Protect your WordPress sitemap from public access without hurting SEO.

Hide WP Sitemap for Users allows you to block normal visitors from viewing wp-sitemap.xml and all its sub-sitemaps, while still allowing search engines, crawlers, and cache preload bots to access them normally.

Perfect for site owners who want more privacy, security, and control over their site structure.
What This Plugin Does

• Hides wp-sitemap.xml from regular visitors

• Allows Google, Bing, and other search engine bots

• Works with cache plugin preload bots

• Keeps SEO fully intact

• Lightweight, no settings required

• Prevents sitemap snooping and structure exposure

Why You Need It

By default, WordPress exposes your sitemap to everyone. This can:

• Reveal your website structure

• Expose hidden or sensitive URLs

• Help scrapers and competitors analyze your content

This plugin fixes that by blocking human visitors while allowing trusted bots.

How to Test the Plugin

1. Test as a Normal Visitor

1. Open a private or incognito browser window

2. Visit:

   https://yourdomain.com/wp-sitemap.xml

3. Also test sub-sitemaps, for example:

   /wp-sitemap-posts-post-1.xml
/wp-sitemap-pages-1.xml

Expected result:
You should see a 404 page. The sitemap XML should not be visible.