A sitemap extension supplying video locations and descriptive metadata.
A video sitemap supplies information about videos available on website pages. It connects a page with descriptive video metadata and relevant resource locations. This is more specific than an ordinary list of page URLs because a search engine may need information about the video, its thumbnail and where it can be accessed.
The description should match the actual video and its containing page. A compelling title in a sitemap cannot substitute for a playable resource or accurate content. Google documents required and optional video sitemap fields, so an implementation should follow the current specification rather than copying an old example and assuming every field is still appropriate.
Discovery and eligibility remain separate. A sitemap can help communicate where video content exists, but it does not guarantee a video search result. The public page, video access and relevant search requirements still matter. If a video is replaced or withdrawn, its sitemap information should be reviewed along with the page and any other metadata.
Takeaway: Keep video sitemap entries accurate and consistent with the videos visitors can actually watch. Use them as discovery information, not as a promise of a special result or higher ranking.
Example
A ceramics studio publishes a firing demonstration on a dedicated lesson page. Its sitemap entry identifies that demonstration and the correct thumbnail, rather than reusing the title and image from a different glazing lesson. When the demonstration is replaced, the team updates the associated information rather than leaving two conflicting descriptions.
What to check
Validate the generated XML and inspect representative entries. Confirm that the containing page, thumbnail and appropriate video resources are accessible as intended. Do not expose private material merely to satisfy a sitemap check; decide first whether the video should be publicly discoverable.
For more detail, see Google video sitemap documentation.