Switching from ranked PDF to normal page ...
-
Hi folks,
I have a project which is ranking well for specific product-keywords. The problem is, that the ranking pages are PDF files of those products (datasheets). But i do have a normal (html) pages for each product as well. Each of these pages has grade a for the specific keyword and is well crawled, etc. How can I urge Google to "switch" from these PDF files to the specific html pages. I was trying this by testing it robots.txt to disallow to index the PDF file (I tested it with one for first). I would add rel=nofollow to the link to the PDF on the specifi product html page (?) ...
Any ideas?
Seb
-
Thank you Samuel,
thats what I am afraid of from the beginning. The quality of the HTML Page need to be increased. My initial question should be mentione as a second "not so nice way"
Increasing the page quality to run out the PDFs is one of the top things on relaunching the site.
Thanks again
Seb.
-
The PDF rel=canonical question: This Moz post gives advanced directions on HTTP headers (for using rel=canonical in non-HTML files) and cited this and this information from Google.
However, I would add one other issue now that I understand more about your situation. Your PDF files are ranking over the HTML landing pages likely because the PDF "pages" contain more information and are probably better "quality." It's a real possibility that the HTML pages will not rank as highly as the PDF pages currently do even after doing all of this.
Landing pages rarely rank high in organic search results because they are thin -- such pages are usually used to convert advertising and paid traffic. Good, informational pages are what rank highly in organic search. So, if you want HTML pages to rank like the PDF files, I'd make those HTML pages as "quality" as the PDF ones. I hope that makes sense!
-
Hi Samuel,
thanx for your respond
No, its not a doubble content Problem. I just prepared landing pages for these specific product keywords - but Google finds the PDFs somehow more appropiate o.O. Yes I want the HTML pages to appear. I am wondering that Google indicates the PDF files as a very well optimized resources ...
I´ve done step 2 by using the robots.txt.
Step 3 would mean that peoples couldnt download the PDF file then - so I would not 301 redirect it.
Quick question to step 1: Do you know any way how to add a rel=canonical tag to a PDF file? Im am not that familiar with creating PDF files.
Thanx.
Seb
-
The first thing to understand is that you have a duplicate content issue. If you have a PDF and HTML page of the same content, then Google will likely show only one of them in search results -- as you are probably seeing. Therefore, you need to decide which set of pages you want to appear in the SERPs. I presume that you want the HTML pages to appear.
So, I would do all of the following:
1. Add a rel=canonical tag on each PDF page that points to the corresponding HTML page so that Google knows that the HTML page is the "main" one for indexing purposes
2. Add a "no-index" tag to each PDF page (or, you can list each PDF page in your robots.txt file) so that Google knows to remove the PDF pages from the index
3. If the PDF pages serve no purpose at all (to humans or to search engines), then you may just want to 301 redirect each PDF page to the corresponding HTML one. If you want to keep the PDF pages themselves visible on your website for any reason, this can be ignored.
Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.
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
-
Ranking App Store page in Google
Hey - has anyone had any experience in getting their App Store listing page to rank highly in Google for one of their primary keywords? If so, have you been successful and have you any pointers?
Image & Video Optimization | | GrowTraffic0 -
How to get images to rank higher, with some new tips?
Hello, Can anybody give any other advice for image optimization except keyword use in file name and alt tag, which would effect the item to be ranking higher on google images, I have searched google on this, but did not find any reallyuseful tips other than those mentioned above... Should I mention my main keywords that I try to rank in as many image files and different pages as possible, but without stuffing and relevant to the content? Thanks a lot
Image & Video Optimization | | bidilover0 -
Google Local landing pages
Just wondering what the best way to handle the landing page from a google plus local profile is. I had changed it to page that I created for the specific location with a citation with correct NAP, but realized that in OSE that my root domain lost almost all its G+'s. I'm torn and just looking for some advice. I've done quite a bit of work trying to correct citations, adding citations, and reading reading reading to learn more about Google Local but the results have been pretty rough.
Image & Video Optimization | | jonnyholt0 -
Ranking Report - Universal Placements Data Count Issue
is there any Mistake for Number of count on Universal Placements Data because in My Campaign i checked Ranking Report and there is available Local result data 34/52 but if i will count manualy than its 24/52 may i know the correct reason?
Image & Video Optimization | | E2LOGY0 -
Using Facebook for Places page
I have been using Facebook for my website for some of my client, Previously it use to get ranked fast and I have one of my client of the very top for one of my clinets main keyword. I took another the same Nitch but in a different location, but they don't seem to be getting ranked.
Image & Video Optimization | | joeuglyhat0 -
Best Tool For Local Rank Tracking
Hello Everyone, I have taken a few clients recently that i'm doing local SEO for; I'm curious of what the best tool is for keyword tracking with local intent? I have heard things about WhiteSpark and MicrositeMasters, but I have no idea what is the best, is SEOmoz's tracking good for local? Thanks Zach
Image & Video Optimization | | Zachary_Russell0 -
Setting Up Localized City Pages and Duplicate Content issues
We are setting up landing pages on our site that will cater to specific cities, in an effort to be more relevant to the users in those cities and also capture more localized traffic. These regional pages will each have a unique paragraph at the top, but below that is a sentence or two about each product line that would be difficult to rewrite with quality more than 10 - 15 times. Would the paragraph at the top of the page be enough unique content (about 4-5 sentences)? Obviously the duplicate content wouldn't be to my advantage, but is it really necessary to rewrite the other sentences about the product lines? What's the most efficient method to complete this project in a whitehat fashion?
Image & Video Optimization | | InetAll0 -
How To Increase Google Shopping Rankings?
What are the best ways to help influence your products rankings in Google Shopping SERPS? Aside from the obvious factors (ie Product Title, Description, brand, etc), what are the key factors in optimizing your products?
Image & Video Optimization | | MichaelWeisbaum0