I learned that a valid XML sitemap can still be wrong
While working on SEO audits, I noticed that XML validation answers only one question: is the sitemap formatted correctly?
A technically valid sitemap can still contain:
- redirected URLs
- 404 pages
- non-canonical URLs
- pages blocked from indexing
- inaccurate lastmod dates
That distinction changed how I audit sites. I now treat XML validation as the first check, not the final verdict.
I turned that workflow into a free XML sitemap checker so site owners can review the URLs inside a sitemap instead of trusting the green “valid” message alone.
For anyone building SEO tools: which sitemap issue has been the most common on the sites you audit?
Curious how long it took before you saw the first real results?
How did you decide this was worth building in the first place?
Good point. Did you test that with users before committing to it?
Solid lesson. Which channel has worked best for you so far?
How did you decide this was worth building in the first place?
Thanks for writing this up. Bookmarking it for later.
Good point. Did you test that with users before committing to it?
Thanks for writing this up. Bookmarking it for later.
Really relatable. How much time do you put into this each week?
Good write-up. What would you do differently if you started again?
Great breakdown. What feedback have you had from early users?
Great breakdown. What feedback have you had from early users?