Unlike WordPress, Drupal doesn't include built-in sitemap generation. You need a contributed module to create XML sitemaps, which means your sitemap location depends entirely on which module you've installed. This guide covers the most common Drupal sitemap modules and where each one stores your sitemap.
Drupal Doesn't Generate Sitemaps by Default
If you've never installed a sitemap module, your Drupal site simply doesn't have an XML sitemap. Visiting /sitemap.xml will return a 404 error. This catches many Drupal site owners off guard, especially those migrating from platforms where sitemaps are automatic.
Before searching for your sitemap, confirm that a sitemap module is actually installed. In your Drupal admin, go to Extend (or Modules in Drupal 7) and look for sitemap-related modules in the list.
Some Common Drupal Sitemap Module Locations
Simple XML Sitemap (Drupal 8/9/10)
Simple XML Sitemap is the most popular sitemap solution for modern Drupal. By default, it creates your sitemap at:
https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
You can verify and configure this under Configuration → Search and metadata → Simple XML Sitemap. The Settings tab shows your sitemap URL and lets you change the base path if needed.
For sites with many URLs, Simple XML Sitemap automatically creates a sitemap index with numbered child sitemaps:
https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml (index) https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml?page=1 https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml?page=2
XML Sitemap (Drupal 7/8/9/10)
The XML Sitemap module, one of the oldest sitemap solutions for Drupal, places your sitemap at: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
Access settings through Configuration → Search and metadata → XML Sitemap. The module generates separate sitemap files for different content types and languages, organized through a sitemap index.
In multilingual sites, you might see language-prefixed sitemaps:
https://yourdomain.com/en/sitemap.xml https://yourdomain.com/es/sitemap.xml
Sitemap (Basic HTML Sitemap)
Don't confuse the "Sitemap" module with XML sitemap modules. The basic Sitemap module creates an HTML sitemap for human visitors at /sitemap, not an XML sitemap for search engines. If this is the only sitemap module you have installed, you don't have an XML sitemap.
Finding Your Sitemap in the Drupal Admin
If you're unsure which module generates your sitemap, check these locations:
Drupal 8/9/10:
- Configuration → Search and metadata → look for any sitemap-related links
- Configuration → Web services → some modules place settings here
Drupal 7:
- Configuration → Search and metadata → XML sitemap
- Modules page → find the sitemap module and click "Configure"
The configuration page for any sitemap module will display your sitemap URL or provide a direct link to view it.
Checking Robots.txt for Sitemap References
Drupal's robots.txt file might reveal your sitemap location. Visit:
https://yourdomain.com/robots.txt
Look for a Sitemap directive:
Sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
Some sitemap modules add this automatically. Others require you to add it manually or install the RobotsTxt module to manage robots.txt through the admin interface.
Common Reasons Your Drupal Sitemap Is Missing
No Sitemap Module Installed
This is the most common issue. Drupal requires a contributed module for sitemap generation. Install Simple XML Sitemap or XML Sitemap module through Composer:
bash
composer require drupal/simple_sitemap
Then enable it under Extend and configure which content types to include.
The Sitemap Hasn't Been Generated Yet
Sitemap modules don't create sitemaps instantly upon installation. You need to either run the cron or generate the sitemap manually. In Simple XML Sitemap, go to Configuration → Simple XML Sitemap and click "Generate" to create your sitemap immediately.
For the XML Sitemap module, sitemaps generate during cron runs. You can trigger this manually under Configuration → System → Cron or by running drush cron from the command line.
Cron Isn't Running
Both major sitemap modules rely on cron to update sitemaps when content changes. If your sitemap exists but doesn't reflect recent content, cron probably isn't running regularly. Check Configuration → System → Cron to see when cron last ran and ensure automated cron is configured.
Cache Issues
Drupal's aggressive caching can sometimes serve outdated sitemaps or interfere with sitemap generation. Clear all caches under Configuration → Performance → Clear all caches, then regenerate your sitemap.
File Permission Problems
Sitemap modules write XML files to your files directory. If Drupal can't write to this location, sitemap generation fails silently. Check that your sites/default/files directory (or wherever your files are stored) is writable by the web server.
Configuring What Appears in Your Drupal Sitemap
Once you've located your sitemap, you'll likely want to customize its contents. Both major modules let you control inclusion at multiple levels.
Simple XML Sitemap lets you enable or disable sitemaps per content type, taxonomy vocabulary, and even individual nodes. Edit any piece of content and look for the Simple XML Sitemap settings in the sidebar.
XML Sitemap uses a similar approach with inclusion settings on content types and individual nodes. It also provides more granular control over priorities and change frequencies.
For most sites, you'll want to include node content types (articles, pages, products) and possibly taxonomy term pages, while excluding administrative content, user profiles, and duplicate views.
Multilingual Sitemap Considerations
Drupal handles multilingual sitemaps differently depending on your module choice and configuration.
Simple XML Sitemap can generate a single sitemap with hreflang attributes linking translated content, or separate sitemaps per language. The hreflang approach is generally preferred for SEO as it clearly signals language relationships to search engines.
XML Sitemap typically creates separate sitemap files per language, each listed in the sitemap index. Both approaches work; the key is ensuring all translated content is discoverable.
Submitting Your Drupal Sitemap to Search Engines
After confirming your sitemap generates correctly, submit it through:
- Google Search Console: Sitemaps → Add a new sitemap → enter your URL
- Bing Webmaster Tools: Configure My Site → Sitemaps → Submit a sitemap
Monitor the index status over the following days to ensure search engines can process your sitemap without errors.