Definition · published
What is XML sitemap?
A machine-readable file that lists canonical URLs a site wants search engines to discover and crawl.
A machine-readable file that lists canonical URLs a site wants search engines to discover and crawl. Learn how VOID applies the term, what evidence to inspect, and where the definition stops.
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · National guidance, Austin proofThe task and the failure mode
Built for: Owners, operators, marketers, and technical teams who need a shared working definition of XML sitemap.
The term “XML sitemap” is often used without a testable boundary. That makes briefs, audits, vendor comparisons, and performance reviews harder to evaluate.
Workflow
- 01Use the definition to state what XML sitemap includes in the current project.
- 02Name the evidence that would show whether the XML sitemap requirement is met.
- 03Record important exclusions, dependencies, and unknowns before implementation.
- 04Assign an accountable owner and a review date.
- 05Measure the operational or search outcome separately from completion of the task.
Evidence to retain
- Sitemaps are discovery hints. Include indexable canonical URLs, keep lastmod honest, and monitor processing; submission does not guarantee crawling or indexing.
- A project-specific acceptance test for XML sitemap.
- A visible source, artifact, or observation that another reviewer can inspect.
Release checklist
- Define XML sitemap in the project brief.
- Identify the affected routes or workflow.
- Separate verified facts from assumptions.
- Link the governing source.
- Document exceptions and risks.
- Set a review date.
Boundaries and caveats
This is VOID’s practical working definition of XML sitemap, not a guarantee of search or business outcomes.
Platform terminology and behavior can change; verify current primary documentation before a high-impact decision.
Primary sources
- XML sitemap: primary referencedevelopers.google.com
- Google Search Central: Creating helpful, reliable, people-first contentdevelopers.google.com