How To Add XML Sitemap To WordPress? [in 2023]

Written by: Mark Coleman
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Are you struggling to add an XML sitemap to your WordPress website? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Adding an XML sitemap can be a bit tricky, but it’s crucial for improving your website’s search engine optimization (SEO).

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to add an XML sitemap to your WordPress site, as well as provide solutions to common issues you may encounter.

We’ll also discuss the importance of adding an XML sitemap and when you should consider doing so.

As experts in SEO, we have the knowledge and experience to help you optimize your WordPress website for search engines.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial on how to Add XML Sitemap To WordPress, check out this video tutorial:

How To Add XML Sitemap To WordPress?

Here is how to Add XML Sitemap To WordPress:

  1. Open your WordPress dashboard and go to plugins, then click on add new.
  2. Search for “Google XML sitemap” and scroll down. This is the actual plugin XML sitemap so we have to install this and activate it.
  3. Scroll down to the left-hand side, hover over on settings, then you will find this option XML sitemap. Click on it.
  4. Here we can see the option that you will do your sitemap index file is, so bring it in a new tab and here we can see my XML sitemap of my WordPress website.
  5. If you want to change anything from this basic option, you can check/uncheck from here. Here we can see the additional pages section. I prefer to do not change anything from here.
  6. Sitemap content: You can check include categories, archives, and other pages include tag pages. So, I suggest checking these three options.
  7. Click on the update option to save the changes.

Don’t forget to add HTML markup language to the output.

Can’t Add XML Sitemap To WordPress – How to fix it?

If you’re having trouble adding an XML sitemap to your WordPress website, don’t worry, it’s a common issue. Here are some possible solutions:

Install the Google XML Sitemaps plugin: The first step to creating an XML sitemap for your WordPress website is to install the Google XML Sitemaps plugin. You can do this by going to your WordPress dashboard, clicking on “Plugins,” and then selecting “Add New.” Search for “Google XML Sitemaps,” install and activate it.

Configure the plugin settings: Once you have installed and activated the plugin, you need to configure its settings. Go to the plugin’s settings page by hovering over “Settings” in the left-hand sidebar and clicking on “XML Sitemap.” Here you can check and uncheck options based on your preferences.

Generate the sitemap: Once you have configured the plugin’s settings, you can generate the sitemap. Click on the “XML Sitemap” tab and then click on “View Sitemap.” This will bring up the sitemap for your website.

Submit the sitemap to Google: To ensure that your sitemap is indexed by search engines, you need to submit it to Google. You can do this by logging into your Google Search Console account, selecting your website, and then clicking on “Sitemaps” in the left-hand sidebar. Enter the URL of your sitemap and click on “Submit.”

By following these steps, you should be able to add an XML sitemap to your WordPress website without any issues. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the WordPress support community.

Why and When Should You Add XML Sitemap to WordPress?

Adding an XML sitemap to your WordPress website is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. Here are some reasons why and when you should consider adding an XML sitemap:

  1. Improved crawlability: An XML sitemap makes it easier for search engine crawlers to navigate your website and find all of your pages, including those that may not be easily discoverable through internal links. This can help improve your website’s visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).
  2. Easy indexing: With an XML sitemap, search engines can quickly index your website’s pages, making it easier for users to find your content.
  3. Updates: If you frequently add new content to your website, an XML sitemap can help ensure that search engines are aware of the changes and can index them accordingly.
  4. Error identification: XML sitemaps can also help identify errors on your website, such as broken links or missing pages, allowing you to fix them and improve your website’s user experience.

In summary, adding an XML sitemap to your WordPress website can help improve your website’s crawlability, indexing, and overall SEO. It’s recommended to add an XML sitemap as soon as possible, especially if you have a large website with many pages or frequently add new content.

Conclusion – Add XML Sitemap To WordPress

In this blog post, we have discussed the importance of adding an XML sitemap to your WordPress website for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.

We have provided a step-by-step guide on how to add an XML sitemap to your WordPress site using a plugin and offered solutions to common issues you may encounter.

Additionally, we have highlighted the benefits of having an XML sitemap, including improved crawlability, easy indexing, updates, and error identification.

As experts in SEO, we highly recommend adding an XML sitemap to your WordPress website as soon as possible to improve your website’s visibility and search engine rankings.

Mark Coleman - HowTOBuildWebsites
Written by Mark Coleman


Mark Coleman is the founder of HowToBuildWebsites.org, which provides comprehensive tutorials on website builders like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Shopify. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a business degree, developing an interest in web design's changing landscape and website builders' potential.

Mark enjoys experimenting with new web technologies, refining his web development skills, and actively participating in web design and development communities.

Learn more about him and read his articles here on HowToBuildWebsites.org.

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