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    4. How long should a domain redirect take?

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    How long should a domain redirect take?

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    • AdeLewis
      AdeLewis last edited by

      Hi,

      I know that this is a 'How long is a piece of string?' type question but at what point should the ranking value of site A pass over to site B following a domain 301 redirect?

      I have shifted a domain over to a new URL, same hosting server, same IP address. I haven't made any URL changes or any content changes other than to change the site logo to match the new domain name. Domain B is basically an exact clone of domain A.

      I have redirected Domain A to domain B using the following line at the top of the .htaccess file:-

      Redirect 301 / http://www.newdomain.com/

      I have submitted a sitemap for the new domain via google webmaster tools.

      It looks like the original domain as been completely indexed by google following the redirect as all rankings have been dropped from the results and there are no results for a site:olddomain.com search.

      Surely the rankings should have switched over at this point?

      Any help would be much appreciated.
      Ade.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • seoug_2005
        seoug_2005 @seoug_2005 last edited by

        Thanks Ade Lewis for your answer.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • AdeLewis
          AdeLewis @seoug_2005 last edited by

          Hi Atul,

          It looks like 180 days is the total time google thinks it will take to index every single page on a site. With really big sites it may take close to that amount of time.

          If you have links pointing to your old site that you are unable to get changed then I would retain the old site domain for ever. The small cost of re-registering the domain each year is worth it to keep on to your link juice.

          Cheers.

          Ade.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • seoug_2005
            seoug_2005 @Keszi last edited by

            Very good link. Thanks

            "To prevent confusion, it's best to retain control of your old site domain for at least 180 days."

            Why 180 days ?

            AdeLewis seoug_2005 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Keszi
              Keszi @AdeLewis last edited by

              🙂

              I am glad I could help!

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • AdeLewis
                AdeLewis last edited by

                Hey Istvan,

                Thanks for helping me out again.

                I didn't even know about the 'Change of Address' tool.

                I have just submitted the change of address and I will let you know if and how long the rankings take to switch over.

                Thanks again mate, you're a legend!
                Ade.

                Keszi 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Keszi
                  Keszi last edited by

                  There is a guide in Google help central which tells the steps to move a site.

                  http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=83105

                  Maybe you forgot to change the address in Google Webmasters Tools?

                  Hope that helped,

                  Istvan

                  seoug_2005 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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