Googlebot asks for sitemapfile.xml - not the name I'm using

[awaken]

I just took a look through my log files, and noticed that Googlebot requested the file "sitemapfile.xml", but received a 404 because I don't have my sitemap under that name. I'm still using "sitemap.xml".

I'm pretty sure that I don't have any links out there pointing to that filepath either, so I'm wondering what the deal is with this.

Any help would be appreciated. :)

[tedster]

It's hard to say where some 404's reported in Webmaster Tools actually originate. But as long as 404 http header is really being sent in the server header, you've got no worries on that account.

Is you real sitemap url also being requested?

[awaken]

Hi tedster,

It's hard to say where some 404's reported in Webmaster Tools actually originate. But as long as 404 http header is really being sent in the server header, you've got no worries on that account.

Could you elaborate a bit on this, I'm not quite sure I understand. Sorry, my knowledge about server header response code is kind of limited. I also wanted to say that I actually found the error in cpanel (raw logs), and not Webmaster Tools, but I don't really think that makes a difference.

My real sitemap is being found. I just found it kind of weird that Googlebot would be requesting a file by the name of "sitemapfile.xml".

Thanks for the help.

[tedster]

You can check server headers with any header checker tool - I prefer Firefox with the LineHTTPHeader add-on.

There is really no big issue here, whatever reason caused googlebot to ask for a non-existent file. The 404 is the correct response and there's no harm done at all. Sure, it's weird. Weirder requests than that have come from googlebot!

[awaken]

Cool, thanks tedster.

I'll get that add-on. :)