Welcome to the Q&A Forum

All I can say is 'wow'

I'm quite embarrassed. Thanks for your help nonetheless

The obvious is missed huh? lol.

Cole

Hi all,

We launched a new website for a customer on April 29th. That same day we resubmitted the new sitemap & asked Google to fetch the new website.

Screenshot is attached of this (GWT Indexed).

However, when I look at Google Index (see attachment - Google Index), Automated Production's old website URL's still appear. It's been two weeks.

Is it normal for Google's index to take this long to update?

Thanks for your help.

Cole

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Hi all,

Thanks for the responses & feedback.
Alan, in this example, the fresh content would be relevant. Of course there are search queries that don't need freshness or updates, but I would argue most do need updates / freshness (even the ones we think we know the answer to over time).

Once again, the conversation is not about RANKING for that page but about HELPING the domain achieve "freshness & relevance" around a topic with that duplicate content.

Would love to see others chime in.

Thanks,

Cole

Thanks for your feedback Mike - definitely helpful!

In this hypothetical, we're looking at research or comprehensive articles for specific niches that could serve multiple businesses well as an authority.

Thanks,

Cole

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the feedback. That was one potential point I was making.

Am still curious if duplicate content would be considered "fresh" within a website. Good point of the duplicate content overriding the benefit of fresh content.

Thanks,

Cole

Hi all,

I've been asking quite a bit of questions lately and sincerely appreciate your feedback. My co-workers & I have been discussing content as an avenue outside of SEO. There is a lot of syndicated content programs/plugins out there (in a lot of cases duplicate) - would this be considered fresh content on an individual domain?

An example may clearly show what I'm after:

domain1.com is a lawyer in Seattle.
domain2.com is a lawyer in New York.

Both need content on their website relating to being a lawyer for Google to understand what the domain is about. Fresh content is also a factor within Google's algorithm (source: http://moz.com/blog/google-fresh-factor). Therefore, fresh content is needed on their domain. But what if that content is duplicate, does it still hold the same value?

Question: Is fresh content (adding new / updating existing content) still considered "fresh" even if it's duplicate (across multiple domains).

Purpose: domain1.com may benefit from a resource for his/her local clientale as the same would domain2.com. And both customers would be reading the "duplicate content" for the first time. Therefore, both lawyers will be seen as an authority & improve their website to rank well.

We weren't interested in ranking the individual article and are aware of canonical URLs. We aren't implementing this as a strategy - just as a means to really understand content marketing outside of SEO.

Conclusion: IF duplicate content is still considered fresh content on an individual domain, then couldn't duplicate content (that obviously won't rank) still help SEO across a domain? This may sound controversial & I desire an open-ended discussion with linked sources / case studies. This conversation may tie into another Q&A I posted: http://moz.com/community/q/does-duplicate-content-actually-penalize-a-domain.

TLDR version: Is duplicate content (same article across multiple domains) considered fresh content on an individual domain?

Thanks so much,

Cole

Hi Dirk,

Thanks for your feedback.

In this "scenario," we were focusing on "small business owners" that were dentists. They don't want to rank for that piece of content; they only want the engagement benefit or the consistency benefit. Instead of a small business owner struggling to post content or write original content (and no budget to hire someone), they would use "duplicate content" on their domain.

From your feedback, it appears there would be no penalty. I didn't even think about just copying & pasting duplicate content from competitors.

Good points.

Cole

Hi all,

Some co-workers and myself were in a conversation this afternoon regarding if duplicate content actually causes a penalty on your domain.

Reference:

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66359?hl=en

http://searchengineland.com/googles-matt-cutts-duplicate-content-wont-hurt-you-unless-it-is-spammy-167459

Both sources from Google do not say "duplicate content causes a penalty." However, they do allude to spammy content negatively affecting a website.

Why it came up:

We originally were talking about syndicated content (same content across multiple domains; ex: "5 explanations of bad breath") for the purpose of social media sharing. Imagine if dentists across the nation had access to this piece of content (5 explanations of bad breath) simply for engagement with their audience. They would use this to post on social media & to talk about in the office. But they would not want to rank for that piece of duplicated content. This type of duplicated content would be valuable to dentists in different cities that need engagement with their audience or simply need the content.

This is all hypothetical but serious at the same time. I would love some feedback & sourced information / case studies.

Is duplicated content actually penalized or will that piece of content just not rank? (feel free to reference that example article as a real world example).

**When I say penalized, I mean "the domain is given a negative penalty for showing up in SERPS" - therefore, the website would not rank for "dentists in san francisco, ca". That is my definition of penalty (feel free to correct if you disagree).

Thanks all & look forward to a fun, resourceful conversation on duplicate content for the other purposes outside of SEO.

