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Add a sitemap to Google Search Console

Updated

Add an automatically generated sitemap.xml file to Google Search Console to help with the indexing and verification of your site for SEO.

If you have pages that have the Page Visibility set to 'Private' or 'Offline' these will not be indexed or included in your sitemap file.

Google Search Console add URL prefix

  • Log into your Google Account and select Google Search Console panel

  • If you don't already have a Google Account you will need to create and enable Google Search Console.

  • Use this link https://search.google.com/search-console/about

  1. Add your domain name starting with 'https://www…' and 'CONTINUE'

Copy meta tag code from Other verification method

  1. Scroll down to the 'Other verification methods' panel and select HTML tag

  2. Click the icon to open the panel

  3. Select and Copy all the code in this field

Return to Format Account

  1. From the left sidebar click 'Settings'

  2. Click 'Site'

  3. Scroll down to 'Custom <head> Include'

  4. Read warning and click 'Continue Anyway' button

Paste copied code

  1. Paste the copied code into the text field area.

  2. Save Changes

Verify with Google Search Console

Return to the Google Search Console browser window.

  1. Click 'VERIFY'

Ownership verified

  1. Ownership Verified

  2. Click 'GO TO PROPERTY'

Google Search Console Dashboard Overview

After verifying, your Google Search Console Dashboard is likely to appear empty because no data has yet been processed.

  1. Click 'LEARN MORE' to find out what you can achieve with Google Search Consoles extensive tools and reporting

Access Sitemaps panel

  1. Use the 'hamburger' menu icon (top-left) to activate the Site Menu (if not visible)

  2. Scroll down and click 'Sitemaps'

Check your SEO Sitemap

  1. From the left Sidebar, click 'Settings'

  2. Click 'SEO' tab

  3. Scroll down to bottom area showing SEO Sitemap

  4. Check the base URL shown is the same as you added previously to Google Search Console. It should show 'sitemap.xml' at the end.

  5. 'Copy URL' (or just remember you only need sitemap.xml

  6. Save Changes

Add a new sitemap

Return to Google Search Console the 'Sitemaps' panel

  1. Add sitemap.xml to complete the URL (this should look exactly the same as the 'SEO Sitemap' link in your Format Dashboard)

  2. Click 'SUBMIT'

  3. Click 'LEARN MORE' for more information from Google on sitemaps

Sitemap submitted successfully

You will receive a notification that the sitemap has been submitted and will be processed periodically for changes.

If you add or remove pages in the future, Google will check with the sitemap file and update its' search index.

Learn more about how sitemaps work here.

Google Search Console URL Inspection Tool and Help Article

Link to Google URL Inspection Tool

This help article, provided by Google should provide you with more clarity on how to use, and review results.

Reach us at our live chat or via our email info@format.com if you have any more questions. We’re happy to help!

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