Is this considered "black-hat"?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by openfire, Oct 30, 2006.

  1. #1
    I have a website that has the forum as the main page. The only way I could think of to accomplish this was to do a redirect so that when someone types in www.mydomian.com, it automatically redirects to www.mydomain.com/forums.

    I am worried that this may by considered to be "black-hat" by the search-engines and I will be penalized.

    Does anyone know if this method is accpeted or penalized?
     
    openfire, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  2. Indian

    Indian Peon

    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    105
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    Its not a black hat method. You won't be penalized.
     
    Indian, Oct 30, 2006 IP
    seojig likes this.
  3. dam_sid

    dam_sid Banned

    Messages:
    241
    Likes Received:
    6
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    dont worry and go ahead.
     
    dam_sid, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  4. topicalone

    topicalone Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    108
    #4
    Set up a permanent 301 redirection. You will be ok.
     
    topicalone, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  5. Neale

    Neale Peon

    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    19
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    It has to be a 301 redirect otherwise you could be asking for trouble.
     
    Neale, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  6. openfire

    openfire Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Thank you for the responses.

    I was simply using this line in my index.html to redirect:

    <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=forums/index.php">

    I guess this is a big SEO NO NO???

    Can anyone assist me in the code for an SEO-friendly 301 redirect for my index.html?

    Thanks again.
     
    openfire, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  7. meatballsandwich

    meatballsandwich Peon

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    301 redirects involve editing your .htaccess file. Chances are you alread have one and if not you can create one. If you can't find the file and you're sure it exists, use an FTP program that allows you to view hidden files. If you need to create one, create a new .txt file for editing purposes, and rename it .htaccess when you're finished. In notepad or any html editor, insert this line of code for each url you want to redirect:
    Redirect 301 /oldpage.html http://www dot example.com/newpage.html
    The first section is the current path to your existing page and the second part is the url to the it's new location. Good luck!

    (The forum wouldn't let me post a url so sorry for the weird example)
     
    meatballsandwich, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  8. DFischer

    DFischer Peon

    Messages:
    381
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    301 redirects are perfectly legal for white-hat :)
     
    DFischer, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  9. openfire

    openfire Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    Thank you for the htaccess info :)

    I just want to be clear on one thing though... Does the following redirect constitute a possible SEO problem:

    <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=forums/index.php">

    Is that line really a big SEO NO NO, and if so, why?
     
    openfire, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  10. Neale

    Neale Peon

    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    19
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10

    Yes not a serious one but why take a hit when you dont need to ?

    I am not sure of the exact code to add to the .htaccess file
    except when redirecting the non www or the other way then all you need to add is one line " RedirectPermanent / http://www.yoursite.com "

    Whoever got yoursite got a good deal & a whole bunch of free links :)

    I Would also like to see the code if someone can post it
    Thanks
     
    Neale, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  11. openfire

    openfire Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    OK, I got it up and working.

    I just opened up notepad, and added one line of code and saved it as ".htaccess"

    The code:

    redirect 301 /index.html http://www.mysite.com/forums/index.php

    That's it! Just upload it to your root directory and your done.
     
    openfire, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  12. Tell

    Tell Peon

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #12
    Thanks this is going to help me too :)
     
    Tell, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  13. mad4

    mad4 Peon

    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    493
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #13
    Why not just install the forum in the root directory?:confused:
     
    mad4, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  14. SEO Tutor©

    SEO Tutor© Peon

    Messages:
    370
    Likes Received:
    23
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #14
    That's what I was thinking -- sure would save all the headaches.
     
    SEO Tutor©, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  15. openfire

    openfire Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #15
    I would if I could go back in time! LOL!

    Unfortunately I've already installed and modified the forum, as well as installed and heavilly modified a classifieds software program that is now integrated with my forum.

    It would require me uninstalling my forum as well as my classifieds, then starting again from scratch... no thanks!! :eek:
     
    openfire, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  16. 1EightT

    1EightT Guest

    Messages:
    2,646
    Likes Received:
    71
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    or you could just change the paths in your config file for the software. I've moved software locations plenty of times and it's never been an issue.
     
    1EightT, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  17. openfire

    openfire Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #17
    I hadn't thought about that... It is doable.
     
    openfire, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  18. A.N.Onym

    A.N.Onym Peon

    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #18
    For the record, Google considers a 0 sec meta refresh as 301, as far as I know. Not sure about other search engines.
     
    A.N.Onym, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  19. mad4

    mad4 Peon

    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    493
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #19
    Thats not the case. You should never use a meta redirect on your sites.
     
    mad4, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  20. amnezia

    amnezia Peon

    Messages:
    990
    Likes Received:
    31
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #20
    Erm why don't you use mod_rewrite?
     
    amnezia, Oct 31, 2006 IP