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Understanding How and When Your XML Sitemap Updates Automatically

25 threads Sep 9, 2025 Plugin → Xml sitemap generator for google

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One of the most common questions users have about the 'XML Sitemap Generator for Google' plugin is how it handles updates. Does it happen automatically? Do you need to manually rebuild it? This guide will explain the plugin's automatic update behavior and what to do if you suspect your sitemap isn't current.

How the Sitemap Stays Updated

Unlike a static file, the sitemap generated by this plugin is typically dynamic. This means it is generated 'on the fly' whenever a search engine or visitor requests the sitemap.xml URL. The plugin queries your WordPress database in real-time to list all published posts, pages, and other content types you've configured.

Because of this dynamic nature, the sitemap should automatically reflect changes as you make them to your site, including:

  • Publishing a new post or page
  • Changing a post's URL (slug)
  • Deleting content
  • Changing the publication status from Published to Draft (draft posts are automatically excluded)

When You Might Need to Manually Rebuild or Notify Search Engines

While the sitemap content updates dynamically, search engines like Google still need to be notified that there is new content to crawl. The plugin includes features to help with this.

To manually notify search engines:

  1. Navigate to the plugin's settings page in your WordPress dashboard (Settings > XML Sitemap).
  2. Look in the Results section for an option labeled something like "Notify Search Engines about your sitemap" or "Notify Search Engines about your main sitemap and all sub-sitemaps now."
  3. Clicking this link will send a ping to Google and Bing, informing them that your sitemap has been updated and they should recrawl it.

This is particularly useful after making significant structural changes to your website or if you want to force a rapid recrawl instead of waiting for search engines to discover the changes on their own schedule.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If the Sitemap Seems Out of Date

If you check your sitemap.xml and it does not appear to reflect recent changes, try these steps:

  1. Clear Caching: The most common cause of an outdated sitemap view is server-side or browser caching. Clear your site's cache (if you use a caching plugin or service) and try loading the sitemap URL in a private/incognito browser window.
  2. Re-save Plugin Settings: Sometimes, simply visiting the plugin's settings page and clicking 'Save Changes' can refresh its configuration and output.
  3. Check Content Status: Ensure the content you are looking for has a published status. Draft, pending, and private posts are intentionally excluded from the sitemap.

Important Note on Submission

Remember, you only need to submit your main sitemap index URL (usually yoursite.com/sitemap.xml) to Google Search Console once. After the initial submission, the plugin's ping feature and Google's own crawlers handle the rest. There is no need to resubmit it monthly or after every update.

By understanding the dynamic nature of the sitemap and knowing how to use the manual notification tool, you can effectively manage how your site updates are communicated to search engines.

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