Linking to sitemap.xml file from home page - any benefit?

[jsb]

My sitemaps are already in the webmaster tools area, and being indexed fine, just curious as to how many also link to the actual xml file from their website and what benefit that may have.

[ssandecki]

Yes, I always do it. Does it have any better results I couldn't say.

[dairyman]

I have seen many popular sites linking sitemap.xml from the home page. May be another SEO technique?

[trichnosis]

in my opinion, it's not a necssary think.

[SEOBusiness]

Yes,it is much helpful,it will help google indexed your site.

[RoscoeT]

I think that is silly.

1. your sitemap.xml should be pointed to in your robots.txt file.

Sitemap: http://domain.net/sitemap.xml

2. Why waste landing pages link juice to your xml sitemap?

If you're not careful you'll get what happened to me once.
My sitemap.xml file ranked higher for my keywords than my landing page due to density. Thus almost every visitor hit the sitemap and then bounced never to return. I then needed to fix the situation with some fancy custom http headers but that is a different lesson.

[jsb]

Thanks Guys, for now I think I will do it via the robots and webmaster central areas.