Include only canonical URLs that you want indexed. Check that each returns a successful response, is not redirected, and is not blocked or marked noindex. Sitemap inclusion is a hint, not an indexing command.
Keep sitemap entries consistent with internal links and rel=canonical. Set lastmod only when the page has materially changed; do not refresh every date on every build. Google recommends listing canonical URLs and may choose a different canonical when signals conflict. Canonical guidance · Googles Hinweise zu lastmod
Steps to follow
- Export sitemap URLs and response status.
- Compare each URL with its canonical and final redirect destination.
- Remove non-canonical, redirected, error, and noindex URLs.
- Update lastmod only for meaningful content changes.