1.7 XML sitemapsHighVerified
Sitemap contains non-200 URLs
A sitemap is a list of pages I am telling Google are worth indexing. If it contains 404s, errors or redirects, I am sending mixed signals and wasting crawl on dead ends.
What it is
Errors/redirects listed in the sitemap.
Why it matters
Wastes crawl and signals poor maintenance.
How to fix it
Include only live, canonical 200 URLs.
How to find it on your site
- Crawl the URLs in your sitemap and check each status code.
- Flag any that return 4xx, 5xx or 3xx.
- Remove or fix them so the sitemap lists only live 200 URLs.
- Keep the sitemap generated automatically so it stays clean.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
A clean sitemap focuses crawl on real, indexable pages. Errors in it erode trust in the sitemap as a signal.
Impact
Medium-high. Direct.
Evidence
List only indexable, canonical URLs. Google Search Central, Build and submit a sitemap