Build Your Own SEO Sitemap Extractor Tool

A practical checklist for creating a sitemap extractor with AI and Python.

By Casey Builds It · YouTube Video EadUsM2wSdM

1. Project Setup and AI Interaction

Prepare your environment and learn to prompt the AI effectively.

• Install Cursor AI.
• Open the Cursor AI tool.
• Understand the chat box interface.
• Prompt Cursor AI to generate a Python sitemap extraction tool.
• Set up your project folder correctly.
• Learn effective prompting techniques for Cursor AI.

2. Understanding the Tool's Functionality

Familiarize yourself with how the sitemap extractor works.

• Observe the tool extracting sitemaps from real websites.
• Identify how the tool handles sitemap.xml.
• See how the tool processes sitemap_index.xml.
• Understand how the tool detects WordPress sites (Yoast SEO).
• Learn how the tool identifies standard HTML websites based on sitemaps.
• Note the process of extracting URLs from sitemaps.

3. Advanced Customization: Location and Service Sorting

Implement advanced features for multi-location or service-based websites.

• Explore the advanced version of the tool.
• Learn to separate sitemap URLs by location.
• Learn to separate sitemap URLs by service.
• Practice extracting and sorting URLs for multi-location businesses.
• Test sorting URLs by city or keyword.

4. Data Export and Organization

Configure the tool to export extracted data efficiently.

• Learn to export results into clean CSV files.
• Ensure CSV files include domain names.
• Verify timestamps are included in exported data.
• Understand how to organize exported data for tracking changes.
• Practice exporting data for managing multiple client sites.

5. Creating a Standalone Application

Convert your Python script into a distributable executable.

• Learn to convert the Python script into a standalone .exe file.
• Understand the benefits of a standalone application (no Python installation needed).
• Test running the .exe file on a Windows computer.
• Explore options for building in over-the-air updates.

6. Practical SEO Applications

Recognize the value of this tool for SEO tasks.

• Understand sitemap extraction's role in technical SEO audits.
• Apply the tool for site migration planning.
• Use the tool for content inventory tasks.
• Utilize the tool for competitive research.
• Compare building this tool to using paid SEO tools.
• Consider how to tailor the tool to your specific workflow.

7. Finalizing and Using the Tool

Complete the build process and start using your new tool.

• Download the finalized sitemap extractor tool.
• Replace existing files with the updated version if applicable.
• Check the output folder for generated files.
• Verify the success of the extraction process.
• Enter a website URL to test the tool.
• Review the sitemap overview and extracted data.
• Use the tool for your SEO tasks.

Build your own custom SEO tools with AI and Python.