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.