vBSEO 3.5.2 Readme File

vBSEO Installation and upgrade instructions

 
 
  Thank-you for choosing vBSEO, the definitive SEO enhancement for vBulletin powered forums!
Note: If you encounter issues during the installation, please verify all the points in the troubleshooting file before posting a support request. Thank-you.

Copyrights/Important Info

Copyright Statement

vBSEO 3.5.2 is © 2010 Crawlability, Inc.

License Agreement

http://www.crawlability.com/vbseo/license/

Read (and follow) these points as described in the license agreement:

  1. You ARE NOT allowed to install the script in a domain other than the 'licensed' domain.
  2. You ARE NOT allowed to REMOVE or MODIFY the copyright code within pages enhanced by vBSEO unless you purchase our Branding Removal Option.
  3. You ARE NOT allowed to REMOVE or MODIFY the copyright text within the .php files themselves.
  4. You ARE NOT allowed to DISTRIBUTE the contents of any of the included files.
  5. You ARE NOT allowed to COPY ANY PARTS of the code and/or use it for distribution.
Thank-you for your cooperation.

vBulletin 3.5.x, 3.6.x, 3.7.x, 3.8.x & 4.x Installation Instructions

Note: For non-technical users, we now provide a vBSEO Installation Service.

A. Upload ALL the files in the 'upload' folder to your forum root folder.

Note: Ensure all files are uploaded with the same folder structure provided in your 'upload' folder.


B. License your vBSEO instance:

  1. CHMOD 666 the 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file.
  2. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  3. Define a password for your vBSEO Control Panel by entering it twice in the fields provided, you will be redirected to the settings page.

C. Upload the vBSEO .htaccess file (located in the 'htaccess' folder) to your forum root folder.

Note: In some operating systems, the .htaccess file is not visible. If this is your case, find the htaccess.txt file in the same folder, (1) upload it to your forum root folder and (2) rename it to .htaccess.

D. Go to your ADMIN CP > 'Plugin System' > 'Manage Products' > Click on [Add/Import Product]

E. Optional Step - Define a custom position for your copyright statement:

Enter the following code in your footer template:

<!--VBSEO_COPYRIGHT-->

F. Configure vBSEO:

Note: The vBSEO default settings are optimal for most forums, do not change settings you are not familiarized with.
  1. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  2. Login using the password you defined in step B.
  3. Configure vBSEO settings as desired.
  4. For security purposes CHMOD 644 your 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file after configuring vBSEO.
Note: For non-technical users, we now provide a vBSEO Upgrade Service.

vBulletin 3.5.x, 3.6.x, 3.7.x, 3.8.x & 4.x Upgrade Instructions

A. Visit your vBSEO CP (forums/vbseocp.php) and backup your current settings:

  1. Click on the 'XML' link for vbseo_all.xml and save a backup of your setup file.

B. Upload (and replace) ALL files included in the 'upload' folder to your forum root folder

Note: Ensure all files are uploaded with the same folder structure provided in your 'upload' folder.

C. Go to your ADMIN CP > 'Plugin System' > 'Manage Products'

  1. Uninstall Current vBSEO Product
  2. Click on [Add/Import Product]
  3. Browse to the 'docs' folder of the installation package and open
    • vB3.x 'crawlability_vbseo_vb3.xml', Click 'Import'.
    • vB4.x 'crawlability_vbseo_vb4.xml', Click 'Import'.

D. License your vBSEO instance and restore your current settings:

  1. CHMOD 666 the 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file.
  2. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  3. Define a password for your vBSEO Control Panel by entering it twice in the fields provided, you will be redirected to the settings page.
  4. Click on the 'Browse' button within the 'Upload a Settings (.xml) File' box.
  5. Upload your previously saved vbseo_all.xml settings file.
  6. For security purposes CHMOD 644 your 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file after completing the steps above.

vBulletin 3.0.x Installation Instructions

Note: For non-technical users, we now provide a vBSEO Installation Service.

