Google Site Maps – Friend or Foe?

Do Google Site Maps Actually Detract From Your SEO?

by Chance Hoggan
of http://www.blackberryseo.com/

Last updated: 12 Sep 2007

Google Site Maps is the tool used to assist in indexing pages that may otherwise be having indexing problems. If this is the reason you are using Google Site Maps, then they may be causing you much larger problems, and relying on them to get pages indexed could be costing you money.

Once keyword research and SWOT is out of the way and the real Search Engine Optimisation is beginning, the first phase involves examination of the site to ensure that every word and page can be easily reached by search engines and text readers alike.

The problem with relying on Google Site Maps and skipping this stage to get pages indexed is that it potential negates a large part of on-site Search Engine Optimization and increases the difficulty of text readers being able to access your site.

On a search-engine-friendly site, search engines naturally browse your site caching and scoring the content. Within a site you will have pages pointing to internal pages with natural Link text and document relevancy also being passed. The problem here is that if search engines can not do this naturally, then you could be missing out on internal interlinking.

Furthermore, if you are using Google Site Maps to get your pages indexed because GoogleBot can not reach them naturally, you could be losing money and Traffic from other search engines who do not offer similar functionality and who also can not reach your pages.

The earliest stage of search engine optimization is to examine the site and research the technologies used and the question to ask yourself is "are these causing indexing problems or duplication problems?"

If google were the only search engine, then Site Maps would be somewhat beneficial but the there are also other search engines such as MSN (Live Search) and Yahoo!