Duplicate Content Part 3
OK - just to summarize, I've already discussed duplicate content based on internal search engine queries getting indexed with the same meta title and one page having 2 slightly different urls. I mentioned that in my forensic analysis of the site, I came across a third possible source of duplicate content.
This site has a back end database administration section that is on an SSL. There is no link to the admin section on the site itself. But, when I did a Google search for one of their keywords and it came up 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd, I was a little shocked. Primarily because you can generally only show up in two positions for one domain - One main and one sub.
The third position listing was the https version of the domain. Out of curiosity I did a site search of our domain for http and https. Sure enough, the same number of pages. Our entire site had been indexed on the secure certificate and without it. On the surface that seems like a great thing - showing up in the top three listings. However, those who know Google know that they will eventually catch on and you will get "dinged" for it.
The next step was to discover the source. How was Google finding the https version of the site? I checked nearly every link on the site and couldn't locate the leak. In frustration I shoved my mouse while uttering some form of resignation. In my fit of frustration, my cursor landed on the Live Chat image button on the left side of the page. To my amazement, it linked to an https page. One simple click of a checkbox on the chat software's website and I believe I have contained the "leak".
The moral of the story is that when you install third party script on your site - be absolutely sure you know what it does, where it points, etc. With these three forms of possible duplicate content rectified, my hopes of increased traffic to the site hang in the balance.For more information, please see Duplicate Content Part 1 and Duplicate Content Part 2.
2412 Gulf Breeze Ave
Pensacola, Florida 32507
850-455-1464
sales@bluewebtechnologies.com