Submit and check a Yoast sitemap in Google Search Console

Find the sitemap index that Yoast SEO already generates, submit that exact URL to the matching Google Search Console property if it is not listed, and record Google's report result. A sitemap helps search engines discover page addresses; a successful sitemap read does not mean those pages are indexed.

• Outcome: SEO delivery
• Tools: Google Search Console, WordPress, Web Browser, Yoast Seo
• Responsible: WordPress site owners or site assistants who need to submit an existing Yoast SEO XML sitemap and read its Google Search Console status.
• Estimated time: 10 minutes

Scope

This SOP covers:

• Find the existing sitemap index URL in Yoast SEO settings
• Submit that exact sitemap URL to the matching verified Search Console property if it is not already listed
• Read and record the report status and any details Google provides

This does not cover:

• Installing or configuring Yoast SEO or another SEO plugin
• Creating or editing sitemap files, robots rules, or website settings
• Repairing sitemap errors or requesting indexing for individual pages
• Submitting paid video, news, or other specialty sitemaps
• Promising that submitted or listed pages will be indexed or appear in Search results

Requirements

• Access to the WordPress dashboard for the site, with Yoast SEO already installed and its XML sitemap enabled.
• Owner access to the verified Google Search Console property for the same site.

Related SOPs

• SOP 031: Submit and check a Rank Math sitemap in Google Search Console

01. Find the sitemap index generated by Yoast SEO

Use the address linked from this site’s Yoast settings rather than guessing a URL. Yoast’s sitemap index links to separate sitemap files.

1. Open the sitemap link shown in Yoast SEO and record its full address.

   1. Sign in to the WordPress dashboard. Open Yoast SEO > Settings > Site features. Under Technical SEO, check that XML sitemaps is on. If it is off, ask the site maintainer to enable it before continuing.

      • Resource: Yoast SEO: XML sitemaps (Check Yoast SEO's current instructions for opening its XML sitemap.)

   2. Click View the XML sitemap. If the link is missing or the sitemap will not open, ask the site maintainer to check the sitemap setup.

   3. Copy the full address from the browser address bar into a note titled Sitemap submission check. Add these labels: Website, Sitemap index URL, Search Console property, Date submitted, Report status, Details, and Next action. Enter the website and exact sitemap index URL now.

02. Submit the sitemap and read Google's result

Search Console reports whether Google could fetch and read a submitted sitemap. That report is separate from whether its individual pages are indexed.

1. Open Google Search Console and select the verified property that contains the sitemap URL.

   1. Open Google Search Console. Use the property selector at the upper left to choose your website.

   2. Compare the selected property with your sitemap address. A URL-prefix property appears as a full address; the sitemap URL must start with that entire address. For example, a property ending in /blog/ only covers that folder. A Domain property, such as example.com, covers the whole domain, including www.example.com.

   3. Write the matching property beside Search Console property in your note. If none of the available properties covers your sitemap, ask a property owner for access to the right one before continuing.

2. Open Sitemaps and either inspect the existing row or submit the sitemap once.

   • Resource: Google Search Console Help: Sitemaps report (See Google’s instructions and explanations for the Sitemaps report.)
   • Resource: Yoast SEO: Submit a sitemap to Google (Review Yoast SEO's guidance for submitting an existing sitemap.)

   1. In the left menu, open Indexing, then Sitemaps. Look for the exact URL in your note. If its row is already listed, open it and continue to check its status; do not submit a duplicate.

   2. If the sitemap URL is not listed, use Add a new sitemap. If part of the site’s address is already shown, enter only the remaining part of the exact URL in your note. If the field is empty, paste the full URL. Before selecting Submit, make sure the combined address matches your note. Select Submit once. If no row appears, refresh once; if it is still missing, record No result yet and check this report later.

      • Warning: A submission tells Google where to find the sitemap; it does not promise that pages will be indexed.

3. If the report row is visible, record its submitted date, current status and details in your note. If it is still missing after one refresh, record that no result is visible yet.

   • Warning: A Success status means Google fetched and processed the sitemap; it does not mean every listed page is indexed.
   1. When the row is visible, record its Submitted date and Status, such as Success, Has errors, or Couldn’t fetch. If it has no status yet, write “No result yet.” If it has details or an error count, open the row and copy the exact message into Details.

4. Write the next action in your note. Follow the option below that matches the status you recorded.

   1. If you recorded No result yet, write Check the same report again later beside Next action.

   2. If the status is Couldn’t fetch or Has errors, write Ask the site maintainer to review this beside Next action. Include the exact error message and Sitemap index URL so they know what to check.

   3. If the status is Success, write Google read the sitemap beside Next action. Whether each page is indexed is a separate check.