Cole

Hi Patrick,

We also drive traffic to these pages via Adwords / Bing Ads.

What if we change the content on these pages slightly differently.

Would that be good?

For ex: having local information such as who you've served or how you serve them (via Skype) rather than in person.

Reason why is because we get some traffic from some of these locations.

Thanks,

ETA: you can't do a local listing (Google Business) without a physical address.

I also believe one way we can improve is to have a paragraph in the middle talking about who / how we service that particular location.

We aren't hiding our navigation or other site features as some "doorway pages" do.

Thanks,

Hi Patrick,

Here is an example.

I'd like to take it down fairly quickly if I can get some feedback. I'd rather not have our example / client work available to the public for an extended time.

Thanks,

Cole

Hi all,

I read this article concerning the doorway algorithm update - http://searchengineland.com/google-to-launch-new-doorway-page-penalty-algorithm-216974

This quote is what got my attention:

"How do you know if your web pages are classified as a “doorway page?” Google said asked yourself these questions:

• Is the purpose to optimize for search engines and funnel visitors into the actual usable or relevant portion of your site, or are they an integral part of your site’s user experience?
• Are the pages intended to rank on generic terms yet the content presented on the page is very specific?
• Do the pages duplicate useful aggregations of items (locations, products, etc.) that already exist on the site for the purpose of capturing more search traffic?
• Are these pages made solely for drawing affiliate traffic and sending users along without creating unique value in content or functionality?
• Do these pages exist as an “island?” Are they difficult or impossible to navigate to from other parts of your site? Are links to such pages from other pages within the site or network of sites created just for search engines?"

We utilize location based pages for ourselves and a few clients too.

**Example Case: **

-We attempt to rank for "keyword city/state" - "keyword city/state" - "keyword city/state"

The keywords will often be the same such as "AC Repair" or "Physical Therapy" etc. with city / state combination such as "Tulsa, OK" "Seattle, WA" etc.

The goal is to rank locally for those terms (NAP is applicable in some circumstances).

Does the above case classify as a Doorway page? According to that definition, it does. However, this is a business that services that area. Some don't have physical address there but they do service that area (whether it be AC Repair or Website Design). Please advise me as to what a doorway page is exactly & if my practice is in-line.

Thanks,

Cole

Hi,

I believe Alick300 may be misunderstanding what Matt Cutts is communicating. Cutts is communicating different domains in different countries in this circumstance.

Thanks,

Cole

First, ask why they're doing this. If they're attemtping to rank for multiple locations. Change the content enough to be localized.

Second, if it's truly just duplicate content for no real purpose, then 301 redirect the domains to the domain with a higher "domain authority."

Find domain authority at opensiteexplorer.com.

Another thing to do is to double check Google Analytics code on the new website, double check robots.txt on the new website, make sure the new website is being indexed (I'm assuming there are new pages), double check anything and everything.

It is common for new launches to lose traffic for a little bit then come back to a better place. It happened to me on a large media site. The traffic dropped a 30% then recovered for a gain of 15%. Not sure why. But that's what happened.

I hope you find something or hold tight!

Thanks,

Cole

Hi Mozzers,

I have a new client who has some bad links in their profile that are spammy and should be disavowed.

They rank on the first page for some longer tail keywords. However, we're aiming at shorter, well-known keywords where they aren't ranking.

Will the disavow tool, alone, have the ability to increase rankings (assuming on-site / off-site signals are better than competition)?

Thanks,

Cole

Thanks all!

Hey Monica,

I fully understand that.

So let's say I have a Google Forwarding Number (because I'm tracking Call Conversions).

I copy that number and put it on my website (or in a magazine ad). Someone dials that number. It will register as a "click", correct?

At that point, I'm using Adwords as a call tracking service. Please help me with anything I'm missing.

Thanks,

Hi Monica,

I see your point by tacking calls on a keyword level.

But a call = a click correct?

You could set up conversions as well (for call tracking). I'm talking about taking the Google Number they provide you with and adding it to your website (or anywhere for that matter). The calls (or "clicks") would be tracked within call extensions.

I'm curious if anyone has had experience with that.

Thanks,

Hi,

I was taking over a client's Adwords account from a previous agency. It appears the former agency added the Google Forwarding Number (for call tracking on call extensions) and added it to the client's website.

Therefore, if anyone calls that number from the website, it would register within Adwords (just not as a conversion but as a click under "call extensions")

The problem:

• you can't filter by phone number (the same number calling +1 would indicate spam)
• you can filter by device (so tablet / computer) can be considered spam generally.

Questions:

• Anyone ever used this before? Your thoughts?
• Does anyone know if there is spam coming from mobile devices now-a-days?

Please tell me what I'm missing. Any advice / anyone else seen this / done this?

