ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue)

Sandy Cormack · 02-04-2010, 05:48 AM

I have a document uploaded to a document sharing site. The permalink for the document is like this:

documentsite/accountname/document-name-801234

Google, however, has indexed two permalinks - the one above, plus one that doesn't exist, that looks like this:

documentsite/accountname/document-name

Here are the problems:

1. When you click on the second one, it takes you to a 'Document No Longer Exists' message from the document site, without redirecting you to the real document.

2. Google indexed the bogus link three pages HIGHER than the actual link.

3. I added a bunch of backlinks to the real permalink URL, but all that did was raise the BOGUS URL to the front page! It now sits at the No. 2 position for it's intended keywords. Meanwhile, the real document sits on page 5 still.

I'm stymied here, especially over No. 3.

ARVolund · 02-04-2010, 06:16 AM

Create a 301 from the non-existing url to the real one.

Sandy Cormack · 02-04-2010, 09:02 AM

I can't create a 301 on a site that's not my own, can I? I know I won't be able to get the website master to do it - they ignore my tech support questions as it is.

Sandy Cormack · 02-04-2010, 01:58 PM

LOL! Google addressed the problem by de-indexing both pages...

big_t · 02-04-2010, 02:20 PM

Well, there you go.

All kidding aside, that's really bizarre. I've never heard or seen anything like that before.
Give it some time. Maybe after it's done doing the dance the real link will end up at #2.

02-04-2010, 05:48 AM	#1
Sandy Cormack Promising N00b Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD area Posts: 125 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue) I have a document uploaded to a document sharing site. The permalink for the document is like this: documentsite/accountname/document-name-801234 Google, however, has indexed two permalinks - the one above, plus one that doesn't exist, that looks like this: documentsite/accountname/document-name Here are the problems: 1. When you click on the second one, it takes you to a 'Document No Longer Exists' message from the document site, without redirecting you to the real document. 2. Google indexed the bogus link three pages HIGHER than the actual link. 3. I added a bunch of backlinks to the real permalink URL, but all that did was raise the BOGUS URL to the front page! It now sits at the No. 2 position for it's intended keywords. Meanwhile, the real document sits on page 5 still. I'm stymied here, especially over No. 3.
	Sandy Cormack Creativity Training, Strategic Planning, Personal Development, Organizational Development, and Lead Guitar Last edited by Sandy Cormack; 02-04-2010 at 05:50 AM. Reason: Remove URL

02-04-2010, 09:02 AM	#3
Sandy Cormack Promising N00b Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD area Posts: 125 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue) I can't create a 301 on a site that's not my own, can I? I know I won't be able to get the website master to do it - they ignore my tech support questions as it is.
	Sandy Cormack Creativity Training, Strategic Planning, Personal Development, Organizational Development, and Lead Guitar

02-04-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
Sandy Cormack Promising N00b Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD area Posts: 125 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue) LOL! Google addressed the problem by de-indexing both pages...
	Sandy Cormack Creativity Training, Strategic Planning, Personal Development, Organizational Development, and Lead Guitar

02-04-2010, 02:20 PM	#5
big_t Making it happen Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 78 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue) Well, there you go. All kidding aside, that's really bizarre. I've never heard or seen anything like that before. Give it some time. Maybe after it's done doing the dance the real link will end up at #2.

02-04-2010, 06:16 AM	#2
ARVolund Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 542 Thanks: 4 Thanked 72 Times in 65 Posts	Re: ARGH! Is this for real??? (Google issue) Create a 301 from the non-existing url to the real one.