sitemap.xml issue in Google Webmaster Tools

mhuggins · 01-15-2007, 03:59 PM

I'm trying to submit my sitemap to Google Webmaster Tools, and it's giving me the error message below. I can't seem to figure out what the problem with my sitemap is, and I'm hoping someone can help.

Quote:

General HTTP error: 4xx error
We encountered an error while trying to access your Sitemap. Please ensure your Sitemap follows our guidelines and can be accessed at the location you provided and then resubmit.

I am using a .htaccess file to restrict access to certain files, but I'm able to manually access the sitemap.xml file from my system, so I don't see how that is an issue. If I should post it here though, let me know, and I will.

nhebb · 01-15-2007, 06:33 PM

Did you create a Google verification page? IIRC, I had to create an empty page with a name they specified.

It was named something like googlekjzresyp978q389y9g5.html, where the "kjzresyp978q389y9g5" part is some serial number they provided.

rapee · 01-15-2007, 11:08 PM

is the work to submit site map? coz' i read from most of comments it's not so good.

mhuggins · 01-16-2007, 01:09 AM

nhebb - Yes, I have a verification page already. Their Webmaster Tools do not permit the submission of a sitemap without first verifying.

rapee - I'm not quite sure what you're asking. I am attempting to submit a sitemap.xml file that I manually created. I verified that it is valid XML, and it appears to match the permitted sitemap file structure. I've also verified that the pages listed within the sitemap.xml file all exist and are accessible on my server.

nasty.web · 01-16-2007, 01:12 AM

Check your sitemap file structure: your urlset tag misses xmlns

si and xsi:schemaLocation attributes. Maybe it will help.

rapee · 01-16-2007, 01:14 AM

hi mhuggins,
sorry for misunderstand, What's the benefit if submit sitemap to google?

mhuggins · 01-16-2007, 01:54 AM

I played around with my .htaccess file, and I got the sitemap.xml file to submit. I think the way I had that setup with mod_rewrite was preventing access to certain pages in a way that Google wanted to access them.

rapee - Here is a link on Google's site that explains the benefit of submitting a sitemap to them:

http://www.google.com/support/webmas...318&topic=8514

lordspace · 01-16-2007, 01:55 AM

rapee,
google can access and list pages easily.

I think google will check for googlekjzresyp978q389y9g5.html file and then try something similar just to trigger 404 error page, if you do have an .html or .htm handler it would not show as 404....

Svet

rapee · 01-16-2007, 02:03 AM

thanks for you necessary information. I will do it.