Administrative and Maintenance Tools - vBSEO Google/Yahoo Sitemap Generator

vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap 3.0
We are extremely pleased to inform the vBulletin.org community that a fully revamped version of the vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap (previously "vBSEO Google/Yahoo Sitemap Generator") v.3.0, is being released to all licensed vBulletin users effective immediately!

Note: The NEW vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap 3.0 replaces all previous versions of the "vBSEO Google/Yahoo Sitemap Generator", and includes support for all the new URL types in vBulletin 4.x.

New in the vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap v.3.0
The new sitemap alters the way data is structured in fundamental ways. Sitemap 3.0 segments different content areas into separate files, so you end up with a unique set of files per content type: forums, blogs, cms, groups, albums, members, tags, etc. In addition, the new sitemap has an extended priority feature that utilizes the built in 'weight' tool of the vBulletin XML sitemap generator for individual forums, CMS sections and articles to act as a multiplier.

We believe these changes are responsible for delivering increased returns for a number of forums from customers and testers we've been tracking. Please track your own progress via your Google Webmaster tools account, Google Analytics or Gravity Insights.

A Clean and Beautiful Interface
The new sitemap also features a clean and beautiful interface, built from the ground up. We believe it reflects the quality, precision and attention to detail placed into each aspect of this release. We are passionate about building software, and great software is beautiful inside, and out.

Overview
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The "vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap" plugin provides an easy to use solution that allows your forum to be indexed by all major search engines, including Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask, faster, more completely, more effectively, and with less bandwidth consumption.

The ultimate goal is to help you achieve more web traffic for your forum.

Originally Posted by Google's Description of GSM

https://services.google.com/inquiry/publishertools?hl=en_US
Google Sitemaps is an easy way for you to help improve your site?s representation in the Google index. It's a collaborative crawling system that enables you to communicate directly with Google. You get a smarter crawl because you can provide Google with specific information about all your web pages, such as when a page was last modified or how frequently it changes.

Note: This plugin is fully compliant with vBSEO 3.5.x versions. The current version is vBSEO 3.5.2. If you are running vBSEO, please upgrade to vBSEO 3.5.2 (or greater) before installing for optimal results.

Compatibility
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Fully compatible with:

• vBulletin 3.8.x, 4.0.x, 4.1.x
• vBulletin Blogs *Optional
• vBulletin CMS *Optional
• vBSEO 3.5.2 + higher *Optional

What does it do?
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• Auto-generates an XML sitemap for all of your specified forum URL types (including vBulletin Blog & CMS URLs).
• NEW! Groups forum areas into individual sitemaps grouped by section type for greater flexibility, for example:
  • sitemap_forum_X.xml.gz
  • sitemap_tags_X.xml.gz
  • sitemap_cms_X.xml.gz
• Auto-notifies Search Engines when a new sitemap is generated (optional)
• Automatically sends you a summary of the sitemap generation via email each time it is created (optional)
• Includes only publicly accessible forums and threads and includes the option of not including any specific public forums
• Allows Search Engines to find all of your forum URLs without having to spider the forum to find the links. Great for Deep Page linking!
• Allows Search Engines to find your forum URLs without having to account for query string and/or session ID information.
• Allows Search Engines to give precedence to crawling your higher priority forum pages.
• Allows Search Engines to give precedence to crawling your forum pages that change more frequently.
• Allows you to conserve bandwidth by more efficiently facilitating the crawling processes for GoogleBot, Yahoo Slurp, Ask's Teoma, Bing's msnbot, and other search engine bots.
• Is 100% compatible with the static CRUs (Content Relevant URLs) used by vBSEO-enabled forums.
• Is 100% compatible with the 'Friendly URLs' offered default with vb4.x.

How does it work?
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Whenever it is scheduled or invoked via the URL, this plugin will generate an XML formatted that search engines are able to read and parse. If you selected "Yes" to the Auto-notification setting, The 4 major search engines will be notified each time the sitemap is generated.

• Google Sitemap files are gzipped for space savings
• Forum and thread pages are listed with pagination (i.e. all pages for each forums/thread are included in the sitemap)
• Maximum Priority is set for Sticky threads.
• Optimization for sitemap generation on large forums.

Automated Reporting Tool
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The vBSEO Sitemap includes a report tool, allowing you to track your progress. To access your reports enter the following URL:

http://www.example.com/forums/vbseo_sitemap/

NOTE: Replace "http://www.example.com/forums/" with the full URL to your vB forum root.


You will be required to login by providing your "Sitemap Interface Access Password" from your vBSEO Sitemap settings in:

• vBulletin Admin CP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Settings
  

Once you successfully login, you will see a number of tabs. Here are the 4 main links:

Reports List
The 'Show Reports List' link will display a report of each time your vBSEO Sitemap generator executed, including the (1) date, (2) run time, (3) total URLs included, and (4) and change in # of URLs included from the last generation.

Each vBSEO Sitemap generation record will include a (1) "View details" and (2) "Remove record" link. The "View Details" link shows more detailed information about the sitemap generated. The "Remove record" will permanently delete the record from your reports.

Downloads Log
The 'Show Sitemap Downloads Log' link will display a report of each time your vBSEO Sitemap was downloaded by either a search engine (Identified by the Bot's name) or by another user agent (i.e. Web browser, etc.).

The report includes the (1) date, (2) name of sitemap file downloaded, (3) Bot, (4) IP address of the downloader, and the (5) User-agent.

Each vBSEO Sitemap download record will include a "Remove record" link which will permanently delete the record from your reports.

Search Engine Bots Activity Log
Use it to track Search engine activity on your sitemaps. This area displays how often, and what volume of pages search engines visit your site on a daily basis.

