If you've ever wondered whether your website needs an XML sitemap, an HTML sitemap, or both, you're not alone. These two types of sitemaps serve completely different purposes, and understanding the distinction can make a real difference in how search engines discover your content and how visitors navigate your site.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly what each sitemap type does, explore the key differences between them, and help you determine which one (or both) your website actually needs.
What Is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is essentially a roadmap of your website. It provides a structured list of your site's pages, helping either search engines or human visitors understand how your content is organized.
There are two main types of sitemaps: XML sitemaps and HTML sitemaps. While they share a similar name, they serve entirely different audiences and purposes.
What Is an XML Sitemap?
An XML sitemap is a file written in Extensible Markup Language (XML) that lists the URLs on your website. It's designed specifically for search engine crawlers like Googlebot—not for human readers.
When search engine bots visit your site, they typically check your robots.txt file first, which often contains a reference to your XML sitemap. The sitemap then tells the crawler exactly which pages exist on your site and provides additional metadata about each URL.
What Information Does an XML Sitemap Include?
A typical XML sitemap contains:
- URL location: The full URL of each page
- Last modified date: When the page was last updated
- Change frequency: How often the content typically changes (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Priority: The relative importance of the page compared to other pages on your site
You'll typically find XML sitemaps at URLs like yoursite.com/sitemap.xml or yoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml.
Benefits of XML Sitemaps
- Improved crawl efficiency: Search engines can discover all your important pages without relying solely on internal links
- Faster indexing of new content: When you publish new pages or update existing ones, search engines can find them faster
- Better handling of large sites: Essential for websites with thousands of pages, where crawlers might miss orphaned content
- Content ownership signals: The last modified dates can help establish your content as the original source
What Is an HTML Sitemap?
An HTML sitemap is a webpage, visible to human visitors, that displays a structured list of links to all the important pages on your site. Think of it as a table of contents for your website.
Unlike XML sitemaps, HTML sitemaps are written in HyperText Markup Language and are designed to be human-readable. You'll often find them linked in website footers under labels like "Sitemap" or "Site Map."
What Does an HTML Sitemap Look Like?
A well-organized HTML sitemap typically presents links in a hierarchical structure:
- Main categories or sections at the top level
- Subcategories nested beneath their parent sections
- Individual pages listed under relevant categories
Large websites like Apple, Microsoft, and eBay use HTML sitemaps to help users navigate their extensive content libraries.
Benefits of HTML Sitemaps
- Improved user experience: Visitors can quickly find the page they're looking for without navigating through multiple menus
- Better accessibility: Users relying on screen readers or other assistive technologies can more easily navigate your site
- Internal linking benefits: Creates additional internal links that can help distribute page authority throughout your site
- Reduced bounce rates: Helps users who can't find what they need through main navigation stay on your site
XML Sitemap vs HTML Sitemap: Key Differences
The Core Difference: Audience
The fundamental difference comes down to who (or what) uses each sitemap:
- XML sitemaps are built for search engine crawlers
- HTML sitemaps are built for human website visitors
This means they're not competing solutions—they're complementary tools that serve different purposes in your overall website strategy.
Do You Need Both an XML and HTML Sitemap?
The short answer: it depends on your website, but using both is often the best approach.
When You Definitely Need an XML Sitemap
- Large websites: If your site has hundreds or thousands of pages, an XML sitemap helps ensure nothing gets missed during crawls
- New websites: With few external backlinks, new sites rely heavily on XML sitemaps for discovery
- Sites with poor internal linking: If some pages aren't well-connected through navigation, an XML sitemap provides a backup path for crawlers
- Content-heavy sites: Blogs, news sites, and e-commerce stores that publish frequently benefit from XML sitemaps
- Sites with rich media: If you have lots of images, videos, or other media, specialized XML sitemaps (image sitemaps, video sitemaps) can improve discoverability
When You Should Consider an HTML Sitemap
- Large, complex websites: Sites with 2,000+ pages benefit from giving users an alternative navigation method
- E-commerce stores: Help shoppers find specific product categories they might not discover through main navigation
- Sites with accessibility requirements: HTML sitemaps can improve navigation for users with disabilities
- Content archives: News sites or blogs with extensive archives can help users discover older content
When You Might Skip the HTML Sitemap
If your site is small (under 100 pages) and has excellent navigation, an HTML sitemap may be redundant. Most users can find what they need through your main menu and search functionality.
