> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.varbase.vardot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.varbase.vardot.com/content-designers/search-engine-optimization/xml-sitemap.md).

# XML Sitemap

An XML sitemap is a list of your site's pages written for search engines, at `/sitemap.xml`. It helps them find new and changed content quickly. Varbase builds and updates it for you; this page explains what is in it and how an SEO Admin manages it.

## What Is in the Sitemap

On a new Varbase site the sitemap includes:

* **Blog posts** and **Utility pages**, in every language.
* Taxonomy terms and menu links, when they are turned on for the sitemap.

It is rebuilt automatically when the site's scheduled tasks (cron) run, so a new post appears in it soon after you publish it. Open `/sitemap.xml` to see it.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Drupal Canvas pages are not in the sitemap on a new Varbase site. Ask your **SEO Admin** to add **Pages** under **Inclusion** if your landing pages should be listed.
{% endhint %}

## Leaving One Item Out

An **SEO Admin** can keep a single blog post or utility page out of the sitemap:

1. Edit the item and open **Simple XML Sitemap** in the sidebar.
2. Choose **Do not index this Blog post entity in sitemap** (the wording names the content type). **Priority** sets how important the item is compared with the rest of the site.
3. Save.

## Managing the Sitemap

An **SEO Admin** manages it at **Configuration** \ **Search and metadata** \ ***Simple XML Sitemap*** (`/admin/config/search/simplesitemap`):

* **Inclusion**: which kinds of content are listed, with their priority and change frequency.
* **Custom links**: extra addresses to list.
* **Rebuild queue & generate**: rebuild the sitemap now instead of waiting for cron.

The page has the tabs **Sitemaps**, **Inclusion**, **Status**, **Types** and **Settings**.

The **Sitemaps** tab shows each sitemap with its status and **Link count**. Use the count as a quick check: with three languages, every blog post or utility page adds three links.

<figure><img src="https://410909369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzBcuWLZ87gvtX5vA2YGD%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c278ae81da68fef6b63d8b3843fd2bc98356746%2Flearn-12-sitemap-status.png?alt=media" alt="The Sitemaps tab of Simple XML Sitemap with the Rebuild queue and Rebuild queue and generate buttons, a full progress bar, and the Default hreflang sitemap published with a link count of 39"><figcaption><p>The Sitemap Status and Link Count</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://410909369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzBcuWLZ87gvtX5vA2YGD%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fad9aa36b58c9f510a6eb18e2067978bcc5ca380%2Fseo-sitemap-02-inclusion.png?alt=media" alt="The Inclusion tab of Simple XML Sitemap listing Content with Blog post and Utility page indexed"><figcaption><p>Choosing What the Sitemap Lists</p></figcaption></figure>

## Submitting the Sitemap

Give the address `https://example.com/sitemap.xml` to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools once. They read it again by themselves after that. These accounts belong to the client, not to the agency; make sure the client's team has access before launch. Both ask you to prove you own the site; the verification codes go in the meta tag settings. See [Meta Tags](/content-designers/search-engine-optimization/meta-tags.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
On a new Varbase site, `/robots.txt` does not mention the sitemap: there is no `Sitemap:` line. Ask your development team to add `Sitemap: https://example.com/sitemap.xml` (with your own domain) before launch. The **SEO checklist** lists it as **Verify your XML Sitemap is in your robots.txt file**.
{% endhint %}

## Tips

* Leave out pages that are not useful from search, such as thank-you pages after a form.
* After a large content change, use **Rebuild queue & generate** so search engines see it sooner.