If you have a website and you want it to rank on Google, adding a sitemap to Google Search Console is one of the first things you should do. Surprisingly, many website owners skip this step or do it incorrectly, and later wonder why their pages are not indexing.
Understanding how to add sitemap in Google Search Console is not difficult. You don’t need to be a developer or SEO expert. You just need to follow the steps properly and avoid common mistakes.
At SEO Company Jaipur, we see this issue a lot. Websites have good content, decent structure, but sitemap is either missing or broken. This small thing can slow down your entire SEO process.
In this article, I’ll explain everything in a simple and practical way, based on real SEO experience.
What Is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is basically a file that tells Google about the important pages on your website. It helps search engines understand:
What pages exist
Which pages are important
How often pages are updated
Think of sitemap as a map of your website. Without it, Google still can find pages, but it takes more time and effort.
That’s why learning how to add sitemap in Google Search Console is very important, especially for new websites.
Why Adding Sitemap to Google Search Console Is Important
Many people ask, “Is sitemap really necessary?”
Short answer: Yes, it helps a lot.
Here’s why sitemap matters:
Helps Google discover new pages faster
Improves crawling efficiency
Reduces chances of indexing issues
Very helpful for large websites
Useful when internal linking is weak
At SEO Company Jaipur, we always submit sitemap as part of the initial SEO setup. It creates a strong base.
Types of Sitemaps You May Have
Before adding sitemap, you should know which type you are using.
1. XML Sitemap (Most Common)
This is the standard sitemap used for SEO. It looks something like:
2. Sitemap Index
If your website is big, you may have multiple sitemaps combined into one index file.
3. HTML Sitemap
This is mostly for users, not for Google Search Console submission.
For SEO, XML sitemap is what you need.
Where to Find Your Sitemap URL
Most websites already have a sitemap.
Try these URLs:
/sitemap.xml
/sitemap_index.xml
/wp-sitemap.xml (WordPress default)
If you are using WordPress with plugins like Yoast, Rank Math, or All in One SEO, sitemap is usually auto-generated.
At SEO Company Jaipur, we always check sitemap structure before submitting it.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Sitemap in Google Search Console
Now let’s get into the main part.
Step 1: Login to Google Search Console
Go to Google Search Console and login with your Google account.
Make sure you select the correct property (domain or URL prefix).
Step 2: Select Your Website Property
If you have multiple websites added, choose the one where you want to submit sitemap.
Small mistake many people make:
Submitting sitemap to wrong property.
Step 3: Go to “Sitemaps” Section
On the left-hand menu, you’ll see “Sitemaps” option.
Click on it.
This is where you submit and manage your sitemap.
Step 4: Enter Your Sitemap URL
In the “Add a new sitemap” field, enter your sitemap URL.
Example:
or
You don’t need to enter full URL if your domain is already selected.
Step 5: Click Submit
Click the Submit button.
That’s it.
Google will now fetch your sitemap and start processing it.
This is the basic process of how to add sitemap in Google Search Console.
What Happens After Submitting Sitemap?
After submission, Google will show sitemap status as:
Success
Couldn’t fetch
Has errors
If it shows “Success”, you’re good.
If there are errors, you need to fix them.
Common Sitemap Errors (And How to Fix Them)
At SEO Company Jaipur, these are the most common issues we see.
1. Sitemap Couldn’t Be Read
Reasons:
Wrong URL
Server issues
Sitemap blocked in robots.txt
Fix:
Check sitemap URL manually in browser
Make sure it loads properly
2. URLs Not Allowed
This means sitemap URLs are blocked by robots.txt.
Fix:
Update robots.txt
Allow crawling for important pages
3. Sitemap Contains URLs with Errors
This happens when sitemap includes:
404 pages
Redirect URLs
Noindex pages
Fix:
Remove unnecessary URLs from sitemap
Include only indexable pages
4. Submitted URL Marked ‘noindex’
This is a common mistake.
Fix:
Remove noindex tag from pages
Or remove those pages from sitemap
Best Practices for Sitemap Submission
Just submitting sitemap is not enough. It should be clean.
Best practices:
Include only important pages
Exclude admin, login, filter pages
Keep sitemap updated automatically
Remove broken or redirected URLs
Submit sitemap index for large sites
Following these helps Google trust your sitemap.
How Often Should You Update Sitemap?
If your website updates frequently:
Blog websites: Auto-update sitemap
Ecommerce: Auto-update
Small static site: Update when new pages added
Most CMS platforms handle this automatically.
Can Sitemap Improve Rankings?
This is a common confusion.
Sitemap does not directly improve rankings.
But it helps with:
Faster indexing
Better crawl coverage
Discovering new content
Indirectly, it supports SEO performance.
Sitemap vs Internal Linking
Some people think sitemap replaces internal linking. That’s wrong.
Sitemap helps crawling.
Internal linking helps authority flow.
Both are important.
Do You Need to Resubmit Sitemap Again?
Generally, no.
You only need to resubmit sitemap when:
Sitemap URL changes
Major structure change
New sitemap created
Otherwise, Google keeps checking it automatically.
How SEO Company Jaipur Handles Sitemap Setup
At SEO Company Jaipur, we don’t just submit sitemap and forget it.
We:
Audit sitemap URLs
Remove unwanted pages
Fix indexing conflicts
Monitor sitemap status regularly
Align sitemap with SEO strategy
This prevents future SEO issues.
Common Mistakes Website Owners Make
Some mistakes we see again and again:
Submitting HTML sitemap instead of XML
Including noindex pages
Ignoring sitemap errors
Using outdated sitemap
Forgetting to submit sitemap at all
Avoiding these saves a lot of trouble.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to add sitemap in Google Search Console is basic SEO, but very important. It’s one of the first steps towards better indexing and visibility.
Many SEO problems start because Google doesn’t know your pages exist. Sitemap helps solve that.
At SEO Company Jaipur, we always say:
Strong SEO starts with correct setup, not shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is sitemap mandatory for SEO?
Not mandatory, but highly recommended.
Q2. Can I submit multiple sitemaps?
Yes, especially for large websites.
Q3. How long does Google take to read sitemap?
Usually within few hours to few days.
Q4. Do I need sitemap for a small website?
Yes, even small websites benefit from sitemap submission.
Q5. Does SEO Company Jaipur help with sitemap issues?
Yes, we handle sitemap creation, submission, and error fixing.
