A sitemap built with JavaScript code instead of XML/HTML, often not SEO-friendly unless properly configured.
Why JavaScript Sitemaps Matter for SEO
A JavaScript sitemap can be a significant SEO problem because it can lead to a site’s most important pages being missed by a search engine’s crawler. A sitemap’s purpose is to act as a roadmap for a search crawler, guiding it to all the pages you want to be indexed. A JavaScript sitemap, however, can be a roadblock. If a search engine cannot crawl and render the JavaScript, it will never see the sitemap and may never discover all the pages on your site. This can lead to a lower indexation rate and a loss of organic traffic. While Google is excellent at this, other search engines may not be. The best practice is to always use a traditional XML sitemap.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of a JavaScript sitemap depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
WordPress’s default sitemaps are XML, which is the best practice. However, if you are using a plugin that generates a JavaScript sitemap, you should ensure that you also have a traditional XML sitemap. A good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math will generate a clean, XML-based sitemap for you.
Shopify
Shopify’s sitemaps are also XML, which is great for SEO. If you are using a third-party app that generates a JavaScript sitemap, you should still submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure your pages are being crawled and indexed correctly.
Wix
Wix has a closed system, so you don’t typically have to worry about a JavaScript sitemap. The platform’s system is designed to handle its dynamic content in a way that is compliant with search engine guidelines, so you can rely on its built-in sitemap.
Webflow
Webflow’s sitemaps are also XML, which is excellent for SEO. If you add a custom JavaScript-based sitemap, you should still submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure all your pages are being discovered and indexed.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. The best practice is to build a system that automatically generates a traditional XML sitemap. This is the most reliable way to ensure your pages are discovered and indexed.
Across Different Industries
The use of a JavaScript sitemap can be a concern for any industry that uses dynamic content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often have thousands of pages, making a sitemap an essential tool for a search crawler. A JavaScript sitemap can be a major problem if it prevents all your product and category pages from being discovered and indexed.
Local Businesses
Local businesses with a large number of services or locations may have a JavaScript sitemap issue. It is crucial to ensure that all their key pages are easily crawlable and indexable.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies with a large knowledge base or a blog can suffer from a JavaScript sitemap issue. It is crucial to ensure that all their articles are rendered and indexed.
Blogs
Blogs with a large number of articles can suffer from a JavaScript sitemap issue. It is critical to ensure that all your articles are rendered and indexed, which is a major factor in organic traffic.
Do’s and Don’ts of JavaScript Sitemaps
Do’s
- Do use an XML sitemap. This is the gold standard for SEO. It is a reliable way to tell a search crawler about all the pages on your site.
- Do submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. This is the easiest way to tell Google about all the pages you want it to index.
- Do keep your sitemap up-to-date. Your sitemap should be updated whenever you add, remove, or change a page on your site.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a JavaScript sitemap as your primary sitemap. This is a major SEO problem and can lead to a lower indexation rate.
- Don’t block search engines from crawling your JavaScript files. A search engine needs to access your JavaScript to properly render the page.
- Don’t use a sitemap to tell search engines about pages you don’t want to be indexed. Use a noindex tag for that.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a JavaScript sitemap instead of an XML one: This is a common and devastating mistake.
- Failing to submit your sitemap to Google Search Console: This is a basic but critical step.
- Having a sitemap with broken links: A sitemap with broken links can send a negative signal to search engines.
FAQs
How is a JavaScript sitemap different from an XML sitemap?
An XML sitemap is a static file with a list of URLs that a search engine can read immediately. A JavaScript sitemap is a dynamically generated file that requires the search engine to execute JavaScript to see the list of URLs.
Do I need a sitemap for SEO?
Yes, a sitemap is essential for SEO. It acts as a roadmap for a search engine’s crawler, helping it discover and index all the pages on your site, which is particularly useful for large sites or those with complex structures.
Will Google rank a page that is only in a JavaScript sitemap?
Google is very good at rendering JavaScript and may be able to discover and index your pages from a JavaScript sitemap. However, it is not a best practice, as it can lead to a slower crawl and a lower indexation rate.
How can I check if my sitemap is working correctly?
You can use the Sitemaps report in Google Search Console. It will show you when your sitemap was last read, how many pages were found, and if there are any errors.
What is the difference between a sitemap and internal links?
A sitemap is a list of all the pages you want to be indexed. Internal links are links that connect one page on your site to another. A sitemap is a great tool for a search crawler, while internal links are essential for both users and crawlers.
