Publishing fresh content is one of the best ways to boost your website’s visibility. But if you run a news site, magazine, or blog that publishes time-sensitive content, simply having a regular XML sitemap isn’t enough. Search engines like Google use a special Google News Sitemap to discover and index the most recent news articles faster.
With the latest update, the Sitemap plugin by BestWebSoft now supports full compatibility with Google News Sitemap. This makes it easy to ensure your news content gets indexed quickly and appears in Google News results.
Why Use a Google News Sitemap?
A Google News Sitemap is different from a regular XML sitemap. Instead of listing all your pages, it only includes the most recent news articles from the past two days. This helps Google find breaking stories quickly and decide whether to include them in Google News search results.
Benefits of using Google News Sitemap in WordPress:
- Faster indexing of time-sensitive content.
- Higher visibility in Google News and Top Stories.
- Better chances of appearing in Google Discover feeds.
- Optimized crawling for sites with frequent updates.
How to Enable Google News Sitemap in the BestWebSoft Plugin
Enabling the feature is simple. Follow these steps:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Sitemap by BestWebSoft > Settings.
- Scroll down to the Google News Sitemap section.
- Check the box “Create a separate sitemap for news”.
- This will generate a dedicated file that includes only recent posts.
- This will generate a dedicated file that includes only recent posts.
- Choose which post types should be considered as news:
- By default, “Posts” are selected.
- If your site uses custom post types (e.g., “Articles,” “Reviews,” or “Announcements”), you can choose between them too.
- By default, “Posts” are selected.
- Save changes.
Now your site will automatically generate a Google News Sitemap, and Google will detect it during the next crawl.
Best Practices for Google News Sitemap
To get the most from this feature, follow these recommendations:
- Publish original and timely news content — avoid press releases or thin content.
- Stick to article-based content types — blog posts, news updates, editorials.
- Keep headlines clear and descriptive — avoid clickbait or misleading titles.
- Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console for better visibility.
External Resources
For more details on how Google News Sitemap works, check out these official resources:
These resources explain how Google News evaluates sites, what content is eligible, and how to maximize visibility.
FAQ: Google News Sitemap in WordPress
Do I need a separate sitemap for Google News if I already have an XML sitemap?
A regular sitemap includes all content, but Google News requires a specific sitemap that only contains articles from the last 48 hours.
Can I include custom post types in the Google News Sitemap?
Absolutely. In the plugin settings, you can select which post types should be treated as news.
Will my site automatically appear in Google News once I enable this?
Not instantly. You must meet Google’s content and publisher guidelines. The sitemap helps Google discover your content faster, but inclusion is based on quality and relevance.
How often is the Google News Sitemap updated?
It is updated automatically whenever you publish new articles within the last two days.
Conclusion
The new Google News Sitemap feature in the Sitemap plugin by BestWebSoft gives your site a strong SEO advantage. By automatically generating a news-specific sitemap, you ensure that your most recent posts are indexed quickly and have a higher chance of appearing in Google News.
If your site focuses on news, updates, or any time-sensitive content, this feature is a must-have.
👉 Enable it today in your Sitemap plugin settings and make sure your news reaches the right audience, faster.
