Automate Google Indexing with n8n Sitemap to API Workflow

1. The SEO Bottleneck for Joachim: A Real Problem Statement

Meet Joachim, a diligent SEO specialist managing his client’s website bushidogym.fr. Every day, Joachim spends tedious hours manually submitting hundreds of new or updated URLs to Google Search Console to ensure they get indexed quickly. Despite his efforts, errors sneak in due to the repetitive copy-pasting, and more frustratingly, he hits the Google Indexing API quota limits unknowingly. Imagine Joachim losing hours weekly on this repetitive task — time he could spend strategizing SEO improvements instead.

This is exactly where this unique n8n workflow comes to the rescue. No fluff, no theory — just a practical solution to automate the entire sitemap-to-Google indexing process efficiently.

2. What This Automation Does ⚙️

This workflow simplifies Joachim’s job by automating the entire cycle of URL submission to Google. When triggered (manually or scheduled), it:

• Fetches the XML sitemap from bushidogym.fr
• Converts the sitemap XML to JSON for easy processing
• Extracts each URL as an individual unit
• Loops through each URL to send it to the Google Indexing API for update notifications
• Handles API limits gracefully by adding wait times between requests
• Stops the process with a clear error message if daily quota is exceeded

With this automation, Joachim saves several hours per week, cuts down human errors, and gains peace of mind knowing the index submissions are always up-to-date.

3. Prerequisites ⚙️

• n8n account to create and run workflows
• Google API credentials (service account) configured with Google Indexing API access 🔐
• Publicly accessible XML sitemap URL (in this case: https://bushidogym.fr/sitemap.xml) 🌐
• Basic understanding of scheduling triggers and workflow execution in n8n ⏱️
• Optional: self-hosting environment if you prefer running n8n locally (consider Hostinger-powered options for easy deployment: Hostinger Hosting Guide)

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Build and Use the Workflow

Step 1: Create a Manual Trigger to Start the Workflow

In n8n editor, click + Add Node → select Manual Trigger. This node allows you to execute the workflow on-demand for testing or instant runs. Leave parameters empty.

You should see a yellow circle on the node indicating it’s a trigger. Connect this node’s main output to the sitemap HTTP Request node in the next step.

Common mistake: Forgetting to connect the trigger to the next node, causing no data to flow.

Step 2: Add a Schedule Trigger for Automation

Add another node: Schedule Trigger. Set the trigger rule to run at 1 AM daily by choosing interval → triggerAtHour=1.

This lets the workflow run automatically every day without manual intervention.

Connect both triggers (manual and scheduled) to the same downstream starting node so either can initiate the sitemap fetch.

Step 3: Fetch the Sitemap with HTTP Request Node

Add an HTTP Request node named sitemap_set. Configure it:

• Method: GET (default)
• URL: https://bushidogym.fr/sitemap.xml

When executed, this node fetches the sitemap in XML format from the website.

Expected outcome: The raw XML data of the sitemap populates the node’s output.

Tip: If the sitemap URL is private or secured, ensure proper authentication is configured.

Step 4: Convert Sitemap XML to JSON

Add an XML Node named sitemap_convert. Configure options:

• Trim: true
• Normalize tags & attributes according to workflow JSON
• Ignore Attributes: true (to simplify output)

This transforms the XML into a JSON object easier for next node parsing.

Look for a nested JSON field called urlset.url in the output.

Step 5: Split the URLs Array for Processing

Use the Split Out Items node named sitemap_parse to extract individual URL entries. Configure fieldToSplitOut as urlset.url and set destination field name to url.

Now each URL is separated into individual items for sequential processing.

Step 6: Set URL Field for Downstream Nodes

Add a Set Node named url_set. Use this node to isolate and rename the URL field:

• Add a string parameter called url with value = {{$json.url.loc}}
• Check Keep Only Set to true.

This prepares each URL in a clean JSON object for the next request node.

