Google Webmaster Guideline Change: Human-Readable list of links

[netzkern_AG]

In the revised webmaster guidelines, google says "[...] Provide a sitemap file with links that point to the important pages on your site. Also provide a page with a human-readable list of links to these pages (sometimes called a site index or site map page)." (Source: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35769?hl=en)

I guess what they mean by this is something like this: http://www.ziolko.de/sitemap.html

Still, I wonder why they say that. Just to ensure that every page on a site is linked and consequently findable by humans (and crawlers - but isn't the XML sitemap for those and gives even better information)? Should not a good navigation already lead to every page? What is the benefit of a link-list-page, assuming you have an XML sitemap? For a big site, a link-list is bound to look somewhat cluttered and its usefulness is outclassed by a good navigation, which I assume as a given. Or isn't it?

TL;DR: Can anybody tell me what exactly is the benefit of a human-readable list of all links?

Regards,

Nico

[GastonRiera]

Hi there,

Remember that google always seeks to serve the a better user experience.
Technically, the XML sitemap is the one needed for crawlers. And the "human-readable" sitemap is focused on users.
I might be saiyng something obvious, that's the way i've understood it.

The benefit of the "human-readable" sitemap shuld be in the part of user experience, Google might see it that way. 
As a visitor, I find usefull that kind of sitemap, it gives you a quick overview of the siite and make your way to the final page faster.

Hope it helps.
GR.

[donford]

Hi Netkernz_ag,

It is just good practice to have those types of pages available. While I wouldn't say it is an absolute requirement, it should be something you do for your users. The page you pointed to is a general checklist of things to do, and not to do for your users. Creating a Site Index maybe a bit dated, but I still tend to do them as they are fairly easy to create. (example).

Hope this helps,
Don