Semrush Account
Day 20 after signup
Sitemaps update
Keep them or delete them?
Why it works
- Lead with a compact set of topics so readers can quickly see the issue’s scope.
- Pair useful guidance with a question or debate, then connect each topic to a relevant tool or report.
How it is built
- Monthly topic header
- Sitemap advice
- Backlink ranking debate
- AI visibility report
- Footer and preferences
Email copy
THIS MONTH [Sitemaps] Yes or no [Backlinks] Voted #2 by SEO experts [AI visibility] US vs. UK Google’s September spam update is complete. How did your rankings hold up? Is Google still into sitemaps? SEO must-have or museum piece? Google’s John Mueller and Martin Splitt discussed sitemaps in the latest Search Off the Record episode. Here’s their take: Keep your sitemaps. Even on small sites. And make them dynamic. Stick to XML format. HTML and LLMs.txt can't replace it. Respect the limits. 50,000 URLs or 50 MB per sitemap, whichever comes first. ✦ Find sitemap errors with Site Audit Gary Illyes from Google's Search team says links aren't among Google's top three ranking signals. But 131 SEO experts just ranked backlinks #2, behind only intent-based relevance. So who's right? Who's winning in AI search? Depends where you ask. Our new AI Visibility Index reveals which brands lead in the US and UK. Check how their visibility differs across ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, and Google AI Mode. Semrush Newsroom Become a Semrush Affiliate Hire an agency Semrush.com reports and tools are used by the world’s smartest site owners and online marketers. Semrush Inc., USA, 800 Boylston Street, Suite 2475, Boston, MA 02199 Unsubscribe | Update Email Preferences | Privacy Policy | View in Browser © 2026 Semrush Holdings. All rights reserved.