When to use this check
Build the sitemap from content that is actually published. It helps discovery on large or new sites, while internal links and indexing decisions still need separate attention.
Know what you are checking.
An XML sitemap lists URLs you recommend for discovery. It should represent accessible canonical pages intended for indexing, rather than every technically possible address.
A practical example
<url>
<loc>https://example.com/services/repair</loc>
<lastmod>2026-09-09</lastmod>
</url>A common mistake
A fresh date on unchanged content is not evidence of freshness. Sitemap inclusion is not confirmation that Google indexed a page.
Understand the result. Make the right change.
Which URLs belong in an XML sitemap
The sitemap generator should know which pages are published and intended for search. Exporting every router path can include drafts, filters and retired products.
How to check the URLs listed in a sitemap
An XML entry can look valid while pointing to staging or an obsolete slug. Test the destination, not just the generator’s string format.
- Use the preferred host and final public URL.
- Check the target’s status and canonical declaration.
- For a sitemap index, open each linked child sitemap as well.
When to update lastmod in your sitemap
A new deployment does not mean every article changed. lastmod should come from a significant page update that you can identify.
- Changing the main content, structured data or meaningful links can justify an update.
- Changing only the copyright year does not.
- Test one edited and one untouched page; omit the optional date when it cannot be reliable.
Why an accepted sitemap does not confirm indexing
Search Console accepting a sitemap confirms file processing, not indexing of every listed URL. Read the individual exclusion reasons before rebuilding the file.
- Check that the endpoint returns sitemap XML, not a 200 HTML error.
- Correct redirects in the inventory; investigate duplicates through canonical rules.
- Keep useful internal links to important pages even when they appear in the sitemap.
Primary reference: developers.google.com ↗
Frequently asked questions
Should redirects and filtered URLs be in a sitemap?
List preferred URLs you want indexed. Replace redirecting addresses with their final destinations and remove excluded pages. Include a filter only when it represents a useful, distinct landing page. Update lastmod for substantive content changes rather than every build or automated deployment.
When the task is complete
Sample sitemap entries must return accessible content with consistent canonicals and indexing intent. A successful sitemap submission confirms processing of the file, not indexing of every listed page.