Fix No Referring Sitemaps Detected Error in Easy Steps
Admin ~ February 11, 2025 ~ 5 Minutes Reading
Are you fighting with the conundrum of discovering how to fix no referring sitemaps detected error in Google Search Console? You may face this error when your page does not get indexed automatically and you try to do it manually in GSC. It simply meant that the page you are trying to index is not added to your sitemap.xml file.
Today, in this technical column we are going to discuss how to resolve this query. Secondly, to better understand the problem we will discuss some additional aspects of this query. Like what does no referring sitemaps detected mean and why it occurs. Let’s get started.
What Does No Referring Sitemaps Detected Means?
The no referring sitemaps detected error means that Google Search Central is unable to find any URL in the sitemap that is pointing to the page. This usually happens because of the following problems.
- The page is not added to the submitted sitemap.
- You have entered the wrong URL in the sitemap for the page you are trying to index.
- The format you are using to build and submit sitemap to search engines is incorrect or outdated.
- The sitemap is blocked by the robots.txt file. Ensure it is not blocked by the Disallow tag.
Now let us deep delve to quickly fix the issue using easy tips & tricks.
Quick Fixes to Resolve No Referring Sitemap Detected Error
Use the Correct Sitemap Format: Ensure that you are using the latest sitemap protocol i.e. 0.9. If you are using the outdated sitemap protocol potentially you may face problems.
Ensure the Correct URL is Added to Sitemap XML: Check that the correct URL is added in the sitemap. Since in several instances, users add the wrong or misspelled URL. Leading to the no referring sitemaps detected error in GSC.
Check for Sitemap Indexing Issues: Open Google Search Console on your system. Look for Indexing>> Sitemaps tab and see if the sitemap has any indexing issue. If it is there fix the error and recheck if no referring sitemaps error is fixed or not.
Ensure the URL is Added to Sitemap XML: Open the web browser on your desktop and go to the sitemap.xml URL. For example, search for “https://example.com/sitemap.xml”. Use the CTRL + F function to identify URL has already been added or not.
If URLs are not detected in your sitemap add them manually. Let us understand how to do it manually in a simple step-by-step guide.
How to Solve No Referring Sitemaps Detected Error Manually?
- Initially, copy the original sitemap.xml file to your local desktop.
- Next, open it using some code editor like Notepad++.
- Then, go to the end of the sitemap and copy the last URL block.
- After that, replace the URL with the link that needs to be added.
- Now, save the edited file overwrite on the hosting server.
- Finally, try to resubmit the sitemap in GSC and check if the error is fixed or not.
If you are still getting the error, it means that you are using the outdated format for the sitemap.xml file. In such instances, it is suggested to use some professional solutions to fix the error.
Professionals Choice to Fix No Referring Sitemaps Detected
If you are looking for a master technique to resolve no referring sitemap detected error in GSC at once. Then you may use the Sitemap Buddy Sitemap Generator Wizard. This is the latest solution that is built after deep market research to prevent such types of errors. Secondly, it has advanced settings to leverage users on what to add in the sitemap or what not. Let us deep delve to understand how to use this utility to overcome the problem.
How to Solve No Referring Sitemaps Detected GSC Error? Step-by-Step Guide
- Initially, install and launch the professional solution on your PC.
- Next, enter the URL of your website in the URL window.
- After that, go to the settings option and apply them accordingly.
- Then, click on the crawl button, review sitemap pages, and export the sitemap.xml file.
- Now, overwrite the new sitemap.xml to the existing one on your hosting server.
- Finally, try to resubmit the sitemap.xml and check no referring sitemaps detected error is solved.
What to Choose Manual Vs Professional Solution?
Aspects | Manual Way | Automated Way |
Effort Required | High | Low |
Risk of Errors | High | Low |
Ease of Use | Complex | Simple |
Best for Large Sites | No | Yes |
Best for Small Sites | Yes | No |
Final Words
To sum up, the above technical column on the topic of how to fix no referring sitemaps detected errors in GSC. We have started our discussion by uncovering the reasons behind the error and what it means. Secondly, we have seen quick ways to get rid form this error. Moreover, we have seen the DIY approach if the URL is not listed in sitemap.xml. However, if the old sitemap XML format is used it will not work. Therefore, we have described a professional solution to get rid of the problem. Finally, we have seen a quick comparison of DIY and expert solutions.