logo

How Sitemap Files Are Processed By Googlebot

Googlebot

In a recent thread on Reddit, one user asked if having multiple sitemap files for client websites was redundant. John Mueller of Google answered by saying that the quantity of files doesn’t matter for search engine optimisation, and further elaborated by explaining how such information is processed by Google. According to him, Googlebot receives all of a website’s sitemap files as a single, large set of data. Based on this description, Google never really knows the number of sitemap files in a website because it reads everything as one big list of URLs.

Mueller added that a sitemap file’s last-modification date is something that SEO experts and website owners should focus on instead, and that they can be valuable signals to Google if properly used. He adds that using the generation time of a sitemap as the last-modification date is not beneficial, as this wasn’t when its main content was altered. Website owners and SEOs must also watch out for dynamic last-modification dates returned by servers for every URL, as these are also not helpful.

Mueller advised website owners to provide correct last-modification dates to Googlebot and make sure that every URL in the sitemap files share the same date.

This blog post used information from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/john-mueller-googlebot-receives-sitemaps-in-the-form-of-an-energy-drink/340643/. Visit the provided link to get complete details.

Working with an excellent provider of SEO services UK based will significantly benefit your business’s online strategy. Visit our homepage at Position1SEO today to know more about our offered packages.

googlebot 2
Author: Jason Ferry
Jason Ferry is an SEO specialist based in the United Kingdom. Taking pride in his many years of experience in the search engine optimisation industry, he has honed his skills in various digital marketing processes. From keyword marketing, website auditing, and link building campaigns, to social media monitoring, he is well-versed in all of them. Jason Ferry’s excellent skills in SEO, combined with his vast experience, makes him one of the best professionals to work with in the industry today. Not only does he guarantee outstanding output for everyone he works with, but also values a deep relationship with them as well.

Related  Posts

the benefits of an search engine optimisation audit
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is an essential ingredient for website success in the digital arena. The process of indexing and ranking websites on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP) requires constant evaluation. Therefore, it is vital to conduct an in-depth SEO audit to identify areas that need improvement. SEO audit is the process of evaluating a […]
search engine optimisation company
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a crucial aspect of building a strong online presence. While many website owners focus on using keywords to rank higher on search engines, an SEO company can optimise your website in more ways than one. In this blog, we will explore the three areas an SEO company can improve upon […]
The importance of hiring a search engine optimisation consultant
Are you struggling to get your business noticed online? Is your website buried under a sea of search results? If your answer is yes, then it might be time to consider hiring an SEO consultant. With the ever-growing importance of online presence for businesses, it has become crucial to employ the right strategies to make […]