HTML or XML sitemap - benefits

[Tormar]

Hi all,

Can I use only HTML sitemap or I should use both versions?
How much I would lose in case when I would lose only HTML sitemap, without XML sitemap?

Thank you.

[O2C]

XML sitemaps are for the benefit of Google or other search engine crawlers. It makes it easier for them to index all your pages so you might see that if you dont use an XML sitemap that Google wont find all of your pages or index them within the search engine.

I don't see why you wouldn't want to use an XML sitemap. They are not hard to create and for the effort they take are very beneficial for your SEO.

I would suggest using both but if you were going to use one over the other I would suggest XML.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi Tormar,

You tend to find that almost every site has an XML sitemap tied in with Search Console, but an HTML sitemap doesn't really do much for Google and is more of a navigation aid for people to find places on large sites. You certainly won't get a penalty or benefit if you do or don't carry one.

Add one if you feel it will be beneficial, but don't if not.

-Andy