Step 7: Send URL to Google Indexing API

Add an HTTP Request node named url_index. Configure:

• Method: POST
• URL: https://indexing.googleapis.com/v3/urlNotifications:publish
• Authentication: Use predefined Google API credentials (service account)
• Body Parameters:
• url: = {{$json.url}}
• type: “URL_UPDATED”

This node sends a notification to Google’s Indexing API informing it about an updated URL.

It continues on failure to avoid complete workflow crashes if one URL fails.

Step 8: Verify Indexing Status

Add an If Node named index_check. Set condition to check if the response JSON path urlNotificationMetadata.latestUpdate.type equals “URL_UPDATED”.

If true, the URL got successfully submitted. If false, it could mean an error or quota issue.

Step 9: Add a Wait Time Node to Avoid API Rate Limits

Add a Wait Node named wait. Configure:

• Unit: seconds
• Amount: 2

This delay adds a 2-second pause before processing the next URL to prevent hitting Google API quota limits.

Step 10: Handle Google Indexing API Limit Exceeded

Add a Stop and Error Node named Stop and Error. It triggers if the API returns quota limit exceeded. Enter an error message: “You have reached the Google Indexing API limit (200/day by default)”.

This stops the workflow and alerts Joachim to avoid further useless API calls.

5. Customizations ✏️

• Change Sitemap URL: In sitemap_set HTTP node, update the URL field to any other sitemap URL you want to process.
• Adjust Schedule Timing: In the Schedule Trigger node, change the triggerAtHour field to any hour you prefer for daily automatic runs.
• Change Batch Size: In the loop SplitInBatches node, increase batchSize from 1 to process multiple URLs concurrently (be careful about API quota).
• Add Slack Notification: You could add a Slack node after the Stop and Error node to notify yourself when quota limits are reached.
• Fine-Tune Wait Time: Adjust the wait node seconds from 2 to a higher or lower number depending on your actual Google API quota and rate limits.

6. Troubleshooting 🔧

Problem: “Invalid Credentials” error on URL submission in url_index node.
Cause: Google API service account credentials not correctly configured or permission missing.
Solution: Go to url_index node → Authentication section. Re-upload the service account JSON and ensure Indexing API is enabled in Google Cloud Console.

Problem: Workflow runs but no URLs are submitted.
Cause: Incorrect JSON path in Set or SplitOut node causing no URL extraction.
Solution: Double-check fieldToSplitOut is exactly “urlset.url” and in url_set the value expression is {{$json.url.loc}}.

Problem: Hitting Google API quota too soon.
Cause: Batch size too large or wait time too short.
Solution: Reduce batchSize in loop node, or increase wait time in wait node.

7. Pre-Production Checklist ✅

• Verify Google API credentials are valid with Indexing API enabled.
• Test manual trigger to ensure sitemap fetched and parsed correctly.
• Confirm URLs are correctly extracted in sitemap_parse and url_set.
• Ensure url_index node posts data successfully with no auth errors.
• Run a small batch with single URL to avoid quota waste.
• Backup workflow JSON and Google credentials securely.

8. Deployment Guide

Activate the workflow by ensuring either the manual trigger is ready or schedule trigger is enabled. The schedule trigger will run the automation daily at 1 AM as configured.

Monitor n8n execution logs for any API limit errors or node failures and adjust wait or batch sizes accordingly.

Regularly rotate or update Google API credentials for security.

9. FAQs

Can I use another sitemap URL?
Yes, update the URL field in the sitemap_set HTTP Request node to your sitemap location.

Is Google Indexing API free to use?
The API has a daily usage limit (default 200 URL notifications/day). Check Google’s documentation for exact pricing.

Can I handle large sitemaps?
Yes, but consider API quota and use batching and waits to avoid limits.

What if a URL fails to submit?
The workflow continues gracefully to the next URL; review logs to troubleshoot.

10. Conclusion

By following this guide, you have built a robust n8n workflow automating Google Indexing API submissions straight from your sitemap. Joachim now saves hours weekly by eliminating manual URL submissions, reducing errors, and respecting API quotas smartly.

Next, you might explore automating sitemap generation, integrating SEO performance alerts, or adding multi-website indexing workflows.

Keep experimenting and optimizing your SEO automation with n8n — the time you save is your new productivity currency!