Sitemap Validator

What is a Sitemap?

A sitemap is an XML file that lists all pages on a website, helping search engines discover and index content. Sitemaps include URLs, last modification dates, change frequencies, and priorities. Valid sitemaps ensure search engines can efficiently crawl and index your website.

Our free Sitemap Validator checks XML sitemap format and structure. It validates XML syntax, checks for required elements, and counts URLs. For comprehensive validation, use Google Search Console or specialized sitemap testing tools.

Sitemap Structure

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
  <url>
    <loc>https://example.com/page1</loc>
    <lastmod>2024-01-01</lastmod>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.8</priority>
  </url>
</urlset>

Best Practices

• Valid XML: Ensure sitemap is well-formed XML
• Include All URLs: List all important pages
• Update Regularly: Keep sitemap current
• Submit to Search Engines: Submit via Google Search Console
• Size Limits: Keep sitemaps under 50MB or 50,000 URLs

FAQs

What is a sitemap used for?

Sitemaps help search engines discover and index all pages on your website, improving search engine visibility.

How do I create a sitemap?

Use sitemap generators, CMS plugins, or create XML manually following sitemap.org schema.

Where do I submit my sitemap?

Submit sitemaps via Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, or add to robots.txt file.

How often should I update my sitemap?

Update sitemaps whenever you add, remove, or modify pages. Some CMSs update sitemaps automatically.