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How to create a smooth blog migration from subdomain to subfolder main?
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Hi mozzers,
We have decided to migrate the blog subdomain to the domain's subfolder (blog.example.com to example.com/blog).
To do this the most effective way and avoid impact SEO negatively I believe I have to follow this checklist:
- Create a list of all 301 redirects from blog.example.com/post-1 to example.com/post-1
- Make sure title tags remain the same on main domain
- Make sure internal links remain the same
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Is there something else I am missing? Any other best practices?
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I also would like to have all blog post as AMPs. Any recommendations if this something we should do since we are not a media site? Any other tips on successfully implementing those types of pages?
Thanks
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Also OP shouldn't forget to use change of address tool as likely they have subdomain and main domain listed as separate properties in GSC
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Hi there,
Re-submitting a new sitemap.xml wouldn't go amiss. I believe that AMP pages are best for news & high volume websites.
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