Stop pinging Google's sitemap endpoint and setting priority or changefreq
This no longer works. Google retired the sitemaps ping endpoint in 2023 and states it ignores <priority> and <changefreq>.
| Status | Evidence | Applies to | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired | Official guidance | June 2023 |
Why it stopped working
Google retired the sitemaps ping endpoint in 2023 and states it ignores <priority> and <changefreq>. Only an accurate <lastmod> carries a signal.
What to do instead
- Submit sitemaps in Search Console or via a Sitemap: line in robots.txt
- Remove ping calls from deploy scripts and use IndexNow for Bing and partners
- Keep lastmod accurate instead
Sources
- Sitemaps ping endpoint is going away · Google Search Central, June 2023
- Build and submit a sitemap · Google Search Central, Jul 8, 2026
Change history
| Date | Change | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Added | Added to the rulebook. |
Checked against its sources every Monday. Only content changes are listed.