Submitting a sitemap through Google Search Console is an important step toward ensuring that your website is correctly indexed by Google. It is like giving the search engine a guided tour of your website; providing Google with a detailed map of your digital presence. This process helps Google discover and understand all the valuable pages on your site, potentially improving your visibility in search results. This quick and easy guide will show you how to submit a sitemap via Google Search Console!
How to Submit a Sitemap via Google Search Console
Copy your Sitemap's URL address 📝 Typically, you can input /sitemap.xml after your URL address to get the Sitemap URL address. If you can't find it using this method, then you can try finding the link to your sitemap in the footer section of your website.
Navigate to Google Search Console
Select Sitemaps under tjhe Indexing drop-dwon menu
Under Add a new sitemap, paste your Sitemap's URL
Press "SUBMIT" ➡️ Google crawler will navigate to your website and index all the pages that are included in the Sitemap.
Frequently Asked Questions on Submitting a Sitemap via Google Search Console
What is a sitemap in Google Search Console?
Sitemap is a file that includes your entire website's structure (URL lists), along with additional metadata about each URL (such as when it was last updated, how often it changes, and its importance relative to other pages on your site.). Google uses the sitemap to better understand your website structure, discover new pages, and ensure all content is properly indexed.
Should I add a sitemap to Google Search Console?
Yes. Submitting a sitemap helps Google discover and index your website's pages more efficiently. By ensuring all important pages are listed, you improve the chances of your content being found in search results. It is particularly useful for large websites, new sites, or those with complex structures.
How often should you submit a sitemap to Google Search Console?
You should submit your website's sitemap to Google Search Console on these occasions:
newly launched website
newly restructured website
significant changes to your website (adding, removing, or modifying existing pages)
Overall, it is also good practice to submit your website's sitemap every 6 months to make sure Google remains updated.
How long does it take for a sitemap to be indexed?
Processing time can vary, but typically Google will process your sitemap within a few hours to a few days. You can check the status in Google Search Console under the 'Sitemaps' section.
Can I submit multiple sitemaps for one website?
Yes, you can submit multiple sitemaps, especially if you have a large website or want to organize your URLs by categories or sections. Use a sitemap index file to list all your individual sitemaps.
How do I know if my sitemap is working?
You can check the following to ensure your sitemap is working in Google Search Console:
Check the status of your submitted sitemap
Check the number of URLs from your sitemap that have been submitted and how many are actually indexed
Check for any errors or warnings
Monitor 'Crawl Stats' report and look for an increase in crawl activity after submitting your sitemap
Review the 'Coverage' report to see if there are any indexing issues with URLs from your sitemap
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