Google’s John Mueller was requested about whether it is nonetheless okay to make use of noindex and canonicals on the identical time and when to make use of one or the opposite. It is a subject we coated a number of instances right here through the years however I noticed a brand new Reddit thread with John’s feedback on it, so I figured I would resurrect this subject.
First, right here is our earlier protection:
The brand new Reddit thread references an outdated workplace hours hangout (which I miss so much) the place on the 16:38 mark, David asks about this subject.
John replied that if you wish to consolidate pages with the potential of the pages nonetheless displaying up, then go along with the canonical. If you need the pages gone from Google Search, then go along with noindex. He additionally mentioned, technically you’ll be able to go along with each.
Here’s what John mentioned there:
However I believe the overall query of ought to I take advantage of noindex or rel canonical for an additional web page is one thing the place there most likely is not an absolute reply. In order that’s type of simply offhand. It is like, for those who’re fighting that, you are not the one one who’s like, oh, which one ought to I take advantage of? That additionally normally signifies that each of those choices could be OK.
So normally what I might have a look at there may be what your actually sturdy desire there may be.
And if the sturdy desire is you actually don’t desire this content material to be proven in any respect in Search, then I might use no index.
In case your desire is extra I actually need all the things mixed in a single web page, and if particular person ones present up, like, no matter, however most of them must be mixed, then I might use a rel canonical.
And finally, the impact is comparable in that, properly, it is like, probably the web page that you are looking at will not be proven in search. However with a no index, it is positively not proven. And with a rel canonical, it is extra probably not proven.
Positive, I imply, it’s also possible to do each of them. And it is something– if exterior hyperlinks, for instance, are pointing at this web page, then having each of them there helps us to determine, properly, you do not need this web page listed, however you additionally specified one other one. So perhaps among the indicators we are able to simply ahead alongside.
Right here is the video embed:
So this was introduced up within the Reddit thread and the response was a bit bizarre however you’ll be able to check out it.
John wrote:
I would just decide one (noindex or adopted hyperlinks). Hyperlinks on a noindexed web page could be picked up, however it’s not assured. search engine optimization is usually about making your desire very clear and never about perhaps’s. Additionally, it is useful to be reasonable: typically (usually) having a great website construction that typically works properly for search engines like google is healthier than hyper-focusing on hyperlinks (or some other particular person side of search engine optimization).
Discussion board dialogue at Reddit.
