If I only Link to Page via Sitemap, can it still get indexed?

[Travis-W]

Hi there!

I am creating a ton of content for specific geographies.

Is it possible for these pages to get indexed if I only put them in my sitemap and don't link to them through my actual site (though the pages will be live).

Thanks!
Travis

[JMacSupply]

I would say it is possible - with the likelihood depending on how many pages you are including in your sitemap, and how authoritative your site/sitemap is in Google's eyes.

Of course linking to the page from other pages on your site increases your chances dramatically.

Hope that helps

[CSawatzky]

It's certainly possible. We have a pretty strong DA and our site was ranked on page 1 for a location based term after linking only from the HTML sitemap and also including it in our XML sitemap.

I suggest doing both as well. Miki is right too, though. Linking to it in multiple places helps a bunch.

Good luck!

[Travis-W]

Ah, I forgot about the HTML sitemap.  Thanks!

[Travis-W]

Update - If anyone is curious.

IT IS possible to get pages indexed by only linking through a sitemap.
Roughly 90% of the pages I did not link to got indexed and are actually already receiving organic traffic.