Bing Webmaster Tools Sitemap Index Coverage Missing: What SEOs Need to Know in 2025

Published on ToolzMallu Blog - Your trusted source for SEO insights and webmaster solutions

Website owners and SEO professionals have recently reported a concerning issue with Bing Webmaster Tools: the mysterious disappearance of the Index Coverage button for certain sitemaps. Some SEOs are noticing that when you look at your sitemaps report in Bing Webmaster Tools, for some sitemaps, some are missing the Index Coverage button. This issue has left many webmasters confused and searching for answers about their site's indexing status on Bing.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what this missing feature means, why it happens, how it affects your SEO strategy, and what steps you can take to address the situation. Whether you're managing a single website or multiple properties, understanding this Bing Webmaster Tools issue is crucial for maintaining your search visibility.

Understanding Bing's Sitemap Index Coverage Feature

Before diving into the missing coverage issue, it's essential to understand what Bing's Sitemap Index Coverage feature normally provides. The Sitemap Index Coverage reports on how many pages from your sitemap(s) are indexed by Bing, how many pages are excluded from indexing, and why they are excluded.

URGENT: Google Issues Emergency Warning to 2.5 Billion Gmail Users - Check Your Account NOW!

What the Feature Typically Shows

When functioning properly, the Sitemap Index Coverage feature in Bing Webmaster Tools provides detailed insights including:

Indexing Statistics The Sitemap Index Coverage report details the number of pages from your sitemaps that Bing has indexed, those it has excluded from indexing, and the reasons for their exclusion. This comprehensive view helps webmasters understand exactly how their content is being processed by Bing's crawlers.

URL-Level Analysis The feature typically displays sample URLs, last crawl dates, index status, and specific exclusion reasons for pages that aren't making it into Bing's index. This granular data is invaluable for identifying and resolving indexing issues.

Historical Tracking The coverage report allows you to track changes over time, helping you understand how updates to your site or changes in Bing's algorithms affect your indexing performance.

Availability Requirements

Currently this is available for sites having more than 10,000 URLs indexed in Bing. This threshold requirement means that smaller websites might not see this feature at all, which could be part of the confusion around its availability.

The Current Missing Coverage Issue

The recent reports from SEO professionals highlight a specific problem where the Index Coverage button simply doesn't appear for certain sitemaps, even on sites that previously had access to this feature.

How the Issue Manifests

When webmasters access their Bing Webmaster Tools account and navigate to the Sitemaps section, they expect to see an Index Coverage button next to each submitted sitemap. However, many are finding that this button is missing for some or all of their sitemaps, leaving them unable to access the detailed indexing data they rely on for optimization decisions.

The issue appears to be inconsistent, with some sitemaps showing the coverage data while others don't, even within the same website property. This inconsistency suggests that the problem might be related to specific conditions or data availability rather than a complete system failure.

Perplexity Comet Plus: $5 AI Subscription That Pays Publishers 80% Revenue

SEO Community Response

The issue was first highlighted by SEO professionals including Gaston Riera and Peter Nikolow, who shared screenshots on social media platforms showing the missing Index Coverage buttons in their Bing Webmaster Tools accounts. The widespread nature of the reports suggests this isn't an isolated incident affecting just a few websites.

Potential Causes Behind the Missing Coverage Data

While Microsoft hasn't provided an official explanation for this issue, several theories have emerged within the SEO community about what might be causing the Index Coverage button to disappear.

Insufficient Data Theory

One leading theory suggests that the missing Index Coverage button might be related to insufficient data for certain sitemaps. If Bing hasn't crawled enough URLs from a particular sitemap or if there isn't enough indexing activity to generate meaningful coverage statistics, the system might automatically hide the Index Coverage option rather than display empty or minimal data.

Technical Maintenance and Updates

Bing regularly updates its Webmaster Tools platform to improve functionality and add new features. It's possible that the missing Index Coverage buttons are a temporary side effect of backend maintenance, system updates, or the rollout of new features that might be affecting how coverage data is displayed.

Algorithm and Processing Changes

Bing's crawling and indexing algorithms are constantly evolving. Changes in how the search engine processes sitemaps or calculates coverage statistics might be causing some sitemaps to temporarily lose their coverage data while the system adapts to new processing methods.

