Fix Blogger Indexing Problems Easily with Atom.xml Sitemap

 

 Writer: Exponect.com Team

I faced several frustrating issues in Google Search Console (GSC) with my Blogger site, including redirect errors, canonical tag problems, and 404 errors. On top of that, I discovered I had missed 4 A-records in my DNS settings. Even after fixing those, many of my posts still weren't indexed, leaving me completely confused. I didn't understand why my content wasn't appearing despite all my hard work.

 

Then, I was advised to use Atom.xml on Blogger to check my feed.After experimenting and learning how it truly works, I decided to write this article to share my experience.

 

Like me, many bloggers using the blogspot.com subdomain struggle to get their posts indexed. While some "experts" blame mobile errors or redirects, my experience has shown the real issue is simpler: Google is often just not discovering your URLs properly. In this guide, I will show you how to use Atom.xml correctly, explain the difference between discovery and indexing, and show you how to fix Blogger indexing problems once and for all.

 

1.What is Atom.xml and Why It Matters

 

Atom.xml is Blogger’s syndication feed. Think of it as a map of your blog that tells search engines:

“Here are my posts, and here’s when they were last updated.”

 

Key Points:

 

Purpose:

Only discovery. Atom.xml cannot fix mobile redirects (?m=1), 404 errors, or canonical issues.

 

Automatic:

Updates automatically whenever you publish a new post.

 

Metadata Included:

Post URLs, publish dates, and last updated timestamps.

 

Important: Discovery (finding posts) is different from indexing (actually showing posts in search results). Atom.xml helps Google see your posts, but it doesn’t guarantee instant indexing.

Expert Insight: Official Google Best Practices

To back this up, Google Search Central actually recommends using both XML sitemaps and RSS/Atom feeds for optimal crawling.

 

While a standard XML sitemap helps Google discover the "whole set of URLs" on your site, Google specifically highlights that RSS/Atom feeds are optimized for "freshness." By using the <updated> tag (in Atom) or <pubDate> (in RSS), you tell Google exactly when you’ve added or meaningfully changed content.

Best Practices for XML Sitemaps and RSS/Atom Feeds

 

Before creating or submitting your Atom.xml feed, keep these important Google recommendations in mind:

 

Use Canonical URLs Only

Make sure your feed includes only the canonical URLs of your posts. Avoid adding duplicate or non-canonical URLs, as they can confuse search engines and reduce indexing efficiency.

 

Set Accurate Last Modification Times

Ensure the <updated> timestamp in your Atom feed reflects the last meaningful change to the content. Do not set it to the current time unless the content has actually been updated. This helps Google understand which pages have changed and need re-crawling.

 

Avoid URLs Blocked by Robots.txt or Non-Existent Pages

Only include URLs that Googlebot can fetch. Including blocked or invalid URLs can waste crawl budget and prevent proper indexing of your posts.

 

According to Google Search Central Blog:

According to Google Official Website for bloggers i.e. developers.google.com

"RSS/Atom feeds provides all updates on your site, helping Google to keep your content fresher in its index."

By using the atom.xml method, you are following Google's own best practices to ensure your latest posts don't just sit there—they get noticed and crawled immediately.

Reference:

https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2014/10/best-practices-for-xml-sitemaps-rssatom Accessed on 14 January 2026.

 

 

Image Source: developers.google.com

Image Source: developers.google.com

Image Source: developers.google.com

Image Source: developers.google.com

2.Why Use Atom.xml Instead of Sitemap.xml?

 

Blogger provides a default sitemap.xml, but it’s often limited. Using Atom.xml with specific parameters ensures Google discovers all your posts at once.

 

Advantages of Atom.xml:

 

Max Results:

max-results=500 lets Google find up to 500 posts in a single crawl.

 

Direct Access:

Provides a clean XML structure that’s easy for bots to parse.

 

Automatic Updates:

Reflects new posts immediately without manual edits.

 

3.How to Submit Atom.xml in Google Search Console

Step 1: Identify Your Blog Domain

 

Blogspot URL:

https://yourblogname.blogspot.com

 

Custom domain:

https://www.yourdomain.com

 

Step 2: Build Your Atom.xml URL

 

Append the feed path and parameters to your domain:

 

https://yourdomain.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

 

Explanation of Parameters:

 

redirect=false  Prevents Blogger from redirecting the feed itself to a mobile-friendly view.

Important: This only affects the feed. It does NOT fix mobile redirects (?m=1) on your actual blog posts or server-side redirects. Those must be fixed via canonical URLs or Blogger settings.

 

start-index=1 Starts from the very first post.

