Blog Sitemap

While an XML sitemap is a technical document for robots, an HTML sitemap is a full-fledged page created so that the reader can see the “full picture” of your content on one screen. It is a kind of blog map with its expanded table of contents or a navigational hub of your project.

Illustration for the blog sitemap: a person holding an open map with markers, symbolizing easy navigation and finding articles on the Text Monster website.

What does an HTML sitemap look like?

Usually, it is a separate page where all important links are structured using lists:

  • Sections and categories.
  • Titles of all published articles (usually from newest to oldest).
  • Static pages (“About Me”, “Contacts”, “Services”, etc.).
  • Tags (labels) — if there are not too many of them.

Why is a blog sitemap needed if there is a menu and search?

  1. To improve UX (user experience). Some people find it more convenient to scan a list of article titles with their eyes than to endlessly scroll through a blog feed or guess keywords for search.
  2. To revive old articles. Your great texts from two years ago are usually “buried” on the 20th page of the archive. An HTML sitemap brings them to the surface.
  3. To help search engines. Although Google prefers XML, it also follows links on an HTML sitemap. This creates additional paths to your pages, improving their indexing.

How to create an HTML blog sitemap on WordPress?

Unlike XML, WordPress does not create such a map automatically. But it is easy to add using plugins.

Method A: specialized plugins (recommended).

The most popular tools that create such a page in 1 minute:

  • WP Sitemap Page. After installation, you simply insert a shortcode on any new page, and it turns into a complete list of your publications.
  • WP Simple HTML Sitemap. Good if you have a complex structure with many subcategories.
  • Dynamic HTML Sitemap. With this plugin, you can create a customizable, SEO-optimized HTML sitemap to improve your blog’s navigation and visibility.

Method B: through SEO plugins.

  • All in One SEO (AIOSEO). Has built-in functionality for creating an HTML blog sitemap with many design settings.
  • Rank Math. Also allows you to create such a page via a shortcode.

Where is it better to place a link to the sitemap?

An HTML sitemap should not be placed in the main menu (only the most important things should be there). The best places:

  • Footer (blog footer). Next to the links to the privacy policy and contacts.
  • 404 Page. If a person ends up on a non-existent page, a link to the sitemap will help them find something else instead of leaving the blog.

A blog sitemap is a convenient list of all my publications on one page. This allows you to quickly find interesting topics without scrolling through a long news feed. Below are all the articles, sorted from newest to oldest.

Posts