What is a sitemap?
A sitemap is a file containing all the pages you want to have in Google. It helps search engines find your site faster and completely.
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What is a sitemap?
A sitemap is a file containing all the pages you want to have in Google. It helps search engines find your site faster and completely.
Usually, it's an XML file at /sitemap.xml with a list of your URLs. You submit it in Google Search Console.
It's a helpful tool, not a guarantee: Google decides for itself what it includes.
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Geschreven door: Lubna Ouarghi
Why it matters
For larger sites, online shops, and new websites, it noticeably speeds up indexing.
It's also a handy check: if there are pages that shouldn't be there (shopping basket, test pages), you'll spot them straight away.
How we approach it
We ensure your sitemap updates automatically, only contains indexable pages, and is submitted to Search Console.
During a migration, we check the sitemap line by line against the old site, so that no URL gets lost.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sitemap?
Strictly speaking, not for a small site with good internal links, but it costs nothing and always helps.
How often do I need to submit it?
Submitting it once is enough; Google fetches it itself after that.
Bronnen en controle
Laatst bijgewerkt en gecontroleerd: September 2026 — door Lubna Ouarghi
This explanation is based on the official documentation below and on my own work in client projects.
- Google Search Central — SEO Starter Guide — what SEO is and where to start
- Google Search Central — Do you need an SEO specialist? — what a specialist does and what to look out for
- Google Search Essentials — the rules your site must comply with
Want to know where your website stands on this?
Request the free visibility scan. You'll see your position on Google, what AI assistants say about you, and the three steps that will deliver the biggest return.
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