Sitemap Index Generator
Generate a valid XML sitemap index from a list of child sitemap URLs with optional lastmod dates. Validates URLs and downloads sitemap_index.xml.
sitemap_index.xml (0 sitemaps)
What is the Sitemap Index Generator?
The Sitemap Index Generator builds the sitemapindex XML file that ties multiple child sitemaps together.
- Valid sitemapindex XML output
- Paste-and-go, one sitemap URL per line
- Optional shared lastmod date
- Per-line URL validation
- Proper XML escaping of special characters
- Copy or download, fully client-side
How to use the Sitemap Index Generator
- 1
Paste your child sitemap URLs, one per line.
- 2
Optionally set a last-modified date to apply to every entry.
- 3
Fix any URLs the tool flags as invalid.
- 4
Copy the generated XML or download sitemap_index.xml.
- 5
Upload it to your site root and submit it in Search Console.
About the Sitemap Index Generator
The Sitemap Index Generator builds the sitemapindex XML file that ties multiple child sitemaps together. Paste your sitemap URLs — one per line — set an optional last-modified date, and the index markup is generated live, ready to submit to Search Console.
Large sites split their URLs across several sitemaps because each file is capped at 50,000 URLs, and a sitemap index is the standard way to reference them all from a single entry point. This tool validates each URL and escapes special characters so the file passes validators cleanly.
Everything is generated in your browser and downloads as sitemap_index.xml — no crawling and no uploads. It is ideal for developers and SEOs managing large or multi-section sites that need more than one sitemap.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sitemap index file?
A sitemap index is a special XML file that lists the URLs of your other sitemaps instead of listing pages directly. It uses the sitemapindex element and lets you point search engines at many child sitemaps from one file, which is how large sites stay within sitemap limits.
When do I need a sitemap index instead of one sitemap?
You need a sitemap index once you exceed a single sitemap's limits — 50,000 URLs or 50MB uncompressed — or when you want to organise sitemaps by section, such as separate files for products, blog posts and categories. Below those limits a single sitemap is enough.
Do I submit the sitemap index or each child sitemap?
Submit just the sitemap index URL in Google Search Console. Google reads the index, discovers every child sitemap listed inside it, and crawls them all. There is no need to submit each child sitemap separately once they are in the index.
Can a sitemap index reference another sitemap index?
No. The sitemap protocol does not allow nesting one sitemap index inside another. An index can only reference regular sitemap files, so keep your structure to a single index pointing directly at child sitemaps.
What is the lastmod value in a sitemap index?
In a sitemap index, lastmod indicates when the referenced child sitemap itself was last changed, not when individual pages changed. Keeping it accurate helps search engines decide which child sitemaps to recrawl, so update it when the underlying sitemap is regenerated.
Guides for Sitemap Index Generator
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