ProRank SEO

KML Sitemaps

Generate Google-compatible KML sitemaps for enhanced local search visibility

Pro+ Required. KML sitemap generation is part of the Local SEO module. Your KML file is available at /locations.kml and updates as you add or modify locations.

What is a KML Sitemap?

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML format used to display geographic data in mapping applications like Google Maps and Google Earth. ProRank keeps the KML file available for mapping and local-location discovery, while the XML location sitemap remains the search-engine sitemap.

How It Works

When the Local SEO module is active and you have locations saved, ProRank automatically generates a KML file at:

https://yourdomain.com/locations.kml

The generator registers the rewrite rule for locations.kmland outputs KML XML containing each location's name, address, description, and coordinates.

Location Coordinates

Each location in the KML output includes geographic coordinates:

  • If coordinates are stored for a location, those are used directly
  • If coordinates are missing, the generator uses a placeholder. Provide explicit coordinates for accurate results
Always provide latitude and longitude for each location. The current fallback behaviour is limited, so locations without explicit coordinates may not appear accurately on maps.

KML Output Example

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2">
  <Document>
    <name>Your Business Locations</name>
    <Placemark>
      <name>Main Office</name>
      <description>123 Main Street, London</description>
      <Point>
        <coordinates>-0.1276,51.5074,0</coordinates>
      </Point>
    </Placemark>
  </Document>
</kml>

Search Console and Robots.txt

Do not submit the KML file as an XML sitemap in Google Search Console and do not declare it with aSitemap: line in robots.txt. KML is valid XML, but it is not a sitemap protocol file and audit tools may flag it as an invalid sitemap.

Submit the XML location sitemap instead:

https://yourdomain.com/locations-sitemap.xml

Verification

To verify your KML sitemap is working:

  1. Visit https://yourdomain.com/locations.kml in your browser
  2. You should see valid KML XML with your locations
  3. Check that coordinates and addresses are correct
  4. Optionally open the file in Google Earth to visualise your locations

Best Practices

  • • Keep location addresses accurate and up to date
  • • Provide explicit coordinates when possible for best accuracy
  • • Submit /locations-sitemap.xml as the XML sitemap; keep KML for mapping tools
  • • Verify the KML output after adding or modifying locations
  • • Use consistent address formatting across all locations