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Hello Rank Math Team,
I’m reporting a persistent sitemap issue that started after updating to version 1.0.255 and still exists in version 1.0.256.
The sitemap index file (sitemap_index.xml) returns the following error in browsers and Google Search Console:
“XML declaration allowed only at the start of the document.”This issue happens on multiple WordPress sites using Rank Math:
– https://twlm.sa/
– https://job.hayaak.com/However, an older version (1.0.245) works perfectly fine — the sitemap loads normally without the XML error.
It seems that something in the new versions (1.0.255–1.0.256) adds a hidden whitespace or BOM before the XML declaration.Please investigate this bug. It affects XML parsing and prevents sitemap indexing in Google.
Thank you for your great work and support.
Best regards,
Abdulaziz
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Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rank Math and bringing your concern to our attention. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this issue may have caused you.
We have separated your concern into a new ticket so we can assist you accordingly.
In this case, we might need to take a closer look at the settings. Please edit the first post on this ticket and include your WordPress & FTP logins in the designated Sensitive Data section.
Please do take a complete backup of your website before sharing the information with us.
It is completely secure and only our support staff has access to that section. If you want, you can use the below plugin to generate a temporary login URL to your website and share that with us instead:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/temporary-login-without-password/
You can use the above plugin in conjunction with the WP Security Audit Log to monitor what changes our staff might make on your website (if any):
https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-security-audit-log/
We really look forward to helping you.
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