If you are just starting a blog or website, one of the first steps to getting found on Google is submitting your sitemap. A sitemap helps Google discover all the posts and pages on your website so they can appear in search results.
In this step-by-step guide, I will show you exactly how to submit your sitemap to Google using Google Search Console.
Before we start, let’s understand first:
What is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is a file (usually XML format) that lists all the important URLs (posts, pages, etc.) on your website.
Think of it as a roadmap for search engines, guiding them through your content.
Why is Submitting a Sitemap Important?
Submitting a sitemap helps with:
- Faster indexing of your new pages
- Better visibility in Google search
- Improved chances of ranking higher over time
Even though Google can find pages on its own, submitting a sitemap ensures no page gets left behind.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Submit Sitemap to Google
Step 1: Set Up Google Search Console
- Visit https://search.google.com/search-console/about
- Click “Start Now” and log in with your Google account.
- Add your website by choosing one of the two options:
- Domain (includes all subdomains and protocols)
- URL Prefix (for specific URLs)
We recommend option 1 – Domain property.
- Enter ‘YourDomain’ and Click “Continue”.
- Verify Domain ownership using DNS records (Follow the steps given in the pop-up window.)
- It will automatically verify and add your website domain to Google Search Console.
- Done, you have successfully added your website to GSC.
Step 2: Find Your Sitemap URL
The best practice for generating or creating a sitemap for WordPress sites is to use plugins.
Pro Tip: Rank Math and Yoast SEO are two of the most popular plugins; both automatically generate your sitemap.
If you’re using:
Yoast SEO:https://yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml
Rank Math:https://yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml
You can test it by entering it in your browser.
Step 3: Submit Your Sitemap
- In Google Search Console, select your website (property).
- On the left sidebar, go to “Sitemaps”.
- Under “Add a new sitemap”, enter the end of your sitemap URL.
- Example:
sitemap_index.xml
- Example:
- Click “Submit”.
🎉 Done! You have successfully submitted your sitemap to Google.
Google will now start crawling your site.
How Long Does It Take?
After submission, it can take a few hours to a few days for Google to index your pages. You can monitor progress in Search Console.
Pro Tips: Stay AdSense Safe
If you are aiming to get AdSense approval:
- Don’t use copied or AI-generated spammy content
- Avoid keyword stuffing
- Keep your content useful, unique, and readable
- Have necessary pages like: Privacy Policy, About, and Contact.
Final Words
Submitting your sitemap to Google is one of the quickest ways to improve SEO. It ensures that your content is discovered faster and more efficiently.
Pro Tip: Don’t just stop at submitting your sitemap. Keep publishing high-quality content regularly and optimize it primarily for users, not just for search engines.