How long should a domain redirect take?

[AdeLewis]

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.

[seoug_2005]

Thanks Ade Lewis for your answer.

[AdeLewis]

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.

[seoug_2005]

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 ?

[Keszi]

I am glad I could help!

[AdeLewis]

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]

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