Max URLs in XML Sitemap and Split With XML Sitemaps Index File

XML Sitemaps Protocol defines each XML sitemap file to maximum have 50.000 URLs. However, A1 Sitemap Generator can split and create multiple XML sitemaps combined with an XML sitemap index file.

URL Limits in XML Sitemap Files

The XML Sitemaps Protocol limits each XML sitemap file to maximum 50.000 urls. However, it is possible to create multiple XML sitemap files, and link them with an XML sitemap index file.

When necessary, A1 Sitemap Generator will automatically create the required XML sitemap files including the XML sitemap index file.

xml sitemaps page limit

A1 Sitemap Generator defaults to a limit of only 25.000 URLs per XML sitemap file, but this number can be configured in option Create sitemap | XML sitemap options | Sitemap file options:

xml sitemaps page config

XML Sitemap Index File Example

After building your XML sitemap, you should upload all the generated XML sitemap files, e.g. sitemap.xml, sitemap-1.xml, sitemap-2.xml etc.

You should also upload the sitemap index file, here called sitemap-index.xml. You will need to submit this file to the search engines.

Below is an example the sitemaps index file where you can see how it references each generated site map file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<sitemapindex xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
  <sitemap>
    <loc>http://example.com/sitemap.xml</loc>
    <lastmod>2010-10-10</lastmod>
  </sitemap>
  <sitemap>
    <loc>http://example.com/sitemap-2.xml</loc>
    <lastmod>2010-10-10</lastmod>
  </sitemap>
</sitemapindex>

For more information about the XML sitemap protocol, see our sitemaps comparison and overview article.

Note: If you need to make sitemaps of huge sites, be sure to read the help page on creating sitemaps for large websites.

Help page primarily maintained and written by Thomas Schulz

As one of the lead developers in Microsys, his hands have touched almost all the code in the software available at this website. If you email any questions, chances are he will be the one answering them.

About A1 Sitemap Generator

Build all kinds of sitemaps including text, visual HTML / CSS, RSS, XML, image, video, news and mobile for all your websites no matter the platform they use.

Max URLs in XML Sitemap and Split With XML Sitemaps Index File

URL Limits in XML Sitemap Files

XML Sitemap Index File Example

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