Ok I recently changed my domain name and had a 301 redirect to my new name. I notice when I search for products listed on my site google still pulls up my old url as well as the new. I wouldn't want google to penalize me for spam though. Is there anything im supposed to do to prevent this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
::bump:: Any help would be great. I'm still seeing my old url appear on google as well as the new url I recently 301 redirected too. Should I process a remove url request with google for my old url.
Google does not like duplicated websites. If it is seeing your old website as a duplicate of your new, it can hurt your ranking. I suggest a meta redirect set above 1. That way the two site are not seen as duplicates, and it will still redirect to your new.
I'm interested in the answer to this question also. How exactly do you perform a "meta redirect set above 1"?
You should delete the index file of your old site. And yes, do request a URL removal with Google Webmaster.
it may take up to 6 months google to recognise your new content and delete old old content. you must wait and continue to backlinks for your new domain
Thanks to all whom replied. I'd just like to clarify something. There is no old site. I only have one site. Just changed my url (domain name) and 301 redirected the old url to the new. If anyones interested I'd be more then happy to pm my url for further review. Again thanks to all suggestions ; )
If you're 301 redirecting, then anyone who visits your old URL will get redirected to the new anyway. If both URLs are in google right now, you basically have a higher % of the search results. In time, your old URL will disappear from the index.
Hey Synch, Im assuming the same as you suggested regarding the old URL disappearing with time. I am currently getting traffic from both direction. I just want to make sure I don't get slapped in the wrist by the big G for it. Thats the reason I wanted to know if I should remove the old url from google..
If you're getting traffic from both, I'd assume not. If you do get slapped, it'll only be the one URL. Even if it's the new url being penalised, until google realises the old url no longer works, you'll continue to get traffic from that old url.
The Meta redirect tag should work until Google registers your request for removal of the old URL. Until then, you will get traffic from both ends.
I have not yet done a request for removal of my old url. Thats actually what i'm here for. I need to know if this shall be done.. SEOXpert are you recomending I submit a request to remove my old url???