Sitemap Maintenance: Removing a Route

Introduction

This post details a maintenance task focused on refining the sitemap of our application. Specifically, it addresses the removal of a route that no longer exists, ensuring the sitemap accurately reflects the application's available content.

The Issue

A route, previously designated as /pricing, was found to be non-existent in the application. Including such a route in the sitemap leads to broken links and a degraded user experience. Therefore, removing it became necessary.

The Solution

The solution involves identifying and removing the outdated /pricing route from the sitemap configuration. This ensures that search engines and users relying on the sitemap are directed only to valid and functional pages.

Here's an illustrative example of how such a removal might be implemented in a PHP-based sitemap configuration:

// Assuming the sitemap is generated dynamically

$routes = [
    '/',
    '/about',
    // '/pricing', // This route is removed
    '/contact',
    '/blog'
];

// Sitemap generation logic using the $routes array

Results

By removing the nonexistent route, we ensure the sitemap remains accurate and up-to-date, improving the overall user experience and SEO.

Next Steps

Regularly review and update the sitemap to reflect changes in the application's routing structure. Consider implementing automated tests to verify the sitemap's integrity and accuracy.