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Will this scenario penalize me for duplicate content

by messeo
5 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Just your average business owner trying to maintain his own website.
I have my normal desktop webpage (mysite.com), and then a mobile version (m.mysite.com). I send visitors to the mobile version like this:
Code:
<head>
.......
<script type="text/javascript"> 
if (screen.width <= 800) {
window.location = "http://www.m.mysite.com";
}
</script> 
</head>
So if both the regular/desktop page and the mobile page are indexed, is google going to see that as duplicate content and penalize me? Both pages are very similar in terms of wording/content.

(I realize this is probably not the correct way of doing things for a mobile site. So far I haven't been able to get a real responsive type site going but will work at it)
#content #duplicate #penalize #scenario
  • Profile picture of the author topcoder
    That's a good question, I think the issue is that google desktop crawler will crawl both your mobile site and your normal site.

    Do you send the desktop crawler back to the desktop site if the width >800?

    I do something similar to what you do, but I keep the urls the same and just switch out the content based on the device.

    If you install a user agent changer add on to your browser, surf my site in my sig and you'll see how the display changes when you select a mobile user agent.
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    • Profile picture of the author messeo
      Originally Posted by topcoder View Post

      That's a good question, I think the issue is that google desktop crawler will crawl both your mobile site and your normal site.

      Do you send the desktop crawler back to the desktop site if the width >800?

      I do something similar to what you do, but I keep the urls the same and just switch out the content based on the device.

      If you install a user agent changer add on to your browser, surf my site in my sig and you'll see how the display changes when you select a mobile user agent.
      I must have forgotten but it seems I have already put a canonical tag on the mobile version (Not even 1000% sure what that means):
      Code:
      <link href="http://www.mysite.com" rel="canonical" />
      It seems that whether a search be from a desktop computer or mobile device, the search results are that of the desktop site (The page title shown and site description is that of the desktops META),and then mobile traffic simply redirected to m.site.

      What's stumping me is that when you search for my service in my city: "Shoe tying service Honolulu HI" from a desktop I am first result. Another company is second.

      BUT if search from mobile, (same query "Shoe tying service Honolulu HI") then that other company is first.
      Strangely Google does not display "Mobile-friendly" on the result of other company, but sometimes (not always for some reason) you are taken to it's mobile version page.

      -Other company is not even in same (searched for) city and Google knows that.
      -Other company's search result does not say "Mobile-friendly", mine does.
      -Other company's mobile page is clogged up with hundred line of on page CSS.

      Even when their desktop version comes up, they are still first result above me, but only ever from mobile device searches.
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  • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
    From 2014: https://www.seroundtable.com/google-...ile-19030.html

    And from the horse's mouth - https://support.google.com/webmaster...er/66359?hl=en
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author daniel27lt
    I personally think it is best to have a responsive site. Therefore search engines will only search the one indexing the main content. Makes it much more simpler in many senses.
    Signature
    Download Free PLR Products to give away to build your list. Find all the most up-to-date PLR on the market.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diskretni
    That's a good question,I don't know,in my opinion I suggest you don't risk it and play safe.
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    "Grind now, relax later!" - Me
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