Building links to both www and non-www version of a site

7 replies
  • SEO
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Hello,

Looking back at the links being built to my site, I notice that some of them refer to the www version and some refer to the non-www version of my site. I have selected my preferred domain as the non-www version.

Will I be loosing any potential link juice by dispersing the backlinks between the two versions of the site (which I understand Google sees differently)? Would I gain a better rank if I ensure most of the links point to my preferred domain (the non-www version)?

Thanks in advance! :
#building #links #nonwww #site #version #www
  • Profile picture of the author KingRoyal
    I personally do not think you will lose any link juice, even if some links point to www and others point to domain.com. In essence, it's all still the same domain name and I bet Google and decifer that.
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  • Profile picture of the author mkgg
    Originally Posted by ChristianPrime View Post

    Hello,

    Looking back at the links being built to my site, I notice that some of them refer to the www version and some refer to the non-www version of my site. I have selected my preferred domain as the non-www version.

    Will I be loosing any potential link juice by dispersing the backlinks between the two versions of the site (which I understand Google sees differently)? Would I gain a better rank if I ensure most of the links point to my preferred domain (the non-www version)?

    Thanks in advance! :
    I prefer the non-www version myself. Make sure you 301 redirect the www version to non-www in your htaccess, in webmaster tools also choose non-www version as your prefered version and do any link-building to the non-www version.

    Google treats the www as a subdomain of your site so you should treat it as such too.

    As for people linking to you, notice which version people like to use the most and stick to that. Also if you stick to one version yourself then people will also start to follow that.
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  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    When you use non www version then redirect your www website to non www website by the help of .htaccess file.
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  • Profile picture of the author beasty513
    I have a mix of both and have not seen a huge
    effect on my rankings at all. Some I have even
    included the http://
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  • Profile picture of the author PBScott
    Setting a preferred domain is a must do also:

    Make sure you claim both the www and non www versions of the site in Google

    To Specify a preferred domain:

    On the Webmaster Tools Home page, click the site you want.
    Click the gear icon , and then click Site Settings.
    In the Preferred domain section, select the option you want.

    Just so you know some cloud servers will have issues if you .htaccess a redirect to non www.
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  • Profile picture of the author UMS
    So long as you have a 301 permanent redirect from the www to the non-www (or vice-versa) then it's not an issue.

    Some would claim that a mix of links to the non-www and www versions of your site is an advantage as it is more natural.
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