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XML Sitemap & Google News

By Rolf Allard van Hagen

Site Structure & Navigation / Sitemaps & Site Structure

XML Sitemap & Google News Review - In-Depth Analysis

Create XML and Google News sitemaps for your WordPress site. Supports Multisite and various caching plugins. Optimize your site's visibility to search engines.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.02/10

User Rating

4.4/5 (based on 85+ reviews)

Active Installations

100,000+

Update Frequency

Very Good It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

7.1 / 10 (High Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin allows you to control the WordPress core XML Sitemap with various options and adds a Google News Sitemap. It is compatible with Multisite, Polylang, and WPML, and does not create static files.

You can select which sitemaps are enabled, which Post Types and archive pages are included, and how Priority and Lastmod are calculated. Additionally, you can set extra robots.txt rules from the WordPress admin.

The Google News Sitemap becomes available at yourblog.url/sitemap-news.xml, ready for indexing by Google News. It is automatically referenced in the dynamically created robots.txt along with the regular XML Sitemap index.

This plugin is compatible with caching solutions like CloudFlare, WP Super Cache, and W3 Total Cache, improving performance for your site and sitemaps.

Comparing to Alternatives

XML Sitemap & Google News stands out among sitemap plugins by offering seamless integration with Google News and automatic submission to search engines. Compared to other popular plugins, it provides a balance of simplicity and advanced features.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Automatic submission to Google and Bing search engines.
Supports custom post types effectively.
Allows easy exclusion of specific pages, posts, tags, or categories from the sitemap.
Includes Google News sitemap functionality.
Responsive and helpful support team.

Weaknesses

Some users report occasional errors with Google processing the sitemap.
Initial setup can be confusing, especially for activating Google News features.
Occasional display issues such as white screens reported by some users.

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's effectiveness and support quality, though some technical issues are noted.

Positive highlights

"Perfect plugin with great support!" - momocamel
"Really works with custom post types." - Krzysztof Busłowicz
"Worth sticking with after understanding feature activation." - ncaross
"Allows easy editing and exclusion in sitemap." - kenfortune
"Simple yet effective setup." - RaHa

Common complaints

Google reports temporary processing errors with the sitemap.
Initial confusion about enabling Google News features.
White screen or display issues on sitemap page.
Some users experienced sitemap not updating properly in Google Search Console.

Weaknesses

Errors in sitemap processing by Google can affect indexing.
User interface for advanced features could be more intuitive.
Occasional technical glitches reported by users.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Website owners and SEO professionals who need a reliable sitemap plugin with Google News integration and support for custom post types.

Not ideal for

Users seeking a completely error-free experience without any technical troubleshooting or those unfamiliar with sitemap concepts may find some features challenging.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential sitemap generation, automatic submission to search engines, and basic Google News sitemap features, providing good value for most users.

Pro version (19 - 79 EUR / year)

The premium version typically includes advanced customization options, priority support, and enhanced compatibility with complex site structures.

Final Verdict

XML Sitemap & Google News is a robust plugin that effectively handles sitemap generation and submission, including Google News integration, making it a strong choice for SEO-focused users.

While some users report minor technical issues, the plugin's strengths in support, customization, and functionality outweigh these drawbacks, especially with the availability of a pro version for advanced needs.