If you are just starting your SEO journey, understanding the XML sitemap and robots.txt file is one of the smartest technical steps you can take. These two files help search engines discover your pages, crawl them properly, and determine what content should or should not appear in search results. Although they sound technical, they are extremely simple once explained in beginner-friendly terms. This guide breaks everything down so you can confidently improve your website’s crawlability and indexing.
What Is an XML Sitemap?
An XML sitemap is a file that lists all important URLs of your website in a format search engines can understand. Think of it like a roadmap — it helps Google easily find every key page so nothing gets missed.
What an XML Sitemap Includes:
-
URLs of important pages
-
Last updated date
-
How often pages change
-
Priority (optional)Why Beginners Need an XML Sitemap
Because search engines can’t always discover every page, especially if:
-
your website is new
-
your website has few backlinks
-
your internal links are weak
-
your site has dynamic or complex URLs
A sitemap ensures Google always knows what exists on your website.
Different Types of XML Sitemaps
To make things even simpler, here are the main types you may encounter:
1. Standard XML Sitemap
Includes main pages such as homepage, service pages, and blogs.
2. Image Sitemap
Helps Google index important images (great for photographers, ecommerce, and portfolio sites).
3. Video Sitemap
Helps index videos on your website.
4. News Sitemap
Used by publishers that appear in Google News.
5. Sitemap Index File
A master list linking multiple sitemaps (used for large websites).
Most beginners only need the standard XML sitemap, which is generated automatically if you use WordPress, Shopify, or Wix.
Where to Find Your Sitemap
Most websites have a sitemap at:
Or:
You can also check in your CMS settings or use SEO plugins like:
✔ Rank Math
✔ Yoast SEO
✔ All in One SEO
How to Submit Your Sitemap to Google
Once your sitemap is ready, submit it to Google Search Console:
-
Open Google Search Console
-
Select your website property
-
Go to Indexing → Sitemaps
-
Enter your sitemap URL
-
Click Submit
After submission, Google will start crawling your pages more efficiently.
What Is Robots.txt?
While a sitemap tells Google what to crawl, the robots.txt file tells Google what NOT to crawl.
It is a small text file stored at:
This file gives instructions to search engine bots about which pages or folders they can access.
Why Robots.txt Is Important
It helps you:
-
block pages you don’t want indexed
-
prevent duplicate content
-
save crawl budget
-
keep admin pages private
-
stop search engines from crawling unnecessary files
How XML Sitemaps and Robots.txt Work Together
Although they serve different purposes, they work as a powerful SEO pair.
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
| XML Sitemap | Tells Google which pages should be crawled |
| Robots.txt | Tells Google which pages should NOT be crawled |
Using both correctly helps:
-
improve crawl efficiency
-
boost indexing
-
prevent index bloat
-
enhance technical SEO
Final Thoughts
Learning the basics of the XML sitemap and robots.txt file is one of the easiest ways beginners can improve their website’s SEO performance. These two small files help search engines understand your content better, index pages more efficiently, and avoid crawling unnecessary areas. When used correctly, they build a strong technical foundation that supports long-term SEO growth.
