Google Sitemap Question

[rfontaine]

Hi,

Once Google downloads the sitemap(s) from my server (as shown in the sitemaps admin page), is it OK to delete the sitemap(s) from the server or does Google still need them to index the pages?

I know it may come in handy for other search engines as well, but I am talking specifically about google.

Thank you in advance.

[MarkHutch]

I would leave it up there and make changes as you change your site. I think they are most interested in the last time you modify each page. On our sites, they come by about every 12 hours and check the .xml file and see if there have been changes made to the site.

[rfontaine]

OK. But what I mean is - once google downloads the sitemap, can I remove it from my server because google has what it needs, or does the sitemap have to be left in place?

[rfontaine]

anyone?