Google Webmaster Tools Sitemap errors

I've followed the instructions for creating a sitemap in this link but it's not working: https://help.forumotion.com/frequently-asked-questions-f5/text-sitemap-t9480.htm

The line break tag <br> results in an error that google translates as %3Cbr%3E at the end of each line submitted.

I've removed the <br> tags and now google Webmaster Tools is showing errors and the errors are for links with .htm. It doesn't appear to be recognizing the .htm. I've been at this for a while and my site is going to start dropping like a stone in ranking if it doesn't get resolved. Here's a screen capture of the errors the ones with the %3Cbr%3E at the end of the submitted entries is when I had the <br> included and you can see two that are with just - instead of .htm at the end of the entry which is with the <br> removed.

Thank you in advance for any help or tips you can provide. I'm starting to suspect that their is no way to submit a proper sitemap for a forumotion forum that google will recognize.

Their is no way to do it as HTML and no way to save as a text file or .xml document. So as far as I can see don't bother trying as it is a biiiig waste of time. It might be a good idea to post something in the topic regarding creating a text sitemap to let people know it doesn't work so they don't spend a month trying.

I deleted my sitemap from Google Webmaster tools.

I just discovered something that some people may find useful. You can submit your sitemap as a feed. So instead of the filename being Sitemap.htm you would just put feed and the format will show as a RSS Feed. I just submited it but so far the file status shows as OK.

I will update here if it appears google is capable of indexing my site properly now. Also a feed should stay up to date without having to go back and edit and add new links.

I've seen plenty of posts regarding sitemaps and I know that several people are having problems so if this is a valid solution (crossing my fingers) I'll update everyone on how it goes.

Just a heads up. Using the feed does work. My pages are being indexed and no more errors.

Hi JanetCou, sorry to be a pain but can you give a detailed description as to how you did it? sorry but I know very little about this sort of thing and rely on experts like you for help


Thank you

Hi netsniper! I'm no expert but I'm very stubborn and rarely give up.

I used the instructions supplied by Typlo with just a few edits for part of the process:

Using Google Webmaster Tools.

These tools show you when googlebot last visited your site, if there were any errors and what pages are indexed with google. It also shows you your sites top search queries, page rank and links in and out of your site. Finally you are able to submit a sitemap for your site and verify that you own it.

Getting Started

You will need to go here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/home?hl=en

If you already have a google account, sign in, if you dont, you will need to make one. Once logged in you will land on the dashboard page and will see the option to 'click here and add a site' . Add your sites URL.

Verifying your site

Once you have added your site the next page will be the OVERVIEW page. A little yellow box saying next step will be there, asking you to verify your site. Click the verify your site link.

The next page tells you your site is unverified and asks you to choose verification method. Select Add a Meta Tag. You then need to copy the subsequent meta tag that appears.

"Information from Kabbalien that I found useful:

Google give a tag and you can place the tag in:
General > Forum Promotion> search engines>Additional tags

By now you must have the google tag, place:
"name" attribute : google-site-verification
"content" attribute : fy75u67877UkdFYFGFkhRTF

DO NOT place the complete code as give by google, is not needed."


Come back to the admin panel of your board>>>General>>>Search engines. You will see a box for meta tags. Your google meta tag MUST go in the top of this box at the very start or it wont work. Add the meta tag and save.

Come back to Google Webmaster Tools and click verify. It will tell you that you have successfully verified your site and will tell you if any pages of your site are indexed in google.

This is my addition
Adding your Feed as a sitemap

In Google Webmaster Tools select Site configuration>Sitemaps
Select Submit a Sitemap
Type in feed
Select Submit Sitemap
You'll see a clock under status for a short while until google verifies your feed which will turn into a check mark once it has been verified. The indexing of the site is something that is done gradually over time.

I hope this helps.

JanetCou wrote:Hi netsniper! I'm no expert but I'm very stubborn and rarely give up.

I used the instructions supplied by Typlo with just a few edits for part of the process:

Using Google Webmaster Tools.

These tools show you when googlebot last visited your site, if there were any errors and what pages are indexed with google. It also shows you your sites top search queries, page rank and links in and out of your site. Finally you are able to submit a sitemap for your site and verify that you own it.

Getting Started

You will need to go here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/home?hl=en

If you already have a google account, sign in, if you dont, you will need to make one. Once logged in you will land on the dashboard page and will see the option to 'click here and add a site' . Add your sites URL.

Verifying your site

Once you have added your site the next page will be the OVERVIEW page. A little yellow box saying next step will be there, asking you to verify your site. Click the verify your site link.

The next page tells you your site is unverified and asks you to choose verification method. Select Add a Meta Tag. You then need to copy the subsequent meta tag that appears.

"Information from Kabbalien that I found useful:

Google give a tag and you can place the tag in:
General > Forum Promotion> search engines>Additional tags

By now you must have the google tag, place:
"name" attribute : google-site-verification
"content" attribute : fy75u67877UkdFYFGFkhRTF

DO NOT place the complete code as give by google, is not needed."


Come back to the admin panel of your board>>>General>>>Search engines. You will see a box for meta tags. Your google meta tag MUST go in the top of this box at the very start or it wont work. Add the meta tag and save.

Come back to Google Webmaster Tools and click verify. It will tell you that you have successfully verified your site and will tell you if any pages of your site are indexed in google.

This is my addition
Adding your Feed as a sitemap

In Google Webmaster Tools select Site configuration>Sitemaps
Select Submit a Sitemap
Type in feed
Select Submit Sitemap
You'll see a clock under status for a short while until google verifies your feed which will turn into a check mark once it has been verified. The indexing of the site is something that is done gradually over time.

I hope this helps.

Hi I have followed your instruction till I get past the Bold above, but now I am stuck I can't find where I should go back to, here is a shot of what I have



Thank you

Ok I think I have sorted it now thank you JanetCou, you are an angel


Thank you

You're welcome! I'm glad it worked.