Changed my individual post URLs. Will they be re-indexed properly?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by kitchendon, Oct 4, 2007.

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  1. #1
    I recently upgraded and moved my WordPress based blog. In the process I had to export then import all of my posts. The process went smoothly except that now my individual posts URLs are not the same.

    For instance: A post whose URL used to be www.mysite.com/?p=57 is now actually located at www.mysite.com/?p53. I also changed the permalink structure so that the actual preffered URL would be something like www.mysite.com/post-name/

    It's been about 10 days since I moved the site and right now my search results are kind of screwy. My pages are still showing up, but most of the links are pointing to the wrong pages. When someone clicks on a link from the Google search results, they arrive at the wrong page on my site.

    Will my pages be re-indexed properly by the Search Engines, or did I screw up royally? :confused: Is there anything I could/should do to fix this situation?
     
    kitchendon, Oct 4, 2007 IP
  2. gabbs22

    gabbs22 Peon

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    #2
    did you fix it in the .htaccess file too? with forwarding the old URLs to new ones?
     
    gabbs22, Oct 4, 2007 IP
  3. kitchendon

    kitchendon Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for your reply, gabbs.

    I have not done a re-direct, mostly because the IDs of the changed posts overlap. so post ID www.mysite.com/?p50 is now actually at www.mysite.com/?p45 - but there is still different post at www.mysite.com/?p50.

    Should I manually redirect every www.mysite.com/?p50 style URL to the new www.mysite.com/post-name/ style URL?
     
    kitchendon, Oct 4, 2007 IP
  4. Big0ne

    Big0ne Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Been there, done that :)

    Did you submit sitemap? Rebuild it. If so, pages will be re-index anytime soon.
     
    Big0ne, Oct 4, 2007 IP
  5. George Pierce

    George Pierce Guest

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    #5
    When it comes to traffic and potential sales, why take a chance, redirect ASAP. (some lucky so and so is getting most of your traffic---just kidding, but do not take that chance).
    Much Success,
    George Pierce
     
    George Pierce, Oct 4, 2007 IP
  6. kitchendon

    kitchendon Peon

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    #6
    BigOne: Yes, I did re-build and re-submit my sitemap as soon as I discovered my mistake. Google Webmaster says that it has accessed my site since then, but I suppose it is possible that it has not actually spidered all 200+ pages.

    I guess this still wouldn't solve the problem of natural back-links pointing to the wrong page, tho. :(

    George: Yes, I see what you mean. If I had realized that my post IDs would change with the export/import I would have been more careful. I think I will be brewing a big 'ol pot of coffee tonight and doing a bit of re-direct grunt work. Or maybe there is a pattern to the shift in ID #s and I can automate the task somehow.

    Thank you very much for your input folks! :D
     
    kitchendon, Oct 4, 2007 IP