What is the function of a sitemap?

A sitemap primarily functions to help search engines understand the structure of a website and find its pages easily. By providing a structured list or map of a site's pages, sitemaps ensure that search engine crawlers can efficiently navigate and index content. This is vital for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) as it enhances the chances of web pages being included in search engine results.

Using a sitemap, webmasters can communicate directly with search engines about the organization of their site, allow for easier discovery of new or updated pages, and prioritize which pages should be crawled first.

In contrast, while a sitemap may indirectly serve as a marketing tool by improving site visibility in search results, its primary purpose focuses on website navigation and indexing. Similarly, options related to displaying images of layout or removing outdated content do not accurately represent the primary function of a sitemap, which is central to a website's structure and accessibility for search engines. Thus, the emphasis is squarely on optimizing content discoverability through a well-organized sitemap.