Quick Reference
Element Code: XM-005
Issue: Sitemap contains URLs that return 403 Forbidden
Impact: URLs cannot be crawled or indexed
Fix: Fix access issues or remove URLs from sitemap
Detection: Google Search Console, Screaming Frog
What Is This Issue?
403 errors indicate access is denied. These URLs cannot be crawled, so including them in sitemaps is counterproductive.
Why This Matters for Your Website
403 errors may indicate authentication issues or incorrect permissions. Public content should not return 403.
How to Fix This Issue
- Fix permissions: If content should be public
- Remove from sitemap: If access should be restricted
- Check server config: May be IP or bot blocking
Tools for Detection
- Google Search Console: Reports 403 errors in sitemap
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Your sitemap includes URLs returning 403 Forbidden. Either fix the access permissions or remove them from the sitemap.
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