John Mueller of Google has at all times downplayed the significance of HTML sitemaps over time, 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 over time, they need to by no means be wanted. Websites small & massive ought to at all times have a transparent navigational construction. If you happen to really feel the necessity for a HTML sitemap, spend the time bettering your web site’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? Perhaps that’s Mastodon humor?
In 2019, John stated HTML sitemaps will not be worthwhile for website positioning 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 sensible. If a person cannot discover your content material utilizing your navigation and they should resort to an HTML sitemap, you’ll have a much bigger drawback along with your web site…
Oh, later, John wrote that “HTML loading spinners are dangerous for website positioning.”
Discussion board dialogue at Mastodon.
