Google Sitemaps URLs Can't Handle Diacritical Marks

Oct 19, 2010 - 8:21 am 0 by

A webmaster posted a new bug, at least to me, with Google Webmaster Tools at the Google Webmaster Help forums. The bug reported is that when you use diacritical mark (see here), such as words in the URL as naïve, Noël, là and so on, Google will have an issue with it.

He said that you will receive a message:

This Site May Be in violation of Google's quality guidelines. More Details.

Then you can't remove the URL due to the diacritic.

Google's JohnMu said he'd pass the bug on to the team but there are some issues with the quality of his site, at least in terms of Google's guidelines. John said:

Thanks for posting -- I've passed the problem with Sitemap files with an apostrophe in the URL on to the team. Apart from that, I agree with Webado though: I'd really recommend rethinking the model behind your site to make sure that all of your content is really unique and compelling.

Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.

 

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: Search Advertiser Pulls adCenter Campaign Until CPC Prices Stabilize