Sitemap index troubleshooting
Sitemap index errors
A sitemap index lists other sitemap locations. CorrectSitemap validates the submitted index document and its child loc values without requesting those child sitemaps.
Check the index itself
The validator checks the sitemapindex root, standard namespace, entry order, one absolute HTTP(S) location per sitemap, optional lastmod, and the bounded entry ceiling.
Common index problems
- Using
urlsetchildren inside asitemapindex, orurlwheresitemapis expected. - Missing, empty, relative, or non-HTTP child sitemap locations.
- Duplicate
locorlastmodelements in one entry. - An invalid last-modification date or core element in the wrong order.
- More entries than the validator can safely inspect in one request.
What is not checked
The validator does not fetch child sitemaps, confirm their HTTP status, enforce deployment-directory relationships, or verify cross-site Search Console authorization. Test those operational conditions separately.