Google has made a small be aware to the sitemap documentation so as to add that the lastmod date specified within the sitemap file “ought to mirror the date and time of the final vital replace to the web page.” This modification was made after I lined the subject of Google trusting or not trusting that lastmod area in your sitemap file.
Gagan Ghotra noticed this replace and posted on X about it. He stated, “Google added a be aware about lastmode in Search Central doc about sitemaps.” He’s proper.
If you evaluate the old version to the current version – you may see this doc was up to date on June 21, 2024.
Google added this part:
The lastmod worth ought to mirror the date and time of the final vital replace to the web page. For instance, an replace to the primary content material, the structured information, or hyperlinks on the web page is usually thought-about vital, nevertheless an replace to the copyright date will not be.
Here’s a screenshot:
Google additionally made one small extra tweak to the text sitemap section, simply to make clear it. Here’s what was added in blue:
Search Central doc was up to date on 21 June.
On 11 June @rustybrick reported this https://t.co/MLfx3KYgHL when @methode
on LinkedIn posted that Google “both belief it or not” with regards to the lastmod date.This replace to doc looks as if Google offering extra context… https://t.co/CHVr5m4VwZ pic.twitter.com/11R2Z13CWi
— Gagan Ghotra (@gaganghotra_) June 25, 2024
Discussion board dialogue at X.
