Sitemap index errors: nested indexes and incomplete URLs
A sitemap index can list sitemaps, but not other sitemap indexes. Every listed sitemap needs its full address.
By Bruno Amorim · ·
Where you see it
On a sitemap index's details page in Indexing > Sitemaps.
What it means
A sitemap index is a sitemap of sitemaps. Google reads each file it lists.
The files it lists must be on the same site, in the same folder as the index or below it, unless you set up cross-site submission.
Common causes
- Two SEO plugins each build an index, and one lists the other.
- The index lists itself.
- The index lists files by name only, such as
sitemap.xml, not by full address.
Find the cause
- Open the index and check each
<loc>. Open each listed file: it should start with<urlset>, not<sitemapindex>.
How to fix it
- Remove entries that point to another sitemap index, or to the index itself.
- Write every
<loc>as a full address, starting withhttps://. - Use one sitemap tool, and turn off the others.
- Resubmit the index.
Each message and its fix
"Incorrect sitemap index format: Nested sitemap indexes"
An entry in the index uses its own address or the address of another sitemap index.
- Remove entries that point to sitemap index files. Then resubmit.
"Invalid URL in sitemap index file: incomplete URL"
The index does not give the full address of each sitemap, and Google could not find the file in the index's folder.
- Give the complete address of each listed sitemap, then resubmit.
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WordPress
On WordPress, nested indexes usually mean two sitemap tools are on: an SEO plugin and another sitemap plugin, or a leftover sitemap file. Yoast advises turning off other sitemap plugins and deleting any old sitemap files. WordPress pages not indexed
Catch sitemap problems before they cost you pages
On paid plans, CrawlCoach downloads your sitemaps every day and reads Search Console's sitemap data for each fix list. When a sitemap stops loading, Search Console reports errors in it, or Google stops reading it, the fix goes in your fix list with the steps and a link to the right guide. See plans and prices.
Questions
Can a sitemap index list another sitemap index?
No. A sitemap index can only list sitemap files. If you need more than one index, submit each index on its own in Search Console. You can submit up to 500 sitemap index files per site.
Sources
Checked on October 8, 2026. Search Console's wording can change after that date.
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Related sitemap errors
- Too large or emptyOne sitemap can hold up to 50,000 URLs and 50MB uncompressed. Split a larger one into several files and list them in a sitemap index.
- URL errorsThese errors mean some addresses in your sitemap don't match where the sitemap lives, can't be read, or can't be crawled. Make every address a full URL on the same host and protocol as the sitemap.
- Has errorsHas errors means Google downloaded your sitemap but found problems in it. Google still uses the addresses it could read. Click the sitemap to see each error, then fix them in the file.