Sitemap error

Hello,

We apologize for the issue you are facing with your sitemap not fetching links in Google Search Console. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the "Couldn’t fetch" error:

1. Validate Your Sitemap

First, ensure that your sitemap is correctly configured. You can use the Validate XML Sitemap tool to check for any issues. If your sitemap is valid, it should return a success message.

2. Ensure the Sitemap is Located in the Root Folder

Make sure your sitemap is located in the root folder of your WordPress installation. The URL should look like this:
https://yourdomainname.com/sitemap_index.xml

3. Check Indexing Settings

Ensure that your posts are set to index. Go to Rank Math SEO → Titles & Meta and enable the Index checkbox in the Robots Meta settings.

4. Flush the Cache

If your sitemap appears outdated, you may need to flush the sitemap cache. Increase the value of Links Per Sitemap by one in Rank Math SEO → Sitemap Settings, then save changes.

5. Exclude the Sitemap From Caching

Ensure that your sitemap is not being cached. You can refer to this article on excluding sitemaps from caching.

6. Add the Correct Sitemap URL to Google Search Console

Make sure you have added the correct version of your sitemap URL in Google Search Console. You can find the correct URL variation in Settings → General in your WordPress dashboard.

If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, please reply to this ticket with your site URL, and a human agent from our support team will assist you further.

Thank you for raising this concern, and we hope this helps resolve your issue!

Sources:
Troubleshooting the “Couldn’t Fetch” Error in Google Search Console » Rank Math