Google Sitemaps Priority Is Site Specific, Not Sitemap Specific

Sep 11, 2008 - 7:52 am 1 by

We discussed the value of adding a Sitemap file in Google in the past. And we also discussed the various data you can send to Google about each of URLs.

In a Google Groups thread, a webmaster created multiple Sitemap files for a single web site, broken out by category. He set the priority details for each URL based on the priority being relative to the whole website and not relative to the individual Sitemap file. But when he checked the analysis tools, he noticed that Google was warning him that that all pages are the same priority.

JohnMu of Google explained that this is an known issue for some people who submit multiple Sitemap files. John said, just ignore those errors, because Google will see the priority on the site level and not on the Sitemap level.

Technically, the priority value is relative to the website -- however, our analysis tools compare it on a Sitemap level. This can lead to situations like yours. Generally speaking, I wouldn't worry about these warnings in that case.

Forum discussion at Google Groups.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: June 8, 2026

Jun 8, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility This Weekend - Around June 6th

Jun 8, 2026 - 7:55 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

New Google Document On Third-Party SEO Tools, Services & Advice

Jun 8, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Updates Its Hiring An SEO Doc Warning On SEO Tools & AI Optimization

Jun 8, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google

Google Search Profiles Insights & Analytics

Jun 8, 2026 - 7:31 am
Bing Search

Bing Gives Searchers A Way To Disable AI Copilot Answers

Jun 8, 2026 - 7:21 am
 
Previous Story: Set Your Geotargeting Radius Target No Less Than 20 Miles, Says Google