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    4. Is it bad to host an XML sitemap in a different subdomain?

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    Is it bad to host an XML sitemap in a different subdomain?

    Intermediate & Advanced SEO
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    • SEOTGT
      SEOTGT last edited by

      Example: sitemap.example.com/sitemap.xml for pages on www.example.com.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • seo-wanna-bs
        seo-wanna-bs last edited by

        It's still linked, so Google will still read it. I just honestly don't know how Google will interpret it.

        Is this something that's in place? What is webmaster tools showing?

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • SEOTGT
          SEOTGT @seo-wanna-bs last edited by

          Thanks Paul, what if there are limitations to posting the sitemap to another subdomain? Can Google connect the dots if sitemap.example.com is verified in your webmaster tools account and www.example.com/robots.txt points to the sitemap in the other subdomain?

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • seo-wanna-bs
            seo-wanna-bs last edited by

            Google treats sub domains, almost as different domains.

            I would keep sitemaps relative to their own subdomain.

            SEOTGT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
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