Editting the .htaccess file for SEO purposes

Discussion in 'WordPress' started by TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007.

  1. #1
    I was on this site http://www.jimwestergren.com/wordpress-users-sharpen-your-urls-with-google and he suggested changing the way permalinks are shown. You have to edit the .htaccess file after you do what he says. However, when I open my .htaccess file (in the public_html) folder, I get an empty file. What I mean is that I opened the .htaccess by downloading through ftp to my pc, opened in notepad, and I see nothing.

    Anyone know what's wrong here? :confused:

    Thanks
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  2. sandrodz

    sandrodz Peon

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    #2
    nothing is wrong, its just empty... put ur code there and it will rewrite urls.
     
    sandrodz, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  3. lowridertj

    lowridertj Well-Known Member

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    #3
    enjoy. hope it helped and please rep the post.
     
    lowridertj, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  4. TextbookSwapShop

    TextbookSwapShop Peon

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    #4
    Well the link I posted says: "Add the following lines in the .htaccess file before the WordPress permalinks lines:"

    This implies that there should be something in the file that relates to permalinks. That's why I was confused to find nothing in there.

    I have no idea as to what to do with what you posted. I'm a programming noob.
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  5. sandrodz

    sandrodz Peon

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    #5
    are u doing that for blog? wordpress blog?

    if yes, than go to blog admin, options -> permalinks

    choose whichever method u want and it will do it itself. if it gives error than go to ftp client and make htaccess writable and wordpress will put all the info itself. if this doesn't work out copy and paste code from wordpress admin to htaccess on ur pc and than upload it.
     
    sandrodz, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  6. lowridertj

    lowridertj Well-Known Member

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    #6
    show me a link in which you want to make more seo friendly here. I will convert the link using mod re-write for you and show you what to place in your .htaccess file.

    TJ
     
    lowridertj, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  7. TextbookSwapShop

    TextbookSwapShop Peon

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    #7
    Woohoo, thanks for the help guys, I made it writeable and WP took care of the rest. Well kinda. I still have to do the canonicalization edit, but I'll work on that and let you guys know if I still need some help.
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  8. TextbookSwapShop

    TextbookSwapShop Peon

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    #8
    Got it guys, thanks a lot.

    for lowrider, the link is www.shoepaholic.com, so if you have suggestion regarding it's SEO-ness, suggest away.
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  9. lowridertj

    lowridertj Well-Known Member

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    #9
    only that you can try to setup meta tags for individual pages will help a bit more .. looks good
     
    lowridertj, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  10. TextbookSwapShop

    TextbookSwapShop Peon

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    #10
    i read that most search engines don't use meta tags any longer...anyhow, I'll look into doing that if wordpress lets me.

    For the title, should I be using | instead of commas?
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  11. uttoransen

    uttoransen Prominent Member

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    #11
    for metatags you need to use a plugin,
    and yes, the "|" is my favorite, and i use it always!!


    i have a question, i just started wordpress, and tried to make the permanlinks change from the ? and & etc, to a better looking url! and it says the file is uneditable! and i can't edit it. why dose it say it, and how to correct this?
    thanks:)
     
    uttoransen, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  12. hmc

    hmc Peon

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    #12
    I suggest you to read "apache htaccess" tutorial first(google it) it will answer to all your questions (it helped me alot).
     
    hmc, Apr 15, 2007 IP
  13. TextbookSwapShop

    TextbookSwapShop Peon

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    #13
    I changed the file's (the .htaccess file's) properties through FTP (I use smartFTP). Made it writable through there, and then WP was able to edit it on its own.
     
    TextbookSwapShop, Apr 15, 2007 IP