Pretty permalink URL thingies (SEO)

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 11:03 AM

I might have brought this up before -- I can't remember.

I'm considering installing a vB plugin that will switch the dynamic URLs currently used on the forums (example: /showthread.php?t=22697) to static ones (example: /the-forums/the-thread-title-here-22697.html or something along those lines). Google really doesn't like URLs with a question mark in them, plus notice that you can access this thread via both these different URLs, plus countless other URLs:

http://forums.finalgear.com/the-forums/pretty-permalink-url-thingies-seo-24656/
http://forums.finalgear.com/showthre...929#post608929

This plugin would make it all the same URL.

The purpose of it would be to increase the rankings on Google, Yahoo, etc. (more visitors to the forums) as well as make the URLs better (albeit longer) and more clear as to what they are when posted on other forums, here, etc.

An example in action: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/

Note that the URL structure is 100% configurable. I can set the format, the max length, etc. etc.

So, I'm looking for constructive input/feedback, especially from SEO-aware people, but all is welcome.

Adunaphel · January 17th, 2008, 11:04 AM

I'm all for! I don't really care avout the pagerank stuff, but when someone posts a link on IRC for instance, it's easier to see what you're clicking, especially with threads that have borderline SFW stuff in there, you can decide easier whether it's safe to click or not. And the address bar will look a bit nicer, i always prefer seeing something that makes sense there instead of dosomething.php?id=verylargenumber.

MXM · January 17th, 2008, 11:09 AM

Yeah, fine for me as long as it wont be way too long and ugly.

chaos386 · January 17th, 2008, 11:18 AM

They're nicer when you're looking through your browsing history, so I say go ahead. images/smilies/smile.gif

Would a /the-forums/ subdirectory be needed since the links are all forums.finalgear.com anyway?

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos386

They're nicer when you're looking through your browsing history, so I say go ahead. images/smilies/smile.gif

Would a /the-forums/ subdirectory be needed since the links are all forums.finalgear.com anyway?

That'd just be this section, or I could leave that out altogether too.

Some more made-up examples of URL formats we could pick from:

http://forums.finalgear.com/the-shows/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603.html
http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603.html
http://forums.finalgear.com/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603.html

I could opt to have it cut off some of that post title if we feel it's too long.

argatoga · January 17th, 2008, 11:21 AM

It looks much better, and is clearer as well; it gets my support.

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 11:23 AM

Oh, and the thing is $150 (I don't mind investing in it since it'll probably be made back in Adsense), but I just don't want to buy and install it and then have you guys hate it, hence the thread. images/smilies/wink.gif

IceBone · January 17th, 2008, 11:45 AM

For it. I prefer knowing what i'm about to click, especially if it's a psdf link. images/smilies/dry.gif

How does it work for a direct post link or a page link?

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceBone

How does it work for a direct post link or a page link?

Post: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603.html#post123456

Page: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603-2.html

MXM · January 17th, 2008, 12:04 PM

Omit the sections part I say, thread title is probably enough.

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXM

Omit the sections part I say, thread title is probably enough.

I personally like the single section it's posted in (not the full depth, just the single) as it helps determine where the thread is posted, plus it probably helps with SEO by having like "Top Gear" in the URL.

MXM · January 17th, 2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

I personally like the single section it's posted in (not the full depth, just the single) as it helps determine where the thread is posted, plus it probably helps with SEO by having like "Top Gear" in the URL.

For SEO yeah, but for users this isn't important information I think. Titles are pretty descriptive. Ok, "Top Gear" doesn't pollute the url much, but something like "TG Specific Episode Discussions" does.
I for example don't even know what threads are in what section currently, I just click new posts and read it as a list images/smilies/smile.gif

IceBone · January 17th, 2008, 1:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Post: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603.html#post123456

Page: http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear/nbc-to-make-us-version-of-top-gear-called-gear-24603-2.html

Post: if the post is on another page, just the #xxxxxxx part won't work. And if it's on a specific page, you can't just point to that, since not everyone uses same post-per-page count. Unless the software parses the url and sends you to the right page?