However, there's rarely a downside to having one—it's a low-effort addition that can only help.
How to Create Each Type of Sitemap
Creating an XML Sitemap
Most modern content management systems automatically generate XML sitemaps:
- WordPress: Plugins like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO automatically create and update your XML sitemap
- Shopify, Wix, Squarespace: These platforms generate XML sitemaps automatically
- Custom sites: Tools like Screaming Frog or online XML sitemap generators can create sitemaps for any website
Once created, submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to ensure search engines know where to find it.
Creating an HTML Sitemap
HTML sitemaps require a bit more thought about organization:
- List your main categories and sections
- Organize pages hierarchically under relevant categories
- Create a dedicated page with all your links
- Link to your HTML sitemap from your website footer
Many CMS platforms also offer plugins or built-in features to generate HTML sitemaps automatically.
XML Sitemap Limitations to Keep in Mind
While XML sitemaps are valuable, they're not magic:
- No indexing guarantee: Submitting a URL in your sitemap doesn't guarantee Google will crawl or index it
- No ranking boost: Unlike links, URLs in sitemaps don't pass authority or improve rankings directly
- Size limits: XML sitemaps are limited to 50,000 URLs or 50MB (uncompressed). Larger sites need multiple sitemaps with a sitemap index file
- Requires maintenance: Sitemaps should be updated when you add, remove, or modify content (though most CMS tools handle this automatically)
Best Practices for Both Sitemap Types
XML Sitemap Best Practices
- Only include pages you want indexed (skip admin pages, duplicate content, etc.)
- Use absolute URLs with your preferred domain version (www or non-www)
- Keep your sitemap updated—remove deleted pages, add new ones
- Reference your sitemap in your robots.txt file
- Submit to Google Search Console and monitor for errors
HTML Sitemap Best Practices
- Organize links logically by category, not alphabetically
- Keep the page clean and easy to scan
- Link to your HTML sitemap from your footer (accessible from every page)
- For very large sites, consider paginated or category-specific HTML sitemaps
- Update regularly as your site structure changes
The Bottom Line: XML vs HTML Sitemaps
XML sitemaps and HTML sitemaps aren't competing solutions—they're complementary tools that address different needs:
- XML sitemaps help search engines efficiently discover and understand your content
- HTML sitemaps help human visitors navigate your site and find what they need
For most websites, using both is the recommended approach. An XML sitemap is essential for SEO, while an HTML sitemap provides a better user experience—and both contribute to a well-organized, professional website.
The good news? With modern tools and CMS plugins, creating and maintaining both types of sitemaps is easier than ever. Set them up once, and they'll work quietly in the background to help both search engines and users get the most out of your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to submit my HTML sitemap to Google?
No. HTML sitemaps don't need to be submitted to search engines. They're designed for human visitors. Only XML sitemaps should be submitted to Google Search Console.
Will having a sitemap improve my rankings?
Not directly. Sitemaps help search engines discover and crawl your content, but they don't provide a ranking boost on their own. However, ensuring all your important pages are crawled and indexed is a prerequisite for ranking well.
How often should I update my sitemaps?
Your XML sitemap should be updated whenever you add, remove, or significantly modify pages. Most CMS plugins handle this automatically. HTML sitemaps should be reviewed periodically to ensure they reflect your current site structure.
Can I have multiple XML sitemaps?
Yes. Large sites often use multiple XML sitemaps (one for posts, one for pages, one for products, etc.) organized under a sitemap index file. This is also necessary if you have more than 50,000 URLs.
Are HTML sitemaps outdated?
Some argue that modern navigation makes HTML sitemaps less necessary, and that's partially true for small sites with excellent UX. However, for large or complex websites, HTML sitemaps still provide real value for user navigation and accessibility.