If you run a blog on Blogger, you already know how important it is to make sure your site gets indexed on Google. One of the key steps in this process is submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console. A sitemap acts like a roadmap that helps search engines discover all your blog posts and pages.
But sometimes, bloggers face problems such as “sitemap couldn’t fetch,” “sitemap not found,” or other indexing issues. These errors can slow down your blog’s growth, reduce organic traffic, and make it harder to get approved for ad networks like Google AdSense or Monetag.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about fixing sitemap submission errors in Blogger, step by step.
What is a Sitemap in Blogger?
A sitemap is a file (usually XML format) that lists all the pages, posts, and important links on your blog. Search engines like Google use this file to understand your site’s structure and crawl it efficiently.
When you publish new blog posts, your sitemap automatically updates to notify search engines.
Example sitemap for Blogger:
https://yourblog.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml
or for multiple pages:
https://yourblog.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml?page=1
https://yourblog.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml?page=2
Why Do Sitemap Errors Happen in Blogger?
Blogger is beginner-friendly, but sitemap errors are quite common. The main reasons include:
1. Wrong Sitemap URL
Many new bloggers submit the wrong sitemap path. For example, some enter /sitemap-index.xml instead of /sitemap.xml.
2. Recently Created Blog
If your blog is new and has very few posts, Google might take time to crawl and fetch your sitemap.
3. Robots.txt Issues
Blogger automatically generates a robots.txt file, but if it is incorrectly edited, Google may block your sitemap from being crawled.
Learn more here: Create the perfect Robots.txt for Blogger (internal link to your robots.txt guide if you have one).
4. HTTPS/HTTP Mismatch
If your blog is set up with HTTPS but you submit the HTTP version, the sitemap may fail.
5. Google Crawl Delay
Sometimes, Google Search Console shows temporary errors even when your sitemap is fine.
Types of Sitemap Errors in Blogger
When you submit a sitemap in Google Search Console, you might see different error messages. Let’s break down the most common ones:
1. “Couldn’t Fetch” Error
This means Google is unable to access your sitemap.
Possible Causes:
-
Wrong sitemap URL.
-
Domain redirection issues.
-
Temporary server problem.
2. “Sitemap Not Found”
Google cannot locate your sitemap file.
Possible Causes:
-
You entered the wrong path.
-
The sitemap doesn’t exist in that format.
3. Indexed Only Home Page
Sometimes, Google indexes only your blog’s homepage and ignores other posts.
Possible Causes:
-
Robots.txt blocking posts.
-
Low-quality or duplicate content.
-
Blog too new with few posts.
See this guide: How to Fix Indexing Issues in Blogger (internal link suggestion).
How to Submit Sitemap in Blogger (Step by Step)
Before we fix errors, let’s ensure your sitemap is submitted correctly.
Step 1: Log in to Google Search Console
Go to Google Search Console and log in with your Google account.
Step 2: Select Your Property
Choose your blog from the property list. Make sure you added the correct domain with HTTPS.
Step 3: Go to Sitemap Section
In the left menu, click on Sitemaps.
Step 4: Enter Sitemap URL
Enter one of the following:
-
sitemap.xml -
atom.xml?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500
For blogs with many posts, you can use multiple sitemaps like:
atom.xml?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500
atom.xml?redirect=false&start-index=501&max-results=1000
Step 5: Submit and Refresh
Click Submit and refresh the page. Wait a few minutes to see if it was successfully fetched.
Fixing Common Sitemap Errors in Blogger
Now let’s look at solutions to each error one by one.
1. Fix “Couldn’t Fetch” Sitemap Error
Solution:
-
Check that you are submitting
https://yourblog.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml. -
Make sure HTTPS is enabled in Blogger Settings → HTTPS → Redirect to HTTPS.
-
Remove and resubmit the sitemap.
2. Fix “Sitemap Not Found”
Solution:
-
Use
sitemap.xmloratom.xml?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500. -
Do not use WordPress-style sitemaps (like
sitemap_index.xml) in Blogger.
3. Fix “Indexed Only Home Page”
Solution:
-
Check robots.txt and ensure posts are not blocked.
-
Write unique, SEO-optimized posts to encourage indexing.
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Add internal links to help Google discover more content.
Related: How to Use Internal Linking in Blogger (internal link suggestion).
4. Fix Robots.txt Blocking Sitemap
Solution:
-
Go to Blogger Settings → Crawlers and Indexing → Enable Custom robots.txt.
-
Add this default code:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /search
Allow: /
Sitemap: https://yourblog.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml
This allows Google to crawl your posts while blocking unnecessary search pages.
Best Practices to Avoid Sitemap Errors in Blogger
To make sure your sitemap always works properly, follow these tips:
1. Always Use HTTPS
Google prefers secure websites. Ensure your blog redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.
2. Update Content Regularly
Google crawls active blogs more often. Posting fresh content reduces sitemap errors.
3. Use Correct Sitemap Format
Stick to:
-
sitemap.xml -
atom.xml?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500
4. Optimize Robots.txt
Avoid blocking important pages. Only block /search or duplicate archives.
5. Build Internal Links
Internal linking helps search engines discover your posts faster.
Example: When writing about AdSense approval, you can link to your post on AdSense Requirements for Bloggers.
6. Monitor in Google Search Console
Check the “Coverage” and “Sitemaps” sections weekly for errors.
Advanced Fixes for Blogger Sitemap Issues
If the above solutions don’t work, try these advanced steps:
1. Resubmit Blog in Search Console
Sometimes, deleting the property and re-adding it fixes crawling errors.
2. Use Inspect URL Tool
Paste a blog post link in Search Console and click Request Indexing. This forces Google to crawl your sitemap again.
3. Check for Duplicate Content
Duplicate or copied posts may prevent proper indexing. Always use original content.
4. Use a Custom Domain
Switching from blogspot.com to a .com domain can improve indexing speed and sitemap reliability.
Learn more: How to Change Blogspot to Custom Domain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How long does Google take to fetch Blogger sitemaps?
It may take from a few minutes to a few days depending on your blog’s age and authority.
Q2: Should I submit multiple sitemaps?
If you have over 500 posts, yes. Break them into multiple atom sitemaps.
Q3: Do I need a custom robots.txt for Blogger?
Yes, it’s recommended. Default robots.txt blocks some pages, but adding your sitemap makes crawling smoother.
Q4: Can sitemap errors affect AdSense approval?
Yes. If your pages are not indexed, AdSense may reject your application because your blog will look incomplete.
Conclusion
Fixing sitemap submission errors in Blogger is essential for better indexing, higher search rankings, and consistent traffic. By following the steps in this guide, submitting the correct sitemap, fixing robots.txt issues, using HTTPS, and monitoring in Search Console, you can ensure Google properly crawls your blog.
Also read: How to Optimize Blog Images for SEO (internal link suggestion for better engagement).
With the right setup, your sitemap will work smoothly, and your posts will start appearing in Google search results faster.
