It’s been some time since I wrote a post here. That’s what happens when you’re on the board of your Jaycees chapter. Time flies when you’re busy.
When Google Sitemaps first came out I was an instant convert. I added them to every site I worked on, including my own. And I updated them religiously. Then I fell out of the habit. So what’s the result?
I have to say that having the Sitemaps didn’t seem to make a difference. Rankings didn’t come any better or quicker from their use. And believe me, I used them. There’s been some time since I stopped using them – I haven’t updated them in months, possibly even a year in certain cases.
It hasn’t mattered. My work is still producing search engine gains and all without the use of Google Sitemaps. Many clients, and prospective clients, ask me whether using them will somehow give them an edge with Google. Answer: Nope.
In fact I haven’t bothered to install them in my most recent clients sites. Will I regret it someday? Who knows – maybe Google will suddenly make them all important. You never know with them. But I doubt it. Search engine optimization (SEO) is, and always will be, more about the content, the linking, the ability for search bots to get the content clearly and other factors.
So, if you’re thinking about adding a Google Sitemap or if you’re worried because you never added one, the message is: Don’t Sweat It. Work on more important additions to your site. Rankings will come from good work, not good Sitemaps.