Viper007Bond · January 17th, 2008, 1:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceBone

Post: if the post is on another page, just the #xxxxxxx part won't work. And if it's on a specific page, you can't just point to that, since not everyone uses same post-per-page count. Unless the software parses the url and sends you to the right page?

Good points, but the software is smart enough to figure out what page the post would show up on for you. However, if it shows up on page 1 for you and page 2 for me, then that is indeed a problem.

I'll probably end up leaving the post permalink showthread.php?p=XXX (and telling Google not to follow those permalinks) or forcing all users to use the default posts/page or something.

Redliner · January 17th, 2008, 2:22 PM

I agree with others, it is better to have a slight idea of where the link leads us.
As long as it doesn't make it harder for the admins, I'm all for it.

Clegko · January 17th, 2008, 6:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

I'll probably end up leaving the post permalink showthread.php?p=XXX (and telling Google not to follow those permalinks) or forcing all users to use the default posts/page or something.

I'd be all for it, unless you did that.

TechZ · January 18th, 2008, 8:22 AM

IT's worth the investment I think. I always wondered how vB forums had seo-friendly urls when I googled...

Adunaphel · January 18th, 2008, 8:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceBone

Post: if the post is on another page, just the #xxxxxxx part won't work. And if it's on a specific page, you can't just point to that, since not everyone uses same post-per-page count. Unless the software parses the url and sends you to the right page?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Good points, but the software is smart enough to figure out what page the post would show up on for you. However, if it shows up on page 1 for you and page 2 for me, then that is indeed a problem.

It is something of a problem, but the users who have set a different number of posts per page have the exact same problems now aswell. When you see the permalink for page x of a thread now, it's [FONT="Courier New"]http://forums.finalgear.com/showthread.php?t=<threadid>&page=<pagenr>[FONT], with the pagenumber counted from the default number of posts-per-thread. So before everyone with different settings starts screaming how bad it will be, it'll be just as bad (or good, your choice) as it is now.

Viper007Bond · January 18th, 2008, 9:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adunaphel

It is something of a problem, but the users who have set a different number of posts per page have the exact same problems now aswell. When you see the permalink for page x of a thread now, it's [FONT="Courier New"]http://forums.finalgear.com/showthread.php?t=<threadid>&page=<pagenr>[FONT], with the pagenumber counted from the default number of posts-per-thread. So before everyone with different settings starts screaming how bad it will be, it'll be just as bad (or good, your choice) as it is now.

Yeah, when viewing new posts, but if you click on like the number in the upper-right of a post (like #18 ), it's currently formatted like this (no page number involved):

http://forums.finalgear.com/showthread.php?p=609668#post609668

That'd switch to be /thread-title-12345-2.html#post609668 or whatever. images/smilies/wacko.gif

Viper007Bond · January 18th, 2008, 10:44 AM

Okay, it's on, but I'm in the process of fine tuning the default configuration. No complaints quite yet please. images/smilies/wink.gif

View Poll Results: Buy and install the plugin?
Yeah, high pageranks = win	10	66.67%
No, who cares about pagerank / the new URLs would be ugly	1	6.67%
Eh? I'm totally confused or I don't care (null vote)	4	26.67%
Voters: 15. You must log in to vote in this poll.

January 17th, 2008, 11:04 AM	#2
Adunaphel Global Moderator Joined: Jan 18th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: [ˈneːdərlɑnt] Age: 29 Posts: 4,622 Car: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) Rep Power: 153	I'm all for! I don't really care avout the pagerank stuff, but when someone posts a link on IRC for instance, it's easier to see what you're clicking, especially with threads that have borderline SFW stuff in there, you can decide easier whether it's safe to click or not. And the address bar will look a bit nicer, i always prefer seeing something that makes sense there instead of dosomething.php?id=verylargenumber. Last edited by Adunaphel; January 17th, 2008 at 11:08 AM.

