9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Google is indexing my old site - not my new one!

by JonathanR
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Ok. About 4 months ago I redesigned my site completely. Instead of just replacing the old pages with the new ones at the same URL, my webmaster created new pages with new URLs. (same domain name of course). I just realized this about 5 minutes ago. Half my search results in google take the viewer to the old site!

I have just told my webmaster to create a new sitemap and submit to google and delete the old one. I also told him to delete all the old pages. Is there anything else that I should do?

I want google to stop showing these old pages now and start showing the new ones!

How long after I delete the old pages will it take for google to let the new site in?

Really disappointed about this!
#google #indexing #site
  • Profile picture of the author daijoubu
    I wouldn't delete the old ones, rather I'd redirect them via .htaccess to the new ones. Now all you're doing is causing the visitor to view a 404 page instead of the old content.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[648920].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
    Do a site query in Google to find all the pages in your new site

    site:Example Web Page

    Then for every old page, find the new page equivalent (or send to home page if there is no similar new page) and add a redirect in your .htaccess file

    redirect 301 /old_file_name.php http://www.example.com/new_file_name.php

    Google will correct itself over time if you do this.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[649027].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JonathanR
      Thank you for the 301 redirect solution! I have asked my webmaster to get on it.

      Will google really figure it out eventually and opt for my new page rather than the old+redirect? I ask because I have to know which page to work on optimizing, the old one that google is indexing or the new one that we hope google will soon index.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[649043].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
        Originally Posted by JonathanR View Post

        Will google really figure it out eventually and opt for my new page rather than the old+redirect? I ask because I have to know which page to work on optimizing, the old one that google is indexing or the new one that we hope google will soon index.
        Yes, Google will correct over time. It could take months, but just be patient. You can shorten this process if you have a Google Webmaster Tools account. Under TOOLS, there's a utility to remove URLs. Be careful, but you can enter your old file names into this utility, and probably a week later, or so, they will be removed from Google's index. It's not going to happen right away, which is why you need to redirect in your .htaccess file also.

        Also, make sure you're submitting a NEW sitemap. Don't include the old pages in your sitemap.

        Spend time on your new content, not the old.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[649154].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author brp002
          Traffic is traffic. So make sure that you keep your old pages on there.
          Signature

          If you want a link here please email me!

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[650271].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jenie0109
    An advice which will do you good. You should just redirect to your new one. For google to find your new page as well as for visitors who wants to access your current website...
    Signature
    foreclosure defense || debt settlement services || SEO Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[651079].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author joeljonathan
    Traffic is traffic. So make sure that you keep your old pages on there.
    There is no need to keep the old pages on the site as long as you set up the 301 redirects properly in the .htaccess.
    Signature

    Try out our tools for finding great domain names at http://www.domainsuperstar.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[651143].message }}

Trending Topics