John Mueller of Google has all the time downplayed the significance of HTML sitemaps through the years, he’s a fan of XML sitemaps, however HTML sitemaps, not a lot. On Mastodon the opposite day, he actually confirmed his dissatisfaction with HTML sitemaps by saying that HTML sitemaps “ought to by no means be wanted.”
He wrote, “I modified my thoughts on HTML sitemaps through the years, they need to by no means be wanted. Websites small & giant ought to all the time have a transparent navigational construction. In case you really feel the necessity for a HTML sitemap, spend the time enhancing your website’s structure as an alternative. HTML sitemaps match into the identical bin with HTML loading spinners.”
Did he simply equate websites utilizing HTML sitemaps on the identical stage as websites utilizing HTML loading spinners? Possibly that’s Mastodon humor?
In 2019, John stated HTML sitemaps should not worthwhile for search engine marketing functions, then in 2016, John additionally downplayed the significance of HTML sitemaps. However let’s return to 2009 when Matt Cutts stated HTML sitemaps come first.
I imply, the logic John is utilizing is smart. If a consumer cannot discover your content material utilizing your navigation and they should resort to an HTML sitemap, you might have a much bigger drawback together with your website…
Oh, later, John wrote that “HTML loading spinners are dangerous for search engine marketing.”
Discussion board dialogue at Mastodon.
