Error: XML declaration allowed only at the start of the document

[Dagz]

I'm getting that error message on my sitemap. Please help. I'm a novice mind. I'm using wordpress and yoast if that makes a difference. Thanks. http://redwood-tints.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml

 

[fisicx]

Delete the sitemap. You don't need it. Google has already indexed the site.

 

[Deleted member 325090]

Looks like you might have some whitespace characters before the <?xml tag in the document.

Delete the spaces and see if it fixes it.

 

[Dagz]

How do I do that? How do I access the document?

 

[fisicx]

How do I do that? How do I access the document?

You can edit in any text editor (like notepad in a PC)

But you don't need the sitemap - it's a complete waste of time having one. Just like most of the things Yoast does for you.

 

[Dagz]

I just deleted whitespace from index.php and it seems to be sorted now

 

[fisicx]

I just deleted whitespace from index.php and it seems to be sorted now

Yes, but you still don't need the sitemap. A sitemap for a site like yours can harm your ranking. Delete it!

 

[Darren_Ssc]

Yes, but you still don't need the sitemap. A sitemap for a site like yours can harm your ranking. Delete it!

Please explain.