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?
============================

• 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
============================

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
============================

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
============================

• vBSEO - vBulletin Search Engine Optimization

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

[shinng]

the installation went smoothly, but i have no idea if it is working properly. can someone please confirm that it is working properly? i'd appreciate the confirmation.
thanks.

[Ogmuk]

Originally Posted by shinng

the installation went smoothly, but i have no idea if it is working properly. can someone please confirm that it is working properly? i'd appreciate the confirmation.
thanks.

On which domain did you install it? If it's the domain from the signature then it's not working. This URL should give a sitemap and it doesn't: http://www.sportsgatherings.com/foru...p_index.xml.gz

Check if the sitemap files are here: http://www.sportsgatherings.com/foru...p_index.xml.gz and if you have a .htaccess in http://www.sportsgatherings.com/forum/ which forwards each request to the data/sitemap_index.xml.gz url.

[almohd]

Thanks

[W!cKeD]

* Thanks & Installed * :up:

[rrudeboy]

i installed this and ran it.. nice but i thought this was also required to make links look nicer like giving them a title so i don't have to do it with BB code... anyone ?

[iojam]

That is a feature of vBSEO product, not vBSEO Sitemap Generator.

[shinng]

Originally Posted by Ogmuk

On which domain did you install it? If it's the domain from the signature then it's not working. This URL should give a sitemap and it doesn't: http://www.sportsgatherings.com/foru...p_index.xml.gz

Check if the sitemap files are here: http://www.sportsgatherings.com/foru...p_index.xml.gz and if you have a .htaccess in http://www.sportsgatherings.com/forum/ which forwards each request to the data/sitemap_index.xml.gz url.

thanks for the quick response, unfortunately, i don't know how to get it fixed. all the folders/files seem to be in the correct location.

before you (or anyone else) answers that question, i want to go back to the domain issue you brought up. i have a sitemap as you saw on my main site, which is sportsgatherings.com so do you think i need to create a sitemap for sportsgatherings.com/forum? technically since it's off the same domain, i wouldn't need to right? usually the reason why people would want this mod installed is because their site is a forum from the get go as opposed to a blog/website like mine is. let me know, thanks again.

[Ogmuk]

Originally Posted by shinng

i have a sitemap as you saw on my main site, which is sportsgatherings.com so do you think i need to create a sitemap for sportsgatherings.com/forum? technically since it's off the same domain, i wouldn't need to right? usually the reason why people would want this mod installed is because their site is a forum from the get go as opposed to a blog/website like mine is. let me know, thanks again.

This is a sitemap for your forum, not your entire website and since you can submit multiple sitemaps to search engines, it will help get the more popular threads indexed quicker.

1) Insert a password for people to access vbseo_sitemap/index.php because it's publicly accessible now. (AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Settings -> vBSEO Sitemap Interface Access Password)
2) Check the value of "Sitemap Files URL" (also in AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Settings). It should be empty.
3) AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Reports -> Run Sitemap Generator
4) Check if /forum/vbseo_sitemap/data/sitemap_1.xml.gz is there. If it is then it's a .htaccess problem.

[gamerfu]

Google and Yahoo! fails, what is wrong?

Summary:
============================
Forum Display: 126
Show Thread: 7677
Show Post: 65949
Member Profiles: 388
Poll Results: 138
Blog Entries: 0
Blog Tags: 0
Album URLs: 4
Social Groups URLs: 51
Tag URLs: 43
Archive: 2032

Total Indexed URLs: 76341
Total Processing Time: 23.14 seconds

Google ping: FAILED.
Yahoo ping: FAILED.
Ask ping: Successful.
Moreover ping: Successful.
Live.com ping: Successful

[shinng]

Originally Posted by Ogmuk

This is a sitemap for your forum, not your entire website and since you can submit multiple sitemaps to search engines, it will help get the more popular threads indexed quicker.

1) Insert a password for people to access vbseo_sitemap/index.php because it's publicly accessible now. (AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Settings -> vBSEO Sitemap Interface Access Password)
2) Check the value of "Sitemap Files URL" (also in AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Settings). It should be empty.
3) AdminCP -> vBSEO -> vBSEO Sitemap Reports -> Run Sitemap Generator
4) Check if /forum/vbseo_sitemap/data/sitemap_1.xml.gz is there. If it is then it's a .htaccess problem.

thank you very much for the step by step instructions. i did everything you suggested and after running the sitemap generator, i do see this:
[create sitemap file] filename: sitemap_1.xml.gz, number of urls: 294 [3,222.6Kb mem used] [0s (+0s)]

and this:
[create sitemap index] filename: sitemap_index.xml.gz, number of sitemaps: 1 [3,223.0Kb mem used] [0s (+0s)]

Sitemap has been created

i'm assuming that it's good to go.