We have two sites:
- example.com
- example.co.uk
Both point to the same IP and files.
Is it better SEO practice to direct the user's from example.co.uk to example.com?
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Sign up to join this communityWe have two sites:
Both point to the same IP and files.
Is it better SEO practice to direct the user's from example.co.uk to example.com?
Ideally you need a 301 Permanent redirect from one to the other. If you serve the UK exclusively or almost, then redirect from the .com to the .co.uk because the country extension is favored in local searches. Otherwise, redirect the other way around.
Not redirecting creates a vast body of duplicate content which is frowned upon and even penalized by Google. Now, they do not penalize for every bit of duplication and they may even understand multiple TLDs in the way you have them, but if everything is identical, do not risk it.
.com to the .co.uk because the country extension is favored in local searches
since Google uses many signals to establish this, off site citations being one of the most important. Google has the ability to narrow down your site to the town it operates in and these areas are not included in the domain name or are they required in the URL. Just thought I'd throw that out there, its often a mistake that many people think a .co.uk is better than a .com, both are valid and rankable for local searches.
May 9, 2013 at 17:58
favored
and not must, but as far as I've tested, and read there is no difference today with Google's local rankings due to many other factors.
May 9, 2013 at 18:03