Do short URL tiny URL redirection help SERP?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by JJnacy, May 5, 2009.

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  1. #1
    I see many webmasters use short URL redirection to replace long URL.

    My question is:
    What if create a keyword short URL to redirect to the long URL site
    Will the keyword short URL as anchor tag can help SERP ranking for the long URL site?

    Thanks
     
    JJnacy, May 5, 2009 IP
  2. BlogSEOExpert

    BlogSEOExpert Peon

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    #2
    Hi,

    I don't think a short URL can help in SEO. In fact, would have no impact at all on SEO.

    If you want to increase your ranking in search engines, it would be better to use long URLs that have keywords - its better to have keywords in the anchor text as well as the URL.
     
    BlogSEOExpert, May 5, 2009 IP
  3. scottgrace25

    scottgrace25 Peon

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    #3
    I agree. URLS do not act like anchor text and would not pass any value to the destination URL in terms of SERP placement.
     
    scottgrace25, May 5, 2009 IP
  4. Canonical

    Canonical Well-Known Member

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    #4
    If you 301 redirect http://short-keyword.com to http://longer-keyword.com OR 301 redirect http://example.com/short to http://example.com/very-long-url then you do not get credit for any words in the short URL. The 301 redirect tells the search engines to give http://longer-keyword.com credit for all inbound links and inbound link text to http://short-keyword.com. As far as they are concerned the source URL of the redirect no longer exists.

    A lot of sites will use short page/folder names and 301 redirect them to a longer page/folder URL like:

    www.example.com/apply --> 301 redirect --> www.example.com/apply-for-a-loan

    The reason they do this typically is because:

    1) they want to have a short URL to use in press releases or other forms of advertisements (online and offline) and/or
    2) the short URL is MUCH easier for a user to remember.

    When Google is looking for keywords in the URL they will be looking at the keywords in the target URL (www.example.com/apply-for-a-loan) of the 301 redirect, not the source URL... just like they will be looking at the <title>, <h1>, <h2>s, content, etc. of the target URL.
     
    Canonical, May 5, 2009 IP
  5. internetmarketingiq

    internetmarketingiq Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Each redirect is a potential "break" in the path.
     
    internetmarketingiq, May 5, 2009 IP
  6. MayaLocke

    MayaLocke Peon

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    #6
    Nail on head!
     
    MayaLocke, May 6, 2009 IP
  7. kaizersuzi

    kaizersuzi Peon

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    #7
    I understand from the above that using short urls in your backlinks doesn't affect serps or pr in any way, positive or negative. Am i right? Thanks
     
    kaizersuzi, Sep 19, 2009 IP
  8. theapparatus

    theapparatus Peon

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    #8
    Also remember that many "controlled" networks block access to url redirection services as they're used to get around proxies and firewalls. When I'm at my local library, I can't use them.

    Some forums also don't allow their usage either within posts.
     
    theapparatus, Sep 19, 2009 IP