Google SiteMaps

So Everyone - is - talking - about - Google sitemaps.

Cool, that saves me having to repeat the mundanities ;) Instead, lets talk about something interesting: what a PR the coup this is.

Actually, just in case some people have no context, I probably need a little lead in. What Google sitemaps is: a system that allows webmasters to tell Google of the existence of all the URLs on a site. So, if I have 1,000 pages, I can tell Google where they all are. Oh, there are limits, those being 10MB uncompressed per sitemap, 50,000 URLs per sitemap and 1,000 sitemaps per site, but how many sites have more pages than 50,000,000?

This is, as far as I can think, the first direct and open means of communicating to search engines about indexing since, well, since the robots.txt protocol was invented in the dark ages (circa 1995).

Ok, that outta the way, Google have, in one swift move, and after months of crybabying from all angles about loss of focus, falling relevance, how they are a one trick pony and MSN are going to spend billions to bury them, people with any interest in search are abuzz with Google Sitemaps.

Think about it: all the negative forum posts, negative blogs, all the complaining about all that Google done to destroy Mom and Pop, has now all been washed away in one swift move, at least for the time being.

Now, instead, Google is the innovator again, and MSN and Yahoo are left to think what to do. Do they buy into this protocol and leave everyone with no doubt who runs search in the world? Or do they not implement it, and risk falling behind?

In Yahoo's case, the question is even bigger. What would happen to Sitematch Xchange, the Trusted feed programme?

This is an example of how Google have maintained dominance for so long (in search engine time, that is). Build a programme that is free, useful and original. Promote virally at little or no cost. Answer questions, build hype. Leave competitors playing catch up, looking old and tired and generally stop everyone talking "Google is dead" and start them talking about the new addition.

A simply brilliant PR and marketing move, and not a bad initiative as well ;)

For those wanting serious info, some links:
What is Google Sitemaps?
Sitemap Protocol
Sitemap Frequently Asked Questions
Danny Sullivan interview: "Google Sitemaps" Web Page Feed Program
Google Sitemaps - Login