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Difference and Effect of HTML/XML Sitemap

SEOAntAbout 1 minSEOAnt - AI SEO Optimizer

HTML Sitemap and XML Sitemap are two different types of sitemaps that are used for different purposes and play different roles in search engine optimisation (SEO).

HTML Sitemap:

An HTML Sitemap is a webpage, typically a single page, that contains the structure of a website and lists all the important pages within the site. It is created for the convenience of users, allowing them to quickly understand the entire structure of the website and find the content they are looking for. The main purpose of the HTML Sitemap is to improve the user experience, especially on large websites, by helping users navigate and discover the website's content. Search engine crawlers can also use HTML Sitemaps to better understand the website's structure and link relationships.

XML Sitemap:

An XML Sitemap is a file designed specifically for search engines and is usually stored in XML format. It lists all the pages within a website and provides essential information about each page, such as the last update time, page change frequency, and priority. The purpose of XML Sitemaps is to help search engines more efficiently discover and index the pages of a website. This is particularly important for larger and more complex websites, as XML Sitemaps assist search engines in better understanding the website's structure and ensuring that all crucial pages are indexed.

How to enable HTML Sitemap

Step 1

Go to the SEOAnt Admin page → click on the HTML Sitemap page → click on the Sitemap Status switch.

Step 2

Click Preview for access.

Step 3

Add new custom link.

Step 4

Generate page results.

Summary

HTML Sitemap is user-oriented and provides website navigation and link structure to enhance the user experience.
XML Sitemap is search engine-oriented and assists search engines in discovering and indexing website pages, ensuring that all important pages are included in search results.
For SEO purposes, using both HTML Sitemaps and XML Sitemaps can be beneficial. HTML Sitemaps enhance user experience and navigation, while XML Sitemaps help search engines better understand the website structure, leading to improved visibility and rankings in search results.