Getting A Sub Domain To Out-Rank The Main Domain
-
Hi,
We have a prospective client who currently have a sub domain setup for each language, they all have the same content as the main domain. The problem is that the main domain is written in English (but not UK English), and they want the UK sub domain to outrank it (it's the other way round at the moment). Effectively, there are duplicate content issues here and as a result it looks like Google have chosen to keep the main domain (as it has more authority) and lower the UK sub results in its rankings.
Is there a feature in webmaster tools where you can target subdomains to a location (I know you can do this with a main domain). Additionally, any other tips for the above would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
-
Well at least doing it with WMT the way I and Rob explained you got the piece of mind your doing it the right way, the way other SEO's would do it.
I don't think implementing the above will be like flicking a switch on the SERP's but only time will tell.
Don't forget to setup separate xml sitemaps for each subdomain and put them into the relevant subdomains WMT's account.
I'm guessing if your doing subdomains the company has physical address in the locations, if so maybe worth applying for Google places for each one.
-
I am going to go out on a limb and give you a suggestion from a guy who is likely older than you with a tad of experience.
Do Not Lead With The Answer
This is a prospective client. If you give the answer as a sales tool you devalue the answer. let them know that you have an answer, you understand that answer and what work it will take to alleviate the issue. Remember you will have to monitor the change over time and BE SURE to take a baseline before you change anything, if you get the client.
You may state that the issue revolves around how the sites were originally set up and that now there will need to be multiple fixes most likely. One fix will be in establishing the way in which Google views each sub domain and that you would do that change first for each sub domain. Then, as you watch pages rank up or down, you will making coding changes on a per url (page) basis in the event important pages are not ranking (hreflang). You will drill down to the lower hanging fruit as you progress, assuming these sites have a few pages. (you don't want to over promise if you have to do a long with hreflang).Think on what I say here and you will likely get the sale and make more from it.
All the best,
Robert
-
Different languages would not constitute duplicate content.
The issue that confuses all of us is the language versus location issue for same language and it is very important that we keep that straight in our heads. Obviously, it was enough of an issue that Google went to work to develop the hreflang link element.
Without knowing if they are using a gTLD, which, server location(s), etc. it is a bit more difficult but not impossible. With simply setting the sub domains with geo target preference, most will be solved IMO.
I actually liked what you had given him as well as you laid out the setup and gave a couple of good tips.
Thanks for mozzing around with us!
Robert
-
Wow - thanks Robert!
It looks like I'm getting there with some sort of strategy to talk them through now. Will set eveything up properly in WMT (targeting by country not language, as you say), then if that doesn't have the desired effect, will look at using the hreflang element. Lots of work to be doing but hopefully it will get them the results they're after.
-
Hi Rob,
I have a question for you.
If he re-did the English content into say 10 different languages so it's actually the exact same content just in a different language would this count as duplicate content? I would assume not and it would be good to go but with Google's translate technology the possibility to see duplicate content across languages could exist?
Actually while typing this it does sound far fetched and I don't no why they would flag it.
Thoughts?
-
Jasarrow
I am going to try and hit this from a broad brush vs. a dissertation on internationalization. Also, I understand the limitations you face with the all too important "prospective client" issue. So, (Are they using a gTLD? = .com, .net., .euro, .asia?)
First: Your toolkit for internationalization is GWMT. The knowledge here is good and on the whole understandable.
Next, you can use geotargeting in GWMT for sub domains. Same place.
there is a blog for internationalization questions: Google WMT Intl.
Your English language problem is first in that if the main domain is US English and they want a sub domain from the UK to outrank it even though it is in US English: I am assuming by subdomains they are using uk.theirsite.com? de.theirsite.com?
If you set the geotargeting for the uk.theirsite.com to UK, leave the (assumption is .com) .com as US, but set the geotargeting as US as I am also assuming the server is UK based. If server is US set location anyway given that you are trying to "tell" Google what is what. (server location is an inference of country)
In the query you say subdomain for language as opposed to sub domain for country and even GWMT says this can be confusing. If they are using sub domains, I would suggest for country not language - especially for those who are users of the sites. Beyond the English problem, you have the French: Canada, France, etc.
Lastly, with your UK problem I would go one step at a time. I abhor multiple corrections to single problems as they leave you with unanswered questions. The easiest first fix is the geo targeting in GWMT. Then if you are still having issues, you may need to consider utilizing rel="alternate" hreflang link element. (From GWMT -Many websites serve users from around the world, with content that's translated, or targeted to users in a certain region. The
rel="alternate" hreflang="x"
_ annotations help Google serve the correct language or regional URL to searchers._)So, you have some work to do, but I hope this helps provide some direction, Good Luck with Prospective Client,
Robert
-
Great advice - thanks. I never thought of setting up a WMT account for each sub domain.
I've also just read up on the hreflang element (http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/new-markup-for-multilingual-content.html
).
