url parameter strip / geo-targeting

[Gilad]

Hi,

1. from here-Meet The Crawlers (http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/002932.html):


Q: Is it cloaking to strip out session ids for just the bots?
A: They all said it is "no problem". Google added, "in fact, please do that."

Anyone got good experience on that one? simply 301 for bot user-agents?

2. I'm thinking of taking the same approach for GeoTargeting (delivering translated pages for IP ranges in order to serve the user a page in its own language while giving the bot a default version),
any thoughts? (you're more than welcome...)


Thanks a Lot!

[Darrin Ward]

It's funny...... I tend to call it deliverance!!!

I have always tended away from deliverance based on specific criteria (bot or user). There is almost no need what-so-ever for session id's, if you're clever enough to do things on the server!

As I see it - the more 301's, the more potential complications.

I sway towards delivering a version that is both SEO & user optimized, especially considering that one tends towards the other! (In terms of content/SEO)

In terms of languages: most bots come from the US, so if you were to to deliver based on language, the vast majority of the bots would get English anyway - so Geo-Target at your will :) - Robots coming from foreign countries probably expect foreign languages anyway!!!

Sessions ID's - well that's in my first point - they are almost completely unneccessary - things should be done at the IP/cookie level rather than session ID level!

[Gilad]

Thanks Darren,



I sway towards delivering a version that is both SEO & user optimized, especially considering that one tends towards the other! (In terms of content/SEO)



I couldn't agree more, but in the case I'm dealing with it's not possible at current structure,
The ID parameters are not session rather tracking parameters (for traffic credit and campaign ROI stat) and are based on a veteran system.

Replacing the system/method is no option for the next 12-18 months, I'm lurking for the best patch to cope with current CMS & Tracking methods.

[Darrin Ward]

mod_rewrite?

[rustybrick]

You need to serve up a "cloaked" page for this. Just serve Google the default, and special users a geo-specific page.

[Gilad]

Thanks Barry,
That's what I thought, just needed a *formal stamp* in case The engineers decide to ban the site... :cool:

[rustybrick]

Don't take my advice as a "formal stamp" please. :)

[randfish]

You can have my formal stamp. If they ban you, tell them Rand said it was OK. :D :lol:

[Gilad]

No problem :) ,
Now that cloaking is "formally OK", in my next mission I may try and *legalize* even darker methods :peep: .