XML Sitemaps Explained: What They Are and How to Use Them
What an XML sitemap is, why it helps Google find your pages, what should and shouldn't be in it, how WordPress creates one, and how to submit and check it in Search Console.
On this page
- An XML sitemap lists the important pages you want search engines to find.
- Include only indexable, canonical URLs, not redirects, noindexed or duplicate pages.
- Submit it in Search Console and check it after redesigns.
An XML sitemap is a file that lists the important pages on your website so search engines can find them efficiently. It doesn't guarantee rankings, but it helps Google discover and understand your site, especially new pages.
What a sitemap contains
- URLs of the pages you want indexed
- Optionally, when each page was last modified
- Sometimes separate sitemaps for posts, pages, products and images, combined in a sitemap index
What should be in it
- Important, indexable pages: homepage, services, products, articles, case studies
- The canonical (preferred) version of each URL
What should not be in it
- Pages blocked by noindex
- Redirected or broken URLs
- Duplicate versions, filtered URLs, cart and account pages
- Thank-you pages and low-value archives
How WordPress creates sitemaps
WordPress includes a basic sitemap, and SEO plugins such as Rank Math or Yoast generate more configurable ones (often at /sitemap_index.xml). Use one sitemap system to avoid confusion.
Submit and monitor
- Open Google Search Console, go to Sitemaps
- Submit your sitemap URL
- Check its status and number of discovered URLs
- Review the Pages report for indexing issues
Add the sitemap location to your robots.txt too; see robots.txt explained.
Keep it clean
A sitemap full of redirects, errors or noindexed pages sends mixed signals. Check it after redesigns and migrations. See the technical SEO audit checklist.
For new sites, read how to get indexed faster.
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