In plain language
A machine-readable file that lists the important URLs a site wants search engines to discover.
An XML sitemap should include canonical, indexable pages and stay aligned with the live site after launches, removals, and redirects.
Where it bites
XML sitemap matters when shipping speed starts hiding fragility. It gives the team a way to separate acceptable trade-offs from future incidents.
What to check
- What would break if shipped today?
- Where is the rollback path?
- Which shortcut is now a named debt item?
Common questions
What is XML sitemap?
A machine-readable file that lists the important URLs a site wants search engines to discover.
Why does XML sitemap matter?
XML sitemap matters when shipping speed starts hiding fragility. It gives the team a way to separate acceptable trade-offs from future incidents.
What should you check first for XML sitemap?
What would break if shipped today? Where is the rollback path? Which shortcut is now a named debt item?