1/29/2025

How to Handle Sitemap Issues in Google Search Console

If you've found yourself pulling your hair out over Google Search Console (GSC) saying " couldn't fetch sitemap" or encountering various errors, don't worry—you're not alone. Managing sitemap issues isn’t just about fixing links; it’s about understanding what's happening under the hood of your website. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common problems associated with sitemaps in GSC, dive into possible solutions, and help ensure your site runs smoother than before.

Understanding the Importance of Sitemaps

Sitemaps are like the MAPS of your website. They let search engines, like Google, know about the pages, videos, and other files on your site. When constructed properly, an XML sitemap can significantly improve the CRAWLING & INDEXING of your pages, helping them get discovered and ranked sooner. Without a proper sitemap, Google might miss out on important pages, resulting in decreased traffic and visibility.

The Types of Sitemap Issues

Before we roll up our sleeves to troubleshoot, let's familiarize ourselves with common issues associated with sitemaps in GSC:

1. Couldn't Fetch Errors

This is a dreaded error! It usually means that GSC is having trouble accessing your sitemap URL. Various reasons might cause this, so let's take them one by one!

2. HTTP Errors

These errors occur when there's a problem with the server serving the sitemap, like returning a 404 or 500 status code. These codes indicate that there’s no page available or the server is having a meltdown.

3. Malformed Sitemap

A malformed sitemap is usually the result of incorrect formatting or XML tags that aren't structured according to the sitemap protocol.
If your sitemap's XML structure isn’t correct, Google won’t understand & won't fetch it.

4. Blocked by robots.txt

If your sitemap is listed in your robots.txt file, Google won't be able to access it, leading to a failed fetch.
Skimming through your robots.txt file can reveal hidden problems here.

5. Empty Sitemap

An empty sitemap (surprise, surprise!) tells Google there’s nothing to see here, so it will definitely lead to a bumpy ride in GSC.

6. Duplicate Sitemaps

If you've piled up multiple sitemaps, Google may get confused. It’s best practice to have a SINGLE sitemap listing all important urls unless you're working with very large sites, which requires a sitemap index.

Troubleshooting Your Sitemap Issues

Now that we've got the common culprits down, let’s dive into solutions to help you resolve those pesky errors!

Step 1: Validate Your Sitemap

The very first step in troubleshooting is to validate your sitemap. You can do this by using various tools available online, like the XML Sitemaps Validator. This tool will check if your sitemap is structured correctly and helps you find issues you might miss!

Step 2: Use Google Search Console's URL Inspection Tool

Once validated, if you're still in a pickle, use the URL Inspection Tool in GSC to check how Googlebot sees your sitemap URL. If you receive a 'Page fetch failed,' note any accompanying messages because they can guide your next steps.

Step 3: Check Your robots.txt File

Ensure that the robots.txt file permits Google to access your sitemap. You wouldn’t want your sitemap blocked without knowing it! You can view the contents of your robots.txt at

https://yoursite.com/robots.txt

Step 4: Resolving HTTP Errors

Investigate the source of any HTTP errors (404, 500, etc.). If you’re hitting 404 errors, you may need to create proper redirects or restore the missing content. On the other hand, if a server error is the villain, check with your host provider.

Step 5: Resubmit Your Sitemap

After addressing these errors, it’s time to resubmit your sitemap in GSC! Go to the Sitemaps report, remove the old sitemap, and submit the new one. Wait a bit and track the status.

Step 6: Regular Monitoring

After everything seems green, keep regularly checking your GSC for any further issues. Google can sometimes throw curveballs, & proactive monitoring can save you headaches later.

How to Create a Proper Sitemap

If you're struggling with creating or editing your sitemap, it’s often easier than you think. Here’s a quick rundown on building an effective sitemap:

Use a Sitemap Generator: There are tons of tools, like XML-Sitemaps.com, that can whizz through your website and generate a sitemap for you.
Review Content: Make sure every page you want indexed is included in your sitemap.
Structure Correctly: Follow the rules laid out in the Sitemaps Protocol to ensure your file passes validation.
Upload It: After creating your sitemap, upload it to your site’s root directory (e.g.,
1https://yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
). Then submit it through GSC.

The Role of Arsturn in Your SEO Journey

While fixing sitemap issues can be quite the task, enhancing your overall website efficiency and customer engagement is where tools like Arsturn come into play. With Arsturn, you can easily create custom chatbots for your website to engage visitors before they bounce off!

Arsturn allows you to:

Effortlessly Create Chatbots: Design chatbots without needing any coding skills. Just drag & drop to create the perfect chatbot!
Boost Engagement: Instant responses through your AI chatbot can help merchants connect meaningfully with customers.
Gain Insights: Use the insights gathered from your chatbots to refine content strategies and boost your SEO efforts.
Customizable Branding: Match your chatbot’s appearance to your site's theme and design, creating a seamless user experience.

Why let tedious sitemap errors mess with your SEO rankings when you could be using intelligent AI to engage customers in real-time? Claim your free chatbot trial and supercharge your website today!

Conclusion

Navigating through sitemap issues in Google Search Console isn’t the easiest task, but with the right mindset and approach, you can resolve these problems and even improve your site’s overall performance. By validating your sitemaps, utilizing Google’s handy tools, and monitoring your status regularly, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier site. Plus, with Arsturn by your side, you can enhance visitor engagement and keep them coming back for more. Remember, stay proactive, keep an eye on updates, and watch your site flourish across search engine rankings!