A sitemap is a file, usually in XML format, that lists the pages you want search engines to index. It typically lives at the root of your domain and helps Google discover new and updated pages faster, especially on large, new or frequently updated sites.
- Include only canonical, indexable URLs that return a 200 status.
- Generate the sitemap automatically so it stays in sync with the site.
- Update lastmod only when content genuinely changes; Google ignores priority and changefreq.
- Reference the sitemap in robots.txt and submit it in Google Search Console.
- Use a sitemap index for large sites, as each file has URL and size limits.
A sitemap is a suggestion, not a command: it does not guarantee indexing or rankings. It works best together with strong internal linking and quality content. On sites Racoun builds on its own infrastructure, XML sitemaps are generated dynamically and exclude noindex and redirected pages by default.
Talk to Racoun: we are based in Istanbul and work with brands across Türkiye. Message us on WhatsApp or email ekip@racoun.com.