A. Upload ALL the files in the 'upload' folder to your forum root folder.

Note: Ensure all files are uploaded with the same folder structure provided in your 'upload' folder.

B. License your vBSEO instance:

  1. CHMOD 666 the 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file.
  2. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  3. Define a password for your vBSEO Control Panel by entering it twice in the fields provided, you will be redirected to the settings page.

C. Upload the vBSEO .htaccess file (located in the 'htaccess' folder) to your forum root folder.

Note: In some operating systems, the .htaccess file is not visible. If this is your case, find the htaccess.txt file in the same folder, (1) upload it to your forum root folder and (2) rename it to .htaccess.

D. In vB-root/includes/functions.php:

Find this code:

if ($vboptions['gzipoutput'] AND !headers_sent())

Add JUST BEFORE it:

if(@include_once('functions_vbseo.php'))
$output = make_crawlable($output);

E. Optional Step - Define a custom position for your copyright statement:

Enter the following code in your footer template:

<!--VBSEO_COPYRIGHT-->

F. Configure vBSEO:

Note: The vBSEO default settings are optimal for most forums, do not change settings you are not familiarized with.
  1. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  2. Login using the password you defined in step B.
  3. Configure vBSEO settings as desired.
  4. For security purposes CHMOD 644 your 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file after configuring vBSEO.

vBulletin 3.0.x Upgrade Instructions

Note: For non-technical users, we now provide a vBSEO Upgrade Service.

A. Visit your vBSEO CP (forums/vbseocp.php) and backup your current settings:

  1. Click on the 'XML' link for vbseo_all.xml and save a backup of your setup file.

B. Upload (and replace) ALL files included in the 'upload' folder to your forum root folder.

Note: Ensure all files are uploaded with the same folder structure provided in your 'upload' folder.

C. License your vBSEO instance and restore your current settings:

  1. CHMOD 666 the 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file.
  2. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/vbseocp.php.
  3. Define a password for your vBSEO Control Panel by entering it twice in the fields provided, you will be redirected to the settings page.
  4. Click on the 'Browse' button within the 'Upload a Settings (.xml) File' box.
  5. Upload your previously saved vbseo_all.xml settings file.
  6. For security purposes CHMOD 644 your 'vB-root/vbseo/resources/xml/config.xml' file after completing the steps above.

Installing vBSEO under Other Servers

vBSEO supports various other web servers like IIS, Lighttpd, Zeus, Litespeed, Nginx & Cherokee

Note: Often, the installation procedure for these servers types requires assistance from our support team. Please submit a support ticket if you have any questions.

IIS Web Server

In step C of the installation process defined:


ISAPI_Rewrite 3.x:

ISAPI_Rewrite 2.x::

IIS Web Server 7: URL rewrite module:

Lighttpd Web Server

In step C of the installation process defined:

Zeus Web Server

In step C of the installation process defined:

Litespeed Web Server

Should work exactly like Apache webserver (use .htaccess file included in the 'htaccess' folder of the installation package).

Nginx Web Server

In step C of the installation process defined:

Cherokee Web Server

In step C of the installation process defined:

Please wait, loading...


vBSEO Google Sitemaps

Note: The vBSEO Google Sitemap plugin is a free plugin provided by Crawlability Inc. It is not included with vBSEO and must be installed separately.

Providing Google and Yahoo sitemaps is an essential step towards improving your forums. The "vBSEO Google/Yahoo Sitemap Generator" plugin provides a solution that allows your forum to be indexed faster, more completely, more effectively, and with less bandwidth consumption.

How to Download and Install the vBSEO Google Sitemaps Plugin

The vBSEO Google Sitemaps plugin is a separate download and installation. For further instructions, please visit the offical release thread:
vBSEO Google Sitemaps Plugin

Note: The current version of the sitemap plugin is 2.6 and is a REQUIRED update for all vBSEO 3.5.2 users.