How To Use Google XML Sitemap Generator?

The Google XML Sitemaps Generator plugin in WordPress is relatively straightforward. This plugin helps you generate XML sitemaps that help search engines like Google, Bing, and others better understand the structure of your website. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Install the Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to “Plugins” and click on “Add New.”
3. Search for “Google XML Sitemaps Generator.”
4. Install and activate the plugin.

Step 2: Configure the Plugin

1. After activation, you’ll find a new option called “XML-Sitemap” in your WordPress dashboard menu.
2. Click on “XML-Sitemap” to access the plugin’s settings.

Step 3: Generate Your Sitemap

1. In the plugin settings, you’ll find various tabs to configure the sitemap’s settings.
2. The “Basic Options” tab includes options to enable or disable specific content types like posts, pages, custom post types, etc., from the sitemap.
3. You can also configure the frequency of sitemap updates and set priority for different content types.
4. Customize the sitemap URLs and include/exclude specific posts or pages in the “Additional Pages” tab.
5. The “Notification” tab allows you to enter the email addresses where you want to receive notifications when the sitemap is updated.

Step 4: Save Settings

1. Once you’ve configured the settings according to your preferences, click the “Update Options” button to save your changes.

Step 5: Generate Your Sitemap

1. After saving your settings, click on the “Build the sitemap manually” link at the top of the page.
2. This will generate the XML sitemap for your website.

Step 6: Submit Sitemap to Search Engines

1. Once the sitemap is generated, you’ll see a link to your sitemap file at the bottom of the settings page.
2. Copy this link and submit it to search engines like Google, Bing, and others using their respective webmaster tools or search console platforms.

Step 7: Update Sitemap Regularly

1. The plugin can automatically update your sitemap as you publish new content.
2. You can also manually rebuild the sitemap whenever you make significant changes to your website.

By following these steps, you can effectively use the Google XML Sitemaps Generator plugin to create and manage XML sitemaps for your WordPress website, improving search engine crawling and indexing.