Hello,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re facing an issue with your robots.txt file. The error message “Error – Invalid sitemap URL detected; syntax not understood (line 5)” typically indicates that there is an issue with the sitemap URL specified in your robots.txt file.
To resolve this issue, you will need to ensure that the sitemap URL specified in your robots.txt file is correct and properly formatted. You can refer to our guide on Common robots.txt Issues & How to Fix Them for more information.
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated support team by clicking here.
We’re here to help 24/7, 365 days a year!
Sources:
Common robots.txt Issues & How to Fix Them » Rank Math
Troubleshooting the “Couldn’t Fetch” Error in Google Search Console » Rank Math
Rank Math Sitemap Issues and Their Fixes » Rank Math
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rank Math and sorry for the issue you are facing.
Based on the error message you provided, “Invalid sitemap URL detected; syntax not understood,” it seems like there might be an issue with the configuration of your sitemap. We recommend following the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
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Validate Your Sitemap: You can use the Validate XML Sitemap tool to confirm if your sitemap is correctly configured. Once done, click VALIDATE SITEMAP to check for any issues.
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Ensure the Sitemap is Located in the Root Folder: If you manually created the sitemap, ensure it is installed in the root folder of your WordPress installation. The correct format for the sitemap URL should be `https://rankmath.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/change-sitemap-settings.gif
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Check for Plugin Conflicts: Use the Health Check plugin to determine if there are any conflicts with other plugins that might be affecting the sitemap functionality.
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Exclude Sitemaps from Caching: If you are using a caching plugin, consider excluding the sitemaps from caching by following the steps outlined in our guide on excluding sitemaps from caching.
If after following these steps, the issue persists, please let us know, and we will be happy to assist you further.
Thank you.
Hello,
Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.
If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you.
