How to Submit a Sitemap to Google
A sitemap is an XML file that lists all the pages on your website that you want search engines to index. Submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console tells Google exactly which pages exist on your site, helping them get discovered and indexed faster.
Step 1: Find or Create Your Sitemap
Most websites already have a sitemap. Check these common locations:
yoursite.com/sitemap.xmlyoursite.com/sitemap_index.xmlyoursite.com/wp-sitemap.xml(WordPress)yoursite.com/feeds/sitemap.xml(Magento/custom)
You can also check your robots.txt file — it often lists the sitemap location. Use the RankNibbler site audit tool which automatically discovers your sitemap.
If You Do Not Have a Sitemap
- WordPress — install Yoast SEO or Rank Math, both generate sitemaps automatically
- Shopify — sitemaps are generated automatically at /sitemap.xml
- Static sites — use a sitemap generator tool or create one manually
Step 2: Verify Your Site in Google Search Console
- Go to Google Search Console
- Click "Add property" and enter your domain
- Verify ownership using one of the methods (DNS record, HTML file, meta tag, or Google Analytics)
Step 3: Submit Your Sitemap
- In Search Console, click "Sitemaps" in the left menu
- Enter your sitemap URL (e.g. sitemap.xml)
- Click "Submit"
Google will start processing your sitemap within hours. Check back in 1-2 days to see how many pages were discovered and indexed.
Step 4: Monitor Indexing
After submitting, watch the "Pages" report in Search Console to see:
- How many pages are indexed
- Which pages have errors (404, redirect loops, etc.)
- Which pages are excluded and why
How Often to Update Your Sitemap
Your sitemap should update automatically whenever you add, remove, or significantly change a page. Most CMS platforms handle this. If you manage your sitemap manually, update it whenever you publish new content.
Use the site audit tool to see how many pages are in your sitemap and audit them all at once.
Last updated: March 2026