Add your sitemap.xml to Google Search Console

Linking your domain name to a search engine will allow the search engine to index all relevant content on your website and keep track of pages and content as they are added, updated or removed.

Google Search Console also provides reporting on search engine results, an other handy information which should assist you in optimising your website.

Linking your websites sitemap.xml file with Google Search

At the time of writing you can sign up via https://search.google.com/search-console these steps may have changed since this post was written.

1. Sign in with your existing Google account or create your account and sign in
2. Click the option Add a property
3. Choose either the Domain option (Requires DNS update) or URL Prefix option (Requires File, Meta Tag Upload + Other options)
4. For detailed steps on how to how to add Domain Verification to your website using the method of your choice - see How to Verify your domain.
5. Once you have uploaded the file or code and PUBLISHED the site to make it live on the domain. You should be able to verify ownership and have your site connected to Google Search Console via the VERIFY button.
6. Once verified you can add your sitemap via the Sitemaps button in the sidebar.  Enter sitemap.xml as your Sitemap URL. e.g. https://www.mywebsitedomain.co.nz/sitemap.xml

Verifying your domain

For detailed steps on verifying your domain using the Domain option or URL Prefix option - see the link below:

How to verify your domain