Site-Specific Factors

The issue might be related to specific characteristics of affected websites, such as:

Recent changes to sitemap structure or content
Variations in crawl frequency or indexing priority
Site architecture or technical SEO factors
Historical indexing performance patterns

Impact on SEO and Website Management

The missing Index Coverage feature has several implications for website owners and SEO professionals who rely on this data for optimization decisions.

Reduced Visibility into Indexing Issues

Without access to the Index Coverage report, webmasters lose valuable insights into why certain pages might not be appearing in Bing's search results. This reduced visibility makes it harder to identify and resolve technical SEO issues that could be preventing proper indexing.

Ultimate AI Prompts Collection 2025: 100+ ChatGPT & Claude Prompts Guide

Challenges in Performance Monitoring

The coverage data is essential for tracking how well your content is being indexed over time. Without this information, it becomes difficult to measure the success of SEO improvements or identify declining indexing performance that might need attention.

Strategic Planning Complications

SEO professionals use Index Coverage data to make informed decisions about content strategy, site architecture, and technical optimization priorities. The missing data creates gaps in the information needed for strategic planning and resource allocation.

Workarounds and Alternative Solutions

While waiting for Microsoft to address the missing Index Coverage issue, there are several alternative approaches you can use to monitor your site's indexing performance on Bing.

Manual Site Search Verification

Use Bing's site: search operator to manually check indexing status for specific pages or sections of your website. While this method is time-consuming for large sites, it can provide basic verification of whether your content is being indexed.

Example searches:

site:yourdomain.com for overall site indexing
site:yourdomain.com/category/ for specific sections
site:yourdomain.com "specific page title" for individual pages

URL Inspection Tool

Bing Webmaster Tools supports IndexNow, a protocol that instantly alerts Bing and other IndexNow Search Engines when you add, update, or delete content. Use the URL Inspection feature in Bing Webmaster Tools to check individual page status and request indexing for important content.

Regular Sitemap Monitoring

Even without the Index Coverage button, you can still monitor your sitemap submission status and track whether Bing is successfully processing your sitemaps. Check the basic sitemap statistics and error reports that remain available in the interface.

Third-Party SEO Tools

Consider using third-party SEO monitoring tools that track indexing across multiple search engines. While they may not provide the same detailed insights as Bing's native tools, they can help fill the gap in monitoring coverage.

Best Practices During the Coverage Gap

While dealing with the missing Index Coverage feature, implement these best practices to maintain optimal indexing performance:

Optimize Sitemap Quality

It's essential to organize individual sitemaps, keeping the number of URLs per sitemap below 50,000 and each sitemap file size under 50 MB for optimal discovery. Ensure your sitemaps follow these technical specifications:

Technical Requirements:

Maximum 50,000 URLs per sitemap file
File size under 50 MB uncompressed
Valid XML formatting with proper encoding
Accurate lastmod values for content updates
Clean URLs without parameters when possible

Implement IndexNow Protocol

Take advantage of Bing's IndexNow support to ensure rapid indexing of new and updated content. This protocol helps compensate for reduced visibility into indexing status by ensuring Bing is promptly notified of content changes.

Monitor Robots.txt Configuration

Ensure that no settings in the robots.txt file block Bing Bot's crawl. Review your robots.txt file regularly to confirm it's not accidentally preventing Bing from accessing your sitemaps or important content.

Focus on Content Quality

Using the report, you can check indexing levels based on the urls being submitted via XML sitemaps. While you can't currently access detailed coverage data, focus on creating high-quality, unique content that's more likely to be indexed successfully.

Understanding Bing's Indexing Priorities

Even without detailed coverage reports, understanding how Bing prioritizes content for indexing can help you optimize your strategy during this period.

Content Quality Signals

Glenn Gabe of GSQi explains how to find and analyze potential lower-quality content based on Bing's Sitemap Index Coverage report (which includes a content quality flag). Focus on creating content that demonstrates:

Unique value and perspective
Comprehensive coverage of topics
Regular updates and freshness
Strong user engagement signals
Technical optimization for search engines

Site Architecture Optimization

Ensure your site structure supports efficient crawling and indexing by:

Creating logical navigation hierarchies
Implementing internal linking strategies
Optimizing page load speeds
Ensuring mobile-friendly design
Maintaining clean URL structures

Monitoring and Reporting Alternatives

Develop alternative monitoring strategies to track your Bing SEO performance while the Index Coverage feature remains unavailable.

