A special XML sitemap for Google News to help search engines discover and index news articles quickly.
It is specifically designed to help search engines, particularly Google News, discover and index a website’s most recent and important news content. Unlike a standard XML sitemap that is updated on a regular basis, a news sitemap should be updated in real time as new articles are published. It is a crucial element for a news publication or a blog that covers a newsworthy topic, as it helps a search engine’s crawler find and index your content as quickly as possible.
Why a News Sitemap Matters
A news sitemap is a key part of your website’s SEO health if you are a news publication. It matters because it is a direct way to get your news articles into Google News, a prominent feature in search results. A news sitemap is designed to tell a search engine’s crawler about your most recent articles. This is a crucial step for news publications, as a news article’s relevance is often time-sensitive. By using a news sitemap, you can:
- Increase Visibility: You can attract organic search traffic from a new, global audience.
- Improve User Experience: A website that is optimized for news search provides a seamless experience for users, which can lead to a lower bounce rate and a higher conversion rate.
- Boost Authority: A website that is optimized for news search is a clear signal that your business is a high-quality resource, which can lead to a higher ranking.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of a news sitemap is a technical and content strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their news sitemap by using a plugin like Google News Sitemap or a good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. These plugins can help you create a separate page for each country, a clear URL structure, and a hreflang tag that tells search engines about the different regional versions of a page.
Shopify
On Shopify, a news sitemap is essential for an e-commerce store that serves a global audience. You can use an app that can help you create a separate page for each country, a clear URL structure, and a hreflang tag.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still create a news sitemap by using the platform’s native tools. The platform’s simplicity encourages a clear and straightforward design, which is great for multilingual SEO.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated news sitemap strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your news sitemap performance and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use a news sitemap will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites rely heavily on news sitemaps. A site that sells running shoes, for example, can create a separate page for each country and a clear URL structure.
Local Businesses
Local businesses that serve a diverse community can use news sitemaps to attract local customers. A plumber in Sialkot, for example, can create a separate page for each country.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use news sitemaps to attract a global customer base. A company that sells project management software can create a separate page for each country.
Blogs
Blogs that serve a global audience can use news sitemaps to attract readers from different countries. A blog about cooking can create a separate page for each country.
Do’s and Don’ts of a News Sitemap
Do’s
- Do use a clear URL structure. The best way to manage a news sitemap is to use a separate URL for each country.
- Do use a hreflang tag. A hreflang tag tells search engines about the different regional versions of a page.
- Do use a tool to check for rendering issues. The URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console will show you how Google sees your pages.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a machine translation. A machine translation can lead to a poor user experience and a low quality score.
- Don’t use the same content for all countries. A website that is optimized for different regions should have unique content for each region.
- Don’t use a JavaScript redirect. This can confuse search engines and can lead to a loss of organic traffic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to use a hreflang tag: This is the most common mistake. It can lead to a lower indexation rate and a loss of organic traffic.
- Using a machine translation: A machine translation can lead to a poor user experience and a low quality score.
- Using the same content for all countries: This can confuse search engines and can lead to a lower ranking.
FAQs
How is a news sitemap different from a regular XML sitemap?
It is specifically for news articles and should be updated in real time. A regular XML sitemap is for all pages on a website and can be updated at a regular interval.
How often should I update my news sitemap?
It should be updated as soon as a new article is published. This helps a search engine’s crawler find and index your content as quickly as possible.
What is a “time-sensitive keyword”?
A time-sensitive keyword is a keyword that has a short life span, such as “Super Bowl” or “Black Friday.” A news sitemap is a great way to capitalize on these keywords.
How can I get my news articles into Google News?
You can get your news articles into Google News by submitting a news sitemap and by creating high-quality, newsworthy content. You should also ensure that your website has a clean, hierarchical site structure.
What is the difference between a news sitemap and a blog?
A news sitemap is a sitemap that is specifically for news articles. A blog is a type of website that is used to publish articles and other content. A blog can have a news sitemap.
