Description
Smart Sitemap Lite by VectorMap is a lightweight XML sitemap generator designed for real-world content-heavy sites.
The plugin extracts full image metadata from the WordPress Media Library.
This means search engines receive the actual SEO data you entered:
– image titles
– ALT texts
– captions
– descriptions
Most sitemap plugins only insert the file name — Smart Sitemap Lite includes real metadata.
It focuses on three things:
- clean, predictable sitemap URLs;
- separation of content types (posts, pages, products, taxonomies, images);
- fast generation with minimal overhead, even on large archives.
The plugin does not try to be an all-in-one SEO suite.
It does one job: provides search engines with a clear map of your content.
Key features
- Generates a main sitemap index with links to child sitemaps.
- Separate sitemaps for:
- posts
- pages
- custom post types (including WooCommerce products)
- taxonomies (categories, tags, custom taxonomies – if enabled)
- images attached to posts and products
- Includes rich image metadata:
- is taken from the WordPress media title
- from the attachment caption
- from the ALT text (if present)
- from the media description
- Works out of the box with most themes and page builders.
- Minimal, clear settings page.
- No frontend output, no shortcodes needed.
- Respects WordPress visibility rules (drafts, private posts, noindexed content etc. are not included).
- Compatible with major SEO plugins (Yoast, Rank Math, All in One SEO).
You can use Smart Sitemap Lite as the primary sitemap or as an additional technical sitemap.
How it works
After activation, the plugin registers a standard sitemap index URL:
https://example.com/sitemap_index.xml
This index contains links to all child sitemaps (posts, pages, products, taxonomies, images).
Search engines discover this index either from:
- a direct ping, or
- submission in Google Search Console / Bing Webmaster Tools, or
- a link from
robots.txt(you can add it manually).
The plugin uses standard WordPress APIs to fetch content and generate XML, so it respects your existing visibility logic and caching.
Who is it for?
- Site owners who need a clear technical sitemap without a full SEO suite.
- Stores and catalogues with many products or images.
- Developers and agencies who want a predictable, debuggable sitemap structure.
The plugin is built and tested on real-world sites with thousands of attachments and products.
Screenshots
Settings page: simple options and a direct link to the sitemap index. 
Example of the main sitemap index.
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory
or install it via “Plugins Add New” by uploading the ZIP file. - Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in WordPress.
- Go to Settings Smart Sitemap Lite and review the options.
- Copy the Sitemap Index URL from the settings page and submit it to:
- Google Search Console
- Bing Webmaster Tools
or add it manually to yourrobots.txt.
FAQ
-
Where is the main sitemap index URL?
-
Open Settings Smart Sitemap Lite.
At the top of the page you will see a direct link to the sitemap index.
Copy this link to submit it to search engines or add it to yourrobots.txt. -
Does it work together with Yoast / Rank Math / other SEO plugins?
-
Yes. In most cases you can keep your SEO plugin active and use Smart Sitemap Lite as an additional or alternative sitemap.
If you want only this sitemap to be used, you can disable the built-in sitemaps in your SEO plugin and keep Smart Sitemap Lite active.
-
Does it support WooCommerce products?
-
Yes. Products are treated as a separate content type and can have their own sitemap.
Product images are also included in the images sitemap. -
How often are the sitemaps updated?
-
Sitemaps are generated dynamically when requested.
Whenever you publish, update or delete content, the sitemap output reflects these changes the next time it is accessed by a crawler. -
Can I change how many URLs appear in one sitemap file?
-
In the Lite version the limit is set to a safe default value so that sitemaps stay fast and compatible with most hosting setups.
-
Does the sitemap include real image metadata (titles, ALT texts, captions)?
-
Yes. Smart Sitemap Lite reads actual metadata from the WordPress Media Library.
It includes:
– image title
– ALT text (fallback to title if ALT is empty)
– caption
– descriptionThis helps Google Images better understand and index your images.
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“VectorMap Smart Sitemap Lite” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
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Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.0.0
- Initial public release of Smart Sitemap Lite by VectorMap.
- Sitemap index and child sitemaps for posts, pages, products, taxonomies and images.
- Minimal settings page and clean XML output.
1.0.7
- Maintenance release: update Tested up to and tagging.