How to fix: HTTP URLs in sitemap.xml for HTTPS site

HTTP URLs in sitemap Semrush site audit tips

Issue: If your sitemap.xml contains HTTP URLs for a website that uses HTTPS, it can confuse search engines, leading to incomplete or inefficient crawling of your site.

Fix: Update your sitemap.xml to ensure all URLs use HTTPS.

How to Fix for Beginners

  1. Identify HTTP URLs: Open your sitemap.xml file and look for any URLs that start with http:// instead of https://.
    • Example: http://example.com/page should be updated to https://example.com/page.
  2. Replace with HTTPS: Manually or using a tool, replace all HTTP URLs with their HTTPS versions.
  3. Check Redirects: Ensure your HTTP pages already redirect to HTTPS. If not, set up 301 redirects.
  4. Test the Sitemap: After updating, use Google Search Console’s “Sitemaps” tool to check and validate the updated sitemap.
  5. Monitor for Issues: Run regular audits to ensure future updates don’t reintroduce HTTP URLs.

Tip: Using consistent HTTPS URLs improves site security, SEO, and ensures proper indexing by search engines.

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