Thanks Moz Community,

Cole

Alex, you sir are a man among boys.

Thanks!!

Would each of these lists have the same URL parameters?

Just different duration of days?

Then combine them?

Alex, I'm not fully following you as far as the execution.

I understand we're attempting to create a custom audience.

So let's say I have an audience for visitors of "this url" set at 60 days past.

How would I market to them 30 days after they visit the website? I don't think I followed.

Thanks.

Hi all,

I'm looking to market to visitors 30 days AFTER they have been to a website.

Their is a coupon this business wants to run every 30 days to its' repeat customers (and if they purchase again); thus, 30 days more will resume.

I'm aware that your remarketing list can capture audiences from 30, 60, and 90 days past. I'm talking about future display ads running 30 days after visitor has cookies enabled.

Thanks for your help!

Cole

I think this can be a straight forward answer.

is the website spammy or provide no value (just a list of websites for example)?

If so, disavow. But I don't think this is a big problem. If you're cleaning it up, clean up those that are spammy, not just 404s or non existent domains.

I hope this helps.

Cole

Hello, this sounds pretty urgent.

You can see the updates here - http://moz.com/google-algorithm-change

Google Penguin update hit sites that have poor backlinking or spam links.

Google Panda update hit thin sites (with thin content) or any duplicate content.

Moving forward: Find the problem (could be more than one). Disavow the links. Produce relevant, high quality (not high quantity) content.

Hello Moz Support,

I've submitted to Moz Local 2-3 weeks ago - Bayou Tactical in my account. And the percentage remains the same with certain websites saying 100% incomplete that should be covered with Moz Local.

Please help and thanks!

Cole

I'm open to correction from other Mozzers but I don't think you've been hit with a penalty because of your keyword optimization.

I would consider one thing - what is best for the user?

It may look like this (targeting Website Design):

Title Tag Keyword Phrase | Brand Name - For example: Website Designer - Seattle, Washington

H1 Keyword Phrase in a question form - Website Design Made Easy (followed by content)

H2 Keyword Phrase asking where it originated, etc. - Website Design Services and Pricing (followed by content)

Basically, provide relevant content. I wouldn't worry too much here; just slightly alter it so it's not exact match all the way down the page.

As far as a penalty, you may have been recently hit with the new panda update or the penguin update.

I hope this helps. Thanks, Cole.

I agree with Andy.

However, you could look at new visitors vs returning visitors within direct traffic. Typically returning visitors are coming back DIRECTLY to your site and new visitors (assuming they didn't see an advertisement elsewhere) aren't coming DIRECTLY to your site.

That's my best approach; if I see a large number of new visitors, (assuming not a large ad just ran), then I can assume fairly reasonably that those are long tail keyword search terms.

It appears to have no value to me. I don't know if I would necessarily disavow it, although I would't expect much negative impact because of its DA (if removed). It just depends on your link profile.

But yes, it appears to have no value for the user and spammy.

ETA: If you drop out of rankings because of this disavowing this link (I doubt you will), you can go back and remove the disavow file. I've seen sites jump right back to where they were in the rankings.

I would add helpful articles / resources.

This could be the following: blog posts (weekly), infographics, videos, and pictures.

Think about adding content that would be helpful to users looking for content AROUND your industry. Therefore, you begin establishing your business as a resource. I would take that content and internally link to a product / service page.

This guide is AWESOME for everyone (not just beginners): http://moz.com/blog/the-noob-guide-to-link-building

I hope this helps,

Cole

Another note: if the jobs are being fulfilled within a month, you're doing your part well I would imagine.

Hello,

I wouldn't ever pay for links quite frankly. Search engines will continue to get more advanced and understand the world wide web better as time goes on.

I would dive deep into creativity and pursue possibly some of the following backlink options:

• reach out to universities to publish links on their websites for graduates (both undergrad and grad websites - that's possibly two links for .edu)
• I would possibly have a similar job posting on Craigslist (another valuable link) - beware of duplicate content
• Create content focused on local people getting local jobs and reach out to your local chamber of commerce or local government to see if you can garner some "attention" to these jobs. Possibly some .gov / valuable links here.
• Your content should be focused on helping people find jobs
• Your outreach should probably take most of your SEO time spent.
• Track those links! Therefore, validating your efforts.

I hope this helps.

Cole

Thanks for those resources Pixel by Pixel.

Cole

Hey Andy,

No disavow or https has been done. I've private messaged you.

Thanks,

Cole

Hello Moz Community,

I'm ranking well in Google (#2-#6 for various keywords) but on the second page of Bing.

Are there certain differences that I should be aware of?

Thanks,

Cole

Link Exchanges have become a thing of the past as far as a direct link exchange (put your link here and I'll put your link here) and could harm your website. Here is another Q&A Forum asking if link exchanges are good or not and another one that may be helpful.

