Free tool · Search visibility
XML Sitemap Validator
The XML sitemap validator checks whether your sitemap can be retrieved and read as a sitemap document. Paste the sitemap address to review its structure and listed URLs before submitting it to a search engine.
Free XML sitemap validator
Free to use without an account. View the result here and choose whether to receive it by email.
What the tool covers
Check a sitemap document
Public access, XML parsing, sitemap root structure and URL entries in the submitted document.
Access and XML parsing
The validator retrieves the supplied document and checks whether it can be read as XML within the tool's size and request limits.
Sitemap document structure
The root element and sitemap namespace are checked to distinguish a URL sitemap from an index that points to other sitemap files.
Listed address structure
URL entries are reviewed for basic address requirements and repeated locations. Their presence in the document does not confirm that those destinations load or allow indexing.
Document entry count
The report counts entries in the submitted document. It does not add up the contents of child sitemaps or crawl every page listed in them.
Understand the limits
Validation does not guarantee indexing. The check does not crawl every listed page or recursively validate every child in a sitemap index.
Understanding your result
Separate sitemap validity from search indexing
A sitemap is a discovery document. Fixing its structure helps crawlers read your intended URLs, but the destination pages and search engine processing need their own checks.
Valid XML can still list the wrong pages
Review a sample of listed URLs for the expected content, canonical address and indexing instructions. Remove unintended staging, redirected or obsolete addresses through the system that generates the sitemap.
Investigate the response behind a parsing failure
Open the XML address and confirm that it returns a sitemap rather than a login page, security challenge or HTML error. If an SEO plugin generates the file, investigate that response before editing XML by hand.
Follow an index to its child sitemaps
Copy a child sitemap address into this validator for its own report. After correcting a problem, use your search console to review processing and the indexing status of the affected pages.
Use the full sitemap address
Copy the sitemap URL from your SEO plugin, robots.txt file or search console. WordPress core can provide /wp-sitemap.xml, while SEO plugins can use a different address. Supplying the actual XML URL avoids mistaking a normal web page for a sitemap.
Separate a sitemap from a sitemap index
A sitemap lists page URLs. A sitemap index lists other sitemap files, which is useful for larger sites. The validator identifies the submitted document and checks its entries. Open individual child sitemap URLs for their own validation when reviewing an index.
Follow validation with an indexing review
A well-formed sitemap helps search engines discover URLs but does not make them index those pages. Check that the listed URLs are the intended canonical pages, return the expected content and allow indexing. Review your search console for processing errors and the status of individual pages.
Questions about this tool
Which URL should I enter in the sitemap validator?
Enter the full XML sitemap or sitemap index URL, such as https://example.com/wp-sitemap.xml. Use the address supplied by your WordPress installation or SEO plugin.
Does the validator support sitemap indexes?
Yes. It identifies a sitemap index and validates entries in the submitted document. Validate each child sitemap separately for its own detailed result.
Does a valid sitemap guarantee Google will index my pages?
No. A sitemap supports discovery. Indexing also depends on page access, content, canonical signals, indexing instructions and the search engine's decisions.
Does the tool visit every URL in the sitemap?
No. It checks the submitted document within request and size limits. It does not perform a full crawl of every listed page.
Can I email the sitemap validation report?
Yes. Start the validation and enter an address in the optional email form to receive the result.
Free website widget
Add this tool to your website
Let visitors use the XML Sitemap Validator on your own page, including the option to email their results. Copy the code into an Elementor HTML widget or a WordPress Custom HTML block, then preview the published page.
Get the embed code
The widget fits the width of its container. Increase the height value if you want more of the report visible at once; longer results can be scrolled inside the widget.
BugShield hosts and runs the tool. Results and email addresses stay inside the widget and are not shared with the page embedding it. If your editor removes the code or your site blocks external widgets, ask your website administrator to allow frames from bugshield.co.uk.
Need help with the next step?
A BugShield developer can review the findings and help you decide what your WordPress site needs.
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