# Sitemap Inventory & Diff - URL Extractor with Change Detection (`gratifying_graph/sitemap-diff`) Actor Extract every URL from a site's sitemaps, then diff against the previous run: pages added, removed, or updated since last check. Built for SEO monitoring, RAG freshness, and competitor watching. - **URL**: https://apify.com/gratifying\_graph/sitemap-diff.md - **Developed by:** [Jimmy A](https://apify.com/gratifying_graph) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools, SEO tools - **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 1,000 1,000 urls processeds This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Sitemap Inventory & Diff - URL extractor with change detection Extract **every URL from a website's sitemaps** and find out **what changed since your last check**: pages added, pages removed, pages updated. One run gives you the full URL inventory. Scheduled runs give you a change feed for any site on the internet. No browser, no proxies, no login. It reads the same sitemap.xml files sites publish for Google. ### What it does 1. Discovers sitemaps from `robots.txt` (falls back to `/sitemap.xml` and common index paths) 2. Follows sitemap index files recursively, including gzipped (`.xml.gz`) sitemaps 3. Extracts every URL with its `lastmod` date 4. Saves a snapshot per domain, then on the next run reports **added / removed / changed** URLs 5. Outputs a clean summary to the dataset; optionally the full URL inventory ### Use cases - **SEO monitoring**: catch when a competitor publishes new landing pages, kills old ones, or refreshes content - **RAG and AI pipelines**: keep a vector index fresh by re-crawling only the URLs that changed instead of the whole site - **Content watch**: see when a publisher, government site, or documentation portal adds pages on a topic - **Site audits**: instant URL inventory for any domain, exportable as JSON or CSV - **Index bloat checks**: compare what a site publishes in sitemaps over time ### Input ```json { "domains": ["competitor.com", "docs.example.com"], "computeDiff": true, "outputInventory": false } ```` You can also pass exact sitemap URLs via `sitemapUrls` if a site keeps them in a non-standard place. ### Output One summary item per domain: ```json { "type": "summary", "domain": "competitor.com", "sitemapFiles": 7, "urlCount": 3741, "diff": { "previousRunFound": true, "added": 12, "removed": 3, "changed": 41, "addedUrls": ["https://competitor.com/new-feature", "..."], "removedUrls": ["..."], "changedUrls": ["..."] } } ``` Set `outputInventory: true` to also get one item per URL (`url`, `lastmod`, `domain`). The first run for a domain saves the baseline snapshot; diffs start with the second run. Snapshots persist between runs, so a weekly schedule gives you a weekly change report. ### Scheduling Pair this actor with an Apify Schedule (for example weekly per domain). Each scheduled run compares against the previous snapshot automatically. Use the `snapshotGroup` input to track the same domain on two independent schedules without the snapshots interfering. ### API / Standby mode for AI agents The actor also runs as an HTTP endpoint (Standby). Agents and integrations can call: ``` GET /?domain=example.com&diff=true ``` and receive the summary JSON synchronously. Works as an MCP-style tool for agent frameworks that support Apify actors. ### Pricing Pay per event - you only pay for what the run actually does: | Event | Price | |---|---| | Actor start | $0.0001 | | Per 1,000 URLs extracted | $0.01 | | Diff computed (per domain) | $0.02 | | API call (standby mode) | $0.01 | A weekly check of a 10,000-URL site costs about $0.12/month. ### FAQ **How is this different from a sitemap URL extractor?** Extractors give you the URL list. This actor also remembers the last run and tells you what changed: that is the part you actually want on a schedule. **Does it work on sites without robots.txt?** Yes. It falls back to `/sitemap.xml`, `/sitemap_index.xml`, and `/sitemap-index.xml`, and you can pass exact sitemap URLs. **Does it handle huge sites?** Yes. Sitemap indexes are followed recursively up to 500 sitemap files per domain, with a configurable URL cap (default 100,000). **Does it crawl pages?** No. It only reads sitemap files, which makes it fast, cheap, and gentle on the target site. If a URL is not in the sitemaps, it will not appear. **Can I get the result as CSV?** Yes, every Apify dataset exports as CSV, JSON, Excel, or via API. # Actor input Schema ## `domains` (type: `array`): Domains to inventory (e.g. example.com). Sitemaps are discovered via robots.txt, then /sitemap.xml fallbacks. ## `sitemapUrls` (type: `array`): Exact sitemap URLs to fetch, if you already know them. Used in addition to discovered ones. ## `computeDiff` (type: `boolean`): Compare against the snapshot saved by the last run for each domain and report added / removed / changed URLs. ## `outputInventory` (type: `boolean`): Push every URL to the dataset, not just the diff summary. Large sites produce large datasets. ## `maxUrlsPerDomain` (type: `integer`): Safety cap on URLs collected per domain. ## `snapshotGroup` (type: `string`): Advanced: namespace for stored snapshots. Use different groups to track the same domain on independent schedules. ## Actor input object example ```json { "domains": [ "apify.com" ], "sitemapUrls": [], "computeDiff": true, "outputInventory": false, "maxUrlsPerDomain": 100000, "snapshotGroup": "default" } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "domains": [ "apify.com" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("gratifying_graph/sitemap-diff").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "domains": ["apify.com"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("gratifying_graph/sitemap-diff").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "domains": [ "apify.com" ] }' | apify call gratifying_graph/sitemap-diff --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=gratifying_graph/sitemap-diff", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Sitemap Inventory & Diff - URL Extractor with Change Detection", "description": "Extract every URL from a site's sitemaps, then diff against the previous run: pages added, removed, or updated since last check. Built for SEO monitoring, RAG freshness, and competitor watching.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "730enSLxeWpeVFhm4" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/gratifying_graph~sitemap-diff/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-gratifying_graph-sitemap-diff", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/gratifying_graph~sitemap-diff/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-gratifying_graph-sitemap-diff", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/gratifying_graph~sitemap-diff/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-gratifying_graph-sitemap-diff", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "domains": { "title": "Domains", "type": "array", "description": "Domains to inventory (e.g. example.com). Sitemaps are discovered via robots.txt, then /sitemap.xml fallbacks.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "sitemapUrls": { "title": "Direct sitemap URLs", "type": "array", "description": "Exact sitemap URLs to fetch, if you already know them. Used in addition to discovered ones.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "computeDiff": { "title": "Compute diff vs previous run", "type": "boolean", "description": "Compare against the snapshot saved by the last run for each domain and report added / removed / changed URLs.", "default": true }, "outputInventory": { "title": "Output full URL inventory", "type": "boolean", "description": "Push every URL to the dataset, not just the diff summary. Large sites produce large datasets.", "default": false }, "maxUrlsPerDomain": { "title": "Max URLs per domain", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "Safety cap on URLs collected per domain.", "default": 100000 }, "snapshotGroup": { "title": "Snapshot group", "type": "string", "description": "Advanced: namespace for stored snapshots. Use different groups to track the same domain on independent schedules.", "default": "default" } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```