Sitemap Unknown in Google Search Console

  • Resolved larissamartins

    (@larissamartins)


    2 years ago

    Hello,

    We have a sitemap generated by Yoast SEO, that’s https://blog.cerdanyaecoresort.com/sitemap_index.xml.
    However, we have a problem detected by Google Search Console that shows like we have another sitemap seen as “/”, type “unknown” and with 1 error “the sitemap is an HTML page”.

    How can I delete it?

    We also use the WP Rocket plugin, and it’s already set to not use cache on the URL /sitemap_index.xml.

    We need to solve it with some urgency because it’s affecting many specific metrics.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Plugin Support Maybellyne

    (@maybellyne)

    Hello @larissamartins

    Thanks for reaching out regarding your sitemap.

    If I understand correctly, the Google Search Console reports that your sitemap is an HTML page. So I checked your XML sitemaps at https://blog.cerdanyaecoresort.com/sitemap_index.xml, and the content type is text/XML as expected, not HTML.

    This issue can sometimes occur due to caching plugins or server-side caching. Try clearing your cache from your plugin, theme, server, browser, or CDN, such as Cloudflare and resubmit the sitemap. Please speak with your host provider if you are unsure how to clear your server caching. If you need to clear your browser cache, this guide may help: How to clear my browser’s cache?

    Please know that it may take a few days or more for Google to update the results in the Google Search Console.

    Plugin Support Maybellyne

    (@maybellyne)

    This thread was marked resolved due to a lack of activity, but you’re always welcome to re-open the topic. Please read this post before opening a new request.

    Thread Starter larissamartins

    (@larissamartins)

    Example how it shows on GSC https://ibb.co/jRnS49R

    Plugin Support Maybellyne

    (@maybellyne)

    Hello @larissamartins

    As you correctly mentioned, the Yoast-generated XML sitemap is /sitemap_index.xml/, and it has no issues in the Console.

    To remove the ‘/’, you may try the following:

    1. Sign in to Google Search Console
    2. In the sidebar, select your website.
    3. Click on ‘Sitemaps’ under the ‘Index’ section.
    4. Under ‘Submitted sitemaps’, click on the sitemap you want to remove. This should be the ‘/’
    5. Click on the 3 vertical dots in the top-right of the page, then Remove Sitemap.

    If those steps don’t work, you may consider posting your question in the Google Search Central Help Community

    Thread Starter larissamartins

    (@larissamartins)

    Hello Maybellyne,

    Thank you so much for your help, that worked. Just to be sure, is there a way to know if this sitemap were generated in a wrong way by the plugin? If this may happen again?

    Plugin Support devnihil

    (@devnihil)

    @larissamartins Thanks for your reply and confirming that you were able to successfully remove the extraneous sitemap entry in Google Search Console.

    Regarding your question, if you want to check the sitemap using another utility for any formatting problems or errors you can use an XML validator to do so. You can find one at the following link: https://www.xml-sitemaps.com/validate-xml-sitemap.html

    This thread was marked resolved due to a lack of activity, but you’re always welcome to re-open the topic. Please read this post before opening a new request.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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