Google following root dir vs sitemap.xml?

[searcher]

I have a sitemap with no redirects of the exact pages I wanted linked/listed. But googles webmaster tools is showing "ALL" pages in my dir. My site has dropped from standard 2-3 to 7th in listing....

Question: Is google measuring/ranking & listing my site based on my housekeeping (so to speak) ie files no longer linked to site still in dir ????

Signed,
Chief, Cook & Bottle Washer! :confused:

[JohnW]

>listing my site based on my housekeeping

If Google knows about these pages, all other things being normal, they will keep them in the index as long as they continue to exit regardless of what your sitemap xml says.

[searcher]

Thank you for your reply.

So is it better to start 'spring cleaning'? Or leave it the way it is? ...with regard to listing rank? I really need to get back up there, at least closer to the top of the heap!

Signed,
Chief, Cook & Bottle Washer :o