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Will Changing URL of Existing Website Effect Search Engine Rankings?

by Justin012
7 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hey Warriors,

I have a bit of a problem. I have an affiliate website that is almost 2 years old with lots of content and ranking for a handful of keywords in Google, Bing and Yahoo.

My problem is I have been using the word "Scam" in the domain name to promote a product and I just got an email from the vendor demanding me change my website to a different url without the word scam in it. If I don't do it they said they will contact Clickbank and have me banned.

I definitely not the only one that promotes products from Clickbank using the word scam in the domain and article titles to drive more traffic to their websites.

This obviously wasn't my own idea because if you do a search for a Clickbank product online you will almost always find the word Scam attached to it.

Luckily I registered a new domain name related to the product for my existing website.

But my question is should I redirect the existing domain to the newly registered domain so I don't lose search engine rankings?

Or should I just point the nameservers to the new domain? All I want to do is make the right choice so I don't lose rankings in the search engines.

I basically want to disassociate myself with the old domain with a new domain and still retain rankings with other keywords accept keywords with the word "Scam" in it.

What would be the smartest choice to make in this situation? I hope I will find the best solution to this problem.

Thanks a lot!
#changing #effect #engine #existing #rankings #search #url #website
  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    You should do a 301 redirect of each page to its related page on the new domain.

    You still may lose rankings slightly. A 301 redirect does not transfer 100% of the linkjuice and authority, according to most tests that have been done.

    Just changing the nameservers will not do a thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin012
    Ok I thinking the 301 redirect is a better option but how long will it take for the old domain to remove from search engines?

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Justin012 View Post

      Ok I thinking the 301 redirect is a better option but how long will it take for the old domain to remove from search engines?

      Thanks
      Setup each individual webpage 301 redirect like Mike said above, then take each individual old URL over to Webmaster Tools & Fetch as Google on each of the old URLs. Google will immediately see the 301 redirects & should update the SERPs. Assumes your using WMT to verify your old/new domain.

      Submitting a new xml sitemap on WMT would also help. Basically put all your old links in Googles face so they see the redirects.
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  • Profile picture of the author sweezeter
    Yes you will want to do a 301. HOpefully they aren't pissed about the 301 as well?

    It sounds like you are doing positive reputation management for them? Kinda strange they want you to take it down.
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    • Profile picture of the author Justin012
      I've done 301 on one of my older websites just before the old domain expired and didn't lose much rankings from it so I'm hoping it will be the same with the affilate website. I agree, it is strange how they want me to take it down. I've made a bunch of commissions from their product so they shouldn't be complaining.


      HOpefully they aren't pissed about the 301 as well?
      Is there anyway they could find out i'm doing 301 unless I tell them?
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  • Profile picture of the author patco
    A 301 redirection is a must... But sometimes this may lead to a small ranking drop
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin012
    Ok Just so I got this right....

    Now that I have the new domain purchased what do I need to do next? Sorry last time I had some help doing something of this nature was about 2 years ago. Do I need to point website nameservers to new domain first then do the 301?
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