Using upper and lower case in page file names?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by tbarr60, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. #1
    I saw it mentioned in this forum how someone lost rank when they rolled out a rebuilt site that had the file names but the case was different like /about-us.asp and About-Us.asp.

    Apparently Google viewed them as different pages so would it be advantageous to publish with both versions? I am guessing that it would hurt eventually and may not have much value.
     
    tbarr60, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  2. drig

    drig Peon

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    #2
    Always use lowercase. Better for type ins. If you start making multiple pages with the same content, you'll also run into duplicate content issues.
     
    drig, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  3. Drag Racer

    Drag Racer Peon

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    #3
    I don't think they lost PR due to the case of the folder/filename, but more that the PR established was tied to the old path/filename. Now the new files have to start over.

    Google is case-insensitive for searching, but path information is not. It can't be due to uri specifications and file systems.
     
    Drag Racer, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  4. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #4
    I agree. Go with lower-case file names and use dashes between your words. This is more of a usability benefit but the search engines will appreciate it as well.

    If you switch the case from upper to lower, you may want to consider doing a 301 redirect just to be on the safe side.
     
    Dan Schulz, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  5. tbarr60

    tbarr60 Notable Member

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    #5
    So it might be useful to check that I have keywords with both upper and lower case?
     
    tbarr60, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  6. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #6
    The keywords are case insensitive. The file names and paths however, are.

    If the keywords are in your page's content, then I wouldn't worry about it too much.
     
    Dan Schulz, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  7. oseymour

    oseymour Well-Known Member

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    #7
    I rarely see sites with upper case urls and even when I do it is an amatuer site...I can't see people at their keyboards capitalizing letters when they are searching so I would say case doesn't matter

    I just did some searches are the same results are returned for lower and uppercase
     
    oseymour, Jul 24, 2007 IP