Google Does RSSHas Google finally embraced RSS with their new XML powered Sitemaps program? Well, sort of, but it seems more like a hug than a strong impassioned embrace!
It does use XML technology which allows for
crawling and updating of your site's web pages. You can even include your entire web site (all urls) with this indexing program. For anyone targeting search engines, especially Google, this program (still in beta) is a MUST HAVE.
If you require timely updating of your most popular pages Google's new Sitemaps may prove indispensable. It's a little premature to assess importance or impact of Google's new program but anyone wanting to give their site a competitive edge should be gearing up.
How it works:
There are several ways to set-up a XML Sitemap, perhaps easiest way is to use open-source Generator which you can download from Google. This is a Python file that you can upload to your webserver and this generator will create a sitemap from your 'URL lists, webserver directories, or your access logs'.
It would probably be wise to check with your hosting provider to see if they can accommodate this Generator on your webserver. It you have a small site there should be no problem but if your site runs into 1,000's of URLs or pages - check to see how much bandwidth such a system will take up. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Once done, you have to then submit your newly generated XML sitemap to Google - search engine will use this XML sitemap to update and index your site whenever you make changes on your site. You will need to have a Google account.
You may also submit text files containing URLs from your web site to be included in Google Sitemaps but these text files will have or will be given low priority for time being.
To get started on your own Google Sitemaps Account you can click here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/login
What's great about it:
Besides seeing Google finally grab RSS wildcard, it gives you better control of how and when search engines update your web site pages. Perhaps, most important aspect for Internet Marketers, you can now assign importance that's given to any of your particular pages. As most marketers know, certain pages on your web site are more important than others; these pages earn money, build your contact list, or direct your site's visitors in right direction. In other words, you can now place more emphasis on your web site's 'bread and butter' pages. A BIG Plus!