January 17th, 2008, 11:18 AM	#4
chaos386 .sa = bad driver! Joined: Nov 8th, 2004 Last Online: 2:37 AM Location: Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia Age: 23 Posts: 4,609 Car: 2009 Seat Leon FR LFS Status: Rep Power: 144	They're nicer when you're looking through your browsing history, so I say go ahead. Would a /the-forums/ subdirectory be needed since the links are all forums.finalgear.com anyway? __________________ "Shit, that's a busy table cloth." -matt2000

January 17th, 2008, 11:23 AM	#7
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 2:36 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,268 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Oh, and the thing is $150 (I don't mind investing in it since it'll probably be made back in Adsense), but I just don't want to buy and install it and then have you guys hate it, hence the thread. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

January 17th, 2008, 11:45 AM	#8
IceBone Experienced Crash Test Dummy Joined: Jan 14th, 2007 Last Online: 3:19 AM Location: Slovenistan Age: 25 Posts: 9,296 Rep Power: 186	For it. I prefer knowing what i'm about to click, especially if it's a psdf link. How does it work for a direct post link or a page link? __________________ Bridge to Gantry time: 11:07

January 17th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#1
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 2:36 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,268 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Pretty permalink URL thingies (SEO) I might have brought this up before -- I can't remember. I'm considering installing a vB plugin that will switch the dynamic URLs currently used on the forums (example: /showthread.php?t=22697) to static ones (example: /the-forums/the-thread-title-here-22697.html or something along those lines). Google really doesn't like URLs with a question mark in them, plus notice that you can access this thread via both these different URLs, plus countless other URLs: http://forums.finalgear.com/the-forums/pretty-permalink-url-thingies-seo-24656/ http://forums.finalgear.com/showthre...929#post608929 This plugin would make it all the same URL. The purpose of it would be to increase the rankings on Google, Yahoo, etc. (more visitors to the forums) as well as make the URLs better (albeit longer) and more clear as to what they are when posted on other forums, here, etc. An example in action: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/ Note that the URL structure is 100% configurable. I can set the format, the max length, etc. etc. So, I'm looking for constructive input/feedback, especially from SEO-aware people, but all is welcome. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005 Last edited by Viper007Bond; January 17th, 2008 at 11:09 AM. Reason: More updates

January 17th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#3
MXM old porsches do run! Joined: Jun 9th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Finland Age: 27 Posts: 3,059 Car: 7, 944 LFS Status: Rep Power: 63	Yeah, fine for me as long as it wont be way too long and ugly.

January 17th, 2008, 11:21 AM	#6
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Last Online: 3:06 AM Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,774 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 162	It looks much better, and is clearer as well; it gets my support.

January 17th, 2008, 12:04 PM	#10
MXM old porsches do run! Joined: Jun 9th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Finland Age: 27 Posts: 3,059 Car: 7, 944 LFS Status: Rep Power: 63	Omit the sections part I say, thread title is probably enough.

January 17th, 2008, 2:22 PM	#15
Redliner Joined: May 19th, 2005 Last Online: 3:51 AM Location: Brazil - South America Age: 30 Posts: 5,281 Car: Fiat Palio 1.6 16v Rep Power: 113	I agree with others, it is better to have a slight idea of where the link leads us. As long as it doesn't make it harder for the admins, I'm all for it.

January 18th, 2008, 8:22 AM	#17
TechZ Captain Internet Joined: Dec 19th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Bahrain Age: 25 Posts: 2,920 Car: Audi TT '08 Rep Power: 200	IT's worth the investment I think. I always wondered how vB forums had seo-friendly urls when I googled... __________________ techzonline.net

January 18th, 2008, 10:44 AM	#20
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 2:36 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,268 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Okay, it's on, but I'm in the process of fine tuning the default configuration. No complaints quite yet please. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

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