To be safe and utilize link exchanges in a white hat, clean, relevant way, I believe mutually agreeing to linking to certain articles can be considered safe. Creating another article linking to your article (or blog) is what I mean or editing an existing article to add value. I don't think just having a random link in the footer or some place else on the website provides value is what I'm saying.

You may know all of this, but someone will come along questions link exchanges and provide insight anyways. As well, I think it can establish a ground for this conversation of seeing relevant, high QUALITY content.

I will take a look at your content and private message you if that's okay.

Thanks,

Cole

Our dropped two points as did our competitors. I wouldn't worry too much. I'm curious if this is a result of the most recent Google Penguin release.

Would the user benefit from the forum? If yes, then I would proceed with the forum (create no follows for all comments).

Google cares about the user. Thus, if the forum benefits the user, then yes.

It appears you're keeping in mind the user and I applaud you. It could be example.com/forum (with sub categories following forum to clearly indicate this is a FORUM). We aren't trying to manipulate (create no follows as mentioned above).

I think this would be good for your site, assuming you have good engagement.

Here is how to do a reconsideration request:

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35843?hl=en

which should lead you to this page:

https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/reconsideration?pli=1 where you'll check the manual penalty.

I hope this helps you guys.

Yeah I wonder if your domain name has been given a manual penalty.

I would do a reconsideration request now - (having done the two disavows already).

GWT will still show those links that have been disavowed. Don't let that worry you - they've still been disavowed.

I've looked at the following:

• your DA and PA of home page is at the same level if not better than your competitors.
• your website speed is fine.
• you don't have any backlinks that are spammy.
• Your on-site optimization is good
• you have good content
• your site is visually appealing so it can't be CTR and bouncing.
• you appear to have good indexation
• your robots.txt file isn't the issue

Man, I'm very curious as to what others say. How long have you owned that domain? Could it be that someone previously had it and received a penalty?

ETA:

*the site that appear to rank higher than you have part of the keyword search query in their domain name but this isn't a "be all" scenario. So that can't FULLY be it either. It doesn't explain why you don't show up on second or third page.

*I didn't see you on the second or third page of "coffee vending machines south africa." I really wonder if this site has had a penalty before.

Have you ever disavowed any backlinks in GWT before? If so, what sites?

I think Google updated the 14 days processing. You add a manager -> One day waiting -> Make owner.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

What if the email address is @agency.com? Then, physical email addresses can't be turned over.

Best alternative would be to transfer ownership in G+ dashboard? Would this alternative simply be by adding another manager and that new manager delete old agency manager? Or is there a place to actually change ownership? I can't seem to locate the change of ownership if it does exist.

ETA: I found it. You add someone as a manager then you wait 1 day, then add them as the owner.

Thanks,

Hey Moz Community,

I have a friend I'm asking for who has an agency and will be taking over SEO from another agency.

One thing that worries me is that the agency has confirmed dozens of locations in Google Places (about 60-100) for this business. How would you transfer Google Places ownership (assuming they cooperate)?

Could the previous agency delete these listings? If so, how would that affect Local SEO? For example, the location and phone number is already on the website. Isn't that good enough for all of these locations (about 100)?

I hope this is clear; please let me know if not. I would be interested in hearing any other feedback about moving agencies.

Thanks,

Cole

Did you 301 redirect all the old pages to the new pages (assuming URL structure was changed)?

What were they ranking for previously? And what page was ranking?

I may would advise having a more specific keyword for the home page considering it probably has a higher Domain Authority.

Thanks,

Cole

Hi,

We seem to be running into each other on the Moz Community forum quite often. According to the attached image, 76% of your organic traffic is Not Provided.

What is Not Provided? Google has chosen not to reveal those keywords (which come from people logged into their Google account). This happened a couple years ago or so.

What can we do about all of that lost data?

Apply a workaround filter (as mentioned above) for everything that is "Not Provided" to now be "np - /page-a", so that we can see what PAGES users are going to via organic search. If we know the PAGES, then we can determine the keywords.

As far as applying the filter, don't even worry about the technical know-how. It's just a copy and paste into filters under admin navigation.

I hope this is clear

Cole

Hi,

If you decide not to go with a UK based company or would like another quote for responsive redesign, please let me - cole@pixelbrushstudios.com

Our site is pixelbrushstudios.com and a lot of our prices are online. It appears your budget is going to be right up our alley as we primarily help small business owners.

Thanks,

Cole

Yeah this is a good scenario for those with larger budgets using "broad phrase" match keywords. By larger budgets, I mean those that can afford to spend for clicks that may not be "relevant" traffic. This can be a good metric for generating content ideas that people search for.

Cole

Great to hear!