What is a sitemap and how do I find it?

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 by adding /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 would recommend pulling someone in who has this knowledge as this is a very important link for all of your SEO!

Why Do You Need a Website Sitemap?

A sitemap makes it easier for Google to understand what pages exist on your website and where to find them.

Think of it like giving Google a map instead of making it figure out your website on its own.

This becomes even more important as your website grows. If you have lots of service pages, blogs, products, or pages that are not linked very well internally, Google may take longer to discover them.

Submitting your XML sitemap through Google Search Console gives Google a clear list of the pages you want it to crawl and potentially index.

That can help with:

• Better discoverability: Your sitemap helps search engines find important pages on your website, including pages they may not easily discover through your regular website links.
• Faster indexing: If you publish a new blog, add a service page, or update existing content, your sitemap helps Google discover those changes sooner.
• Finding website issues: A sitemap can also make it easier to notice when important pages are not being indexed or when Google is having trouble crawling parts of your website.
• Better navigation on larger websites: HTML sitemaps can also help visitors find important pages when a website has a lot of content.

For example, imagine you just created a new service page. You could wait for Google to naturally crawl your website and eventually find it, but that could take days or sometimes longer.

Having an updated sitemap gives Google another way to discover that page. And if the page is especially important, you can also request indexing directly through Google Search Console, which we will show you how to do later in this guide.

A sitemap does not guarantee that Google will index or rank every page on your website. But it makes Google’s job easier, and when it comes to SEO, making it easy for search engines to understand your website is always a good place to start.

If you are creating location pages to improve your visibility in local search, your sitemap can also help Google discover those pages faster. You can learn more about that in our guide to ranking your Google Business Profile and Google Maps. 

What Are the Different Types of Website Sitemaps?

There are two main types of website sitemaps: XML sitemaps and HTML sitemaps.

XML Sitemaps

An XML sitemap is created for search engines like Google.

It gives search engines a list of the important URLs on your website and can also include information like when a page was last updated or if there are different language versions of that page.

For SEO, this is the sitemap you will care about most.

Most website platforms and SEO plugins can create and update your XML sitemap automatically, so you usually do not need to build it yourself.

HTML Sitemaps

An HTML sitemap is created more for people than search engines.

It is usually a regular page on your website that lists important pages and helps visitors find their way around.

HTML sitemaps are not as common anymore because most websites already use menus, footer links, breadcrumbs, and categories to help people navigate.

They can still be useful for very large websites, but they should not replace clear website navigation.

Dynamic vs. Static Sitemaps

You may also hear people talk about dynamic and static sitemaps.

A static sitemap has to be updated manually every time you add or remove a page.

A dynamic sitemap updates automatically when your website changes.

For most small businesses, a dynamic XML sitemap is the better option because you do not have to remember to update it every time you publish a new blog or add a new service page.

Platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace will often handle this automatically for you, which makes sitemap management much easier.

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?

How to inspect and index a website link on 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.

Remove a single link from indexing on your site using Google Search Console

In the 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.

Sitemap Best Practices

Once your sitemap is set up, there are a few things you want to make sure are working properly.

The goal is simple: your sitemap should help Google find the pages you actually want showing up in search.

Here are the main best practices to follow:

• Keep your sitemap updated: If you add, remove, or update pages, your sitemap should reflect those changes. This is why dynamic sitemaps are usually the best option.
• Only include pages you want Google to index: Avoid adding broken pages, redirects, duplicate versions of pages, or pages marked as noindex.
• Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console: This helps Google discover your sitemap and gives you a place to check if there are any errors.
• Add your sitemap to your robots.txt file: This gives search engine crawlers another easy way to find it.
• Use accurate update dates: If your sitemap includes a last updated date, make sure it actually reflects when the page changed.
• Do not worry too much about priority settings: Some sitemap settings, like priority and change frequency, are often ignored by Google. Focus more on keeping your URLs and update dates accurate.

Checking your sitemap should also be part of a regular SEO audit to make sure Google can properly crawl and understand your website. 

Sitemap Size Limits

Most small business websites will never need to worry about sitemap size limits.

But for very large websites, Google allows up to 50,000 URLs or 50 MB per sitemap file.

If your website is larger than that, you can use a sitemap index, which basically organizes multiple sitemap files under one main sitemap.

This is more common for large ecommerce websites, news websites, or websites with thousands of pages.

Should You Add Your Sitemap to Robots.txt?

Yes, this is a good extra step.

Your robots.txt file is another place where search engines look for instructions about your website. Adding your sitemap URL there makes it easier for crawlers to find.

For most small business owners, this is usually something your developer, SEO plugin, or website platform can handle for you.

The important thing is that your sitemap is easy for search engines to access and stays updated as your website grows.

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, removing the URL from Google Search Console keeps your search results tidy.

Need help managing your XML sitemap? Contact SMB Marketing today.

Sitemap FAQs

Do I Need a Sitemap for a Small Website?

Yes, even small websites can benefit from having a sitemap. It gives Google a clear list of the pages on your website and makes it easier for search engines to discover new or updated content.

How Often Should I Update My Sitemap?

If your sitemap is dynamic, it should update automatically whenever you add, remove, or change a page. Most small business websites using platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace will already have this built in.

Does Submitting a Sitemap Guarantee Google Will Index My Pages?

No. A sitemap helps Google discover your pages, but it does not guarantee that every page will be indexed or rank in search results.

Google still looks at things like the quality of the page, duplicate content, internal linking, and whether the page is useful enough to include in search.