1.7 XML sitemapsHighVerified
Invalid XML syntax
A malformed sitemap can fail to parse entirely, which means none of its URLs are read. Unescaped ampersands in URLs are a classic cause.
What it is
Malformed sitemap XML.
Why it matters
Parsing fails; the sitemap is unusable.
How to fix it
Validate and fix the XML.
How to find it on your site
- Open the sitemap and validate it with an XML or sitemap validator.
- Look for unescaped characters, especially & in URLs, which must be written as &.
- Fix the generator so it escapes URLs correctly.
- Re-submit and confirm Search Console reads it without errors.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
If the XML will not parse, the whole sitemap is lost as a discovery aid. Valid XML is a prerequisite for it working at all.
Impact
Medium-high. Direct.
Evidence
Sitemaps must be valid XML. Google Search Central, Build and submit a sitemap