WMT duplicate title and description

Franksol · 06-09-2011, 07:41 AM

So I've recently tried to change the url of my blog for better onpage seo. But now I'm hit with duplicate title and description warnings in the G webmaster tool. These duplicates come from the new and old urls which G have indexed.

The thing is, the old url no longer exist anymore. How long does it take for G to update this correctly?

I also have tons of 404 errors which never seem to go away even though I have removed the pages ages ago.

dburk · 06-09-2011, 02:36 PM

Hi Franksol,

Generally speaking, you should never allow a previously indexed URL return a 404 error. Instead setup a 301 permanent redirect for your removed pages. Point them at the page that replaced them or at the homepage in the event there is no suitable replacement.

Search engines dislike 404 errors because search engine users hate following a search result that returns an error. You look bad and you make the search engines look bad too. It lowers your trust ranking for both your individual pages as well as your personal reputation as an author/webmaster.

It is an easy fix, so just do it!

06-09-2011, 07:41 AM	#1
Franksol HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 111 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	WMT duplicate title and description So I've recently tried to change the url of my blog for better onpage seo. But now I'm hit with duplicate title and description warnings in the G webmaster tool. These duplicates come from the new and old urls which G have indexed. The thing is, the old url no longer exist anymore. How long does it take for G to update this correctly? I also have tons of 404 errors which never seem to go away even though I have removed the pages ages ago.

06-09-2011, 02:36 PM	#2
dburk Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 4,643 Thanks: 162 Thanked 671 Times in 581 Posts Contact Info	Re: WMT duplicate title and description Hi Franksol, Generally speaking, you should never allow a previously indexed URL return a 404 error. Instead setup a 301 permanent redirect for your removed pages. Point them at the page that replaced them or at the homepage in the event there is no suitable replacement. Search engines dislike 404 errors because search engine users hate following a search result that returns an error. You look bad and you make the search engines look bad too. It lowers your trust ranking for both your individual pages as well as your personal reputation as an author/webmaster. It is an easy fix, so just do it!
	Don Burk * Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management * Get a Keyword Domain Name - www.SeriousNames.com