For web designers, web developers, and marketing professionals, optimising a business website involves a meticulous approach to both user experience and search engine visibility. This includes examining subtle elements like the Windows Live Writer (WLW) manifest <link> tag. While once relevant, disabling this tag now offers distinct advantages for modern business websites, particularly concerning security and its beneficial ripple effect on SEO.
The WLW manifest tag, typically found in your website's <head> section, served a specific purpose: it allowed Windows Live Writer, a desktop blogging application now largely obsolete, to discover and interact with your website for offline content creation. For most contemporary business websites, which manage content directly through their content management system's interface, this tag is entirely redundant. Its continued presence offers no functional benefit and can, in fact, present minor drawbacks.
Stronger Security
The primary compelling reason to disable the WLW manifest tag is to enhance your website's security. This tag points to the wlwmanifest.xml file, which is linked to your site's XML-RPC interface. XML-RPC has, over time, become a common vector for various malicious activities, particularly brute-force attacks. Attackers frequently probe xmlrpc.php to bypass standard login protections and attempt to gain unauthorised access to your site by guessing usernames and passwords.
By removing the explicit <link> tag pointing to this manifest file, you eliminate a clear signal that your website is running a system that uses XML-RPC in this manner. While advanced attackers can still discover the xmlrpc.php file, removing the WLW manifest tag is a simple yet effective step in a layered security strategy. It removes a "low-hanging fruit" for automated bots that scan for these specific indicators. A more secure website is inherently more stable and reliable, factors Google highly values. Websites prone to security breaches or downtime experience negative impacts on their search rankings and reputation. Therefore, fortifying your website's security directly contributes to its SEO health.
Subtle SEO and Performance Gains
Beyond security, disabling the WLW manifest tag also contributes to subtle performance and SEO improvements. Every line of code in your website's <head> section adds to its overall page weight. While the impact of this single tag is minimal, its removal contributes to a leaner HTML document. A smaller page size generally translates to faster loading times for your website. Page speed is a recognised ranking factor, and even marginal improvements can enhance user experience, reduce bounce rates, and positively influence your search engine performance.
Furthermore, a cleaner HTML structure, free from unnecessary or outdated tags, can lead to more efficient parsing by web browsers and search engine crawlers. This ensures that search engines focus their precious crawl budget on the truly valuable content of your business website, rather than on legacy elements.
Modern Business Websites
For web designers, web developers, and marketing professionals, implementing such security-focused optimisations is a testament to thorough website management. Disabling the Windows Live Writer manifest tag is a straightforward action that removes an obsolete piece of code, enhances your website's security, and contributes to better performance, all of which are beneficial for your SEO efforts. It is about crafting a lean, robust, and efficient online presence that truly serves your business objectives.
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