By Shad Super in Questions —

How Can Updating the Frequency in XML Sitemaps Influence Google's Indexing Rate?

Summary

Updating the frequency in XML sitemaps can influence Google's indexing rate by signaling the importance and update frequency of specific pages on your site. While it doesn't guarantee faster indexing, proper configuration of the sitemap provides important metadata that helps search engines prioritize and crawl your website more effectively. Below is a detailed explanation of how this works and best practices to optimize your XML sitemap.

The Role of XML Sitemaps in Search Engine Indexing

What is an XML Sitemap?

An XML sitemap is a file that provides search engines with a structured list of URLs on a website, along with metadata about each URL, such as its update frequency (<changefreq>), priority (<priority>), and last modification date (<lastmod>). This helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content.

Learn more about XML sitemaps from [Google Search Central, 2023].

How Search Engines Use Sitemaps

Google and other search engines use XML sitemaps to discover and prioritize content on your site. Although Google does not guarantee to crawl or index all pages listed in a sitemap, it uses the information to better understand the site structure and determine what to crawl and when.

How Updating the Frequency in XML Sitemaps Affects Indexing

Understanding the <changefreq> Tag

The <changefreq> tag in an XML sitemap indicates how often a particular page is likely to change. Common values include daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or never. This value helps search engines better allocate their crawling resources for your site.

Impact on Google's Indexing Rate

  • Signals Content Freshness: Setting an appropriate <changefreq> value signals how frequently content is updated, helping search engines prioritize pages that may contain new or updated information. For example, a news site might use daily for breaking news articles.
  • Enhances Crawl Efficiency: Properly updated sitemaps reduce unnecessary crawling of unchanged pages, allowing Googlebot to focus on fresh content.
  • No Guaranteed Indexing: It's important to note that Google treats <changefreq> and other sitemap metadata as hints, not commands. Pages are indexed based on Google's own assessment of their relevance and authority.

Example

Consider two pages on a website:

  • Page A: A blog updated weekly, with <changefreq>weekly</changefreq>.
  • Page B: A static "About Us" page that rarely changes, with <changefreq>yearly</changefreq>.

Google is more likely to revisit Page A more frequently due to its frequent updates as indicated in the sitemap.

Best Practices for Updating XML Sitemaps

Use Accurate <changefreq> Values

Set realistic update frequencies based on actual content changes. Overestimating update frequency can lead to inefficient crawling, while underestimating it may delay indexing of new content.

Include All Relevant Pages

Ensure your XML sitemap includes all indexable pages, particularly those you want to rank in search results. Avoid listing duplicate, noindex, or low-quality pages.

Update the <lastmod> Tag

Update the <lastmod> tag whenever content changes. This is a clear signal to search engines that a page has been updated and should be revisited.

Learn how to implement <lastmod> effectively from [Yoast, 2023].

Submit Your Sitemap to Google

Regularly submit your sitemap via Google Search Console to ensure Google is aware of it and any changes made. This tool also provides insights into indexing status.

Monitor Crawl and Indexing Activity

Use tools like Google Search Console and server logs to monitor how often Googlebot crawls your site and which pages are indexed.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Overusing High Frequencies: Avoid marking all pages as <changefreq>daily</changefreq> unless they are genuinely updated daily, as this can lead to wasted crawl budget.
  • Ignoring Sitemap Updates: Failing to update your sitemap when adding or removing pages can result in missed opportunities for indexing.
  • Including Non-Canonical URLs: Ensure the sitemap only lists canonical URLs, as inconsistent signals can confuse search engines.

Conclusion

Updating the frequency in XML sitemaps plays a significant role in influencing Google’s crawling and indexing behavior, but it is not a standalone solution. By accurately configuring your sitemap and regularly updating it to reflect website changes, you can improve crawl efficiency and enhance your site’s overall SEO performance. However, ensure your sitemap metadata aligns with actual content changes and complements other SEO efforts like high-quality content and proper internal linking.

References