A specialized XML sitemap for news publishers to help Google discover and index news content quickly.
Why a Google News Sitemap Matters for SEO
Google News Sitemaps are essential for publishers who want their news articles to appear quickly and reliably in Google News results. By submitting a properly formatted sitemap, you ensure that search engines can find your latest news content. This improves indexing speed, enhances visibility, and can lead to higher click-through rates from users looking for fresh, relevant news.
CMS Coverage
WordPress
WordPress supports Google News Sitemaps through plugins and built-in XML sitemap functionality. Using these tools, publishers can automatically generate news sitemaps that update with every new article. This ensures faster indexing and better coverage in Google News search results.
Shopify
Shopify is primarily an ecommerce platform, but blogs or news sections can include Google News Sitemaps. By creating and submitting a sitemap for your news posts, Shopify stores with content marketing strategies can increase their visibility in Google News and attract more organic traffic.
Wix
Wix allows the creation of custom sitemaps for news pages. Using the Wix SEO tools, publishers can generate Google News Sitemaps and submit them to Google Search Console. This helps news content appear quickly in search results and improves SEO for time-sensitive content.
Webflow
Webflow enables custom sitemap generation, including Google News Sitemaps. News or blog sections can be set up to automatically feed the sitemap. This ensures new content is discovered promptly and maintains strong visibility in Google News results.
Custom CMS
For custom CMS platforms, creating a Google News Sitemap usually requires manual setup or developer intervention. Properly configured sitemaps help search engines crawl news content efficiently, improving indexing speed and SEO performance.
Industry Applications
Ecommerce
Ecommerce sites with news or blog sections covering industry updates, product launches, or trends can benefit from Google News Sitemaps. Fast indexing increases visibility, drives traffic, and positions the brand as a timely, authoritative source.
Local Businesses
Local business blogs reporting community news or events can use Google News Sitemaps to ensure their stories are discoverable by local audiences. Quick indexing enhances visibility and helps build authority in local search.
SaaS
SaaS companies that maintain news sections for product updates, industry trends, or company announcements benefit from Google News Sitemaps. Fast indexing ensures content reaches potential users promptly, improving engagement and search traffic.
Blogs
Blogs covering news, trends, or timely topics gain from Google News Sitemaps by ensuring that content is indexed quickly. This boosts traffic, improves brand authority, and helps maintain relevance in competitive niches.
Do’s & Don’ts / Best Practices
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Do ensure your sitemap is in the correct Google News XML format
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Do include only news content published within the last 48 hours to 2 weeks
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Do update the sitemap frequently as new articles are published
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Don’t include non-news pages such as evergreen content or static pages
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Don’t submit sitemaps with incorrect or missing publication dates
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Including outdated or irrelevant content in the sitemap
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Forgetting to validate the sitemap in Google Search Console
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Using the wrong format or missing required tags such as publication date or title
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Not updating the sitemap regularly, causing indexing delays
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Assuming Google will automatically discover all news content without a sitemap
FAQs
What is a Google News Sitemap?
A Google News Sitemap is a specialized XML file that helps Google discover and index news articles quickly. It includes metadata like publication date and title, ensuring timely visibility in Google News.
Why should I use a Google News Sitemap?
It enables Google to find your news content faster, improving the chances of your articles appearing in Google News search results. This is especially beneficial for time-sensitive topics.
How do I create a Google News Sitemap?
You can create one by adding <news:news> tags to your existing sitemap or by generating a separate XML file. Ensure it includes only articles published in the last 48 hours and contains fewer than 1,000 URLs.
Where do I submit my Google News Sitemap?
After creating the sitemap, submit its URL to Google Search Console. Additionally, consider adding your site to Google’s Publisher Center for better control and tracking.
Are there any best practices for Google News Sitemaps?
Yes, include only news articles, update the sitemap frequently, and ensure it adheres to Google’s XML schema. This helps maintain the quality and relevance of your content in Google News.