 

max-results=500 Ensures all posts are included in the feed for Google to discover.

 

Examples:

 

For Blogspot (sub-domain):

 

https://myblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

 

For Custom Domain:

https://www.example.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

Step 3: Submit in Google Search Console

To submit your Atom.xml feed, open Google Search Console, go to the Sitemaps section, and follow these steps:

 

Locate the “Add a new sitemap” field.

 

Paste the full Atom feed URL. Make sure the URL is complete, depending on how your site is added to GSC:

For Blogspot subdomains:

 

https://yourblogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

For Custom Domains:

https://www.yourdomain.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

Click Submit and wait for the “Success” confirmation.

Important Check:

Always include /feeds/posts/default in the URL. If you submit only atom.xml or an incomplete feed, Google may discover only the most recent posts. Using the full feed path with the max-results=500 parameter ensures Google can see your entire post history.

Pro Tip:

If the status briefly shows “Couldn’t fetch”, don’t panic. Refresh the page after a minute—Google often needs a short time to process new feed parameters. A successful submission will then show a green “Success” status.

Note: Feed vs. Sitemap

Although feeds are commonly associated with RSS readers, in Blogger the Atom feed contains your complete post data. By adding max-results=500, the feed effectively functions as a full XML sitemap, allowing Google to discover all your posts instead of only the latest ones.

 

 

4.Debunking Robots.txt Myths

 

Some bloggers think custom robots.txt is necessary. Here’s the truth:

Not required for Google: Google owns Blogger and crawls your posts automatically.

 

Optional use:

To block /search pages and prevent duplicate content.

To guide other search engines (Bing, Yandex) to your feed.

Example Optional Robots.txt:

 

User-agent: *

Disallow: /search

Allow: /

Sitemap: https://www.exponect.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

5.From Discovery to Indexing

 

Even after submitting Atom.xml, you might notice:

“25 Success” in sitemap, but only 18 posts indexed. I faced the same issue as well: 100 URLs showed ‘Success’, but only 75 were indexed on Google for exponect.com.

This is normal. Google evaluates content quality, originality, and user value before indexing.

 

Tips to improve indexing:

1.

Check Canonical URLs: Ensure desktop version is prioritized over ?m=1.

2.

Inspect URLs in GSC: Use URL Inspection Tool to request indexing for unindexed posts.

3.

Improve Content Quality: Add headings, meta descriptions, internal links, and unique text.

4.

Resubmit Atom.xml: Especially after publishing new posts or major updates.

 

6.Extra Tips for Faster Indexing

1.

Update old posts occasionally → Atom.xml notifies Google.

2.

Avoid duplicate content from labels or archive pages.

3.

Share posts on social media → External signals help crawling.

4.

Make your blog user-friendly and fast → Page speed and UX matter for indexing priority.

 

7. Key Takeaways

1.

Atom.xml is essential for discovery, but it cannot fix server-side or mobile redirects.

 

Submitting Atom.xml properly ensures all posts are visible to Google.

2.

Indexing depends on content quality and site structure, not just feed submission.

3.

Custom robots.txt is optional; mainly for Bing or preventing duplicate search pages.

4.

By combining technical steps with high-quality content, you can solve most Blogger indexing problems and ensure your posts reach Google efficiently.

 

Why This Version is Advanced Yet Easy:

1.

Explains parameters and their limits (redirect=false).

2.

Combines technical accuracy with beginner-friendly guidance.

3.

Follows Google EEAT: actionable steps, warnings, myths debunked, authority.

4.

Optimized for SEO keywords like Blogger indexing, Atom.xml Sitemap, fix posts.

Why I Wrote This Post

I wrote this guide because I know exactly how frustrating it is to spend hours crafting content on Blogger, only to have it ignored by Google. Having faced these indexing challenges myself, I realized that most advice online is either overly technical or dangerously misleading. I wanted to create a clear, step-by-step guide that explains the real role of Atom.xml and helps you fix discovery problems without the usual myths. My goal is simple: to ensure your hard work gets discovered quickly so you can reach the audience you deserve.

 

Final Thought: Which Atom.xml URL Should You Use?

The URL you submit depends on whether you use a free subdomain or a custom domain.

 

For Blogger Subdomains (.blogspot.com):

Use this format: https://exponect.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

For Custom Domains (exponect.com):

Use this format:  https://www.exponect.com/feeds/posts/default?redirect=false&start-index=1&max-results=500

 

Pro Tip:

Make sure your domain starts with https:// and includes www if that is how your blog is configured in your Blogger settings.

This post has been published by Exponect.com Team