SEO - Mixed Signals to Google

Google relies on rel=”canonical” to merge all substantially identical URLs into a one canonical edition from the page. If a number of your canonicalised webpages use noindex you could be sending a blended signal to Google and there is a probability they may prefer to noindex the canonical version of the website page as well. We do not know the exact conditions less than which that is most likely to happen, nevertheless the general advice is always to minimize noise and be certain you are sending a clean concept to Google to forestall any undesired results.

History

In August, 2012 John Mueller advisable to not use noindex with rel=”canonical”:

“You talked about the noindex… Generally speaking, I might stay clear of your situation where you’re working with a rel=canonical together together with the noindex, due to the fact it might materialize that we go ahead and take noindex and likewise use it for the canonical [URL], mainly because technically the rel=canonical is meant to be used on URLs which might be equal and when we begin to see the noindex on just one URL and we think “Oh, this is often equivalent to your other URL” then we might apply the noindex towards the other URL as well. So, seriously try to stick to things like redirects from one version into the other or even the rel=canonical, such as.”

Giacomo was intrigued by this and sought more clarification on that and equivalent challenges. Closing clarification was ultimately offered this year by John Mueller during the following post:

“…you should really avoid at any time sending blended signals. If you want anything distinct completed, you must make it as obvious as you possibly can. If you are saying that these URLs are equivalent, but noindex just one and try to get another just one indexed, then that should be unclear - often be as apparent as feasible.”

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And eventually:

“When now we have a gaggle of URLs the place we could select one canonical, it is really much the situation that we presume that these URLs are equal - so apart from “optics,” it wouldn’t make any difference which in the URLs we choose as the canonical. With that in mind, if now we have a combined established of “index” and “noindex” URLs in there, then it’s not wholly very clear what we must always do with that set of URLs: index a consultant, or not? or maybe we should believe which they are usually not, soon after all, URLs that could be grouped jointly? In case you, as being the webmaster, possess a strong opinion on that, it’s often improved in case you take the conclusion into your hands and provides a transparent sign concerning that which you want us to perform with the URLs.”

The Experiment

Toni Anicic joined the dialogue and recommended I run a examination. By natural means I couldn't resist the urge, but in contrast to final time, I made a decision that my own domain must be the sufferer in the assault.

That will help using the experiment do the subsequent:

Rip this web site: http://dejanseo.com.au/link-disavow-statistics/ (it's going to have canonical again to my website page)

Increase noindex to it <META NAME=”ROBOTS” CONTENT=”NOINDEX“>

Upload it anywhere on the internet and let us know from the responses.

Periodically check this look for result to view if I was kicked out.

Posted in: SEO (Search Engine Optimization)