Performance Tracking Metrics

Focus on these alternative metrics available in Bing Webmaster Tools:

Organic search traffic trends
Keyword ranking positions
Click-through rates for search results
Crawl statistics and error reports
Mobile usability metrics

Documentation and Record Keeping

Maintain detailed records of:

Sitemap submission dates and status
Content publication and update schedules
Technical changes and their timing
Performance fluctuations and potential causes

Preparing for Feature Restoration

When Microsoft resolves the missing Index Coverage issue, be prepared to take full advantage of the restored functionality.

Data Analysis Preparation

Prepare to conduct comprehensive analysis once the feature returns:

Document current indexing status through alternative methods
Identify priority pages and sections for immediate review
Plan optimization strategies based on expected coverage data
Set up monitoring protocols for ongoing performance tracking

Team Communication

Ensure your SEO team and stakeholders understand:

The current limitations and their impact
Alternative monitoring methods being used
Expected timeline for issue resolution (when available)
Action plans for when full functionality returns

The Broader Context of Bing SEO

This Index Coverage issue occurs within a broader context of Bing's evolution as a search platform and the increasing importance of Bing optimization for comprehensive SEO strategies.

Bing's Growing Market Share

While Google dominates search, Bing maintains a significant market share that makes optimization worthwhile. The platform's integration with Microsoft products and AI-powered features continues to drive user adoption.

Microsoft's Investment in Search

Search is evolving and so has Bing Webmaster Tools. With expanded search data, crawl diagnostics, indexing insights, keyword performance, URL monitoring capabilities. Microsoft's continued investment in search technology and webmaster tools demonstrates the platform's long-term commitment to competing in the search market.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

As we await resolution of the missing Index Coverage issue, consider these strategic recommendations for maintaining effective Bing optimization.

Diversified Monitoring Approach

Don't rely solely on any single tool or platform for SEO monitoring. Develop a diversified approach that includes:

Multiple webmaster tools platforms
Third-party SEO monitoring services
Manual verification processes
Performance tracking across various metrics

Continued Investment in Bing SEO

Despite temporary tool limitations, continue investing in Bing optimization strategies. The search engine's unique algorithm factors and user base provide opportunities for visibility that complement your Google SEO efforts.

Stay Informed About Updates

Monitor official Microsoft communications and SEO industry news sources for updates about the Index Coverage issue and other Bing Webmaster Tools developments.

Conclusion

The missing Index Coverage button in Bing Webmaster Tools represents a temporary but significant challenge for SEO professionals who rely on detailed indexing data to optimize their websites. While frustrating, this issue highlights the importance of maintaining diversified monitoring strategies and not becoming overly dependent on any single tool or platform.

Key takeaways for managing this situation include:

Understand the limitations: Recognize that the missing feature affects visibility into indexing data, not necessarily the actual indexing process itself.
Implement workarounds: Use alternative methods like manual site searches, URL inspection tools, and third-party monitoring to maintain visibility into your site's performance.
Focus on fundamentals: Continue implementing SEO best practices, optimizing content quality, and maintaining technical excellence regardless of tool limitations.
Stay prepared: Be ready to resume comprehensive analysis and optimization when the Index Coverage feature is restored.
Maintain perspective: Remember that this is likely a temporary technical issue that Microsoft will address in due course.

The SEO community's collective experience with this issue demonstrates the value of sharing knowledge and supporting each other through platform challenges. By working together and sharing insights, we can continue to optimize effectively even when our preferred tools face temporary limitations.

For more insights on SEO tools, webmaster challenges, and optimization strategies, continue following ToolzMallu Blog, where we keep you updated on the latest developments in search engine optimization and digital marketing technology.

Have you experienced the missing Index Coverage issue in your Bing Webmaster Tools account? Share your experience and any workarounds you've discovered in the comments below. Together, we can help the SEO community navigate these technical challenges more effectively.

Bing Webmaster Tools Sitemap Index Coverage Missing (2025 Update) – Causes, Fixes & SEO Impact