A sitemap is a file listing all the pages on your website so search engines can understand its layout.

You usually find it at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. Think of it like a map that tells Google where every page lives.

If you built your site with WordPress, a plugin like Yoast or Rank Math probably generated that XML file automatically.

You might spot a “XML Sitemap” link under your SEO plugin’s dashboard.

On Shopify, just type shopify.com/sitemap.xml in your browser. Squarespace works similarly add /sitemap.xml to your main URL.

If none of those work, ask your developer or get support from a web designer. If the person building your website isn’t well versed with how to build or work a sitemap I woudl recommend pulling someone in who has this knowledge as rthis is a very important link for all of your SEO!

Why should I submit my sitemap to Google Search Console?

Submitting a sitemap tells Google exactly where to start crawling, instead of guessing its way around. When you submit a sitemap to Google Search Console, it speeds up indexing for new pages and alerts Google to any updates on your site. Without it, Google might miss important pages or take its sweet time ranking your changes.

Without a sitemap Google can take up to 2 weeks to index your content.

Think about when you launched your blog or revamped your About page. If you relied on Google’s natural crawl, it might take days before those changes show up. By submitting your sitemap you are asking Google to take a look at your new content right away.

Plus, when you submit a sitemap, you can flag high-priority pages. That way, if you’ve got a new service or a limited-time offer, Google knows it’s urgent. And if you ever spot crawl errors or orphaned pages (those not linked anywhere else), they become way more obvious once Google processes your sitemap.

How do I submit my sitemap to Google Search Console?

To submit your sitemap to Google log into Google Search Console and pick your website property from the sidebar.

Next, click “Sitemaps” in the left-hand menu. You’ll see a field labeled “Add a new sitemap.” Type in the exact URL of your sitemap and hit Submit

As soon as you click Submit, you’ll see your sitemap appear under “Submitted sitemaps” with a status tag most likely “Success.”

If there’s an issue Google will flag the problem and even point you to the exact line or URL that’s tripping it up. Fix that in your sitemap generator or plugin, then resubmit.

After that, check back occasionally to ensure your sitemap stays up to date.

In most CMS setups, new pages auto-populate in the XML. On custom sites, you might need to manually regenerate or update the file.

Finally, watch the “Coverage” report in Search Console—it shows which URLs got indexed, which ones were excluded, and why.

When and why should I submit a single link in Google Search Console?

Sometimes you’ve just launched a shiny new page or tweaked an existing one, and you want Google to notice right away! That’s where the URL Inspection tool comes in.

By submitting a single URL on Search Console, you ask Google to re-crawl that specific page right away.

Copy the exact URL you want indexed.

In Search Console, paste it into the top search bar and hit Enter. You’ll see the page’s current index status. If it’s not Indexed or hasn’t picked up your changes, click “Request indexing”. That’s how you request indexing on Google Search Console. Google then pings its crawlers to check out that URL sooner rather than later.

Keep in mind you get a limited number of these per month, so prioritize time-sensitive content like an urgent announcement or a landing page for a one-day sale. If you just tweaked a heading or fixed a typo, you can probably wait for Google’s regular crawl.

Why and how do I remove links in Google Search Console?

If you’ve deleted a page or moved it elsewhere, you don’t want Google still showing that old link in search results. The Removals tool lets you temporarily hide URLs while you fix the root issue. It’s a safety net, not a permanent wipe. When you need to remove a URL from Google Search Console, this is the tool you use.

In Search Console, click “Removals” in the left menu, then “New Request.” Paste the exact URL you want to hide. You can choose “Temporarily remove URL” (hides both the URL and cached copy) or “Clear cached URL” (hides the cached page but keeps the URL visible). Click Submit to complete your removal.

That hides the URL from search results for about six months, giving you time to either return a 404/410 status on that page or set up a 301 redirect to a new location. If you have a bunch of old archive pages to remove, you can even upload a text file with multiple URLs.

NOTE: submissions here are reversible so if you accidentally hide something you still need, you can cancel the removal request and let Google index it again.

Managing Your Sitemap

Managing sitemaps, single-URL submissions, and removals in Google Search Console might seem like learning a new language, but it quickly becomes second nature.

By knowing how to submit sitemap in GSC and how to find sitemap xml files, you ensure Google sees a clear map of your site’s content. By submitting that sitemap, you fast-track indexing for new pages and updates. When you need urgent indexing, submit a single URL in GSC. And when you want to retire pages, remove URL from Google Search Console keeps your search results tidy.

Need help managing your XML sitemap? Get support and a full SEO tech audit to know where your website stands.