SEO Traffic Loss from Merging without ReDirect Module

[asisflyer 47]

Dear VJ Admins, Please consider that the frequent merging, transfers, etc. without a Re-Direct Module to keep the old URL's reduces site traffic.

VJ lost web traffic over the merging. Abandoned URL.

Google penalizes sites with frequent errors of these sorts.

The original URL was indexed on google and other search engines and was deleted with the merge as your site has no Re-Direct feature on merged threads like VBulletin and others have plugins for. Recommend you install or write a similar module.

Check your logs for this. The thread not found will be among your top errors with very frequent sorting, splitting, and organizing that one sees on the board. The irony is that the attempts to better sort the categories amount to lost traffic and lost readership with abandoned URLs already indexed. Google parses you intraday.

Specifically on this thread. AOS forum is where those most affected will read. Not general immigration. The abandoned URL and transfer changed readership from hundreds to zero. Same effect as a deletion.

I thought VJ always wanted to grow and widen viewership and help folks trying for lawful benefits and AOS.

Both in terms of new reader (new ad revenues) and helping most people, the AOS delay threads should not be tossed into the Basement of General Immigration.

May I suggest that the site owners make the decision.

Also I highly recommend you install a re-direct feature that preserves the old decorative URL after merging. Over the years you must have lost thousand of potential new readers over this. This will really make a difference on the site. I would also suggest that you take a more conservative approach to merges and pruning and they reduce breath of URLs indexed with similar keywords and reduce cross-section for organic search engine traffic capture.

My humble advice.

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

Do you know of a plugin for this?

[asisflyer 47]

Do you know of a plugin for this?

Invision Power is proprietary and so there are less 3rd party modules floating around to choose from as far as I can see.

A quick look at their SEO guide didn't overtly discuss it.

I can do a little research or skim their develop guide and look. I have worked with vBulletin, PHPbb, Vanilla, SMF, etc. but never did anything with this Invision product before.

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

That would be great! Thank you.