Have you ever used this before? If so, did it have any effect?Thanks again for your help!
-
Yeah, just look at each sub domain as almost a separate domain when it comes to WMT. 'Add new website' for each subdomain. So if you got 5 subdomains your have 5 website accounts in WMT.
When your in one of them you can set the location you would like to target.
For the tips, I would use different accounts for social media (yeah I know, a lot of work):
Here is an example from Groupon, check the url.
http://www.facebook.com/groupon.uk
http://www.facebook.com/groupon
Everything you do make it location specific, build links from extensions which are the same as the country you are trying to target, get tweets, likes, plus1's from users who's settings are set to the location you are after, literally treat each subdomain as a separate website and it's link profile is aimed at it's target location.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Comprehensive KW Ranking Database for Canada - better than SEMRush?
Is anyone familiar with other tools like SEMRush for competitor research in Canada to see what sites are currently ranking for? I'm not sure that SEMRush has the most comprehensive database for Canada and I'm looking for THE tool in Canada. Thanks!
International SEO | | accpar0 -
International SEO question domain.com vs domain.com/us/ , domain.com/uk etc.
Hi Mozzers, I am expanding a website internationally. I own the .com for the domain. I need to accommodate multiple countries and I'm not sure if I should build a folder for /us/ for United States or just have the root domain .com OPTION 1:
International SEO | | jeremycabral
domain.com/page-url -- United States
domain.com/de/page-url -- Denmark
domain.com/jp/page-url -- Japan OPTION 2:
domain.com/us/page-url -- United States
domain.com/de/page-url -- Denmark
domain.com/jp/page-url -- Japan My concern with option 2 is there will be some dilution and we wouldn't get the full benefit of inbound links compared to Option 1 as we would have geo ip redirection in place to redirect users etc. to the relative sub-folder. Which option is better from an SEO perspective? Cheers, Jeremy0 -
Shall I automatically redirect international visitors from www.domain.com to e.g. www.domain.com/es? What is best SEO practice?
We have chosen the one domain approach with our international site having different language versions in subdirectory of main domain:
International SEO | | lcourse
www.domain.com/es
www.domain.com/it
etc. What is SEO-wise best practice for implementing international index pages. I see following options: entering www.domain.com will display without redirection the index page in language of user (e.g based on IP or browser) in www.domain.com
Example: www.booking.com entering www.domain.com will always show English index page.
Additionally one may display a message in the header if IP from other country with link to other language version.
Example: www.apple.com entering www.domain.com will always redirect automatically to country specific subdirectory based on IP
Example: www.samsung.com Any thoughts/suggestions on what may be best solution from a SEO perspective? For a user I believe options 1) & 3) are preferable.0 -
Are NON French companies allowed to own domains in France?
Hi, I was wondering if any one knows if the French government has changed it's stance in recent years to the ownership of domains in their country. My understanding is that it can be pretty difficult to own a domain there if you do not reside there. In the past I have had people register domains using their passport as identification to prove their domicile in that country. We like many others have sites with .com/fr etc. and we do have one domain that is a .fr and seriously out performs the .com version. Many thanks for any input on this question. David *** UPDATE - Sorry no need for a response, I've just been informed that businesses who are located in a Member State of the European Union (EU) are allowed to own .fr domains which the French government needs to comply with. Best, David
International SEO | | David-E-Carey1 -
Multi country targeting for listing site, ccTLD, sub domain or .com/folder?
Hi I know this has been covered in a few questions but seen nothing recent that may take into account changes google may have applied. We would like to target multiple english speaking counties with a new project and I'm a little unsure as to whether ccTLD, subdomain or subfolders are the best way to publish country specific information. Can anyone shed some light on this?
International SEO | | Mulith0 -
Does Google take into account the place where the server is hosted to rank the pages.
Does Google take into account the place where the server is hosted to rank the pages. What I mean is, if I have a server in USA and I am working for the Spain marketplace: Will Google rank better my pages for this market if the server were hosted in Spain?
International SEO | | NorbertoMM0 -
.im domain ranking globally?
Hello all, I know that Matt Cutt's stated a while back that .co domains would become recognized by google as a gtld and was wondering how google views .im domains. I was looking at using a couple for work but have a generic name .im of my own that when checked in webmaster tools is locked to the isle of man in the geographical targeting option. I was wondering if anyone can advise me on this and if possible provide some feedback based on experience with .im domains. Thanks.
International SEO | | LukeHutchinson0 -
Ranking local content against English content
Hi SEOMoz, If I have a site that has multiple language selection, how would it be possible for my site with localized content to rank higher than the default/English content? For example, in Google.co.th, my site with English content (http://www.xyz.com/en-us/) ranks higher than the localized content (http://www.xyz.com/th-th/). How is it possible for me to turn things around and ensure that for local markets like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China etc the localized content organically ranks higher than the default-English page? Thanks! Steve
International SEO | | sjcbayona-412180