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Use your sitemap as a prioritisation tool
An XML sitemap lists important URLs you want search engines to discover. It cannot make weak pages valuable, but it can make your structure clearer.
Start with email. Share the page or your question, and we will answer clearly.
Use the sitemap as a steering tool.
An XML sitemap is a machine-readable file that lists URLs you want search engines to discover on your website.
It is especially useful for new or large sites and for pages that are not easy to reach through internal links. A sitemap does not guarantee indexing or ranking.
If important pages are missing, or weak pages are included, the sitemap may reveal a larger problem with structure, indexing, or prioritisation.
What an XML sitemap should include
Common questions about XML sitemaps
Back to the dictionary.
What is an XML sitemap?
An XML sitemap lists important website URLs so search engines can discover and crawl them.
Do I need an XML sitemap?
Most sites benefit from one, especially when the site is new or large or when important pages are hard to reach through internal links.
Does a sitemap improve rankings?
Not directly. It can help discovery and indexing, while rankings still depend on relevance, content quality, and authority.
What should I include in a sitemap?
Include canonical, indexable URLs that you genuinely want in search. Avoid duplicates, redirects, internal search results, and thin pages.
Should I list the sitemap in robots.txt?
Yes. It is common to reference the sitemap in robots.txt.
Unsure whether your sitemap is helping or hiding a problem?
Send the sitemap URL and tell us what you want indexed. We can check the sitemap, technical SEO, internal links, and the content itself.