I'm updating content that is out of date. What is the best way to handle if I want to keep old content as well?

[jim_shook]

So here is the situation.

I'm working on a site that offers "Best Of" Top 10 list type content. They have a list that ranks very well but is out of date.

They'd like to create a new list for 2014, but have the old list exist. Ideally the new list would replace the old list in search results.

Here's what I'm thinking, but let me know if you think theres a better way to handle this:

1. Put a "View New List" banner on the old page

2. Make sure all internal links point to the new page

3. Rel=canonical tag on the old list pointing to the new list

Does this seem like a reasonable way to handle this?

[jim_shook]

Thanks Anthony, thats a great solution..

[anthonydnelson]

You could handle this similar to how you'd handle any sort of seasonal/yearly content.

Ideally, I'd try to have this set-up.

domain.com/top-10-list is your main piece of content. This is the page that currently ranks well. I would update that URL with your new, updated content. The content that was originally on that list, I would put on a new URL like domain.com/top-10-list/2011 or whatever year the original article was created. Then, on the primary page, I would link to all previous/archive lists. You could update the page every year to keep it fresh.

This would keep all rankings/authority focused on your original URL. If your original URL doesn't work with this plan, for instance if it was domain.com/2011-top-10-list, I would consider 301ing that to a newly created page that is focused on being an evergreen list.