Recently I changed a sitemap/all pages type page on my site to a different one of a different name and style. I didnt delete the old one, although there is no longer a link to it anywhere on my site its still on the server. Do you think google could be penalizing me for not 404 the old page or redirecting to the new page?
Yes, you could be getting hit with a dupicate content penalty. You should be using a 301 redirect from the old pages to the new.
Bets would be to 301 the old one to the new one. But because a page of links isn't actually 'content' I wouldn't be worried at all, even if you left it as is. Google will know it's a dangling page without any 'parents' linking in so it won't value it at all. It will disappear after a few months.
The pages are pretty different so I dont think they would be considered duplicate. One was just 3000 internal links and the new one is split up into pages of 100 with pictures. I was worried that if a page was up just longer enough for google to find it and then its parent link (thank for that word, lol) was removed. Would it find that in any way dodgy? I just though there maybe a slim chance this could be viewed at an attempt manipulate the bot. Sorry of this is a stupid question but you've got to start somewhere, eh? With the drop in pages going on Im just trying to rule everthing out.
You shouldn't have any trouble with that ---- as long as the pages are different you should be fine --- if your in doubt, just change the old page a little bit more.....
Thanks for the info. Im happy that there different enough. Its annoying as cant delete the old page because MSN loves it. The idiot and has it on page one for my main and most competitive keyword!! Its almost useless to visitors though as its just 4000 internal links. uuum what to do eh!?!?