search results.
Impact on companies and organizations
By including accurate lastmod dates in sitemaps, search engines can operate more efficiently. This results in a reduced load on servers and ensures that recently updated content is discovered and indexed more quickly. This is essential for businesses that rely on current online visibility.
The benefits of upgrading
Gary Illyes from Google emphasizes the importance of the lastmod feature for optimizing crawl frequencies. This not only improves SEO performance but also ensures that changes to websites do not go unnoticed. For those who have not yet upgraded to WordPress 6.5, now is the time to make the move. Websites that implement this feature receive more attention from search engines, which is crucial for maintaining a current and effective online presence.
Advice for Non-WordPress Users
If you are not using WordPress, it is advisable to consult with your developers on how to implement equivalent functionality. Including a lastmod date in sitemaps is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that your website operates optimally in the dynamic world of search engine optimization.
In short, upgrading to or implementing WordPress 6.5 with lastmod support is a strategic choice for any website owner aiming for improved SEO results and a more efficient interaction with search engines. Are you informing your website builder?