1.7 XML sitemapsLowIndustry consensus
priority/changefreq misused
Google has said it largely ignores the priority and changefreq fields, so leaning on them to influence crawling is wasted effort. I keep them simple or omit them and rely on lastmod and link structure instead.
What it is
Reliance on largely-ignored sitemap hints.
Why it matters
Google mostly ignores these; misuse signals dated practice but does little harm.
How to fix it
Don’t rely on them; focus on lastmod accuracy.
How to find it on your site
- Check whether your sitemap sets priority and changefreq on every URL.
- Recognise that Google mostly disregards both.
- Either omit them or keep them minimal and honest.
- Focus crawl-priority effort on internal linking and accurate lastmod.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
Because these hints are mostly ignored, misusing them has little upside and can give a false sense of control. Real priority comes from links.
Impact
Low. Consensus (Google has said these are largely ignored).
Evidence
Focus on accurate lastmod over priority/changefreq. Google Search Central, Build and submit a sitemap