How do I use the XML sitemap checker?
- Enter your sitemap URL, or your domain to try /sitemap.xml.
- Press Check sitemap.
- Fix the issues listed, then resubmit the sitemap in Google Search Console.
XML sitemap checker: frequently asked questions
Where is my sitemap?
Usually at /sitemap.xml or /sitemap_index.xml. Your robots.txt file often lists it on a Sitemap: line.
How many URLs can a sitemap hold?
Up to 50,000 URLs or 50 MB uncompressed. Larger sites use a sitemap index pointing to several sitemaps.
Does lastmod matter?
Google uses lastmod when it is consistently accurate. Only change it when the page content really changes.
Should I list every page?
List the canonical pages you want indexed. Leave out redirects, noindex pages and duplicates.
How do I submit a sitemap to Google?
In Google Search Console, open Sitemaps, enter the sitemap URL and press Submit.
What about Bing?
Submit it in Bing Webmaster Tools, or use IndexNow to notify Bing of changes instantly.
Does it check child sitemaps?
It lists and counts them. Run each child sitemap through the checker to inspect its URLs.
Does it check that every URL works?
No, that would be slow. Use our redirect checker on any URLs you are unsure about.
Will this tool improve my rankings?
It helps you find and fix issues. Rankings depend on content, technical health and authority together; our SEO team can help with the rest.
Is the xml sitemap checker free?
Yes. It is free with no sign-up and no usage limits for normal use.