=== itdatex SEO ===
Contributors: itdatex
Tags: seo, open-graph, schema, json-ld, meta
Requires at least: 6.4
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 8.1
Stable tag: 0.1.1
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Lightweight SEO without UI overload: meta description, Open Graph, Twitter Card, JSON-LD (WebSite, WebPage, Article, BreadcrumbList), canonical.

== Description ==

**itdatex SEO** is a deliberately lean alternative to the large SEO suites: no traffic lights, no "content analysis", no analytics call. The plugin delivers the metadata a WordPress site needs for search engines and social preview - and nothing else.

= What the plugin does =

* **Meta description** - built from the excerpt or the first 158 characters of the content, overridable per post via a meta box.
* **Open Graph** - `og:title`, `og:description`, `og:image`, `og:type`, `og:url` for Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Slack.
* **Twitter Card** - `summary_large_image` when an image is available, otherwise `summary`.
* **JSON-LD** - `Organization`, `WebSite`, `WebPage`, `Article` (with author and date), `BreadcrumbList`.
* **Canonical URL** - set consistently; the core `rel_canonical` handler is deregistered.
* **Webmaster tool verifications** - meta tags for Bing, Google Search Console, Yandex Webmaster (only emitted when configured).
* **IndexNow** - optional ping to Bing/Yandex IndexNow on publish/update, disabled by default (see "External Services" below).

= What the plugin does not do =

* No keyword score, no "SEO traffic light score", no cornerstone content concept.
* No analytics, no tracking, no user profiling.
* No XML sitemap generator - WordPress core has done this natively since 5.5.
* No redirect manager - that belongs at the web server level.

== Installation ==

1. Extract the plugin to `/wp-content/plugins/itdatex-seo/`, or upload it via `Plugins -> Add New`.
2. Activate.
3. Under **Settings -> itdatex SEO**, enter the default Open Graph image, Twitter handle and organization data.
4. Per post or page, the meta description and OG image can be overridden via the SEO meta box in the editor.
5. Optional: enable IndexNow by entering an IndexNow key under the same menu (see "External Services" below).

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does it conflict with Yoast SEO or Rank Math? =

Yes. If a second SEO plugin also writes canonical tags, Open Graph or JSON-LD, you will get duplicates in the `<head>`. **itdatex SEO** is designed as a stand-alone plugin - running it in parallel with a large suite makes no sense.

= Why no XML sitemap? =

WordPress core has provided native sitemaps at `/wp-sitemap.xml` since 5.5. A second sitemap generator is just bloat.

= How does the OG image work? =

Order: (1) URL entered manually in the SEO meta box, (2) featured image, (3) default OG image from the plugin settings. Recommended: 1200x630 pixels.

= What language is the JSON-LD output in? =

Fixed to `de-DE`, since the plugin is written for the German market. If you run multilingual sites, use a specialized plugin.

== External Services ==

This plugin does **not** make any external HTTP calls itself, unless you explicitly enable IndexNow.

**IndexNow (optional, disabled by default):**

* **What:** On every publish or update of a public post type, the URL is sent to the IndexNow protocol (`https://api.indexnow.org/indexnow`) so Bing, Yandex and other participating search engines can pick up the change immediately.
* **When:** Only if an IndexNow key is configured under **Settings -> itdatex SEO**. Without a key: not a single call.
* **What is sent:** The site's hostname, the IndexNow key, the key location (`https://your-domain/<key>.txt`) and the URL of the post just published. No content, no user data.
* **Provider and terms:** IndexNow is an open protocol, operated among others by Microsoft (Bing) and Yandex. Terms of use: https://www.indexnow.org/terms. Privacy: https://www.bing.com/webmaster/help/what-is-indexnow-2b2ce5b1

If you do not want IndexNow, simply leave the key field empty - then no HTTP request is sent to external servers.

== Screenshots ==

1. Settings page under **Settings -> itdatex SEO**: Twitter handle, default OG image, organization data, webmaster verify tags.
2. SEO meta box in the post editor: custom meta description and OG image URL per post.
3. Example output in the `<head>`: canonical, meta description, Open Graph, Twitter Card, webmaster verifications.
4. Example JSON-LD graph (`Organization` + `WebSite` + `WebPage` + `Article` + `BreadcrumbList`) for a blog post.

== Changelog ==

= 0.1.1 =
* Translate remaining German settings labels to English so they follow the plugin text domain.

= 0.1.0 =
* Initial release: meta description, Open Graph, Twitter Card, JSON-LD (Organization + WebSite + WebPage + Article + BreadcrumbList), canonical, webmaster verify tags, optional IndexNow ping.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 0.1.1 =
Consistent English admin labels.

= 0.1.0 =
First public release.
