# vBSEO 3.6.0 Readme File

vBSEO Installation and upgrade instructions

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 3.6.0 is © 2011 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.

### 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]

- vB3.x Browse to the 'docs' folder of the installation package and open 'crawlability_vbseo_vb3.xml', Click 'Import'.
- vB4.x Browse to the 'docs' folder of the installation package and open 'crawlability_vbseo_vb4.xml', Click 'Import'.

### 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 familiar 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. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/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. Click on [Add/Import Product]
2. 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'.
   - Make sure you set Allow Overwrite to Yes

- Click on the 'Browse' button within the 'Upload a Settings (.xml) File' box.
- Upload your previously saved vbseo_all.xml settings file.
- 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.

### 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 familiar 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. Using your browser, visit: http://www.yoursite.com/vB-root/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.
- Click on the 'Browse' button within the 'Upload a Settings (.xml) File' box.
- Upload your previously saved vbseo_all.xml settings file.
- 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
- Lighttpd Web Server
- Zeus Web Server
- Litespeed Web Server
- nginx Web Server
- Cherokee Web Server

## IIS Web Server

### In step C of the installation process defined:

ISAPI_Rewrite 3.x:

- Open ISAPI Rewrite manager software and input rewrite rules from isapi_rewrite.txt file (Note: replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

ISAPI_Rewrite 2.x::

- Open/edit your httpd.ini file (ISAPI_Rewrite module configuration) and input rewrite rules from isapi_rewrite2.txt file (replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

IIS Web Server 7: URL rewrite module:

- Install IIS 7 URL rewrite module that is located at IIS 7 Url Rewrite Module.
- Copy web.config file from htaccess folder to your forum directory.

## Lighttpd Web Server

### In step C of the installation process defined:

- Instead of uploading the .htaccess file, open your Lighttpd Control Panel and enter the rules defined in the lighttpd_rewrite.txt file included within the 'htaccess' folder of the installation package (replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

## Zeus Web Server

### In step C of the installation process defined:

- Instead of uploading the .htaccess file, open your Zeus Control Panel and enter the rules defined in the zeus_rewrite.txt file included within the 'htaccess' folder of the installation package (replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

## 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:

- Instead of uploading the .htaccess file, open your nginx configuratin file and enter the rules defined in the nginx.txt file included within the 'htaccess' folder of the installation package (replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

## Cherokee Web Server

### In step C of the installation process defined:

- Instead of uploading the .htaccess file, open your Cherokee Admin Panel configuratin file and enter the rules defined in the cherokee.txt file included within the 'htaccess' folder of the installation package (replace "/forums/" with your vBulletin folder name).

Please wait, loading...

## vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemaps

Note: The vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemaps 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 Search Engine XML Sitemaps" 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 Search Engine XML Sitemaps

The vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemaps plugin is a separate download and installation. For further instructions, please visit the offical release thread:
vBSEO.com -vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemaps
vBulletin.org -vBSEO Search Engine XML Sitemaps
Note: The current version of the sitemap plugin is 3.0 and is a REQUIRED update for all vBSEO 3.6.0 users.