How to svg metadata: types, sources, and what to remove
- Step 1Identify the metadata type — Look for: <metadata> (RDF/XMP data), xml:space attributes, generator= attributes on the root SVG, proprietary xmlns: declarations (sodipodi, inkscape, dc, cc, rdf), and XML comments at the top of the file.
- Step 2Check if any SVG IDs reference it — Before removing any element with an id, check it's not referenced via url(#id) in fill, filter, clip-path, or mask attributes elsewhere in the SVG.
- Step 3Remove using the scrubber or SVGO — The JAD Metadata Scrubber handles all standard metadata types. For custom removal, use SVGO's removeAttributesBySelector or removeSpecificAttrs plugins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RDF/XMP block in SVG?+
RDF (Resource Description Framework) and XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) blocks store structured metadata about the file: creator, creation date, rights, and description. They're embedded by Adobe tools and have no effect on SVG rendering.
Is the sodipodi: namespace used by anything in production?+
No. sodipodi: is an Inkscape-specific namespace inherited from the Sodipodi vector editor. It contains guide positions, spiral parameters, and other editor state that has zero relevance outside Inkscape.
Should I always remove <title> and <desc>?+
Only if they contain auto-generated editor text. If <title> has a meaningful name ('Search icon') and <desc> has a description ('Magnifying glass'), keep them — they improve screen reader accessibility.
What xmlns:xlink is safe to remove?+
In SVG 1.1, xlink:href was used for gradients and symbols. In SVG 2, plain href is preferred. If your SVG uses href= everywhere and has no xlink:href attributes, the xmlns:xlink declaration is safe to remove.
Privacy first
Every JAD SVG tool runs entirely in your browser using the DOM API and Canvas. Your SVG files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.