XML Sitemap: What it is and why it matters during a relaunch
What an XML sitemap is
An XML sitemap is a file, usually located at /sitemap.xml, that lists all pages that should appear in search results. Optionally, it includes the date of the last modification. Most content management systems generate it automatically.
What belongs – and what does not
- Only pages that respond with status 200 and should be indexed.
- Only the canonical address of each page, no variants with parameters.
- No forwarded or deleted addresses.
- No pages with noindex.
During the relaunch
Submit the new sitemap in the Search Console on the go-live day. The old sitemap can remain submitted temporarily so that Google visits the old addresses more quickly and finds the redirects – it will then be removed.
The sitemap as a tool
The sitemap also helps with cleanup: When you connect your website with Same-QR, it reads it via the sitemap and linked pages. This allows codes to be assigned to the appropriate pages, and after a relaunch, suggestions for the new targets are ready.
Frequently asked questions
Usually under your-domain.at/sitemap.xml or sitemap_index.xml. The path is often also listed in the robots.txt file.
Not necessarily, if all pages are well linked. It never does harm, and during a relaunch it accelerates the capture of new addresses.
For each new or deleted page. Most systems handle this automatically.
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