Redirect vs Rewrite, and DUPLICATE content

oldvintageguy · 08-27-2011, 08:28 AM

From what I understand, a "rewrite" lets the URL in the browser stay the same with NO message to the visitor, while a "redirect" changes the URL in the browser (and tells the visitor -- hey this page is moved, you need to use this). Is that correct?

My question (please NOTE that I am not permitted to post links here, yet, so I'll do my best to ask my question):

My URL (like most URLs) start with "www" However, a visitor can type "blahblahblahwww" or "abcdefg12345" instead of the www and still get to my homepage. This normally wouldn't bother me, except the search engines have indexed the "blahblahblahblah" version along with my "www" version. That's duplicate content.

What is the proper .htaccess syntax so that when the vistiors (or search engines) revisit the "blahblahblahblah" version, they will get redirected (or "rewrited" ??) to the normal "www" version?
Thank you!

08-27-2011, 08:28 AM	#1
oldvintageguy Active Warrior Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 52 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Redirect vs Rewrite, and DUPLICATE content From what I understand, a "rewrite" lets the URL in the browser stay the same with NO message to the visitor, while a "redirect" changes the URL in the browser (and tells the visitor -- hey this page is moved, you need to use this). Is that correct? My question (please NOTE that I am not permitted to post links here, yet, so I'll do my best to ask my question): My URL (like most URLs) start with "www" However, a visitor can type "blahblahblahwww" or "abcdefg12345" instead of the www and still get to my homepage. This normally wouldn't bother me, except the search engines have indexed the "blahblahblahblah" version along with my "www" version. That's duplicate content. What is the proper .htaccess syntax so that when the vistiors (or search engines) revisit the "blahblahblahblah" version, they will get redirected (or "rewrited" ??) to the normal "www" version? Thank you!