Run Generator
The 'Run Sitemap Generator' link will automatically regenerate your vBSEO Search Engine XML Site sitemaps.

Additional Links
Additional links to various other related Search Engine/SEO resources are also included.

Click "Install"
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Please click "Mark as Installed" to show your support for this script.

Installation, Upgrade, & Configuration
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Follow the installation/upgrade instructions provided in the docs/readme.html file.

Webmaster Accounts
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It is NOT required for you to have a Webmaster account on the search engines' websites to run the plugin, however, we recommend everyone set one up for tracking purposes.

• Google Webmaster Central. Get data about crawling, indexing and search traffic. Increase traffic to your site.
• Bing Toolbox
• https://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/

Copyright & Licensing
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• vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemap plugin is copyright protected by Crawlability Inc.
• You are free to download and install this plugin on any vBulletin forum for which you hold a valid vB license.
• Unauthorized distribution of any code and/or documentation, whole or in part, included here is strictly prohibited.
• In addition, the following copyright notice must be maintained.

vBSEO(TM) ? 2010 Crawlability, Inc.

Revision History
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11/11/2010 - Version 3.0 Released
Compatible with vB3.7.x+ and vB4.x+
NEW FEATURE: All CMS URLs are supported
NEW FEATURE: Sitemap Groups by content type
NEW FEATURE: Enhanced layout and design of the Sitemap Generator Control Panel
NEW FEATURE: XSL Style sheet of the xml files for easier human reading
NEW FEATURE: Extended Priority. Utilizes the built in 'weight' tool of the vBulletin XML generator for all content areas (Forums, Blogs, CMS, Albums, etc.) to act as a multiplier. (vb4 Suite only)

Other vBSEO Plugins
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• vBSEO - vBulletin Search Engine Optimization

vBSEO Affiliate Program
============================
We welcome you to join the vBSEO Affiliate Program.

[Brathamike]

Originally Posted by djbaxter

Follow the installation instructions for the add-on and add the lines to your .htaccess file.

i dont see any place in the insstructions that mentions the add on as you mention and the .htaccess files i in the root directorie of the forum

[Brathamike]

Ok its working my .htaccess was not correct thanks for your help..going to your website right now as were speaking to see whats the difference on the free version and paid version

[djbaxter]

It's not my website. I'm not associated weith vBSEO and there is no "paid version" of the vBSEO sitemap. It is a free offering.

vBSEO itself is a vBulletin SEO package and it's not free.

[Budweiser]

I am trying to verify that I have this installed correctly. I tried testing my mod_rewrite as described at bvseo.com (Forum Link) but it didnt work right. I will follow up on that issue on their website.

Here is a screen shot of my report details (the site isn't open yet, not many posts)

Note: ALL of the search engine pings failed. Does that mean it is not installed correctly?

When I click on Sitemap Files>Index File... There is a reference to this URL but it is not valid on my server.. Is this correct/incorrect? (http://www.usamusicians.com/forum/sitemap_1.xml.gz)

Also when I click on urllist.txt I get this message..."Sitemap file not found:"
Looks like a problem to me but who knows...:erm:

[djbaxter]

Originally Posted by Budweiser

I am trying to verify that I have this installed correctly. I tried testing my mod_rewrite as described at bvseo.com (Forum Link) but it didnt work right. I will follow up on that issue on their website.

Here is a screen shot of my report details (the site isn't open yet, not many posts)

Note: ALL of the search engine pings failed. Does that mean it is not installed correctly?

When I click on Sitemap Files>Index File... There is a reference to this URL but it is not valid on my server.. Is this correct/incorrect? (http://www.usamusicians.com/forum/sitemap_1.xml.gz)

Also when I click on urllist.txt I get this message..."Sitemap file not found:"
Looks like a problem to me but who knows...:erm:

There is no urllist.txt - that is an oudated, now-defunct format previously used by Yahoo. The link you posted to your sitemap worked just fine for me.

Please read what I posted above. I think you are confusing vBSEO, a commercial vBulletin SEO package, with vBSEO_sitemap. You have installed the free vbseo_sitemap only. You have NOT installed the vBSEO package. They are separate products and there is a huge difference.

[Budweiser]

Originally Posted by djbaxter

Please read what I posted above. I think you are confusing vBSEO, a commercial vBulletin SEO package, with vBSEO_sitemap.

I am not confused. I purchased and installed VBSEO a few days ago and it was suggested to me by their staff to install the sitemap also.... so I did. I just want to make sure everything is working optimally because I haven't used VBSEO or a sitemap before. If it is not installed correctly or is just not working correctly then what's the sense... I'm sure you can understand where I am coming from...

So the fact that the search engine pings failed is not an issue?

and.. If urllist.txt is an oudated, now-defunct format previously used by Yahoo then why is it included in this updated version of the sitemap app? (This is just a nag/rhetorical question)

[djbaxter]

My apologies. But if you have a l;egal vBSEO license, your best bet is to submit a support ticket and/or post in the sitemap forum there. You'll likely get a much faster response. Chances are one of the support people will get your authorization for FTP access and sort it out for you.

As for urllist.txt, I don't know - you'll have to ask the developers that question.

I don't know what's going on with the pings. Do you have a Google Webmaster Central accounbt? If not, get one. Add your forum as a site and add a sitemap to that listing in Webmaster Central. If Google is having a problem retrieving your sitemap, they should indicate that via error messages.

[tssg]

thanks post

[ctrlbrk]

Has anyone written an add-on module for vbSEO that will index the "Links and Downloads" vb module? I see one exists for Downloads II... but I'm using LDM...

Mike

[Brathamike]

im getting a 404 page error when google is trying to find the robot.txt file. this program dossent have this so how do i make or get a robot.txt file

any thoughts on how to make this??