How to create an xml video sitemap that has no error in Google search console?  If you’re into digital marketing or just want your videos to get noticed online, you’ve probably heard about video sitemaps. They’re super important for helping search engines find your videos. Let’s break down what an XML video sitemap is and how you can whip one up using an example from Maria Johnsen’s website.

What’s an XML Video Sitemap Anyway?

An XML video sitemap is basically a special file that tells search engines like Google all about the videos on your website. It helps them understand what your videos are about, making it easier for them to show up in search results. With the right info, your videos can get more views and engagement—who doesn’t want that?

Why Bother with a Video Sitemap?

• Easier to Find: Video sitemaps help search engines discover your videos, so they have a better chance of popping up when people search for related content.
• Better Indexing: By giving search engines structured info about your videos, they can index them properly, which can lead to higher rankings.
• More Views: When your videos are easier to find, more people will watch them, leading to higher engagement.

How to create an xml video sitemap

Let’s look at a quick example of an XML video sitemap from Maria Johnsen’s site. This sitemap includes two videos and has all the necessary info for Google to index them properly.

xml

Copy code

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”UTF-8″?>

<urlset xmlns=”http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9″

        xmlns:video=”http://www.google.com/schemas/sitemap-video/1.1″>

  <url>

    <loc>https://www.maria-johnsen.com/ai-misalignment/</loc>

    <video:video>

      <video:content_loc>https://www.youtube.com/embed/3a9k0HQyg54</video:content_loc>

      <video:title>Reasons Behind AI Misalignment</video:title>

      <video:description>We tackle the concept of AI misalignment – the disconnect between artificial intelligence and our human goals.</video:description>

      <video:thumbnail_loc>https://img.youtube.com/vi/3a9k0HQyg54/0.jpg</video:thumbnail_loc>

    </video:video>

  </url>

  <url>

    <loc>https://www.maria-johnsen.com/the-democratization-of-ai/</loc>

    <video:video>

      <video:content_loc>https://www.youtube.com/embed/mtBXSIkgF3Q</video:content_loc>

      <video:title>How Sam Altman Made AI Everybody’s Problem</video:title>

      <video:description>In this video, I talked about the democratization of AI and Sam Altman.</video:description>

      <video:thumbnail_loc>https://img.youtube.com/vi/mtBXSIkgF3Q/0.jpg</video:thumbnail_loc>

    </video:video>

  </url>

</urlset>

How to create An xml  video Sitemap That Works in Google Search Console

What’s in This Sitemap?

Here’s a breakdown of what each part of the sitemap does:

• URL Location (<loc>): This is where the page with your video lives, like https://www.maria-johnsen.com/ai-misalignment/.
• Video Content Location (<video:content_loc>): This points to where the video is hosted, such as YouTube, like this link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3a9k0HQyg54.
• Video Title (<video:title>): This is the title of your video. It should be catchy and tell people what they’ll learn or see.
• Video Description (<video:description>): A brief summary of what the video is about. It helps viewers decide if they want to watch.
• Thumbnail Location (<video:thumbnail_loc>): The URL of the thumbnail image that represents your video. Thumbnails are super important for grabbing viewers’ attention.

How to Submit Your Video Sitemap

Once your video sitemap is ready to roll, you need to submit it to search engines:

• Google Search Console: Just log in, go to the “Sitemaps” section, and pop in the URL of your video sitemap.
• Bing Webmaster Tools: You can submit it here too, just like with Google.

Tips for a Great Video Sitemap

• Keep It Fresh: Update your sitemap whenever you add new videos or change existing ones.
• Check for Errors: Use XML validation tools to make sure everything is working right before you submit it.
• Watch Your Stats: Keep an eye on how your videos are performing and tweak things as necessary.

Wrapping It Up

Creating and submitting an XML video sitemap is a smart move if you want to boost the visibility of your video content. By following Maria Johnsen’s example, you can easily set up your own sitemap and help your videos get the attention they deserve. The more discoverable your videos are, the more people will watch them leading to greater engagement and a stronger online presence. So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your video sitemap today!